Contact: Keith G.C. Twitchell, (504) 267-4666 October 24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CBNO/MAC ENDORSES PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT

Despite Reservations About Timing and Process, Giving Force of Law to Master Plan Is “Right for the City”

The Committee for a Better New Orleans/Metropolitan Area Committee announced today that it is supporting the proposed amendment to the New Orleans City Charter that will appear on the November 4 ballot.

“ Giving the master plan the force of law will protect neighborhoods while also promoting economic development,” observed Donna G. Klein, Co-Chair of CBNO/MAC. “We have to get past the chaos that has typified land use and zoning decisions in the past to create a system that citizens and developers alike understand and can work with together. Passing this amendment is right for the city.”

The amendment also calls for the creation of a permanent citizen participation program (CPP). Working with citizens citywide to create this mechanism for citizen input into city government policy-setting and decision-making is CBNO/MAC’s top priority; the organization has convened a substantial citizen working group and is assisting them in developing the New Orleans CPP, in concert with the master plan process.

While the organization endorsed the proposed Charter amendment, it also expressed concerns over the process and timing of the proposal.

“As this is something that will impact every citizen in the city, we would have liked to have seen a far more robust citywide dialogue before this went on the ballot,” commented CBNO/MAC’s other Co- Chair, Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb. “People need to be comfortable with the entire process in order to support it wholeheartedly, and we understand the viewpoint of those who would like to see the master plan itself before they vote to give it force of law. The master plan can and should be a unifying event in New Orleans, as these processes have been in other cities, and we hope that regardless of whether or not the amendment passes on November 4, the people of the city will in fact come together to work on the plan and develop a shared vision for our future.”

CBNO/MAC also has some concerns about the strength of the citizen input process as described in the proposed amendment, particularly the lack of a specific mechanism for the citizens themselves to initiate review of the master plan and comprehensive zoning ordinance.

“These weaknesses must be addressed in the master plan itself,” added Ms. Mitchell-Grubb. “While we do believe that giving the master plan force of law is the right thing to do, it clearly raises the stakes for the people of New Orleans. This makes it vitally important that people all over the city do participate in the development of the master plan and the citizen participation program.”

CBNO/MAC is a diverse community organization, a catalyst and convener, working to bring all voices to the table to build a better quality of life for all New Orleanians.

For more information about CBNO/MAC or its position on the charter amendment, please contact Keith G.C. Twitchell, CBNO/MAC president, at (504) 267-4666.