MAYOR LANDRIEU, CITY COUNCIL URGES CITIZENS TO SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS

New Orleans, LA – As Tropical Storm Alex gained strength moving towards Mexico, Mayor Mitch Landrieu encouraged New Orleanians to register for the city’s emergency text message alert system.  Registered citizens will receive text messages with information and instructions from the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness during an emergency.

“Although it looks like we will not take a direct hit from Tropical Storm Alex, we are early in what is expected to be an active hurricane season and we must remain vigilant, especially given the oil spill in the Gulf,” Mayor Landrieu said.  “I encourage residents to take this opportunity to sign up to receive text messages that will provide accurate information in real time during an emergency.”

To sign up, log onto www.nolaready.info or simply text message NOLA4U (665248).   Currently, only 12,000 people are signed up for this emergency alert system. 

Landrieu added, “For residents that do not have internet access, this is an important resource.  We’ve also found that when the internet is down or when folks are out of town without access to local media, text messaging is a very effective means of communicating critical information.” 

City Council President Arnie Fielkow said, “The importance of hurricane preparedness is something that we in the City of New Orleans all understand. Preparing early is essential to a smooth and safe evacuation in the event that a hurricane threatens our City. I hope all New Orleanians sign up for this helpful tool soon as hurricane season is already upon us.”

Council Vice President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "We as a City are doing all we can, using every tool at our disposal, to get our residents prepared for Hurricane Season. We need our residents to respond by preparing themselves. Participating in this innovative notification system is an excellent place to start." 

District A Councilmember Susan G. Guidry commented, “Our residents who endured the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina either at home or in evacuation know full well that landline and cellular service were interrupted for a long period of time, and that texting was one of the only methods of communication.  This underscores the importance of signing up to receive emergency text messaging.”

District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer added, “It is extremely important that each and every one of us is adequately prepared for the impact of hazardous weather situations that may affect our community.  I strongly urge that we all have a plan that will address the health, safety and evacuation needs of your family. I encourage everyone to register with the agencies that are available to ensure that you will receive the pertinent information regarding the status of approaching weather conditions”

“While Hurricane Alex is not a direct threat to us, it serves as a reminder that storm season is upon us once again. Now is the time to make preparations and plans in case we are in the path of the next storm,” said District D Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell. "Don't forget the lessons of Katrina. Don't forget the lessons of Gustav. And don't underestimate what's going on with this oil, we have no idea what kind of impact that will have if we are visited by another hurricane.”

District E Councilmember Jon Johnston stated, “I want to strongly encourage the residents to stay tuned to the newscast and listen for any information and direction that may come from the Mayor’s office. React accordingly and take the opportunity to completely prepare for this hurricane season. If my office can be of any assistance, feel free to call upon us.  Also, please take this opportunity to register with the City of New Orleans for emergency directions.”

Col. Jerry Sneed, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, also urged residents who have no means of evacuating on their own to sign up for the City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP). This may be due to financial need, unreliable or no transportation or homelessness. 

“We are committed to getting everyone out of harm’s way during an emergency,” Col. Sneed said.  “We encourage people to sign up now, so we have time to prepare and plan for the number of people who will need the city’s help to evacuate.  Do not wait until a hurricane is bearing down on us.”

If you feel you may be eligible for the CAEP, call the city’s 311 hotline or call 504-658-4000.  You will be asked to complete a phone survey. Currently, more than 23,000 individuals are registered with the CAEP. 

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MAYOR LANDRIEU TO ADDRESS DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL RESPONSE OPEN HOUSE

The City of New Orleans, in conjunction with state and partner agencies responding to the disaster, is hosting an Open House Expo concerning the Deepwater Horizon incident on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at the Pavilion of Two Sisters, within the Botanical Gardens of City Park in New Orleans from 6pm to 8pm.

The Open House Expo will offer Orleans residents the opportunity to engage one-on-one with experts to address their concerns about environmental quality, wildlife, safety and resources being used in the spill response.

For more information on the open house itself, please contact the Houma Community Liaison Office: 985-493-2791.

WHO:

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and representatives from the following organizations or companies: BP, U.S. Coast Guard, Vessels of Opportunity, NOAA, Small Business Administration, LSU Ag Center, EPA, Louisiana Small Business Development, Alternative Response Technologies, LA Department of Health and Human Services, LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, LA Department of Social Services, & LA Department of Environmental Quality.

WHAT:

Open House Expo on Deepwater Horizon oil spill

WHEN:

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

6-8:00 PM CST

NOTE: Mayor Landrieu will make brief remarks at 6:00pm.

