Ray Landeche (I)
Opening Statement:
Ray Landeche - Forty-seven years of growth has prepared me to serve as your Council Member. Throughout my education in the St. Charles Parish Public Schools (Hahnville High), LSU (BS Engineering), and a 25-year career in the Oil & Gas Industry, I have always pursued the leading edge of technology to solve problems. However, several years ago it became clear to me that without WISDOM to properly apply our technologies, we will fail. This knowledge is well summarized by Stephen R. Covey in his books titled The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. With this knowledge I suggest we:
• Love our neighbor. Louisiana is a beautiful mix of ethnicities who have come together to form a uniquely soulful people. As a product of Louisiana, our people carry a message of Faith, Hope and Love. Our good people are Louisiana's greatest export. Let's welcome diversity as our strength and make New Orleans a world-class city, again. Welcome home Louisiana!
• Bring Ethics and Integrity to government. Restore government for the people to create a vibrant economy, world-class levees, the "Sportsman's Paradise", a GREAT education system, and safe and clean neighborhoods for ALL.
• Think regionally in support of coastal restoration. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers' interruption of natural processes is the leading cause in the loss of Louisiana's coastline and natural hurricane protection. New Orleans was NOT a coastal city when it was founded 300 years ago.
• Create a better education system for life to break the cycle of dependency that currently holds so many of our people hostages in a world of Political Patronage and corruption. To be effective in government, we must first know how government is supposed to work and then work to make government better (not bigger).
• With the four above pieces in place, we will be rewarded with Economic opportunity for ALL and make New Orleans (and Louisiana) the envy of the world.
With this message, we ask for all of us to be American, not partisan, on April 22nd and cast a vote for a better New Orleans. "IN GOD WE TRUST".
Sincerely, Ray Landeche (#84)
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?
Ray Landeche - Only if that's what the property owners & leaseholders want. Hurricane Katrina should not be a catalyst for stealing property from its' pre-Katrina owners. Lake Pontchartrain has almost 100 miles of shoreline, so there are several other locations that can support new private marinas/developments.
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?
Ray Landeche - If Parks & Parkways can NOT handle the maintenance, I'm certain someone else will step to the plate and fund this green space maintenance. We clearly need to maintain our current green spaces before we create more.
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?
Ray Landeche - NO! (See answer to question 1, above)
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?
Ray Landeche - NO! In fact we should re-consider the size and scope of the currently approved third tower (L'Ultime) on Lake Marina Drive. All future developments should be more in character to its surroundings and the historical use of the West End area. As the only candidate to attend the March 10 & 11, 2006 West End redevelopment meetings, it is clear that the current landowners are concerned about over development of this area.
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?
Ray Landeche - I'm very aware of the problems in Florida and other parts of the country. New Orleans is built on good family, friends, music, food and fun, therefore access to the lake for ALL New Orleanians is a critical part of being "Proud to call it HOME".
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?
Ray Landeche - As the only candidate to attend the recent West End redevelopment meetings (3/10-11/06), I will fight to continue an open and honest process to give the people what they need. I will fight to protect current leaseholder/property owner rights. Therefore, YOUR VISION will be my five year vision!
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 North shore, 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?
Ray Landeche - Quality of life is the most critical issue facing us now, therefore we should focus our efforts on rebuilding a better New Orleans and not simply default to the same old New Orleans, and However, I do support protection for recognized historic properties, like our lighthouse.
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?
Ray Landeche - Would this be something that you would be willing to champion? New Orleans and Louisiana are blessed with great natural resources and when properly developed, we should lead the nation in many more categories. Your teamwork has built something, which should make us all proud. I will happily join your team and will champion your cause.
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?
Ray Landeche - The West End redevelopment meetings suggested several optional uses for this asset. Again, I will support what the people want and need.
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?
Ray Landeche - Federal Tax Credits are currently available for such projects. Again, it's a big lake and I will support better development of this asset, instead of all the federal dollars going to other states.
11) With every restaurant overlooking the Lake obliterated, what will you do to empower these restaurants and bars to come back stronger than before?
Ray Landeche - Yes, I will support ever effort to bring back New Orleans stronger than before. We need to reclaim our rightful place as a world city.
12) What ideas would you support for the use of the historic and very damaged Lighthouse at the point?
Ray Landeche - We should rebuild the Lighthouse where it is more functional, but preserve its' historic look.
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?
Ray Landeche - We should spend our tax dollars where they are collected by bringing transparency and accountability to government. District A currently puts much more into the city coffers than we receive in services. Fair City government can fix this problem and the streets of our district as well!
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?
Ray Landeche - As a fellow citizen, I can NOT get a truthful answer from City Hall. However, I think our neighborhood assets should support our damaged neighborhoods like Lakeview & Mid-City, first. Sufficient police presence should be provided on all trailer sites.
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?
Ray Landeche - I support the streamlining and consolidation of city government; toughening ethics standards for all officials especially close review of City Council appeals for certain planning issues; and world class hurricane and flood protection. All other City services will be provided with this improved leadership. I oppose a moratorium on building permits and using the power of eminent domain, unless the government is prepared to pay landowners 120% of pre-Katrina values for their homes or businesses.
16) What are a few specific details of the ULI Report that you adamantly support and a few that you are adamantly opposed to, and please give a short explanation as to why?
Ray Landeche - I support providing low cost housing for the working poor, elderly, handicapped, etc. with the complimentary transportation, recreational and health care services. All Americans deserve to share in the American dream. I oppose limiting assistance to $150,000 when many of our homes and businesses were worth much more. Owners of such properties are hard working Americans who pay significant state and federal taxes; they should be given help in the form of tax credits against past or future taxes.
