David Nowak (I)
Opening Statement:
David Nowak - I would like to thank NOYC and Mr. Gilbert for the questionnaire. I have to admit, some of these questions, I didn't really know that much about. So I spent all of Friday touring the West End area, questionnaire in hand, trying to find some insights into these questions. Thanks to these particular questions, I feel I am a much better informed candidate. In the end it's much more so what you feel and believe than what I say. I only wish to use this office as a positive means to change.
1) Would you support the privatization of either Orleans Marina and/or Municipal Harbor along with the increased fees this would bring, and if so, why and under what criteria would you support this privatization?
David Nowak - No, I am opposed to privatizing this public asset.
2) With large swaths of District A, primarily Lakeview, devastated and with the many neutral grounds in these neighborhoods already growing wild even before the summer, do you feel that Parks & Parkways will be able to keep up with maintenance and do you feel that it is even important to do so? If so, how will you support and/or direct Parks & Parkways to maintain these neutral grounds?
David Nowak - Right now city funds are extremely tight, and with security being the number one priority in spending, I feel that it will be very tough as it stands now for Parks and Parkways to maintain these green spaces. I strongly believe that our neutral grounds and other green spaces need to be healthy for this city to be healthy. More revenue to pay for professional gardeners, as well as a city wide replanting, will be necessary for long term recovery.
3) Speculation is rampant that either the existing casino boat based at Southshore Harbor or another casino boat altogether will be based somewhere at West End, do you support this idea? If so, where specifically would you support it locating and surrounded by what other types facilities on the land?
David Nowak - With harbor space limited as it is, I don't see a reason to have a casino based at West End. We already have plenty of access to gaming.
4) Large scale condominium development was growing rapidly near the marinas even before the hurricane, do you support the further development of large condo towers? If so, would you support condo development on the footprint of the old parking lot for Jaeger's and the Dock? What about along West End Park? What about somewhere on the grounds of the Orleans Marina?
David Nowak - From what I saw, the condos looked to be in good shape and providing much needed housing. However, I wouldn't like to see expansion replace areas along West End Park or anywhere on the grounds of the Orleans Marina.
5) Are you aware of the many issues in Florida and elsewhere regarding the lack of water access to the general public, caused specifically by rampant development of multi-million dollar condominiums and the privatization of public marinas? Understanding that West End is a very small area providing this access to the lake for New Orleanians, are you concerned about these same issues occurring and what would you do to stop this from happening at West End?
David Nowak - Yes, I am concerned. I will fight any attempts to privatize Orleans Marina, or the sale of any of that land to private entities.
6) West End has always been a walking neighborhood, where people were able to play volleyball, eat great seafood, enjoy their boats, visit their favorite watering hole, fish off of the piers, and hold picnics or crawfish boils without ever having to get into a car - what is your vision for this area in five years and how will you fight to maintain this neighborhood's pedestrian nature and openness for the general public?
David Nowak - Many studies show that high traffic walking neighborhoods provide multiple economic opportunities as well as reduce instances of crime. West End isn't the only neighborhood in New Orleans that I as councilman envision growing into a pedestrian community.
7) Understanding that people prefer and choose to live near their boats and that Orleans Marina and Municipal Harbor had a waiting list of several years in order to get a boat slip, which only added to the impetus for some people to move to the Northshore, would you support the plans which were developed many years ago to rebuild and redesign Municipal Harbor so that it could add an additional 200 boat slips? If so, would this be a priority for you after the more pressing and obvious ones?
David Nowak - Well, I wouldn't want the city to lose any more of its tax base to the Northshore. From what I saw, there is room to expand the Harbor to include additional boat slips.
8) New Orleans was very quietly one of the nation's leading training grounds for competitive sailing, which in turn supported many sailing related businesses located in Orleans Parish and was one of the main reasons that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast together were in the lead to host the U.S. Olympic Sailing Trials in 2007 (New Orleans has since dropped out for obvious reasons), would you support the development of a Sailing Center which could be used to house the UNO and Tulane sailing teams, provide sailing courses open to the general public, and further provide avenues for New Orleans to host many more of these prestigious national and international sporting events? Would this be something that you would be willing to champion?
David Nowak - I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how the roads are so bad, we could never hope of having a formula one race down here. This competitive sailing, now I think you may be on to something there. I as councilman would champion any avenues from which New Orleans could stay in the national and international spotlight. The city still has a long road ahead, and it must focus on developing as many sectors of commerce as possible. A sailing center would also encourage restaurants and other ancillary businesses to put the effort into rebuilding. Sure, I'll champion it!
9) The area alongside the road leading to the "point" has long been neglected and could very well become an asset to the city again, how would you support this areas comeback?
David Nowak - I think an expansion of the transit system along this road, as well as improvements to the road itself, will encourage a lot more foot traffic. This in turn will encourage the entrepreneurs to build up the area and open new businesses.
