Congratulations Mayor Ray Nagin.

Now, where is our community development grant money so that we can rebuild our homes and move back to New Orleans?

Although you have made comments and campaigned in a way that has polarized New Orleans like I have never seen before, and you continue to make comments like the following that was reported by the AP, I am going to leave the comforts of Austin, disrupt my children’s lives once again, and try to come back to New Orleans this week. I will partially rebuild my home just enough to make it inhabitable, and continue to rebuild Basin Street Records.

I know that all of the problems aren’t your fault, and I have told many people that if I saw you I would give you a big hug and thank you for what you have been through. I put the most blame on our levee system…the poor design and the inadequate maintenance. At this point though, 9 months after the storm, more progress should have been made and you are the leader.

I grew up in New Orleans and when I moved away for college 25 years ago I never expected to return. I did return in 1989 and started BSR in 1997, and then never thought I would consider living anywhere else until your campaign. My children and I hope to be a part of the solution, but please stop making the problems worse.

Mayor Ray Nagin said he is not bothered by businesses that said they may leave the city if he was reelected to office. Nagin said, “Business people are predators, and if the economic opportunities are here, they’re going to stay. If not, they’re going to leave…God bless them. I hope they stay, but if they don’t I’ll send them a postcard.” Associated Press, New Orleans Times-Picayune 05/21/2006