Why protest the Times Picayune? : NOLA Indymedia

The Times Picayune Editorial on December 20th, 2007, called for the demolition of public housing.

Accepting as “fact”, the editorial cited HUD numbers of available public housing units without question, and then questioned activists’ claims that more public housing is needed. No mention was made of the ongoing homeless crisis in our city.

---By ignoring the ongoing, criminal investigation of Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of HUD, the Times Picayune provides a cover for demolition to proceed without question.

--By ignoring Alphonso’s business ties with Columbia Residential, the developer chosen by HANO to redevelop the St. Bernard Housing Development, this allows demolition and redevelopment to proceed in our community without question. Columbia owes Alphonso a quarter of a million to half a million dollars, according to a series of articles published by Edward T. Pound of the National Journal.? ?--By ignoring that Alphonso got Donald Babers, the federal, one-man board and receiver for HANO, to approve a no-bid work contract for Alphonso's golfing buddy, William Hairston, to the tune of $392,000, ethical questions are not examined.? ?--By ignoring that Alphonso's wife, Marcia Jackson, has business ties to a developer, KAI Design and Build, the same developer that received a lucrative contract to design the Guste low-rise, demolition and redevelopment of C.J. Pete proceeds without question. This developer is now partnering with McCormick Baron Salazar to redevelop the C.J. Pete Housing Development.? ?For the Jacksons, it is All in the Family, and the Times Picayune, with the exception of columnist Lolis Eli, has chosen to look the other way. This provides a cover for the demolition of public housing, not only for HUD, but for local and state "leaders" who haven't lifted a finger to question a single contract to redevelop public housing.? ?Times Picayune Columnist Lolis Eli is not an investigative reporter, and can't shoulder the job of a community newspaper on his own.? ?We, public housing residents and community supporters, demand that the Times Picayune do their job as a community newspaper, serving all of the people of New Orleans, including those residents still displaced.? ?The Times Picayune must report accurately on the ongoing criminal investigation of Alphonso Jackson, HUD Secretary.? ?We demand that the demolition stop, in light of the allegations of corruption, and all contracts with business ties to Alphonso be thrown out.? ?We demand the immediate resignation of Donald Babers, for placing the needs of Alphonso’s friends over and above the needs of the working poor of New Orleans.

Activists for Public and Affordable Housing Ask the question that the Times Picayune won't:

--Why was it okay for HUD to use blackmail to accomplish the demolition of public housing in New Orleans?

On Tuesday, December 13th, the Times Picayune published an article detailing the HUD blackmail of the city. In a letter sent to Nagin, Alphonso Jackson stated that if Lafitte is not demolished, the city would lose $137 million. This despite the fact that Lafitte was spared demolition, in a democratic process, by a deadlocked 3 to 3 vote of the city's Historic Conservation Committee.

Jackson also threatened the residents of Lafitte, stating, in the letter, that former Lafitte residents could lose their housing vouchers if Lafitte is not demolished, forcing them to pay fair market rates for housing.

It was after this blackmail letter from HUD that the New Orleans City Council voted unanimously for demolition of public housing on December 20th, 2007.

Why haven't the editors of the Times Picayune called out the bully tactics of Alphonso Jackson?

Is it okay to frighten and bully public housing residents, still recovering from Katrina, in order to accomplish the demolition of public housing?

It's like putting a gun to the head of the city: Lose your affordable and public housing, or lose a bundle of money and residents will lose their housing vouchers.

We say this form of blackmail will not be accepted by public housing residents and supporters.

Shame on HUD. Shame on the Times Picayune.

Silence is Complicity.

For more information, contact C3/Hands off Iberville at 504-520-9521, or Mayday NOLA, 504-319-3300.