Goal: Set the tone for a new era of transparency, responsiveness, and partnership.

Within the first month in office, I will:

• Host a District E Town Hall to outline the early agenda and listen directly to residents.
• Hold quarterly targeted sessions in New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward with community leaders, small-business owners, youth advocates, and faith-based organizations.

Day 1 after inauguration (January 13, 2026), Business Leadership Roundtable, I will convene a District E Business Summit bringing together:

• Local entrepreneurs and small-business owners
• Bankers and community lenders
• Business Organizations and Chambers
• Corporate partners and developers

Day 2 after inauguration– (January 14, 2026)  Residential & Neighborhood Forum

Together, we will identify quality-of-life priorities from lighting and drainage to parks, safety, and youth programs and co-create a tangible first-year action plan.

Ensure District E receives its fair share of services and infrastructure investments by:

• Auditing service delivery in District E
• Reviewing the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
• Holding departmental accountability meetings

Put District E at the center of city budget decisions not on the sidelines.

I will:

• Seek a seat on the City Council Budget Committee to ensure District E has a direct voice in how dollars are allocated.
• Advocate for a fair share of operating and capital funds for District E
• Protect funding for critical services (sanitation, drainage, public safety, healthcare, youth programs)
• Push for transparent reporting on how much the City spends in each council district

Transform blighted and neglected areas into vibrant, productive spaces — restoring pride, safety, and investment throughout District E.

Blight and illegal dumping are two sides of the same problem: neglect that erodes property values, discourages business growth, and damages community pride. I will lead a District E Clean and Revitalize Initiative, combining aggressive enforcement, strategic redevelopment, and community partnerships to turn eyesores into opportunities.

• Launch a District E Commercial Blight Action Plan focused on the worst and most visible corridors, including: Abandoned and blighted properties along Plaza Drive and the I-10 Service Road; Neglected commercial sites such as 6700 Plaza Drive, targeted for demolition or redevelopment; Large, damaged commercial pole signs and visual blight have remained since Hurricane Katrina; and Chronic dumping sites across New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward
• Inventory and prioritize sites
• Strengthen enforcement and penalties for individuals and contractors who illegally dump debris or waste in vacant lots, canals, or rights-of-way.
• Secure funding for the installation and monitoring cameras and signage at chronic dump sites to deter repeat offenders and provide evidence for enforcement actions.
• Align incentives and enforcement, combining code enforcement, tax abatements, and redevelopment tools to move neglected properties into productive use.
• Partner with neighborhood associations and community groups to organize and encourage community reporting of illegal dumping.
• Coordinate with Sanitation, Public Works, and Code Enforcement to ensure bulk-waste pickup schedules are accessible and that property owners are held accountable for repeated violations.

District E will send a clear message: Neglect stops here. Our community is open for investment, opportunity, and renewal.

Tax-exempt landlords have already been identified in District E.

Where these property owners are in violation of the code or neglecting their properties, I will:

• Pursue action to revoke exemptions and redirect those revenues back into the community.
• Strengthen code enforcement and penalties so neglectful landlords can no longer avoid.
• Responsibility while residents shoulder the burden of blight.

Help existing businesses survive, grow, and stay while attracting new investment.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of District E. My plan will:

• Create a District E Business Retention & Expansion Taskforce.
• Advocate for a Small Business Sustainability & Façade Improvement Fund
• Work to Fix Permitting and Safety Bottlenecks
• Establish a Business Concierge Program to help entrepreneurs navigate City Hall.
• Work hand-in-hand with the Mayor’s administration to modernize the permitting process.
• Ensure that red tape, delays, or inconsistent enforcement do not deter businesses in District E.
• Streamline procurement practices and processes 
• Ensuring District E firms are aware of and can access upcoming opportunities offered by the City of New Orleans
• Provide business continuity planning support for hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters.
• Launch a “Buy East, Support Local” campaign featuring seasonal showcases, markets, and promotions.
• Promote the use of local suppliers and vendors for public projects and programs in District E.

A coordinated economic development strategy that turns underutilized properties, including the Plaza, Kenilworth Mall, and major corridors, into visible, well-planned centers of commerce, culture, and opportunity.

