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Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > september 20 > 2011
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grow like weeds on neutral grounds every election season. But the newly enforced law also applies to concert posters, advertisements, yoga class flyers, and anything stapled or slapped on light poles and other public rights of way — parks, playgrounds, trees, light fixtures, street signs and parking meters. A nine-person task force consisting of city employees from the Department of Sanitation and Parks and Parkways and New Orleans Police Department Quality of Life officers looked for and removed signs for five days, ending Friday, Sept. 16. Those duties now are back in the hands of the 22 sanitation employees and 70 Parks and Parkways employees whose duties include litter and sign control. Bands and venues promoting their next big gig may want to stick strictly to coffee shop bulletin boards and Facebook. In an email to Gambit, Landrieu press secretary Ryan Berni said, “The individual(s) or business depicted on the sign or poster will be held responsible for the illegal sign. … The entities listed on the sign are responsible.” In other words, everyone on a typical concert bill (venue, artists, and promoter) can be targeted for fines. Aspiring politicos also should take note: The candidates represented on the signs — and their committees — also will be held responsible for possible fines, Berni said. Candidates, as always, have 48 hours before and after an election to remove their signs. The penalties are $25 per sign, or $50 per sign if attached to a tree; possible community service; fines of $150 to $5,000 (and possible community service or jail time) for littering or illegal dumping. Berni said artists with proper permitting for neighborhood artwork are in the clear. — Alex Woodward
Marsh Mellows
There was little consensus among New Orleanians last week as to whether the marsh fire in eastern New Orleans had in fact been completely snuffed out, despite a deluge from Tropical Storm Lee and repeated attempts to douse the flames via helicopter drops. Twitter (through #marshfire or #smokepocalypse hashtags) still spiked with reports of burning odors, presumably from the smoldering marsh. Attempts to let it burn itself out (or hopes the rain would put it out) followed “best practices,” according to Mayor Mitch Landrieu. But early last week Landrieu confirmed three hot spots had been extinguished by Sept. 10, via two Louisiana National Guardpiloted Blackhawk helicopters dropping
137 buckets and carrying more than 60,000 gallons of water. Landrieu announced the New Orleans Fire Department and Mosquito Control would survey the area three times a day throughout the week. But a reconnaissance flight on Thursday, Sept. 15 identified the same three small hot spots, which NOFD had hoped to fight from nearby canals but couldn’t. Landrieu requested helicopter support from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for additional water drops. Landrieu press secretary Ryan Berni said if more support is needed, it will be sent. Authorities believe lightning strikes on Aug. 24 ignited a fire that spread to an area of marsh grass and underbrush covering more than 1,500 acres. What followed were days of air quality alerts issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality as changing winds brought stinging, burning smells across the metro area — and as far as Baton Rouge — until late Sunday, Sept. 11. “Particulate matter” from the smoke carried ash and soot particles, which are considered especially harmful to people with respiratory problems and allergies. Gov. Bobby Jindal authorized the Louisiana National Guard to drop more than 1 million gallons of water on the flames before Tropical Storm Lee’s rain bands moved inland. — Woodward
GaMBIT’s “40 UNDer 40” seeKING NoMINaTIoNs
The Nov. 1 issue of Gambit will be our annual “40 Under 40,” spotlighting New Orleanians under the age of 40 for their accomplishments. Nominations are now open through Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. Nominees must meet the following requirements: • Must be 39 years of age or younger • Live in the New Orleans metro area • Be worthy of distinction Elected officials are not eligible. To nominate someone for “40 Under 40,” send us a brief email, fax or letter (email preferred) telling us about his or her background, accomplishments and future plans. Include the person’s exact date of birth (it will be verified). Send your nomination to Gambit managing editor Kandace Graves: • Email: kandaceg@gambitweekly.com • Fax: (504) 483-3116 • Mail: Gambit, attn. Kandace Graves (40 Under 40), 3923 Bienville St., New Orleans, LA 70119 No phone calls, please. Only winners will be notified. All nominations must be received by the end of business day on Oct. 4.