Ray Landeche - Forty-seven years of growth has prepared me to serve as your Council Member. Throughout my education in the St. Charles Parish Public Schools (Hahnville High), LSU (BS Engineering), and a 25-year career in the Oil & Gas Industry, I have always pursued the leading edge of technology to solve problems. However, several years ago it became clear to me that without WISDOM to properly apply our technologies, we will fail. This knowledge is well summarized by Stephen R. Covey in his books titled The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. With this knowledge I suggest we:
• Love our neighbor. Louisiana is a beautiful mix of ethnicities who have come together to form a uniquely soulful people. As a product of Louisiana, our people carry a message of Faith, Hope and Love. Our good people are Louisiana's greatest export. Let's welcome diversity as our strength and make New Orleans a world-class city, again. Welcome home Louisiana!
• Bring Ethics and Integrity to government. Restore government for the people to create a vibrant economy, world-class levees, the "Sportsman's Paradise", a GREAT education system, and safe and clean neighborhoods for ALL.
• Think regionally in support of coastal restoration. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers' interruption of natural processes is the leading cause in the loss of Louisiana's coastline and natural hurricane protection. New Orleans was NOT a coastal city when it was founded 300 years ago.
• Create a better education system for life to break the cycle of dependency that currently holds so many of our people hostages in a world of Political Patronage and corruption. To be effective in government, we must first know how government is supposed to work and then work to make government better (not bigger).
• With the four above pieces in place, we will be rewarded with Economic opportunity for ALL and make New Orleans (and Louisiana) the envy of the world.
With this message, we ask for all of us to be American, not partisan, on April 22nd and cast a vote for a better New Orleans. "IN GOD WE TRUST".
Sincerely, Ray Landeche (#84)
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?
Ray Landeche - Only if that's what the property owners & leaseholders want. Hurricane Katrina should not be a catalyst for stealing property from its' pre-Katrina owners. Lake Pontchartrain has almost 100 miles of shoreline, so there are several other locations that can support new private marinas/developments.
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?
Ray Landeche - If Parks & Parkways can NOT handle the maintenance, I'm certain someone else will step to the plate and fund this green space maintenance. We clearly need to maintain our current green spaces before we create more.
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?
Ray Landeche - NO! (See answer to question 1, above)
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?
Ray Landeche - NO! In fact we should re-consider the size and scope of the currently approved third tower (L'Ultime) on Lake Marina Drive. All future developments should be more in character to its surroundings and the historical use of the West End area. As the only candidate to attend the March 10 & 11, 2006 West End redevelopment meetings, it is clear that the current landowners are concerned about over development of this area.
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?
Ray Landeche - I'm very aware of the problems in Florida and other parts of the country. New Orleans is built on good family, friends, music, food and fun, therefore access to the lake for ALL New Orleanians is a critical part of being "Proud to call it HOME".
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?
Ray Landeche - As the only candidate to attend the recent West End redevelopment meetings (3/10-11/06), I will fight to continue an open and honest process to give the people what they need. I will fight to protect current leaseholder/property owner rights. Therefore, YOUR VISION will be my five year vision!
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 North shore, 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?
Ray Landeche - Quality of life is the most critical issue facing us now, therefore we should focus our efforts on rebuilding a better New Orleans and not simply default to the same old New Orleans, and However, I do support protection for recognized historic properties, like our lighthouse.
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?
Ray Landeche - Would this be something that you would be willing to champion? New Orleans and Louisiana are blessed with great natural resources and when properly developed, we should lead the nation in many more categories. Your teamwork has built something, which should make us all proud. I will happily join your team and will champion your cause.
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?
Ray Landeche - The West End redevelopment meetings suggested several optional uses for this asset. Again, I will support what the people want and need.
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?
Ray Landeche - Federal Tax Credits are currently available for such projects. Again, it's a big lake and I will support better development of this asset, instead of all the federal dollars going to other states.
11) With every restaurant overlooking the Lake obliterated, what will you do to empower these restaurants and bars to come back stronger than before?
Ray Landeche - Yes, I will support ever effort to bring back New Orleans stronger than before. We need to reclaim our rightful place as a world city.
12) What ideas would you support for the use of the historic and very damaged Lighthouse at the point?
Ray Landeche - We should rebuild the Lighthouse where it is more functional, but preserve its' historic look.
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?
Ray Landeche - We should spend our tax dollars where they are collected by bringing transparency and accountability to government. District A currently puts much more into the city coffers than we receive in services. Fair City government can fix this problem and the streets of our district as well!
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?
Ray Landeche - As a fellow citizen, I can NOT get a truthful answer from City Hall. However, I think our neighborhood assets should support our damaged neighborhoods like Lakeview & Mid-City, first. Sufficient police presence should be provided on all trailer sites.
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?
Ray Landeche - I support the streamlining and consolidation of city government; toughening ethics standards for all officials especially close review of City Council appeals for certain planning issues; and world class hurricane and flood protection. All other City services will be provided with this improved leadership. I oppose a moratorium on building permits and using the power of eminent domain, unless the government is prepared to pay landowners 120% of pre-Katrina values for their homes or businesses.
16) What are a few specific details of the ULI Report that you adamantly support and a few that you are adamantly opposed to, and please give a short explanation as to why?
Ray Landeche - I support providing low cost housing for the working poor, elderly, handicapped, etc. with the complimentary transportation, recreational and health care services. All Americans deserve to share in the American dream. I oppose limiting assistance to $150,000 when many of our homes and businesses were worth much more. Owners of such properties are hard working Americans who pay significant state and federal taxes; they should be given help in the form of tax credits against past or future taxes.
posted by TAG at 3:45 PM
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