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beardedmrbean · 2 months

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans City Council voted Thursday to change the locks on a coveted city-owned apartment in its latest dispute with Mayor LaToya Cantrell, whose use of the French Quarter property drew scrutiny and figured in a failed recall effort.

The newly flaring dispute centers on one of 50 units in the 19th-century building known as the Upper Pontalba. It's steps away from the Mississippi River and, along with St. Louis Cathedral, is among five historic structures bordering the green space known as Jackson Square.

Previous mayors have said they had used the apartment for meetings, special events or to house visiting dignitaries. Cantrell came under criticism for her personal use of the unit after a series of reports by WVUE-TV that used public surveillance video to document her long hours there, including time with her police bodyguard and an overnight stay with guests during the summer Essence Festival.

Her use of the apartment and her billing the city for first-class airfare on official trips abroad — both defended as proper by Cantrell — were among complaints by backers of an unsuccessful 2022 recall effort against the mayor, who was reelected in November 2021 and cannot seek a third consecutive term.

Last August, the council overrode Cantrell's veto of a measure putting the apartment back into commerce with other Pontalba units that are available for rent. That followed a March 2023 finding from the city’s inspector general, who said in a letter to the mayor that her use of the apartment may violate the state constitution’s restrictions on the donation of public property and city code language governing her salary.

Council President J.P. Morrell said in a Feb. 28 letter to the mayor that “furniture and other personal effects” remained in the unit. “It is also my understanding that you and members of your executive protection detail possess the only keys to the unit,” Morrell wrote.

In a statement issued early Wednesday, Cantrell's office said the French Market Corporation, the nonprofit in charge of the building, had keys to enter the unit. It didn't say whether the mayor had given up her keys. The statement said Cantrell is not using the unit and that there have been no impediments to the corporation's access to the unit since last year's ordinance was passed.

“We hope that any reasonable person would recognize that initiating an eviction process is unreasonable when there is no tenant to evict,” the statement said.

The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment following Thursday's 5-2 council vote. In addition to calling for the French Market Corporation to change the locks, the measure calls for any personal items to be removed by March 21.

“To date,” Morrell told the council Thursday, “whether by inactivity or willfulness, the mayor has refused to comply with the law.”

#nunyas news

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fleekpoint · 2 years

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Iron balconies are seen throughout New Orleans and its influence can traced back to French and Spanish colonizers. It made a lasting impression ever since. . . . . #ironworks#neworleans#nola#frenchquarter#bourbonstreet#travallers#nomad#homewardbound#streetsigns#me#lamppost#typography#design#fleurdelis#sightseeing#travelling#architect#building#decaturstreet#ironbalconies#vieuxcarre#labranche#wroughtiron#pontalba (at New Orleans, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeeEXrqunrV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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mistermaxxx08 · 3 months

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New Orleans City council voting to evict mayor Cantrell From Pontalba ap...

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alexihawleys · 5 months

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Another fun fact to lighten the askbox:

The famous Pontalba buildings in Nola were designed and built by a woman called Micaela Almonester Pontalba.

In her youth, she was married to a family of goldiggers from France. But her mother had an air tight marriage contract made for her, and it didn't allow them to simply take her money away without her signature. Also, she was freaking headstrong.

They tried to torture her mentally, and it barely worked. So her father in law decided to shoot her and then himself, so his son and grandchildren would inherit her money. He shot her four times in the chest. But she didn't die, even if she lost one lung (and would have breathing problems the rest of her life).

It was nearly impossible to get a separarion (no divorce at the time) in French court, even if you were shot by one of your in laws. But her husband made the mistake of gloating when she lost another petition. The court accepted the argument that he didn't "protect her honor" as a husband should, so she got her separation.

She kept his surname and title (he was a Baron), went back to New Orleans and lived as a business woman. She even paid for her stranged husband's care at the end of his life.

She also threatened the mayor of New Orleans with shotgun once...

I think she was an impressive woman!

(Sorry about the typos in the other fun fact. I was half asleep when I wrote that lol)

getting shot in the chest 4 times and living to tell the tale is absolutely fucking wild. this is so interesting! she sounds like a wildly fascinating woman - ty for the fun fact!

#anonymous #ask

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sporadicarbitergardener · 7 months

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By Lee Zurik and Dannah Sauer

Published: Oct. 26, 2023 at 10:54 PM CDT|Updated: 15 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s use of an extensive police security detail during the Essence Festival, which outnumbered police presence in some districts, raises concerns about resource allocation amid a manpower shortage and questions regarding the appropriate use of public funds.

On June 30 and July 1, records show the NOPD’s Sixth District has just four officers on duty during the day, covering the Irish Channel, Central City, and the Garden District.

On July 3, the NOPD’s Third District, responsible for about 28,000 Gentilly and Lakeview residents, had only three officers on duty during the day.

