Lighting The Road To Freedom Data Zone Page 7 Business After Hours “The People’s Paper” September October 13, 1, 2007 41st41st YearYear Volume Volume 37 37 www.ladatanews.com www.ladatanews.com Election 2007: The Race for Councilmember-at-Large Heats Up LA Treasury Unclaimed Newsmaker Culture at a Property List Crossroads Page 11 Page 4 Photos by Victor Holt Page October 13, 007 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Election 2007: The Race for Councilmember-at-Large Heats Up By Benjamin Bates Thomas resigned amidst a sea of controversy as he The theme of purging the city of the long legacy Photos by Glenn Summers pled guilty to accepting bribes from a longtime as- corruption of politics in Louisiana was at the fore- sociate of former New Orleans Mayor Morial, busi- front of the discussion . Dyan ‘Mama Dee’ French, a As the elections season heats up with races across nessman Stan ‘Pampy’ Barre who was convicted of resident of the Treme Neighborhood and a longtime the state; the Governor’s seat as well as several im- wrongdoing and has accepted a plea agreement in community activist and one of the candidates said, portant offices including the State Senate and State an unrelated case . “It is time for a different approach to government Representative that are presently without incum- This state of events has left the field open with where people are not just about taking care of just bents . And as the clock ticks closer to the day when a wide array of candidates spanning the political a few people, but about all of the people of the city ”. the voters will make their decision about who will and ideological spectrum . The candidates in this Tommie Vassel, who is a businessman and has also be their elected officials, candidates are jockeying race include political veterans, social activists, busi- worked inside of city government touted his experi- for position canvassing communities seeking the nesspersons, and political novices that are vying for ence alluding to him being the candidate that can support of their respective constituencies . this coveted seat . Loyola University in conjunction best work in the business and political community, While every race is important, the one that is be- with several community groups from across the city saying the people are demanding proven effective ing watched by most New Orleanians is the race for came together to hold a forum where all the candi- leadership and that he is the person best qualified to City Council-at-Large . It is a seat that has been left dates in this crowded field showed up in attempt to fill the job . While all the candidates agreed that cor- vacant because of the recent shocking development convince voters that they were best qualified to fill ruption was a problem that needed remedying the that popular and longtime councilmember Oliver this vacant seat . young fiery candidate Quentin Brown said as his Continued next page. DATA NEWS WEEKLY INSIDE DATA 616 Baronne Street, Suite 584, New Orleans, LA 70113 Phone: (504) 284-3840 | Fax: (504) 304-0203 editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Cover Story . 2 Data Zone . 8 Terry B. Jones Contributors Contributing CEO/Publisher Benjamin Bates Photographers Glenn Jones Dionne Butler Edwin Buggage Newsmaker . 4 Love Doctor . 9 VP Advertising Gilbert Estrada & Marketing Lloyd Dennis Glenn Summers Edwin Buggage Dr. Aaron E. Harold Editorial Submissions Editor-in-Chief datanewseditor@ Glenn Summers National News . 5 In the Spirit . 8 Cheryl Mainor bellsouth.net Managing Editor Art Direction Advertising Inquiries Distribution & Production datanewsad@ Glenn Jones bellsouth.net State & Local . 7 MainorMedia.com Please call (504) 284-3840 for subscription information. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. voice rang with passion, “I am sick recently exonerated from events and tired of career politicians and I stemming from her stint as Clerk have a vendetta against these politi- of Court of the City of New Orleans cians who are not doing their job, said, “I have a wealth of experience and I am tired of all the corruption working in different cities such as and we need a change, that’s why I’m New York and San Francisco, as a running, and it’s up to regular people consulting revitalization specialist, like myself to put pressure on these and I have helped those and aided politicians so they can do the right them in becoming viable cities that things ”. value diversity and giving the citi- Another issue that came up dur- zens the power to define what they ing the forum is the recent crime want for their neighborhoods’, and wave that has hit the city again