10) Do you support the notion of reclaiming more land from the Lake in order to build another marina, more boathouses, commercial development and/or condominiums? Please detail why you would or would not support this and explain any vision you would have for this?
David Nowak - Taking the example of the city of Chicago, I think any land that is reclaimable off the lake should remain a public asset, either as park or ancillary buildings. That land should serve the dual purpose of public area and storm surge reducer
11) With every restaurant overlooking the Lake obliterated, what will you do to empower these restaurants and bars to come back stronger than before?
David Nowak - Getting the marina and surrounding neighborhood rebuilt will go a long way towards bringing these places business. Providing tax incentives to businesses trying to get on their feet, along with the necessary population to work for and support these establishments and they will be up and running.
12) What ideas would you support for the use of the historic and very damaged Lighthouse at the point?
David Nowak - I am open to many different ideas. It definitely should be repaired and kept in the public domain, but as a specific purpose, I would need more neighborhood input.
13) Even before the hurricane, the harbors and marinas of West End desperately needed to be dredged, with boats often running aground in the channels, the problem is compounded now with new layers of silt and massive debris. This will potentially lead to injuries, and it is only a matter of time before this occurs. What will you do to correct this problem?
David Nowak - I'm sure we could work some sort of dredging in the west end when looking to fill in those malfunctioning canals. Of course, this is just one of myriads of problems that must be addressed in a timely manner.
14) What are the city's plans for trailers in City Park (how many, where exactly, length of time)? Are these trailer sites specified for any particular group (NOPD, NOFD, etc.) or are they geared to pre-K Lakeview residents who were renters or are they open to the general public? What about police presence on the trailer sites?
David Nowak - The trailer issue is undoubtedly one of the most controversial issues in this election. Ultimately, if elected, I would like more input from the residents surrounding City Park, as well as the thoughts of the newly elected mayor, and council at large members. Security is most relevant, so I won't support any action that puts residents or police officers needlessly at risk
15) What are a few specific details of the BNOB Report that you adamantly support and a few that you are adamantly opposed to, and please give a short explanation as to why?
David Nowak - The expansion of public transit to include a light rail system throughout the city, including the new line to west end, is something I strongly support. I believe the growth of cities follows expansions in transportation opportunities. I also like the idea of filling in the canals to create public spaces. However, I don't approve of using eminent domain to seize properties of individuals who do not want to sell their homes.
David Nowak - I would like to thank NOYC and Mr. Gilbert for the questionnaire. I have to admit, some of these questions, I didn't really know that much about. So I spent all of Friday touring the West End area, questionnaire in hand, trying to find some insights into these questions. Thanks to these particular questions, I feel I am a much better informed candidate. In the end it's much more so what you feel and believe than what I say. I only wish to use this office as a positive means to change.
1) Would you support the privatization of either Orleans Marina and/or Municipal Harbor along with the increased fees this would bring, and if so, why and under what criteria would you support this privatization?
David Nowak - No, I am opposed to privatizing this public asset.
2) With large swaths of District A, primarily Lakeview, devastated and with the many neutral grounds in these neighborhoods already growing wild even before the summer, do you feel that Parks & Parkways will be able to keep up with maintenance and do you feel that it is even important to do so? If so, how will you support and/or direct Parks & Parkways to maintain these neutral grounds?
David Nowak - Right now city funds are extremely tight, and with security being the number one priority in spending, I feel that it will be very tough as it stands now for Parks and Parkways to maintain these green spaces. I strongly believe that our neutral grounds and other green spaces need to be healthy for this city to be healthy. More revenue to pay for professional gardeners, as well as a city wide replanting, will be necessary for long term recovery.
3) Speculation is rampant that either the existing casino boat based at Southshore Harbor or another casino boat altogether will be based somewhere at West End, do you support this idea? If so, where specifically would you support it locating and surrounded by what other types facilities on the land?
David Nowak - With harbor space limited as it is, I don't see a reason to have a casino based at West End. We already have plenty of access to gaming.
4) Large scale condominium development was growing rapidly near the marinas even before the hurricane, do you support the further development of large condo towers? If so, would you support condo development on the footprint of the old parking lot for Jaeger's and the Dock? What about along West End Park? What about somewhere on the grounds of the Orleans Marina?
David Nowak - From what I saw, the condos looked to be in good shape and providing much needed housing. However, I wouldn't like to see expansion replace areas along West End Park or anywhere on the grounds of the Orleans Marina.
5) Are you aware of the many issues in Florida and elsewhere regarding the lack of water access to the general public, caused specifically by rampant development of multi-million dollar condominiums and the privatization of public marinas? Understanding that West End is a very small area providing this access to the lake for New Orleanians, are you concerned about these same issues occurring and what would you do to stop this from happening at West End?
