1) City Business reports that "A new
state board with an unspecific mandate will control an estimated $5
million in annual public revenues if the New Orleans Hospitality and
Entertainment District moves forward as proposed. It would include a
select group of hospitality industry executives and individuals beholden
to the mayor, and merchant and resident groups suspect the board would
be innately political."
2) "Tulane University has selected
New Orleans businessman and community leader Darryl Berger as its
representative on the board that will govern the proposed University
Medical Center (UMC), an academic medical center that will serve the
healthcare needs of the community."
3) Darryl Berger is
slated to spear head this new 'Hospitality District'. As a member of
the UMC Board, he voted to clear over 80 homes from the proposed site,
even before financing was made available. The suggested 'powers' of the
Board of the Hospitality District include eminent domain powers, in
that it would also expressly permit the following:
"To
acquire by gift, grant, purchase, or otherwise all property, including
rights of way; to hold and use any franchise or property, real,
personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein,
necessary or desirable for carrying out the objects and purposes of the
district."
4) ""The proposed hospitality legislation
raises a number of questions and issues," said Janet Howard of the
watchdog Bureau of Governmental Research. She cited the imposition of a
new district on top of existing ones, the "appropriateness of the
proposed boundaries and governance," and provisions that would allow the
board to authorize tax-increment financing districts and other
sub-districts."
For more information, go here:
http://nolafemmes.com/2012/04/30/hospitality-district/
And here:
http://www.theamericanzombie.com/2012/05/more-commentary-on-ho-zone.html
EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS HERE, WHILE YOU STILL CAN;
Senator Jean-Paul Morrell – District 3
E-mail: morrelljp@legis.la.gov
Capitol Office: P.O. Box 94183, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
District Office: 6305 Elysian Fields Ave., Suite 404, New Orleans, LA 70122
Phone: (504) 284-4794
Fax: (504) 284-4796
Senator Edwin R. Murray - District 4
E-mail: murraye@legis.la.gov
Capitol Office: P.O. Box 94183, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
District Office: 1540 N. Broad St., New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 945-0042
Toll Free Number: (866) 406-6278
Senator Karen Carter Peterson - District 5
E-mail: petersonk@legis.la.gov
Capitol Office: P.O. Box 94183, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
District Office: 1010 Common St., Suite 2510, New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 568-8346
Fax: (504) 568-8405
Mayor Mitch Landrieu
Office: Suite 2E04, 1300 Perdido St, New Orleans LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-4900