District E needs a councilmember who can broker deals, align resources, and move projects from concept to reality. I will use my legislative experience and relationships to:

Redevelop the Plaza & Kenilworth Mall Sites

• Lead efforts to transform abandoned shopping centers such as the Plaza and Kenilworth Mall into Job-generating, retail, and community-serving hubs

Full-service grocery stores

• Work to deliver on the long-promised full-service grocery store in the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East —not another study, but a real project with a clear development timeline.

Invest in commercial revitalization.

• Repurpose vacant storefronts, attract small businesses, and bring government and community service hubs directly to the Lower Ninth Ward.

Activate the New Orleans Regional Business Park

• Position the New Orleans Regional Business Park as the front door to industry for the Gulf region. 
• Target logistics, light manufacturing, clean energy, and warehousing employers who can bring high-quality jobs to District E.

Leverage State and Local Incentives

I will build on his legislative work and partnerships, including:

• Angel Investor Tax Credit Program and related tools that encourage private investment in local startups and small businesses.
• Restoration Tax Abatement and Opportunity Zone alignment tools to make redevelopment in District E more attractive and financially viable.

Remove Barriers to Development

• Convene a District E Property & Realtor Roundtable with realtors, developers, landholders, and city agencies.
• Identify and address barriers such as: Title complications, Infrastructure gaps, and Zoning or land-use issues

Create a District E Implementation Package

• Bundle incentives, permitting tools, and financing options into a simple package for prospective investors.
• Provide clear ROI data and project timelines so investors know what District E offers and how deals can move forward.

Make the New Orleans East Hospital a top-tier regional facility while expanding community healthcare access through new clinics and mobile wellness programs in the Lower Ninth Ward. Create a stronger, more equitable healthcare system with the New Orleans East Hospital as the regional healthcare anchor and the Lower Ninth Ward served by local clinics and mobile health programs. These investments will drive better health outcomes, increase access, and generate new, high-quality jobs across District E in healthcare and related fields.

Although New Orleans East Hospital is located in the East, it serves a much larger area, including:

• The Upper and Lower Ninth Ward
• Gentilly
• The Lake areas, including Lakeview

I will:

• Introduce a Council resolution requiring the City to put real funding on the table for: Staffing, Expanded services and specialty care; Improved infrastructure and facilities
• Push to expand specialty services, including cardiology, oncology, women’s health, and behavioral health.
• Partner with healthcare providers and nonprofits to establish community clinics and mobile wellness units in the Lower Ninth Ward, ensuring families have convenient, affordable access to care close to home.
• Advocate for preventive and mental health programs that reduce disparities and promote long-term wellness throughout District E.

Make sure economic development results in real jobs and opportunities for District E residents and businesses. City policy, private investment, and redevelopment will create tangible, inclusive, and sustainable employment with District E residents and firms prioritized. When economic growth, business retention, and community investment are deliberate and coordinated, opportunities emerge. My approach will ensure:

Fair Opportunities for Local Businesses

• Advocate for contract de-bundling so that large City and private contracts are broken into smaller, manageable pieces.

Transparent Access to Opportunities

• Create a District E Business Opportunity Notification Network
• Work closely with the office of Supplier and Diversity and Procurement to host quarterly Business Briefings and publish a District E Opportunities Bulletin so no one is “out of the loop.”

Workforce Training & Career Pathways

• Partner with trade unions, contractors, and training institutions to: Expand pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities, Connect residents to jobs in construction, infrastructure, and redevelopment projects, and Tie training and hiring commitments to major redevelopment efforts, including: Corridor revitalizations and infrastructure work

Invest in young people and restore pride in District E’s present and future.

I will pursue a comprehensive approach to supporting youth and rebuilding community pride:

Education & Schools

Collaborate with Orleans Parish School Board and state partners to: 

• Develop a plan to reopen a high school in the Lower Ninth Ward. 
• Advocate for strong, stable schools across District E with safe facilities and robust academic and vocational programming.

Youth Programs & Recreation

Secure Council funding to:

• Expand after-school programs and tutoring
• Enhance parks, recreation centers, and NORDC programming
• Support youth-centered nonprofits, mentorship programs, and summer activities

Career & Skills Pathways

Coordinate with JOB1, Delgado, Nunez, and local nonprofits to:

• Align training programs with emerging industries in District E (logistics, healthcare, clean energy, construction, tech).
• Connect young people and adults to certifications, apprenticeships, and job placements that lead to long-term careers.