Neighborhood Spotlight

September 9, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Clark Thompson

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I’ve lived in New Orleans my whole life, but only moved across town into the Bayou St. John neighborhood 7 years ago 

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

I was involved in Boulingy Neighborhood Association previously.  When I moved, I attended a meeting and was recruited to the board.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

There is a lot to love, the bayou, the shade, lots of people out walking in the street.  It’s the best neighborhood in town for casual cycling.  

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

Renaming our park for Walter “Wolfman” Washington was a win, and our “stop for pedestrian” signs have noticeably calmed violent driving on Esplanade. 

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?  

We persuaded the DPW to do a traffic study on Moss St. and its speed is being reduced soon. I really want to see Moss become a calm place for people with strollers or wheelchairs to feel safe. That is a constant effort, but most of the people in our neighborhood want that, so I have faith we will get there with patient effort.

I’m also working to calm Claiborne Ave. between St. Louis and Lafitte. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic there with the Greenway and the Ujamma development under the elevated expressway. It’s a real test of patience to press LaDOTD to take action to save lives here.  

I’m also part of the SWB Community Advisory Committee, which helps me to keep my neighbors informed. 

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

Change does not move as fast as you think it should, and there is a lot of moving parts that you and I are not aware of.  When you are pushing for change, be prepared to be reasonable and patient. And be prepared to keep on pushing.  

It’s very helpful to know the jurisdictions and interests when pressing for change.  For instance, at Claiborne and Lafitte, you have LaDOTD, DPW, Ujamma, Lafitte Greenway, NORD, Treme Neighborhood Association, and Parks and Parkways.  That’s a lot of potential partners or obstacles to making changes. It pays to know that landscape and seek out those with common interests.

August 12, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Freddie Leslie

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I was raised in the lower ninth ward, where I graduated from George Washington Carver Senior High. I lived in the ninth ward over thirty years.

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

My activeness in my community began during the time of Mayor Ernest Dutch Memorial. I also became involved with other stake holders in my community and some nonprofit organizations to improve the status of our neighborhoods.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

The lower ninth ward consisted of a vibrant community that had doctor’s offices, pharmacies, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theaters, gas stations, corner stores, funeral homes, schools, parks, etc. It will never be what it once was, but it can be better.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

The success there was in this community was being involved in neighborhood meetings, meeting with council members, mayor-liaison code enforcement, and other stake holders. Progress has been made with drains getting repaired, streets being worked on, abandoned homes being demolished, and empty lots with high vegetation being cut.

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?

Currently, I am working on the continuation of trying to make the ninth ward and the lower ninth a vibrant and safe community to live in again. I also would love to see more individuals in their neighborhood to become more involved.

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers? 

 I am a strong believer that people can make a change. Let your voices be heard!

 

July 5, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Dr. Sonya Forte Duhe

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I’ve lived here for 16 years. 

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?         

I volunteered to serve on the Lakeshore Property Owners Association Board some years ago and have remained on it ever since.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

Lakeshore is one of the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans. It is beautiful and steps away from Lake Pontchartrain which is such a lovely area. Our residents are friendly, generous and work together to make it an even better place to live. 

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

After joining the board, one of the first projects we completed was to create a more interactive web site where residents can join the association, pay dues, donate, find links to city and state offices, view a calendar of events and access a member directory. The web site also features gorgeous photos from our friend and professional photographer David Mora. Go to lakeshorenola.com to check it out. 

The upgraded, interactive website is a critical tool that allows neighbors to learn more about LPOA, know who we are and access information about our association.

As part of our plan to continue to improve and beautify our neighborhood, with the help of grants from the Nola Tree Project under the leadership of Connie Uddo, the Garden Study Center of New Orleans and Burke Brokerage Real Estate, we planted 22 live oaks, replacing trees lost to storms and disease.   

A 2023 Mayor’s Neighborhood Enrichment grant - a green infrastructure and beautification initiative - allowed the LPOA to plant eight more trees to make 30 live oaks added to our beautiful tree canopy.   

We didn’t stop there. Our beautiful oaks have been neglected for decades and funds from the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund sponsored by Councilman Eugene Green served as seed money to start a major pruning/cleanup effort for our oaks in our public spaces. Residents have stepped up as well and joined the board in donating to the “Love Our Oaks” campaign. 

We have developed a plan for pruning every tree in our public spaces withing a four-year span.  

Through generous donations from residents, we have beautified our entry ways, restored signage, enhanced lighting and cleaned and painted our bus stops, making our neighborhood entrance a more beautiful, environmentally sustainable and ecofriendly area.  

Partnering with the Lt. Governor’s ‘Clean the Boot’ project, The LPOA hosted a successful spring cleanup and social. Neighbors came together to remove weeds and pick up litter and tree debris, collecting more than 100 large bags of trash and stacks of waste. We completed our day with food and music in one of our beautiful parks where we’ve sponsored a dog show, Night Out Against Crime, Halloween social, a chili cook-off with our Lake Oaks neighbors, a Santa Claus visit for families and children and wine socials prior to our general membership meetings. All events are an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other better.