Even when factoring in the number of sergeants and lieutenants, the total never exceeded seven officers in either of those districts.

However, Mayor Cantrell had her entire executive protection team, comprised of four members, along with two motorcycle escorts, available for her security on all three days, each working at least eight hours.

FOX 8 political analyst Dr. Robert Collins questions Cantrell’s use of that many officers during a time when the city is experiencing a manpower shortage.

“I mean, it doesn’t seem necessary from a resource standpoint, from a law enforcement standpoint, from a public safety standpoint, that you have more officers - which means more taxpayer money, more resources, protecting one person than protecting all of the citizens entire inside of an entire district,” Collins said.

Collins also says timesheets, schedules, and text messages obtained by FOX 8 through public records requests raise questions about the oversight of Cantrell’s executive protection team.

On July 2, Cantrell had those same six officers protecting her. All six went on the clock at 9 a.m. and worked at least 16 hours, clocking out between 1:00 and 1:35 a.m. In total, taxpayers paid the six NOPD employees for 98 hours and 40 minutes of work in one day.

Mayor Cantrell spent much of July 2 at the Upper Pontalba apartment in the French Quarter. Security camera video shows she left at 10:05 a.m. with police motorcycles leading the way. She returned at 2:30 p.m. and stayed until around 7 p.m., again escorted by police. That night, the mayor attended Essence Fest, according to her city calendar.

“These motorcycle police officers were basically bringing the mayor to entertainment events, to concerts, to parties, things of this nature,” Collins said.

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

Cantrell, Vappie hire criminal defense attorneys

New Orleans City Council ends Upper Pontalba use, overrides Mayor’s veto

Mayor Cantrell defends use of Pontalba overnight during Essence Fest

Mayor Cantrell may have violated council ordinance with more overnight stays in Pontalba Apartment

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raisab332012 · 8 months

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vividexpedition · 8 months

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The Pontalba Buildings: Guardians of Jackson Square's Legacy

(29.95729, -90.06388) Introduction Nestled in the heart of New Orleans, on either side of the historic Jackson Square, stand the magnificent Pontalba Buildings. These iconic red-brick apartment structures, bearing the name of Baroness Micaela Almonester Pontalba, are more than just architectural marvels; they are living testaments to the city’s rich history and distinctive architectural…

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somebirdortheother · 11 months

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On the topic of historical figures that don't get "enough attention", do you know Micaela Almonester? Her story was CRA-ZY! It felt like telenovela the first time I read about her.

Her mother had an air tight marriage contract made for her, and her husband and inlaws were not happy about it cause they were a family of gold diggers. So they started torturing her, but she was so headstrong that her father inlaw decided to shoot her and then himself, hoping his son would inherit her money. She freakin survived! (But got -1 lung)

It was almost impossible to get a divorce in France at the time, so much that even getting shot by your father inlaw wasn't a good enough reason for them. But her husband was a dumbass and managed to trip onto one of the few conditions that allowed it to happen.

She moved back to New Orleans, had her daughters marry with even tighter contracts than hers, and thrived. Those Pontalba buildings that everyone recognizes from Nola were built by her.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

Spectacular bit of history - and I *did not* know any of that. My day is truly better for it.

Thank you, dear Anon!

#anonymous ask #favourite historical figures

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ooscar88 · 2 years

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The Pontalba Buildings form two sides of Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. They are matching red-brick, one-block-long, four‑story buildings built between 1849–1851 by the Baroness Micaela Almonester Pontalba. The ground floors house shops and restaurants; and the upper floors are apartments which, reputedly, are the oldest continuously-rented such apartments in the United States.

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pcurrytravels · 6 years

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Thoughts: New Orleans (Part V)

It was day three in New Orleans, and once again we woke up early for breakfast. We found out that there was a location of Daisy Duke’s in the CBD that was even closer to our hotel so we went there. I decided to just go ahead and get breakfast this time…..with a side of crawfish hushpuppies. I have to say, I actually liked this location of Duke’s better. The service was quicker, the prices were slightly cheaper (might have something to do with how the other location is in the more touristy French Quarter) and the sweet tea was even better. Oh, and they offered crawfish hushpuppies here while the other location didn’t. And yes they were delicious.

After we finished, my mom went back to the room while I took a little morning stroll, exploring the CBD some more before I decided to give PJ’s Coffee on Canal a try. PJ’s Coffee is the ubiquitous coffeehouse in New Orleans (I literally only saw two Starbucks the entire time I was there), and after trying their product I can easily see why. Remember when I said in the Mini-Guide how their blended Granita drinks are like Frappuccinos but better? Well, they are. They’re smoother, sweeter, and likely made with better quality coffee beans (I mean, New Orleans is a port city so I imagine they’d have pretty easy access to a number of things, including coffee beans). So yes, if you visit New Orleans and see a PJ’s Coffee (and you definitely will), be sure to stop by and give them a try.

