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- Nick

            New Orleans is in need of a radically different vision of government. Our city has always been an inefficient, bureaucratic, and slow moving machine, and for years we have been able to “get by” with this model. Hurricane Katrina has changed all that, exposing the flaws and sluggishness in our current systems. In response, it is absolutely imperative that a more streamlined, adaptive government emerges to handle the rebuilding of this city.
            New vision is needed…vision that is not rooted in Louisiana politics, but in logic and market economics. I also strongly believe that the future of New Orleans very much hinges on the younger demographic. With the mass exodus of established families and businesses from New Orleans, tremendous opportunity awaits for new blood to step in, where others have stepped out. The challenge will be to attract young, enthusiastic entrepreneurs and service industry professionals, willing to deal with the transitional pains of a city in rebuilding.
             As someone who loves, lives, and breathes New Orleans, I have made it my primary objectives in this campaign both to provide an outlet for logical solutions to our city’s problems, and to engage the younger demographic here. I hope to change the cycle of low voter turnout and political apathy for in the 18-30 year old age group, and I encourage everyone to examine all candidates’ platforms to make informed decisions. This election is critical to the speed at which New Orleans recovers. We will, however, recover.
 

    My reasoning is thus…the very spirit of New Orleans has always been one of celebration joy. Over the last 6 months, the media (especially national media), has inundated this country with non-stop negative, depressing coverage of New Orleans. People around the country thought New Orleans was underwater for months after the storm, due to the incessant sensationalizing of the press and over exposure of flood photographs. I was relieved to see that tide beginning to change with Mardi Gras coverage, but we still have a ways to go.
 

     In NO way do I imply lack of empathy for the tremendous hardship befallen the people affected by this disaster, but at the same time, a TOTAL lack of coverage of the positive happenings in the city greatly frustrated me. As someone who returned in October from the storm, I can certainly attest to the resilience, the positivity, and the enthusiasm of the people here at that time, and the people here now. It was wonderful to see so many citizens, especially young people, moving back… despite aggravations like gas availability and grocery store closings. These are people that cared enough to begin reinvesting in the city, cared enough to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and deserved to enjoy themselves when they could. I will continue to provide coverage of the joy I encounter in New Orleans, and hope that everyone views it in the spirit to which it is intended.  
 

As always, thanks for reading!
Nick