Puentes Encourages NOLA to Vote Yes for IG
The proposed charter amendment that will appear on the October 4, 2008 ballot in the City of New Orleans effectively establishes the Office of the Inspector General as a city charter authorized office. Puentes New Orleans, Inc. encourages New Orleans voters to vote yes to the charter amendment, which would require another citizens’ vote to eliminate the office. The implications of this strategy are long-term: it eliminates the possibility that a new mayoral administration would have the power to dismantle the office, and it includes the establishment of a Independent Monitor, who will report to the Inspector General, and will investigate cases of police fraud, waste and abuse.
The Bureau of Governmental Research states of the charter amendment proposition for the Inspector General: “an independent review of New Orleans’ government, including police complaint procedures, is
vital to fighting corruption and reducing waste. The proposed charter amendment helps to
cement the reforms of the past two years,” (see full the bgr-media-release here).
A citizen-led effort, initiated by Common Good, has been working to create support for the charter amendment and helped coordinate the passage of the ordinance to place the amendment on the October 4th ballot. Supporters of this work include:
Alliance for Good Government New Orleans Chapter
Arab-American Antidiscrimination Committee
Beacon of Hope Resource Center
Bridge House
Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region
Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans
Common Good
Crimestoppers
Greater New Orleans School Partnership
Holy Cross Neighborhood Association
Horizon Initiative
Junior League of New Orleans Inc.
League of Women Voters
Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish
National Council of Jewish Women New Orleans Section
New Orleans Association of Realtors
New Orleans Black Chamber of Commerce
New Orleans Coalition
New Orleans Crime Coalition
Puentes New Orleans, Inc.
Safe Streets, Strong Communities
Urban League
Women of the Storm
Young Leadership Council
Tags: charter amendment, hispanic community, inspector general, latino, latino community, latinola, new orleans politics, puentes