Going back to the room to chill for a minute, we then set off to the National WWII Museum. We used the St. Charles Streetcar to get there, and I must say, riding this one was a much more pleasant experience than any of our rides on the Canal or Riverwalk streetcars. Although it can still get crowded, this line is rarely ever standing-room only. Unlike Canal, it also has windows that open, which is surprisingly a very effective means of keeping things cool on board (the Riverwalk line has windows that open too, but that line is usually packed with people and, thanks to the resulting heat attracted to human bodies, an open window is not very effective). It felt nice being able to easily grab window seats without having to worry about having to push through people upon reaching our stop.

Down St. Charles Avenue, through the CBD and Warehouse District, we got off at Lee Circle which was, almost appropriately, right next door to the Civil War Museum and a block away from the National WWII Museum. Why am I saying it was appropriate? Because Lee Circle is named after Robert E. Lee; you know, the Confederate general?

Yeah, modern New Orleans may be a fairly liberal, morally loose and open-minded place, but it’s still the South. There’s going to be reminders of the antebellum and Jim Crow eras all over the place, and that includes public “memorials” to the Confederacy. Ugh. Thankfully, last year the local government decided to remove the statue of Lee that sat atop the pillar pictured above. As they should, because reminders of the more shameful parts of American history such as that need to be in museums, not shamelessly displayed in public (now what they need to do is change the name back to Tivoli Circle or something but I guess that’s none of my business).

Speaking of museums, the National WWII Museum is great……if you’re into the topic. I don’t know if it’s because I learned all about it in school (I remember having one history teacher in high school who was particularly passionate about this era for some reason so I already feel like I studied it to death) or what, but it just didn’t do much for me. Aside from the exhibit about servicemen of color in the War, the Japanese internment exhibit, an infographic which detailed the threat of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and the Japanese Empire and the C-47 hanging in the lobby, nothing about the museum really caught my attention. I honestly feel like it was just too small as my mom and I were in and out of there in less than thirty minutes, which is weird when considering how highly regarded the museum is (I’m also VERY happy we got in with the power pass as the admission price is WAY too high at face for what you get in my opinion). It’s a shame the Civil War Museum next door wasn’t included in the Power Pass as I always found the Civil War more interesting than World War II to be honest.

Once we were done, we hopped back on the streetcar to Canal and from there made our way to Jackson Square once more. We first stopped inside the PJ’s for a moment to enjoy frozen lemonades and air conditioning. You’d think we would have an easier time getting used to this weather, seeing that our family originates out of Alabama and Mississippi in addition to being the sort of climate our ancestors were forced to do unpaid labor in for hundreds of years but I digress. Upon cooling down, we stopped to listen to the live brass band for a few minutes before heading into The Cabildo.

The Cabildo is one of two twin buildings which flank the St. Louis Cathedral. Originally serving municipal purposes, the two of them as well as the 1850 House have been repurposed into outposts of the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo in particular once operated as the city hall, in addition to being the site where the Louisiana Purchase commenced, but it now hosts an exhibit about Louisiana’s history; spanning from its settlement by the French in the 1600’s to the Reconstruction era. Now, it was fairly interesting and all, with paintings, artifacts and templates about the battle of New Orleans, the region’s indigenous peoples, the differences between French and Spanish colonial rule/policy, West African slaves and free people of color, the Louisiana Purchase and the area’s history with pirates, but overall, I didn’t find it as captivating as The Presbytere.

On the other side of the Cathedral, this not-quite identical building (if you pay close attention, you’ll notice it’s painted in a lighter color and has a flatter, more squared-off roof than the Cabildo /architecture nerd) was originally a courthouse, but now serves as a museum for Mardi Gras, Napoleon’s death mask…………and Hurricane Katrina.

I can remember the news reports like it was yesterday. Having been under the impression that hurricanes were just a Florida thing or something, needless to say, I was scratching my head in confusion at the whole ordeal. My fourteen year-old brain was struggling to comprehend how a hurricane could both reach and do that much damage to somewhere so far inland from a coast (I managed to figure it out a few science classes later), but I still just shrugged it off and thought “oh, they’ll be fine, Florida gets through it every time!” However, upon seeing video footage of vast swaths of houses underwater along with thousands of people crowding into the Superdome, that’s when the severity of the situation hit me.

Even more upsetting was how horribly the situation was handled. People were without food and water for DAYS after the storm made landfall (something we’re seeing a repeat of with Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico basically). It definitely should not have taken nearly a week for FEMA to show up. Then again……the overall catastrophe had more to do with the failure of the area’s levee and floodwall system than it did with the storm itself. I have to ask, why were they in such bad shape in the first place? Many theories and conspiracies still abound to this day, but either way, what happened was a tragic mess that could have been avoided in so many ways.

