- Nov 2, 2009
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- independent thoughtist thinker, context linker
The US city of New Orleans, which is predominantly African American, has
elected its first white mayor in 32 years.
Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat, was chosen to succeed
Ray Nagin, the outgoing mayor who could not run for re-election because of
his term limits.
Landrieu won the elections with 66.5 per cent of the vote as his closest
competitor Troy Henry, a black Democrat with extensive corporate
experience, finished with only 12.8 per cent in Saturday's vote.
"The people of New Orleans did a very extraordinary thing...striking a blow
for unity," Landrieu said after his opponent conceded defeat.
Rekindled hope
Landrieu has become the city's first white mayor since his father Moon
Landrieu left the position in 1978.
His appointment ushers in hopes of a new era in a city still struggling to
rebuild five years after Hurricane Katrina struck.
"Everybody feels like they have to have hope," Ralph Ampey, a local, said of
the election. "Whatever they lost in the storm -- homes, furniture, property
-- they hope they can get again."
The new mayor must manage billions of dollars in federal reconstruction aid
and a depleted city treasury.
Moreover, city hall and the police department are rife with scandals.
According to the state treasurer, violence remains high, which is repelling
potential investors from the city that has a lot more rebuilding to do.
full story: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/02/20102712479149751.html
elected its first white mayor in 32 years.
Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat, was chosen to succeed
Ray Nagin, the outgoing mayor who could not run for re-election because of
his term limits.
Landrieu won the elections with 66.5 per cent of the vote as his closest
competitor Troy Henry, a black Democrat with extensive corporate
experience, finished with only 12.8 per cent in Saturday's vote.
"The people of New Orleans did a very extraordinary thing...striking a blow
for unity," Landrieu said after his opponent conceded defeat.
Rekindled hope
Landrieu has become the city's first white mayor since his father Moon
Landrieu left the position in 1978.
His appointment ushers in hopes of a new era in a city still struggling to
rebuild five years after Hurricane Katrina struck.
"Everybody feels like they have to have hope," Ralph Ampey, a local, said of
the election. "Whatever they lost in the storm -- homes, furniture, property
-- they hope they can get again."
The new mayor must manage billions of dollars in federal reconstruction aid
and a depleted city treasury.
Moreover, city hall and the police department are rife with scandals.
According to the state treasurer, violence remains high, which is repelling
potential investors from the city that has a lot more rebuilding to do.
full story: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/02/20102712479149751.html