This fall, our board is planning another clean up and social, a Love our Oaks fundraiser and more planting to replace trees that have died. Of course, we’ll host a number of social events culminating with Santa in the Park in December, where we also work with the United States Marine Corps to collect items for their Toys for Tots campaign. We continue to strive for enforcement of our building and legal restrictions and work with city officials to suppress any nuisances. Councilman Green has given considerable support to LPOA and we have one of the best quality of life officers in the city, SPO Mary Lou Agustin. 

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood? 

In early August, we’ll host local arborist, Roger Mattei, from A Perfect Cut at a neighborhood social to discuss the health of oak trees throughout the city and in our neighborhood. We are also working on “Love our Oaks” fundraisers and informative gatherings to educate residents about our beautiful oaks and native plantings.

While we do have the capability for electronic newsletters, we are adding text messaging to our communications efforts. We continue our efforts to increase membership to keep residents informed and make Lakeshore an even better place. There will be numerous opportunities to meet and greet at fall and winter social events.

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

We have a wonderful team of board members who care deeply about our neighborhood and city. Get to know your city leaders, your council representative, participate in neighborhood engagement events and ask for help from your residents and city officials. If you have the opportunity, sign up for the New Orleans’ Civic Engagement Class where you’ll get to know and learn from other city and neighborhood leaders.

June 7, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Robert Conger

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

We bought our home in February 2021.

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

As soon as we learned about the neighborhood improvement association, we started attending meetings and participating in events. When the time came to elect a new board, the former President asked me to run and I did.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

Our beautiful oak lined neutral ground is a great place to walk our dog, catch up with neighbors and meet visitors who have come to see our equally beautiful St Roch Cemetery. 

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

Litter and pollution continue to be a challenge. I started doing a weekly trash pick-up on the neutral ground as soon as we moved in.  Initially neighbors would thank me. As time has passed there are a few neighbors who have started a similar trash pick-up routine. It really has made a difference. 

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?

We have an ongoing issue with speeding and reckless driving along N. Claiborne and N. Robertson, which we have been trying to get addressed for over a year. We have had well over a dozen accidents at those intersections since we moved in. Three of which involved cars going into homes (including ours). The St Roch neutral ground is a place where families walk their dogs and children. But the speeding is so bad that it makes it very dangerous for anyone crossing those two intersections. 

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

Be empathetic. Be honest (with yourself and others). Be persistent. But most of all be patient. 

May 10, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Molly Vigour

What New Orleans neighborhood do you live in? / Where did you grow up? 

I have lived in West Riverside since 1999. My area of the neighborhood became a part of the Bouligny Improvement Association (BIA) a few years ago. While I'm not a native Mississippian, I had the privilege to grow up in the wonderful small town of Winona. 

Describe your job to us!

I am the corporate counsel for a family-owned company in Metairie that provides business services to many local and regional businesses.

Tell us about your career path.

I am a proud Tulane Law School graduate.

What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy helping business owners navigate legal and regulatory issues so they can focus on running their businesses.

What challenges do you find to be the greatest in your role?

I enjoy being part of the Bouligny Improvement Association board so we can enhance the quality of life for our residents in partnership with the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office, Cm. Lesli Harris and her staff, and other City agencies, as well as bring our BIA neighbors together throughout the year.

What is your favorite thing about New Orleans?

My favorite thing about New Orleans is  my neighborhood, which I like to call the center of the universe. 

April 5, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Earl Williams

How long have you lived in your neighborhood? 

I've lived in the neighborhood for 69 years.  

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

After Katrina we established the Hollygrove Neighbors Association to bring back the neighborhood.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

The cohesiveness, we work well together, we get things done. There's a sense of unity in our community. We're able to accomplish a lot because we don't deal with a lot of egos.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

There's so much we do and are involved in. We have had many successes in our neighborhood, including getting a disruptive bar shut down, we have an alliance with Ms. Dee Dee for the community garden, and we stopped the rerouting of trains from Old Metairie through Hollygrove. 

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?  

We have community gardens, a neighborhood refrigerator where people can get perishables, and more.

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

I would advise other neighborhood leaders to increase cohesiveness, unity, and to leave egos at the door.

March 11, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Calvin Spears

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I purchased a lot in 1978, and I have lived in Lakewood East since 1980, so I'm going on 46 years in December.

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

I started participating in my homeowners association, in Lakewood East. It really took off after Katrina, because everyone was trying to figure out what we were going to do. We decided to come together and do everything we could to make Lakewood East what it was prior to Katrina. I was also a member of ENONAC for about 15 years and I am a graduate of Mayor’s Citizen Academy and also the Police Citizen Academy.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

Lakewood East is a great place to raise children, and when I initially moved here, my children were young. Also, I have great accessibility to the interstate.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

I was instrumental in establishing a taxing district in Lakewood East as one of the architects. I also keep my neighborhood signs cleaned and the surrounding grass cut. My neighbors and I also worked with the DOTD to get concrete barriers on I-10 Service Road shoulder from Morrison to around Franklin Ave.