There were a number of pictures on display of the aftermath, as well as video footage of the day the storm made landfall, and it all felt so……..eerie. Sad, but eerie. To think this eerily deserted city, under siege by a raging, violent storm, is the same vibrant, energetic place that we had been walking around in for the past several days. I almost had to look out the door just to make sure everything was alright; even though, in a lot of ways, things aren’t totally alright (…….a whole thirteen years later). Houses and buildings devastated by Katrina can still be spotted all over the city, and although I didn’t go see it for myself, it’s been said that the Lower Ninth Ward (arguably the most devastated neighborhood of all) has more or less been deemed a lost cause and they gave up on rebuilding a long time ago. New Orleans has definitely rebounded, but it’s still heartbreaking to see so many lingering signs of this catastrophe.

After finishing the Katrina exhibit, we walked through a hall that featured tidbits about Hurricane Betsy, another devastating hurricane that took place back in 1965 (although still not as bad as Katrina) before walking past the random sight of Napoleon’s death mask and upstairs to the Mardi Gras exhibit. Granted, it was more or less a retread of Mardi Gras World, aside from focusing less on floats and more on the history of the various krewes, the “throws” (beads, doubloons and the like) and costume design. It was still a lot of fun none the less. Alas, the clock was ticking, and we wanted to cram one more thing in before embarking on our cruise, so it was off to the lower Pontalba building for the 1850 House.

The Pontalba buildings are two, four-story, red-brick twin buildings which flank Jackson Square. Built in the 1840’s by an accomplished businesswoman known as Micaela Pontalba, they were originally designed as Parisian-style luxury rowhomes, with high-end retail and dining establishments being housed on the first floor. Having fallen into disrepair by the 1930’s, they were then extensively repurposed into apartments, which are still in use to this day. The portion now known as the 1850 House remained untouched, however, instead being used by the Louisiana State Museum as a time capsule exhibit. Within, you’ll be given a glimpse into the lives of middle-class New Orleanians in the 1800’s.

Through a small courtyard, and up a rickety and old-fashioned spiral staircase, you’ll be greeted to a template which provides some information about past occupants of the row home which leads to the parlor and dining room. Granted, each room is protected by a glass railing, likely to prevent damage to the various antiques as it is a self-guided tour after all. Basically, all you can really do is look on at the rooms and their vintage furnishings from the hallway. On the third floor, you’ll find the bedrooms and the nursery and going from there (the layout of the place was pretty confusing so I’m not sure what direction we were going in at this point), you’ll see an exterior room which served as the slave and/or servant quarters until you reach the kitchen and storage room at the base of the house. Now, I’m a vintage/antique nerd, so I enjoyed it, but it probably would have been just a bit more enjoyable if they offered a guided tour, thus allowing you to explore the rooms in detail.

Oh wait, what time is it? Oh, time for the Creole Queen Paddlewheel Cruise! We hopped on the Riverwalk line of the streetcar once more and took it to Spanish Plaza (a monument to Spain’s colonial legacy in the area) which is where the boat was docked. The Creole Queen is one of a number of paddlewheel boats in New Orleans which offer old-fashioned river cruises. Once you hop aboard, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city and the river (provided you can ignore its gross and oily brown hue) while the guide gives you a little history lesson. Granted, most of the stuff he was saying I already found out from the other tour guides and museums I went to, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. As I looked around and took pictures of the CBD skyline, Jackson Square from afar, Algiers, the New Orleans port, the old Domino sugar factory, the plantations in the distance and even more Hurricane Katrina ruins, we came to a stop at the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery; the site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

We got off the boat and walked towards an old (creepy-looking and probably haunted) plantation home known as the Malus-Beauregard House, where a man dressed in 19th-century military regalia waited for us. From there, he walked us to this spot underneath a very large oak tree, next to a small bayou, where he began to talk about the Battle of New Orleans. And honestly? I don’t know if it was the story itself or if this particular guide was just boring, but he wasn’t able to hold my attention. It was also hot AF and there were mosquitoes and dragonflies swarming all over the place, so I just took a few pictures of the battlefield and the house before making my way back to the air-conditioned, bug free boat; savoring some bread pudding while waiting things out.

Upon arriving back in New Orleans, we rushed over to Audubon Aquarium, seeking to cram in one more attraction before resting up for our ghost tour in the French Quarter. You better leave the lights on for this one.

#new orleans #louisiana #southern u.s.#u.s. gulf coast #national wwii museum #lee circle #french quarter #the cabildo #the presbytere #pontalba buildings #chalmette battlefield #malus-beauregard house #battle of new orleans #paddlewheel cruise #hurricane katrina #mardi gras #mississippi river

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