Nagin, Awards, A Penthouse, and The Intrepid Mr. Allman
Well it looks like Kevin Allman, a journalist colleague of mine who I have great respect for, has hit pay dirt on the great Nagin Award Controversy ™. Dig it (and Digg it when you go read the whole thing):
It was a perfect storm for outrage: The very week that the mayor’s office was under attack for its role in the burgeoning NOAH scandal, the entire city council was served with federal subpoenas, the FBI raided the former offices of NOAH, a formal investigation began over potential mismanagement of federal rebuilding funds, and the whole shiznit hit The New York Times…a pretty little party invitation went out.
The honoree: Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who was to be honored by a group called “The Excellence in Recovery Host Committee,” which was presenting the mayor with “The Award of Distinction For Recovery, Courage, and Leadership.” There didn’t seem to be much (anything, frankly) about “The Excellence in Recovery Host Committee” anywhere on the Web, and, in Clancy DuBos‘ words in a blog reaction, it “did not exist in official, corporate form according to the Secretary of State’s office.” Was it a charity? A fundraiser?
He got ahold of host and co-chair Stewart Juneau, a well known Louisiana developer/samaritan, and had a very interesting discussion. I highly advise checking it out. Not only did KA get a lot of answers, but he also managed to get invited and will be able to report back from the proceedings themselves. If there is going to be a journalist there I’m glad its him.
-Loki, HumidCity Founder
August 15th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Dear Mr. Founder:
Glad you’re back at the old stand a bit more often. Of course, the foundation is cracked but hey that’s why I call it Debrisville.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Getting better at juggling my deadlines. I’ve missed you too, malaka.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:17 am
While I appreciate the spirit in which Mister Juneau lends his penthouse, It’s still smacks of the Emporer’s New Clothes (“The space, the view of the skyline — I think of it as belonging to the people of New Orleans.”)
For the Mayor to even entertain recieving such an award, while murder skyrockets out of control and a city still flounders in corruption, much of it associated with His Honor, is straight up ‘Let them eat cake.”
A gathering of wealthy developers and business men, celebrating recovery, as locals are killed and bullied by thug police activities, is a great way to start a revolution.
Sadly, that may be what is required here.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
i just got a call regarding Stewy, seems he is a ‘douche-bag’ according to a person that he worked for. doh!
August 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Thanks for the kind words, Loki. You know I love Humid City right back atcha. - K.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:01 am
This is pretty funny.
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/08/and_the_winner_is_unclear.html
Practically everyone who’s name is associated with this is running for cover, pretending they had no idea what they were agreeing to. I cannot stop giggling.