News Summary
On May 22, six candidates participated in a forum hosted by Step Up Louisiana for the New Orleans City Council District E seat, which covers New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward. Candidates, including State Representative Jason Hughes and former Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen, shared their visions for the district ahead of the election scheduled for October 11. Key issues discussed included community resources, affordable housing, and local economic development initiatives, highlighting the candidates’ commitment to tackling quality of life concerns in the area.
New Orleans
Six candidates participated in a public forum on May 22, 2024, hosted by advocacy group Step Up Louisiana, as they compete for the New Orleans City Council District E seat. This district encompasses New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward, and the candidates are vying to replace incumbent Oliver Thomas. The election for the District E seat is scheduled for October 11, 2024, with a runoff set for November 15, 2024, if needed.
The candidates include State Representative Jason Hughes, former Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen, and newcomers Willie Morgan, Danyelle Christmas, Jonathan Anthony Roberts, and Rev. Richard Bell Sr. Each candidate expressed their personal connections to District E, which they regard as a core aspect of their campaigns.
During the forum, Hughes spoke critically of the district’s allocation of resources, arguing that District E does not receive its fair share compared to other areas. He highlighted the necessity for adequate funding and input from utility companies to reinvest in the communities they serve rather than simply passing costs onto local residents.
Morgan voiced concerns about community failures and the urgent need for transformative change, alongside his commitment to opposing any potential rate increases proposed by Entergy, which is implementing a $100 million resilience plan for the city’s electric grid.
Quality of Life Issues Addressed
The candidates discussed various pressing issues affecting the community, including affordable housing, rising utility bills, drainage systems, and commercial blight in the Lower 9th Ward. Christmas proposed the idea of instituting annual caps on rent increases linked to area income to prevent displacement of residents, although the practicality of enforcement was questioned. Nguyen reflected on her previous efforts to improve drainage systems and called for further initiatives involving green infrastructure projects.
Rev. Bell suggested that the city invest in life skills programs for youth to enhance their chances of successful adulthood and advocated for a heightened police presence to mitigate crime, which candidates believe negatively affects regional economic development.
Community Development Initiatives
Roberts advocated for accountability measures directed at property owners to combat blight in the area. A recent study indicated that despite community desires, New Orleans East does not lack beauty supply stores, tire shops, or convenience stores, and highlighted the need for more economic development. To facilitate this, planners put forth a proposal to create a development district in New Orleans East, similar to the Downtown Development District, aimed at fostering local investment.
There are notable ongoing projects in District E that reflect a commitment to community enhancement. The planned $24 million renovation of historic Lincoln Beach is part of broader efforts to revitalize the area. Additionally, Goodwill Industries has recently opened a substantial 139,000-square-foot complex in New Orleans East, which will house retail space, a recycling center, and an opportunity center focused on job training.
Attention is also directed towards the Bayou Phoenix project, which seeks to redevelop the former Six Flags site. This ambitious plan includes the construction of a movie studio and a youth sports complex, reaffirming the community’s commitment to growth and resilience.
As the candidates approach the election date, they continue to address quality of life issues that resonate with the residents of District E. Each is working to present their vision for the future amidst a backdrop of economic challenges and opportunities within the community.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: New Orleans City Council District E
- NOLA: New Orleans East Business News
- WWLTV: Goodwill’s New Complex in New Orleans East
- Axios: Six Flags Master Plan
- Real Simple: New Trader Joe’s Locations in 2025
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans politics
- Google Scholar: New Orleans City Council
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans East
