www.savelouisianawetlands.org
RE: Appointment to discuss Mitch Landrieu's position on the closure of Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO)
Dear Scott,
Thank you so much for calling my voice mail on Monday May 8, 2006 to discuss setting up an appointment concerning the above captioned. However, in all due respect I think we have a miscommunication.
On April 24, 2006 I phoned the Campaign Headquarter at 872-0415, and on behalf of SOWL, requested an appointment with Mitch, personally, to discuss the above captioned. I spoke with Susie at that time.
I eventually received a return phone call from Brooke Smith of your staff. Brooke stated Mitch was to busy to meet with me at this time, but recommended a meeting with Mitch's chief of staff. Brooke stated that you would soon get in touch with a date and place. I told Brooke that I was available to meet at any time and place except the both Fridays of Jazz Fest. I also told her that you could call my voice mail to advise of a date, time and place and that I would call back and confirm. I also informed her that, should you want to speak with me personally, you could call me on my cell.
After not hearing from you, I phoned you 3 more times, leaving messages at both the 872-0415 and 525-4777 with my cell number.
On May 2, 2006, I talked to Garland of your staff at 525-4777. I requested Garland to pass the message to you that I was available at any time and place except Jazz Fest Friday, and to either leave a message of date, time and place on my voice mail, or you could call me on my cell. Garland said he would do this.
On Tuesday, May 9, 2006 I again talked to Garland, requesting he relay to you that I was available to meet with you at any date, time and place except this Friday May 12th and that you could call my voice mail with this information and I would reconfirm, or you could phone my cell. Garland stated he would do this.
It is SOWL’s position that unless MR-GO is closed, New Orleans has no future. It is doomed! This community deserves to know exactly Mitch's stand on this issue.
Mayor Ray Nagin has made it clear that the MR-GO will remain open. In this regard, please find enclosed SOWL’s April 24, 2006 Press Release criticizing Nagin’s “we’re stuck with it” position.
Mitch is certainly right on one thing, “we have a zero margin for error”. And keeping the MR-GO open or ignoring the issue is more than “zero margin”. It's politics as usual. Unfortunately this issue isn't going to go away, because it's a festering cancerous growing sore on the soul of New Orleans.
Again I request on behalf of SOWL, an appointment with you to discuss closure of MR-GO and Mitch's position on this critical issue.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours very truly,
Save Our Wetlands, Inc.
Executive Attorney
Brooke Smith
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation