Stephen Saussy (I)
Opening Statement:
Stephen Saussy - We the citizens of New Orleans have a chance to change our political landscape and the direction of the City we Love, ONE -CHANCE, NOW. This is not about political affiliation, Race, Gender or Religion. Hurricane Katrina exposed the inadequacies of our elected officials and forced many to ask themselves, WHY? We can blame those elected or we can take responsibility moving forward and mandate open integrity of City Government, City Finances, mandate that taxes and fees are applied as implied and not deposited into the general fund. The issues before us are complex but there are a few simple practices we can incorporate tomorrow which will to begin the eradication the political patronage that so many fear has contributed to the devastation of New Orleans over the last forty years.
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?
Stephen Saussy - No.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Currently, the sewerage and water department collects fees for street cleaning, garbage pickup and emergency medical service.
"According to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, Condensed Rules and Regulations for Customers the following is stated: "The city of New Orleans uses the "water bill" to collect fees for garbage pickup, street cleaning and emergency medical service. The current fee is $13 per month for residential customers and $26 for commercial customers. Double houses using one meter are charged $26"
Do the math and you can estimate the tens of millions of dollars being collected for these services. However, the monies ear marked for theses services is to the best of my findings are deposited into the general account. It is also my understanding that other taxes and fees collected are deposited into the general account and distributed for purposes other than those intended.
So, the first question would be to accurately determine the amount being spent on the three services mentioned above Vs the monies being collected. Having the knowledge I have about the cost of emergency medical service Vs their collection revenue, I would bet to say there is sufficient monies for maintaining parks, lanes etc... Maintaining these areas could be achieved by dividing the area into grids and determining the amount of time needed to go from the beginning of a grid to the end of the grid. Once the amount of time is determined simply repeat the process as warranted. Maintenance of equipment and weather restrictions would need to be considered.
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?
Stephen Saussy - No, I would hope that West End remained family oriented; parks, restaurants, restaurant accessible by boat, housing, etc…
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?
Stephen Saussy - Large Scale, NO. Condominium Development, Yes.
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?
Stephen Saussy - There are numerous areas throughout New Orleans that need development and multi-million dollar condominiums would fit in nicely on the river. The West End area needs development and New Orleanians have longed for a place close to home to enjoy the outdoors. I would support a significantly smaller scale development.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Approve establishments that enhance the neighborhood and maintain a familial atmosphere. With the devastation to numerous neighborhoods we must preserve any and all neighborhoods remaining.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Yes, but not a priority.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Absolutely, being a boating enthusiast, fisherman, and growing up around Pass Christian Yacht Club and on the Lake I could only support creating a world class sailing center.
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?
Stephen Saussy - One of the nice areas about the road leading to the point is that it isn't over crowed. Personally, I find it tranquil sitting on the point as I am sure many do. So, I would clean the area and rebuild the launch. Have you approached the residents that live along the road leading to the point for their input?
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?
Stephen Saussy - No Comment
11) With every restaurant overlooking the Lake obliterated, what will you do to empower these restaurants and bars to come back stronger than before?
Stephen Saussy - Being a resident of Lake Vista I support developing the West End area as previously mentioned. It is paramount for New Orleans to recover so there must be economic development and we must create more family oriented environments. Create a tax free property area for a set period of time.
12) What ideas would you support for the use of the historic and very damaged Lighthouse at the point?
Stephen Saussy - Restore it. I do not have any ideas at this time for its future use.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Witnessing many boats aground at the mouth of the harbor, it was obvious dredging was needed. Clearing this water way would be a priority for me and I would seek assistance from the government. Recently, St. Tammany Parish received federal funding for clearing their water ways because of the debris and the potential for spring flooding. Realizing our concern is different we should be eligible for assistance especially because many of the sunken objects are a result of Katrina.
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?
Stephen Saussy - The need for trailers following Katrina in New Orleans is different compared to the need following other Hurricanes. Many of our dwellings were in need of repair and not damaged beyond repair as many of the homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The need created by the flooding of New Orleans must be recognized by the federal government so that future aid is relevant to the need. Initially there were four sites proposed by the director of City Park for trailers. The North course was taken off as an option after opposition from the Lake Vista residents. Marconi Meadows, South course and an unknown are the remaining three sites in City Park. Supposedly the length of time is eighteen months but history has shown that years are more the norm. It is my understanding that if you designate who lives in the trailers FEMA doesn't contribute monies for the site. FEMA will do the site preparations, delivery, pick up but not a monthly allowance if the tenant is decided by the city. However, there has been discussion that FEMA would reimburse for POLICE, FIRE, EMS, etc… I am not aware at this time of the final decision of how City Park will be used for trailers or the amount of re-imbursement. I personally feel City Park should be preserved and spared the expense of being used as a trailer site. If there is no choice in the matter, a time line should be in place and the federal government should fund the security for protection of all.
It should also be mentioned that City Park's director Bob Becker is working to use City Park as a site for FEMA trailers as a source of revenue. City Park as many of you are aware does not receive any funding from the City, State or Federal Government.
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?
Stephen Saussy - My position is that we should focus on those areas least damaged while simultaneously rebuilding those areas that have the greatest potential of generating revenue for the City of New Orleans at this time. Not all areas should be rebuilt and we should not commit to rebuilding all areas today or in the future. New Orleans has been declining for decades and a small percentage of New Orleans has been financially supporting as a whole for too long.
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?