WHERE:

The Pavilion of Two Sisters at City Park

12 Victory Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70124

MAYOR LANDRIEU KICKS OFF 2010 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

New Orleans, LA— Mayor Landrieu today helped kick off the 2010 Mayor’s Summer Youth Program aimed at giving 14-24 year-old New Orleanians opportunities for jobs this summer. The Summer Youth Program is organized by the city’s Office of Workforce Development.

“Among the greatest gifts we can give our youth is an opportunity to grow and learn-- a hand up rather than a hand out,” said Landrieu. “This program is about investing in our young people, and giving opportunities for young people to work this summer can be instrumental in our efforts to fight crime.”

Over 100 New Orleans companies offered 1,020 positions for a range of jobs. The eight-week program runs from June 7 to July 29 and includes three categories: a “work and learn” component for 14-15 year olds that offer literacy and math activities, skill building, career exploration, and work readiness training; an internship component that offers career exposure and connections to public and private sector employers; and a work-only component at pre-designated worksites throughout the metropolitan area.

"This summer initiative is about giving our youth an opportunity to explore career options through real-life work experiences. They will learn the importance of maintaining professionalism and excellence in the workplace,” said Bryan Moore, Director of Workforce Development for the City of New Orleans. “We will not rest until we see the day that every young person in this city has an opportunity to have a wonderful summer experience while earning a few bucks."

1788 youths applied for those positions, so a lottery was instituted to select the participants.

“Having the opportunity to work with people of all backgrounds was great preparation for my college and law school experience, and being part of the Summer Youth Program really allowed me to reach my highest potential,” noted Mykell Clem, a law student and former program participant.

Enrollment in the program comes at no cost to the employer, as the City funds the program with approximately $1.4 million from the Workforce Investment Act, the American Recovery & Responsibility Act, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The program also receives administrative support from Goodwill Industries.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to offer employment to young people as a part of this program, too bad it’s just for the summer,” said Anthony Bean, founder and artistic director of Anthony Bean Theater and an employer participant in the program. “This kind of investment is too important.”

“We are thankful to all of our employer partners who appreciate the significance of providing opportunities for youth. Our Summer Youth Program is a great example of how the public and private sector can work together to better our community and is a model of how we can be transforming the streets of New Orleans into those of hope and opportunity,” Landrieu concluded.

Fortier president wins national award

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 5, 2010 –Brad Fortier, CFP®, president of Fortier Financial, was presented the Charlie Eisenmann Client First Award by Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. during a ceremony today.

The national award is given annually to the investment professional who works with clients in a manner that best exemplifies Charlie Eisenmann’s client first philosophy. Mr. Eisenmann, the former Chief Operating Officer of Dunham & Associates, died in March 2007 after battling cancer.

Mr. Fortier received the award for his dedication to his clients in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He set up a temporary office in his home to help clients through the crisis and went well beyond what would have been professionally expected to assist in many other areas of their lives.

Jeffrey A. Dunham, founder and CEO of Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc., presented the award during the 2010 Dunham Institute at the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. Mr. Fortier is an independent Financial Advisor with LPL Financial in the Greater New Orleans Area and was chosen by the Dunham & Associates award selection committee.

The event’s keynote address was made by Nobel Laureate in Economics Dr. Harry Markowitz.

“Brad Fortier represents a client first attitude that is both unwavering and focused on his clients’ needs,” said Jeffrey A. Dunham. “Like Charlie, Brad demonstrates the noble pursuit of genuine service to his clients. This was magnified when confronted with Hurricane Katrina but is also evident when working with his clients in the more normal circumstances of everyday life.”

Brad is also a prominant community leader in the recovery of New Orleans. He served as the president of the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association, the director of capital development for the Beacon of Hope Resource Center, the chairman of the Finance Committee for the District 5 Neighborhood Recovery Group, and on the District A President’s Council, which was established to advise on the city’s budget process.

“We received many deserving nominations from around the country, which made our selection challenging,” noted Salvatore M. Capizzi, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel Inc. “In the end, we felt Brad’s exemplary client first service philosophy and his dedication to community service are the attributes that would best carry on Charlie Eisenmann’s legacy. We are honored to recognize Brad for this year’s award.”

“I am honored to accept this award for client service, which is at the center of my business philosophy,” said Fortier. “Financial planning is a means to an end. Helping my clients realize their dreams is really what I do; it’s what drives me. That is why I take a holistic approach to finance that extends far beyond a person’s portfolio to really get at the heart of what they want to achieve.”

About Fortier Financial
Fortier Financial is one of the most highly regarded wealth management specialty boutiques in the Gulf region. The name has become synonymous with professionalism and trust, which is why Fortier Financial’s exclusive clientele consists mainly of successful professionals seeking a high level of personalized advice. Despite the firm’s growth, it continues to deliver one of a kind customer service that addresses the needs of each client on an individual level. To maintain this key strength, Fortier Financial limits the number of new clients taken on and is selective when choosing who it serves based on criteria that extend beyond the size of portfolios.

Fortier Financial is independently owned and operated. It is a branch office of one of the nation’s leading diversified financial services companies and the largest independent broker/dealer in the nation.* Through LPL Financial, Fortier Financial is able to offer access to a wide variety of products and services, all of which can be tailored to suit clients’ specific needs.

*As reported in Financial Planning magazine 1996-2009, based on total revenues.

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

Mayor-elect Landrieu receives recommendations from task forces

Anthony Williams, former mayor of Washington, D.C. and Corporate Executive Board to lend their expertise.

New Orleans – Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu gathered with members of his transition team and people from across the community to hear the recommendations from the 17 Task Forces he formed upon his election. The Task Forces, comprised of a diverse group of experts and community leaders, were asked to advise the Mayor-elect on issues that affect the quality of life of New Orleans citizens.

The Task Forces, created to help shape the transformation of New Orleans, held community meetings, providing forums for anyone wanting to voice their opinions. Unprecedented public input was received, with hundreds of people from across the city attending meetings and over a thousand sharing ideas online. The Task Forces worked diligently, lending their expertise and gathering the information to develop the recommendations presented today for the Mayor-elect’s consideration.

Recommendations from the Task Forces varied, addressing the issues the Mayor-elect identified as most important to the public in moving the city forward in meaningful and productive ways. They ranged from mapping all recreation assets within the city including recreational facilities, park, playgrounds, programs and partners to identify opportunities and gaps, presented by the Recreation Task Force, to the Flood Protection and Coastal Restoration Task Force’s recommendation to create a point person on coastal restoration, flood protection and urban water management. In considering the public’s input, the Task Forces were able to harness the power and passion of the citizenry in forming clear and concise recommendations.

“It was particularly inspiring to hear first-hand the voices of the community, and in those voices a fervent desire for a better New Orleans for all of us,” said the Mayor-elect.

Also joining Mayor-elect Landrieu were Anthony Williams, former Mayor of Washington, D.C. and current Executive Director of the Government Practice at the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), and Scott Bohannon, General Manager of the Finance, Strategy and Government Practices at CEB. Williams announced a pro-bono partnership with the City of New Orleans. CEB is a research and advisory services company that provides guidance to organizations around the world to help deliver superior business outcomes.

Armed with the recommendations from the Task Forces, the 150 CEB employees who have volunteered to assist with the project will be divided into teams based on expertise. They will offer advice, insights and recommended action steps derived from CEB’s global network of leading organizations to help accelerate the city’s ongoing recovery.

“We are pleased to offer our support to Mayor-elect Landrieu and New Orleans, as this is a city that can’t be duplicated and that is a huge starting point,” said Williams.

“It is clear there is nothing broken that together we can’t fix, but it is a process that won’t happen overnight,” said Mayor-elect Landrieu. “With the consideration of these recommendations, the support of the Corporate Executive Board, and the enthusiasm and energy in the community, I am determined that we can deliver results for the people of New Orleans.”

Building on an unprecedented level of support from people in neighborhoods across the city, Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu launched Transition New Orleans, an effort designed to engage citizens in the transition process for the new administration. Transition New Orleans will create task forces to solicit recommendations from experts and citizens. Interested parties can share ideas and apply to participate in the transition at www.transitionneworleans.com.

Transition New Orleans Community Meeting Schedule Announced

Customer Service Task Force Community Meeting
What should citizens expect when they are obtaining services through City Hall?

March 30th
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Langston Hughes Charter School
Cafeteria
3519 Trafalgar Street
New Orleans, LA 70119

Sustainable Energy and Environmental Task Force Community Meeting
What is the most important action that the next Mayor can take to assist making energy and the environment more sustainable?

March 31st
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Grace Episcopal Church
Main Hall
3700 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119

Cultural Economy Task Force Community Meeting
How can the Mayor support the growth of the cultural economy in New Orleans?

April 1st
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Ashe Cultural Arts Center
1712 Oretha C Haley Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70113

Criminal Justice Task Force Community Meeting
What is the most important thing that Mayor-elect Landrieu can do to further the interests of public safety in New Orleans?

April 1st
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Dryads YMCA
Multipurpose Room
2220 Oretha C Haley Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70113

Housing and Blight Task Forces Community Meeting
How can City Hall help eradicate blight and promote sustainable, livable housing in New Orleans?

April 5th
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Southern University at New Orleans
Physical Education Building/Gymnasium
6400 Press Drive
New Orleans, LA 70126

*Additional community meetings to be announced.

Economic Development Task Force to hold community meeting

Tomorrow the Economic Development Task Force is holding a community meeting at the Port of New Orleans from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All are encouraged to attend and share ideas on how City Hall can help create jobs and facilitate economic development.

Click here for directions.