giving in this crucial time for New Orleans New Orleans the distinction of being I want to help the citizens of the city one of America’s most violent cities . do the same thing ”. Kaare Johnson, host of a local radio As the election grows closer many talk show and one of the candidates citizens are not back in their homes, said he would put more officers on and many more are still displaced, the streets to make them safe and this is a major issue of concern to try to provide more funding for com- the voters . Cynthia Willard-Lewis STRONG COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT WITH COMMITMENT . munity policing programs . Diana Ba- who represents City Council Dis- joie, who has been a fixture in New trict E where the devastated areas Orleans politics for several decades, of the Lower Ninth Ward and New said that the problem is not simply Orleans East are located says she is we’ve made a seeking higher office to con- At Coors Brewing Company, tinue to fight for the people of the city and getting them the resources to rebuild their homes and have a city where solid commitment to support the efforts of people dedicated to people’s welfare is placed be- fore politics . This election has many people offering themselves for service in this crucial strengthening their communities. WE ARE PROUD time, and these elections may impact the city and the state’s future for many years to come, as a city and the state works to rebuild, and renew itself . And TO INVEST IN THE of these individuals the unanswered questions are vision and dedication will it be a city that will be a place that is prosperous, pro- gressive and productive, or will it sank deeper into the striving to make a difference — FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO YOURS. about crime but of access to resourc- abyss? The voters of Louisiana have es and that it is important to work on a chance to have a voice in choosing other things such as improving edu- what direction it wants to go in when cational and economic opportunities they go to the polls on October 20th to combat crime . 2007 . While the city is in recovery mode With the elections set for October there has been an economic fallout 20th it is an important day for the city and the city is struggling waiting for and the state as they try to rebuild, something to ignite the economic en- and it is essential that people get out gine that will jumpstart the local econ- and vote, and Data News Weekly omy . Longtime elected official and the People’s Paper will be focusing former New Orleans City Councilper- on the candidates in several key son Jackie Clarkson, said during the races and we want you to participate STRENGTH , SUPPORT, COMMITMENT forum, “I have served for thirty-eight so if you have any questions for the www.coors.com years as a private and public person candidates for our upcoming Elec- making an impact providing jobs and tion Edition send your questions or that is what I’ll continue to do if I am suggestions to dataneswseditor@ elected ”. Former New Orleans CAO bellsouth net. © 2004 Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado 80401 • Brewer of Fine Quality Beers Since 1873 • BEER Kimberly Williamson-Butler who was A8696_3a_C 300dpi Press PDF 08.17.04 16:00 100 Linescreen bh DATE: 8/2/04 - 12:06 PM LIVE: 5.75” x 10.5” CREATIVE DIRECTOR: CLIENT: Coors TRIM: n/a ART DIRECTOR: FILE NAME: 530-122C BLEED: n/a COPYWRITER: MEDIA TYPE/UNIT: print ad DOC STATUS: 1 ACCOUNT: INSERTION DATE: PRINT IS OUTPUT AT: 100% PROD MGR: E. Kozacas BW OR 4-COLOR: BW TRAFFIC MGR: J. Tompetrini LINE SCREEN: EPRO: A. Chang DOCUMENT PATH: Studio Server/Current EPRO Jobs/530-122_Coors_newspapers/530-122C NOTES: Page October 13, 007 Newsmaker www.ladatanews.com Culture at a Crossroads Faubourg Treme: The Story of Black New Orleans By Edwin Buggage mirrors what happened after the Civil War during reconstruction, “ I feel like the city Recently, the dissonant sounds of brass is undergoing a reconstruction, but this is blared through the Treme Neighborhood, the second reconstruction we are going it is a historical tradition of this storied area through . When you look at the issues you of America’s most interesting city; the band see a lot of the same things, and what we played as revelers followed in a procession argue in the film is that the failure to ad- honoring the passing of one of its own, tuba dress these issues appropriately after the player Kerwin James . As the parade pro- Civil War is linked directly to people be- ceeded with a cadre of followers, as many ing stuck in the Superdome unable to help as twenty police cars arrived upon the themselves ”.