It’s the 13th anniversary of Katrina today, and unlike past years there’s not much in the way of official ceremonies and remembrances. Jeff Palermo has more.
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If you’re tired of convicted politicians running for office in Louisiana, then there’s an amendment for you on the November ballot.
You can lease the historic Bailey Hotel in Bunkie for one-dollar a month for 24 months. But the person who leases the 110-year-old building must have a business plan that includes how they would renovate the property. Real Estate agent Robert Burke on why he’s offering to lease the property for just one-dollar a month
Burke says the Bailey is in good condition, but has been closed since the early 2000s. …
Burke says whoever leases the building, doesn’t have to re-open it as a hotel…
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Today marks the 13th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall, and official recognitions are… notably sparse, the governor is not holding any events, while New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell attending a wreath laying. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says it’s a storm no one has forgotten…
1833 deaths have been attributed to the Hurricane both in its natural, and manmade disasters. Dubos says the lack of statewide remembrances isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it indicates people are moving on from the tragedy.
The storm’s aftermath left the city of New Orleans decimated, and it’s hundreds of thousands of residents scattered across the country. At the time it led to political leaders saying “never again” but DuBos says that hasn’t been the case in places like Puerto Rico, which lost 2,975 American citizens after a widely criticized federal response.
Cut 8 (12) “…really suffering”
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This November voters will get to decide whether or not ex-cons will have a five year waiting period before they’ll be allowed to pursue a public office. The constitutional amendment, brought by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, is the second such effort in the last two years. Appel say’s the Bayou State is no stranger to crooks in office, and that needs to change.
The Republican says it’s a good way to improve the state’s reputation for political corruption.
A similar amendment used to be on the books in Louisiana before it was tossed out by the courts following a challenge from a candidate who himself had a criminal record for money laundering. Appel says this time around, they’ve dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s, and says he fully expects it to pass, and then stick.
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Following Hurricane Katrina, actor Brad Pitt helped build homes for displaced families in one of the hardest hit areas, the lower ninth ward, as part of the Make it Right Foundation. Thirteen years later, the homeowners are planning to bring a lawsuit against the foundation that sold them the affordable dwellings as they have not withstood the test of time. Attorney Ron Austin says his clients are seeking legal action as the homes were built with substandard materials and quality.
Cut 12 (11) “…to assist them”
Austin says the homes were not handouts, and that tenants are paying mortgages on the dilapidated structures.
Austin says the homeowners he represents were happy to find a home, now they are very frustrated…1