I read with interest this week that former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has been under investigation by federal authorities, and is having his day in court.
You might remember him as mayor during the Hurricane Katrina crisis. That was a tragedy of Biblical proportions. Yet, Nagin may have added to the damage by making public statements during the disaster that were offensive and racist.
Just after that catastrophe, Nagin, who is black, suggested that residents rebuild a “chocolate New Orleans,” giving the impression that white citizens were not welcome back.
In times of tragedy people need to unite, not make war on their fellow victims. We saw a wonderful coming together after the collapse of The Twin Towers. Then we thought of ourselves as Americans, not black-Americans, white-Americans, Native-Americans, Italian-American, or any of a very long list of ethnic groups that merged to make this country.
Hurricane Katrina crumbled levees, flooding 80 percent of the city. There is no way to accurately know how many died as a result of that hurricane. The damage is estimated at more than $108 billion.
Now, the suspicion is that Nagin may have benefited from his position as mayor, and especially as a result of Katrina.
New Orleans’ chief technology officer under Nagin (and Nagin confidant), Gregory Meffert, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery in connection with a city program receiving federal funds. Now there is serious speculation that Meffert is cooperating against Ray Nagin.
If ever anyone had the chance to become a hero, it was Ray Nagin. He was thrust into an international spotlight. He could have parlayed that situation into God-like status. Instead he took the low road.
Why is it that politicians seldom surprise us? There are many more stories of abuse of power than actually behaving as if they are a servant of the public.
This November we will be asked to vote for one of the candidates for president of the United States. Next year, Columbus’ mayor and City Council come up for election. There is already buzz around town about who is considering running for those local offices.
How will you choose to cast your vote? Or will you vote at all?
Some people voted for George W. Bush because they thought he might be a good guy to meet for a beer. Other elections have been won over even less important matters. An attractive appearance, religion, romantic history — all have influenced victories. I admit that my own choices were sometimes not the most logical. I am biased by such things as good grammar, refinement, humility and graciousness. I will vote for a gentleman or a lady over a buffoon.
I confess that in my pre-Katrina life I voted for Ray Nagin. This was not because I understood the qualities of the man, but because he was the anti-Morial, the man who was then mayor.
But, I must become more adult, more thoughtful about casting my very valuable vote. Starting now, I will learn as much as possible about candidates, no matter if they want to be president of the United States, or sit on the City Council of Columbus, Mississippi.
These days we should all vote as if our lives depended on it. And they may. I suspect that before Aug. 31, 2005, few New Orleanians thought that electing the wrong mayor could mean that, coupled with the death and destruction, they must deal with the theft of federal funds that might have helped them.
Ray Nagin is court this week. As I write this, nothing has been determined about his future. But, voters have the chance to decide whether those who want to serve the public really deserve that honor. Election days are truly the “People’s Court.”
Adele Elliott, a New Orleans native, moved to Columbus after Hurricane Katrina. Email reaches her at [email protected].
Adele Elliott, a New Orleans native, moved to Columbus after Hurricane Katrina.
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