Question 1: As Mayor, how will you demonstrate leadership regarding water and the environment?

The Mayor can’t do it alone and must also rely on both State and Federal resources for assistance, guidance and logistics–and funding. I will travel to Baton Rouge and Wash., D.C. to acquire funding. As the sole Republican in the race, II think that I could acquire more resources than could a Democrat.

Question 2: Prior to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was supposed to be honestly protected against a 1 in 200 to 1 in 300 year storm (roughly Hurricane Katrina for New Orleans).  It was not.  After Hurricane Katrina exactly no one said this City deserved a lower level but more robust level of protection, but that is what we have.  As Mayor, what will you do to increase our hurricane storm risk reduction to at least the level we were supposed to have had pre-storm?

I will propose an increase in the budget as it relates to the use of storm water retention ponds and promote the use of semipermeable concrete in construction. I will instruct the CAO’s office to consult the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to benefit from their expertise.

Question 3: New Orleans has underfunded or unfunded needs in the areas of disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation and disaster resilience. Under your leadership, how will the City secure the resources necessary to meet those needs?

Since the city budget is constrained, I would also appeal to Baton Rouge and Wash., D.C. to get funds

Question 4: As Mayor, what will you do to ensure that the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board has the funding, resources and equipment, trained personnel and the “can do” culture to carry out its essential functions?

I would merge it with the Dept. of Public Works. I would reduce the number of outside contracts and once again move to a city-paid personnel group—to give them careers not just jobs.

Question 5: Flood protection and the provision of a safe and secure water supply is increasingly a regional challenge, as Mayor how will you engage with officials in other parishes and in state government to develop and implement long-term solutions to those challenges?

We need to be aware of salt water instrusion coming up from parts of the Mississippi River below NOLA. The creation of sills below NOLA will help since salt water is heavier than river water. NOLA city government rarely collaborates with other parishes and I would institute quarterly meetings between and among NOLA and local parishes. NOLA needs to update its S&WB/city-owned water intake system along the river.

Question 6: As Mayor, will you support a city-wide drainage fee? Y/N

YES

Question 7: As Mayor, what will you do to prepare the City to deal with, avoid, and mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal land loss?

The mayor could insist that the USACE continually review the state of the flood control system—checking for leaks and subsidence–and fixing it before it worsens. The Mayor should request current reports from USACE on the status. It is likely that we can’t stop sea level rise but we can prepare for it.

Question 8: The greatest natural hazard facing the City is not hurricanes or river flooding but rain.  As Mayor, what will you do to increase the City’s ability to handle large rain events and to recover from them when they occur?

Use semipermeable concrete when useful and make it a policy to support retention ponds. NOLA needs to clean the catch basins—soon!

Question 9: The availability and cost of insurance is a growing problem for homeowners and businesses which makes it a problem for the City.  What can the City do to make insurance more available and affordable?

NOLA residents could rebuild their roofs using a type of real estate tax rebate so that homeowners can participate in the state’s fortified roof program—which is limited in its funding. I have a plan to reduce real estate taxes by about a third and by doing so it will decrease the cost of home ownership and therefore make it more affordable to live in NOLA.