We became apprehensive earlier this week when a headline on the internet proclaimed the announcement of America’s most dangerous states and cities. We feared the answer may include our home state and the nearby city we go to so often.
So with a bit of fear in the process, we clicked on the answer for the number one state.
Whew! It was Nevada. But then we went down to number two and our fears were justified. Louisiana.
As for the most dangerous city, we didn’t have to go even as far. New Orleans was number one.
We know St. Charles has less crime than most parishes in Louisiana but being so near to the crime capital of the country was not inviting. That and hurricanes have been two of the main reasons why our state and major city are losing residents.
When Mayor Ray Nagin was first elected, we had high hopes he would make New Orleans into a safe and inviting city. We’re sure it’s crime rate is one of the main reasons why Louisiana ranks so high on that internet list.
There are many good people in the state and city who do not work for the government but use a lot of their time in volunteer efforts that are a plus. Often you can see them planting trees and flowers along the avenues of New Orleans and cleaning up trash along the highways of Louisiana. They have demonstrated for good government and tried to put politicians on the right track.
It’s time for their efforts to pay off. Mayor Nagin needs to respond by using his leadership to steer his city in a forward-looking direction.
On the state level, Gov. Bobby Jindal has led many reforms that have improved the political structure of Louisiana. And he has coordinated efforts to restore our valuable coast at a much quicker pace than in the past.
He has a lot to work with in Louisiana which is one of the richest states in the union in natural resources. And he has the talent to make the most of it.
When we read about how dangerous life is in Louisiana and New Orleans, it makes us wonder why? Somebody missed the boat in providing our leadership in the past. And we can only blame ourselves who elected them.
King Milling puts voluntary efforts to work for state
King Milling of New Orleans deserved the honor he received this week by being selected to receive the TImes-Picayune Loving Cup for 2008. He is one of the volunteers referred to above who put their state and city above themselves by contributing their efforts to make them better.
Milling, who is a banker by trade, has put that leadership to work by pushing coastal restoration in Louisiana. He is chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Restoration and Conservation, America’s Wetland Foundation and the Committee of the Future of Coastal Louisiana. He is also board member of five other coast-related organizations.
Thanks to people like him, Louisiana is waking up to the fact that if we want to live in a prosperous state, the people of Louisiana have to lead the way. Washington won’t do it.
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