Day 262: So Much For The Silent Vote

Here are my picks for the Orleans Parish runoff election coming up this Saturday. Tired of politics as usual in this city, the silence on my endorsements is over. Only we, concerned citizens and voters, can prevent continued injustice from blooming like mold on top of a gross violation of contractarian government.

Clerk, Criminal Court: Nick Varrecchio

I’ve looked Varrecchio in the hairy eyeball, read his views and believe that he will make a strong criminal court clerk, not simply one marginally better than his predecessor.

Assessor, 1st District: Maria Elliot (I.Q.)

City Council, District B: Stacy Head

Not fully sold on her, but have to go with the lesser of two evils on this one. Shane Landry was my man, but he didn’t have the muscle (or name recognition) to edge out Ms. Gil Pratt

City Council, At Large: Arnie Fielkow, hands down.

As president of the New Orleans chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, I fully support this UW law grad who, along with his family, is gracious, hospitable and capable. On top of this, he has proven his allegiance to New Orleans by standing up to Benson and keeping his cool while Jackie Clarkson could not. What has Ms. Clarkson done for New Orleans lately anyway? Go, Arnie!

Mayor: Mitch Landrieu

Having doubted his ability on many occasions in the past, I’ve come to like this candidate who looks better and better on his own merit and compared with Nagin’s fall over the last few months.

I’m sorry, Ray, you had my full support during and after the storm, but you let me down. We cannot afford for New Orleans to revert to business as usual. Not now, not ever. Your time has come.

For more on the candidates, their experience and current platforms, visit the New Orleans League of Women Voters site. I also encourage you to visit individuals’ websites and observe how they reach out to their modern voting public.

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And, oh my god, the Orange St. Wharf is on fire and it’s right down the street from where I live. From my vantage point in One Shell Square, it seems not to be spreading and burning down quite nicely, but helicopters continue to dump water on it. Just took pictures and will post them tonight.