Minutes of Faubourg Delachaise Neighborhood Organization, June 12, 2012
Agenda Item 1 – Welcome The meeting commenced after a sumptuous potluck supper which drew rave reviews from members and guests alike. FDNA would like to thank Margaret and Doug Plymale for hosting our meeting. The space was quite conducive to chatting and having speakers address our members.
Agenda Item 2 – Lyons-Burke Booster Club After a short introduction and preview of the agenda, Lindsey Tubbs of the Lyons-Burke Booster Club, explained the goals and current activities of the organization. Coach Wayne, who was raised in the neighborhood and has been with NORD for 34 years, spoke passionately about the importance of NORDC programs for the youth of New Orleans. The LBBC wants to help provide positive outlets for kids’ abundant energy. The LBBC helps NORDC, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, by providing coaches for activities and raising money for teams. If you are interested in LBBC activities, you can contact Lindsey at lbboosters@gmail.com. To keep abreast of what’s going on, you can join LBBC Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lyonsburke/ or their Google group at http://groups.google.com/group/lbboosters?hl=en .
Lyons Pool Open!
624 LOUSIANA AVE. @ TCHOUPITOULAS ST.
MONDAY – FRIDAY – 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (CLOSED FOR LUNCH), 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
SATURDAY – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (CLOSED FOR LUNCH), 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
SUNDAY – 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The latest news on Lyons Center is that the hazard mitigation is complete, and a contractor has been selected to do the renovation. Although the selection has been challenged, renovation should get underway this summer.
Agenda Item 3 – Sixth District Police Report. Officer John Favoloro and Assistant to Commander Bardy Frank Young explained what is happening in the Sixth Police District. On January 1, 2012, 6th District took over parts of the 2nd Police District to Napoleon Avenue. This included the Faubourg Delachaise Neighborhood. Officer Favoloro explained that the 311 phone system was coming soon. That will be the place to deal with some of the quality of life issues like street lights which don’t work and code enforcement issues like abandoned cars or tall grass. Meanwhile, you can phone the police nonemergency number, 504-821-2222.There will be a Sixth District Community Crime Walk on Wednesday, June 27, at 6 pm starting at the Lyons Center on Delachaise by the pool. The route is up Delachaise to Annunciation, left on Annunciation to Napoleon Ave., right on Napoleon, right on Constance, and back to Louisiana Ave. The walk is usually accompanied by a patrol car and several police officers who chat with neighbors and hand out materials to residents. You can come for the whole walk or join it in progress. Officer Young praised the turnout for the FDNA meeting and the spread. He talked about the increase in patrols in our area. He cautioned people to remove anything of value from their parked cars: GPS systems, computers, and phones. He urged people to call 911 to report suspicious activity. Some people expressed interest in forming a Neighborhood Watch group. He said he would be glad to help us set that up. There is a Hot Sheet in PDF format attached to this email. The next NONPACC meeting is on Thursday, June 21 from 6:30-7:30 at 2020 St. Charles Ave at the Tourism Bureau. Commander Bardy reviews the month with the aid of maps and explains what the police department is doing. Officers are available to address individual concerns.
Agenda Item 4 – Danielle Viguerie for Council Member-at-Large Stacy Head. Danielle gave the group a brief update on the Council Member Head’s continuing priorities of ameliorating blight and encouraging economic development. Council Member Head knows District B and shares its concerns.
Agenda Item 5 – Adrian Manriquez of Global Green. Adrian gave a presentation on NOLAwise, a partnership between Global Green and the City of New Orleans to help homeowners save energy and money. The NOLAwise program guides homeowners through 5 simple steps to reach their energy savings goal: 1) Evaluate energy loss through home energy assessments; 2) Recommend energy improvements; 3) Help homeowners take advantage of city and state incentives as well as accessing a low interest loan through Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank; 4) Identify and monitor expert contractors; 5) Save homeowners money and energy and make their homes more comfortable. For more information about NOLAwise, you can visit www.nolawise.org.
Agenda Item 6 – Diane Bajoie Interim Council District B Representative. Diane Bajoie introduced herself to the FDNA meeting by explaining her experience as a representative from this area to the LA state legislature. She will listen to District B residents and carry out her duty as council member from our district. She is very familiar with our neighborhood and commented on recent renovations in the area. She encouraged people to contact her office if they have concerns. Her email address is dbajoie@nola.gov.
Agenda item 7 – Other Business.
Greg Hackenberg explained the mandate of the Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) and how it pertains to our neighborhood. The Irish Channel Historic District extends to across Louisiana Avenue half a block uptown. This means houses in this area must conform to HDLC standards; if you own a house in this area, all external renovations must conform to regulations of HDLC.
There was a suggestion that the group get together for a social function on occasion. If you are interested in helping organize this, let me know.
There was a suggestion that FDNA increase its web presence. If you would like to help with this, please contact me.
The September FDNA meeting will feature Vasy McCoy, Shimon Ancker, and Gary Robichaux of ReNEW Schools, a charter organization, which will be taking over Bauduit School for the next school year. They will explain the program they are instituting at Bauduit and discuss possible community involvement. The ReNEW Early Childhood Center for students from birth to 4 years old and the New Orleans Accelerated High School will be housed at Bauduit. Currently, ReNEW operates Batiste Academy (old Live Oak School) and SciTech (old Laurel Elementary).
Respectfully submitted,
Debby Pigman
FDNA President