Stephen Saussy - No Comment
Stephen Saussy - We the citizens of New Orleans have a chance to change our political landscape and the direction of the City we Love, ONE -CHANCE, NOW. This is not about political affiliation, Race, Gender or Religion. Hurricane Katrina exposed the inadequacies of our elected officials and forced many to ask themselves, WHY? We can blame those elected or we can take responsibility moving forward and mandate open integrity of City Government, City Finances, mandate that taxes and fees are applied as implied and not deposited into the general fund. The issues before us are complex but there are a few simple practices we can incorporate tomorrow which will to begin the eradication the political patronage that so many fear has contributed to the devastation of New Orleans over the last forty years.
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?
Stephen Saussy - No.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Currently, the sewerage and water department collects fees for street cleaning, garbage pickup and emergency medical service.
"According to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, Condensed Rules and Regulations for Customers the following is stated: "The city of New Orleans uses the "water bill" to collect fees for garbage pickup, street cleaning and emergency medical service. The current fee is $13 per month for residential customers and $26 for commercial customers. Double houses using one meter are charged $26"
Do the math and you can estimate the tens of millions of dollars being collected for these services. However, the monies ear marked for theses services is to the best of my findings are deposited into the general account. It is also my understanding that other taxes and fees collected are deposited into the general account and distributed for purposes other than those intended.
So, the first question would be to accurately determine the amount being spent on the three services mentioned above Vs the monies being collected. Having the knowledge I have about the cost of emergency medical service Vs their collection revenue, I would bet to say there is sufficient monies for maintaining parks, lanes etc... Maintaining these areas could be achieved by dividing the area into grids and determining the amount of time needed to go from the beginning of a grid to the end of the grid. Once the amount of time is determined simply repeat the process as warranted. Maintenance of equipment and weather restrictions would need to be considered.
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?
Stephen Saussy - No, I would hope that West End remained family oriented; parks, restaurants, restaurant accessible by boat, housing, etc…
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?
Stephen Saussy - Large Scale, NO. Condominium Development, Yes.
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?
Stephen Saussy - There are numerous areas throughout New Orleans that need development and multi-million dollar condominiums would fit in nicely on the river. The West End area needs development and New Orleanians have longed for a place close to home to enjoy the outdoors. I would support a significantly smaller scale development.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Approve establishments that enhance the neighborhood and maintain a familial atmosphere. With the devastation to numerous neighborhoods we must preserve any and all neighborhoods remaining.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Yes, but not a priority.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Absolutely, being a boating enthusiast, fisherman, and growing up around Pass Christian Yacht Club and on the Lake I could only support creating a world class sailing center.
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?
Stephen Saussy - One of the nice areas about the road leading to the point is that it isn't over crowed. Personally, I find it tranquil sitting on the point as I am sure many do. So, I would clean the area and rebuild the launch. Have you approached the residents that live along the road leading to the point for their input?
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?
Stephen Saussy - No Comment
11) With every restaurant overlooking the Lake obliterated, what will you do to empower these restaurants and bars to come back stronger than before?
Stephen Saussy - Being a resident of Lake Vista I support developing the West End area as previously mentioned. It is paramount for New Orleans to recover so there must be economic development and we must create more family oriented environments. Create a tax free property area for a set period of time.
12) What ideas would you support for the use of the historic and very damaged Lighthouse at the point?
Stephen Saussy - Restore it. I do not have any ideas at this time for its future use.
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?
Stephen Saussy - Witnessing many boats aground at the mouth of the harbor, it was obvious dredging was needed. Clearing this water way would be a priority for me and I would seek assistance from the government. Recently, St. Tammany Parish received federal funding for clearing their water ways because of the debris and the potential for spring flooding. Realizing our concern is different we should be eligible for assistance especially because many of the sunken objects are a result of Katrina.
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?
Stephen Saussy - The need for trailers following Katrina in New Orleans is different compared to the need following other Hurricanes. Many of our dwellings were in need of repair and not damaged beyond repair as many of the homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The need created by the flooding of New Orleans must be recognized by the federal government so that future aid is relevant to the need. Initially there were four sites proposed by the director of City Park for trailers. The North course was taken off as an option after opposition from the Lake Vista residents. Marconi Meadows, South course and an unknown are the remaining three sites in City Park. Supposedly the length of time is eighteen months but history has shown that years are more the norm. It is my understanding that if you designate who lives in the trailers FEMA doesn't contribute monies for the site. FEMA will do the site preparations, delivery, pick up but not a monthly allowance if the tenant is decided by the city. However, there has been discussion that FEMA would reimburse for POLICE, FIRE, EMS, etc… I am not aware at this time of the final decision of how City Park will be used for trailers or the amount of re-imbursement. I personally feel City Park should be preserved and spared the expense of being used as a trailer site. If there is no choice in the matter, a time line should be in place and the federal government should fund the security for protection of all.
It should also be mentioned that City Park's director Bob Becker is working to use City Park as a site for FEMA trailers as a source of revenue. City Park as many of you are aware does not receive any funding from the City, State or Federal Government.
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?
Stephen Saussy - My position is that we should focus on those areas least damaged while simultaneously rebuilding those areas that have the greatest potential of generating revenue for the City of New Orleans at this time. Not all areas should be rebuilt and we should not commit to rebuilding all areas today or in the future. New Orleans has been declining for decades and a small percentage of New Orleans has been financially supporting as a whole for too long.
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?
Stephen Saussy - No Comment
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