David Nowak - Yes, I am concerned. I will fight any attempts to privatize Orleans Marina, or the sale of any of that land to private entities.
6) West End has always been a walking neighborhood, where people were able to play volleyball, eat great seafood, enjoy their boats, visit their favorite watering hole, fish off of the piers, and hold picnics or crawfish boils without ever having to get into a car - what is your vision for this area in five years and how will you fight to maintain this neighborhood's pedestrian nature and openness for the general public?
David Nowak - Many studies show that high traffic walking neighborhoods provide multiple economic opportunities as well as reduce instances of crime. West End isn't the only neighborhood in New Orleans that I as councilman envision growing into a pedestrian community.
7) Understanding that people prefer and choose to live near their boats and that Orleans Marina and Municipal Harbor had a waiting list of several years in order to get a boat slip, which only added to the impetus for some people to move to the Northshore, would you support the plans which were developed many years ago to rebuild and redesign Municipal Harbor so that it could add an additional 200 boat slips? If so, would this be a priority for you after the more pressing and obvious ones?
David Nowak - Well, I wouldn't want the city to lose any more of its tax base to the Northshore. From what I saw, there is room to expand the Harbor to include additional boat slips.
8) New Orleans was very quietly one of the nation's leading training grounds for competitive sailing, which in turn supported many sailing related businesses located in Orleans Parish and was one of the main reasons that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast together were in the lead to host the U.S. Olympic Sailing Trials in 2007 (New Orleans has since dropped out for obvious reasons), would you support the development of a Sailing Center which could be used to house the UNO and Tulane sailing teams, provide sailing courses open to the general public, and further provide avenues for New Orleans to host many more of these prestigious national and international sporting events? Would this be something that you would be willing to champion?
David Nowak - I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how the roads are so bad, we could never hope of having a formula one race down here. This competitive sailing, now I think you may be on to something there. I as councilman would champion any avenues from which New Orleans could stay in the national and international spotlight. The city still has a long road ahead, and it must focus on developing as many sectors of commerce as possible. A sailing center would also encourage restaurants and other ancillary businesses to put the effort into rebuilding. Sure, I'll champion it!
9) The area alongside the road leading to the "point" has long been neglected and could very well become an asset to the city again, how would you support this areas comeback?
David Nowak - I think an expansion of the transit system along this road, as well as improvements to the road itself, will encourage a lot more foot traffic. This in turn will encourage the entrepreneurs to build up the area and open new businesses.
10) Do you support the notion of reclaiming more land from the Lake in order to build another marina, more boathouses, commercial development and/or condominiums? Please detail why you would or would not support this and explain any vision you would have for this?
David Nowak - Taking the example of the city of Chicago, I think any land that is reclaimable off the lake should remain a public asset, either as park or ancillary buildings. That land should serve the dual purpose of public area and storm surge reducer
11) With every restaurant overlooking the Lake obliterated, what will you do to empower these restaurants and bars to come back stronger than before?
David Nowak - Getting the marina and surrounding neighborhood rebuilt will go a long way towards bringing these places business. Providing tax incentives to businesses trying to get on their feet, along with the necessary population to work for and support these establishments and they will be up and running.
12) What ideas would you support for the use of the historic and very damaged Lighthouse at the point?
David Nowak - I am open to many different ideas. It definitely should be repaired and kept in the public domain, but as a specific purpose, I would need more neighborhood input.
13) Even before the hurricane, the harbors and marinas of West End desperately needed to be dredged, with boats often running aground in the channels, the problem is compounded now with new layers of silt and massive debris. This will potentially lead to injuries, and it is only a matter of time before this occurs. What will you do to correct this problem?
David Nowak - I'm sure we could work some sort of dredging in the west end when looking to fill in those malfunctioning canals. Of course, this is just one of myriads of problems that must be addressed in a timely manner.
14) What are the city's plans for trailers in City Park (how many, where exactly, length of time)? Are these trailer sites specified for any particular group (NOPD, NOFD, etc.) or are they geared to pre-K Lakeview residents who were renters or are they open to the general public? What about police presence on the trailer sites?
David Nowak - The trailer issue is undoubtedly one of the most controversial issues in this election. Ultimately, if elected, I would like more input from the residents surrounding City Park, as well as the thoughts of the newly elected mayor, and council at large members. Security is most relevant, so I won't support any action that puts residents or police officers needlessly at risk
15) What are a few specific details of the BNOB Report that you adamantly support and a few that you are adamantly opposed to, and please give a short explanation as to why?
David Nowak - The expansion of public transit to include a light rail system throughout the city, including the new line to west end, is something I strongly support. I believe the growth of cities follows expansions in transportation opportunities. I also like the idea of filling in the canals to create public spaces. However, I don't approve of using eminent domain to seize properties of individuals who do not want to sell their homes.
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