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?

For the last 10 years I go out on Tuesdays and pick up trash going along I-10 Service Road. Sometimes I have to report mattresses, tree branches and even sofas. I'm also in constant communication with the District E liaison arranging for trash pick ups along the service road.

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

My advice is to just get involved, start now. Everyone who does a little bit makes things better.

January 12, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Priscilla Llopis

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I have been involved, lived and worked into the community since I was 12 years old. My husband and I have been doing this on ground community work since 1999. The schools I went to were Brady, Colton Jr. High, Nicholls Sr. High and my last year Rabouin High for Nursing and Secretary training. My mother, Auntee, Cousin and Mother-In-Law reside here. They were all part of the Edgewood Heights Association before Hurricane Katrina, and worked very hard after. My goal is to increase/help the quality of life of those who are saying we have no help.

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

My husband and I got involved in our community because there was a need to help others. Other communities were building back, receiving funding for their families and we never had a true leader to help. We were concerned with the State Department wanting to build a Probation Office on Franklin and also Sewerage & Water Board building up their property, whereas the residents' homes would be drowned out during a heavy rain. We did effectively receive lighting throughout the neighborhood and especially towards the back. This was from the Probation Office. Sewerage Water Board placed sheeting – wrapping/partition going all across their fence so the residents would not be able to see their trucks and dirt. This lasted about 5 years with SWB. The Dahlia Walk Tunnel was closed; this was during Mayor Nagin's reign. After Hurricane Katrina, we brought in buses of people to clean out damaged homes for free.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

I love that we are a small community. No matter where I live or go this is my community. When I was young we use to sit on the front porch and never be afraid, because we all knew each other. Seniors and retired residents always watched the activities going on from their porch. We are a small pocket of homeowners, renters, and businesses who know everyone.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

Within the last three years we have had wonderful success with the Cantrell Administration in Infrastructure of the streets, trash, etc. Edgewood Heights Association has became incorporated as a viable community. A few of our seniors and low-income families were having problems making ends meet month by month, so we now have a small food pantry which does help meet their needs. I'm able to do this because I have a Bachelor's in Food/Nutrition. We are at the end of a cul-de-sac at the end of Peoples Avenue and Dahlia Walk, and it's hard for seniors with no transportation to go to the grocery several times a month. The Community Vegetable Garden will help with this also.

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?  

At present we are working on our Community Vegetable Garden, crime cameras, working to get involved with the GDD, working with the Mayor and her team, Councilman, SELA, SWB to improve our infrastructure/streets. We are working on returning the "No Truck Route" sign back on Franklin Avenue and Abundance Street, and we are working with our neighborhood police. We are working on our 501C3, because we are in need of a Community Center. This would take me out of the equation and place it all upon the community. We also would like a "School Crossing Sign" on Franklin Avenue and a community name sign on the neutral ground on Franklin Avenue.

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

The only advise that I can give to other neighborhood leaders is to work with your City leaders, and communicate with the officials who are there to help. Be and stay positive, and speak out for your community because God placed you there as their voice.

November 10, 2023 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Jermaine Lewis

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I have lived in Tall Timbers Extension for 25 years.

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

I became an active member of  the  homeowners association after Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane there was a great need for us to get back to some sense of normalcy.

What do you love about your neighborhood? 

It has taken us some years, but it is  a quiet and friendly neighborhood.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?  

Over the years we have had an increase in the number of homeowners, and residents who take care of their property.

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?  

We are currently trying to clean empty lots,stop illegal dumping, and get potholes fixed, this is an ongoing problem.

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

My advice to other neighborhood, never stop fighting, stay involved.

September 11, 2023 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Joseph Peychaud

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

We have lived in this neighborhood since 1984.

What do you love about your neighborhood? 

Well, a number of things, we really love the people that are in this neighborhood and the people who are within its boundaries. The sense of our neighborhood continuing to grow through all of the changes we have faced.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?  

We have been successful in converting two-way streets to one-way streets in partnership with the city and the traffic engineers. We consulted on the street scape design for S. Claiborne Avenue. We have worked in successful partnership with businesses in the area such as Ochsner and Popeyes regarding the designs of their developments to protect the quality of life in the neighborhood.

What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?  

There are two things. We are trying to get some movement on street repair on S. Robertson that extends from S. Claiborne and Napoleon Ave. We are also noticing real significant growth of younger families moving into the area and they are buying double and single homes and renovating. We are trying to reach out to bring them into the group.  

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change-makers?

I think if I had to address one issue, it’s totally imperative that an association builds a relationship with all of the constituents in that boundary area. Neighbors need to have a sense that they can call upon the association because they are there to help them.

How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

A group of residents came together one evening in 2003 on our patio because we saw a need relative to the issue of protecting and preserving the neighborhood heritage as well as to foster the growth of the neighborhood.