Our View: In Louisiana, the risk of flooding is everywhere
~The Town Talk~Retweet @~On my way to London Avenue Canal breach site (east) on Warrington to assess possible locations for Historic Plaque.
Own a Home, But Not the Land?
~Miller-McCune~The energy-efficient homes of the
Make It Right Foundation stand out on the landscape, their contemporary designs contrasting with weed-filled empty lots. There are approximately 5,000 lots in the community, some with homes and some without, according to Patricia Jones, executive director of the
Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association. To repopulate the 9th Ward and bring the dream of home ownership to those who wouldn’t otherwise qualify to buy a home, Jones’ organization is partnering with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to establish a community land trust.
Under the trust, a person can purchase a home, but the land underneath the structure would be leased from the trust.But some longtime residents oppose the project, saying that the Lower 9th Ward has no need for anything other than traditional home ownership. And, the Holy Cross section of the community would seem to support this. While he had come to appreciate the community land trust concept, Willie Calhoun of the
New Life Intracoastal Community Development Corporation feels
“...it’s not in the benefit of this community. If you have children, would you recommend that they buy but don’t own the land?” he asked. Calhoun and others in the community argue that since property values are currently so low in the Lower 9th Ward — lots can be had for as little as $8,000 — it makes no sense for someone to buy a home for $100,000 and not to own the land it stands on.
Sheriff’s eyes bigger than inmates’ bellies~Matt Davis, The LensNew Orleans police officer had the tools of a predator~Jarvis DeBerryA Wisconsin Conversation…
~Disenfranchised CitizenReport blames BP~Gerard Shields
For New Orleans artist, the human body is his canvasPlaying Hooky (Sung to the Tune of Makin Whoopee)~Blackened Out
~The Krewe du Vieux parade is simultaneously the most individualistic and the most traditional of all New Orleans parading Krewes. It starts in the Marigny and winds its way to the French Quarter.
