Stacy Head

06/26/2024

Jackie Clarkson was an incredibly honorable elected official. She never stopped working to improve our government and also make every person she came across feel heard and valued. We should all strive to have her grace.

I know Jackie is sitting in heaven with members of “Jackie’s Angels,” her first all female political support group.

01/17/2023

I’m sharing a tribute from the makers of Getting Back to Abnormal, a documentary about New Orleans politics, of which Barbara was the star:

Barbara Lacen-Keller, it's hard to believe that someone with so powerful a life force could ever leave us. It was a highlight of our doumentary making lives to film her. On this sad day, we'd want people to remember her in her glory in Getting Back to Abnormal, a film that she truly stared in. Rest in peace.

https://www.paulstekler.com/getting-back-to-abnormal

Louis, Andy and Paul

New Orleans’ politics, culture and race relations after Katrina, as seen in a race for city council. David Simon, Mitch Landrieu, Oliver Thomas, Stacy Head, Barbara Lacen Keller, Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Saints and the Super Bowl, and more.

01/16/2023

The world is a title less bright today, but Heaven is shining. Barbara Lacen Keller passed away surrounded but her amazing daughters. She spent her last days saying goodbye to many of her friends.

My life has been immeasurably enhanced by having her as a friend, mentor, and fellow public servant for the people of New Orleans. The world needs more Barbaras.

Ms. Barbara made many meaningful contributions to New Orleans. She was instrumental in developing the MLK Day parade and the way we commemorate Dr. King’s legacy. Our lives and our city are better for her presence.

11/18/2022

I’m sleeping out with Covenant House New Orleans tonight. Please consider supporting this wonderful organization.

P.S. it’s cold out here!!

https://www.sleepout.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=39573

05/04/2018

To my family, friends, and supporters:

Thank you for your support during this journey through politics and public service. It has been an honor to serve the City of New Orleans for the past 12 years. I ran for office hoping that my talents and energy could help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina and I am proud to have played a small part in not only our recovery but our city’s revitalization.

My priorities have always been government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and preserving our neighborhoods and traditional commercial corridors. I’m proud of my accomplishments in office, some of which were hard-fought public battles while others were quiet behind-the-scenes reforms.

The Master Plan and Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance provide property owners, neighborhood associations, and future developers a plan for progress across the city and allow everyone to better understand how they fit into that growth. My work to institute adjudicated property auctions and Sheriff sales of blighted properties bring more revenue into the city, more property into commerce, and reduces blight in neighborhoods. Special event waiver reform, the Rainy Day Fund, and public employee pension reform leave the city budget in better shape than when I came to office. And by expanding HDLC demolition only control into more historic neighborhoods and revitalizing Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard and Freret Street commercial corridors through zoning to allow for more development, we’ve ensured that New Orleans will maintain its unique character.

I’m grateful for the expertise that external bodies and neutral parties have shared on how we can run this city better. I’ve often taken the recommendations of the Inspector General, Bureau of Governmental Research, the Preservation Resource Center, and others into consideration and tried to move them forward.
While this job has, at times, been frustrating, the overwhelming majority of my time in office has been rewarding. I know that every pothole filled, clogged catch basin cleaned, blighted property cleaned up, and abandoned vehicle towed has made New Orleans a little nicer for her people.

I am leaving office but the work continues. Please get to know the new council and continue to engage them on matters that are important to you. They are here to serve you.

I look forward to a fun-filled summer with my family and hope to find a way to continue to serve New Orleans in the near future.

Stacy Head

02/22/2018

Thank you to the many citizens, neighborhood groups, developers, and nonprofits who participated in the Master Plan amendment process. Today, after months of work, the NOLA City Council adopted amendments to the Master Plan. But today wasn't the most important day for this process. For complicated legislation such as this, it's all about the work along the way

Thank you to everyone who has engaged at every step. To those who emailed, called, and attended meetings: your recommended changes made this document better. By working through the minutia and being tenacious you helped fix some of the problems. Thank you for the investment of your time.

The Master Plan is intended to set out a general framework of land use so that property owners, developers, and others know what the rules are regardless of who you know or who you hire. It is a living document and the City Council will go through this process again in 18-24 months.

Things change, we make mistakes, and we miss things. So please stay informed and engaged with the Master Plan.

The City Planning Commission's website is a great resource for the Master Plan:

The Plan for the 21st Century, commonly referred to as the Master Plan, is a City Charter-mandated planning framework for the core systems that shape New Orleans’ physical, social, environmental, and economic future. The Plan for the 21st Century reflects the values and priorities that emerged thr...

01/10/2018

The Governmental Affairs Committee reviews recommendations for appointments to boards and commissions and provides citizens a greater understanding of how the Council, the Administration and the community work together through various boards and commissions. It will also assume the responsibility fo...

12/13/2017

The Pew Charitable Trusts praises New Orleans’ Rainy Day Fund approval.

“New Orleans, like many other cities, had held an unrestricted balance of savings in its general fund. By creating a separate rainy day fund, with guidelines on when to save and withdraw, New Orleans has taken an important step to improve its financial management.

Pew’s research shows that setting clear conditions for deposits to and withdrawals from rainy day funds gives policymakers a framework to build the savings needed to face an economic downturn or unexpected expense. Although 48 states have established rainy day funds, they are less widespread at the local level.”

Last month, New Orleans residents voted to strengthen the city’s finances by creating a rainy day fund. The City Council had unanimously agreed in August, with Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s support, to let voters decide whether to amend the city’s charter to establish the Savings Fund.

11/15/2017

I’m on WBOK 1230AM right now, talking to Oliver Thomas about the rainy day fund, city issues, and more. Tune in now!

11/03/2017

On the ballot 11/18: Rainy Day Savings Fund amendment to the Home Rule Charter. This is critical to the fiscal health of New Orleans. It would establish the first ever rainy day fund by setting aside 5% of the general fund in the fund balance to be used in an emergency.

Thank you Mayor Mitch Landrieu- City of New Orleans for your leadership on this important initiative!

Read more from Bureau of Governmental Research on the charter amendment here:

09/22/2017

Our city budget reveals priorities by what it funds. My priorities are the basics: making city government function, keeping you dry, and keeping you safe.

Right now catch basin maintenance and minor street repairs are not adequately funded in the 2018 budget.

What are your priorities? Contact your councilmember and let them know.

09/13/2017

We've gone blue at the NOLA City Council! Today, on Geaux Blue NOLA day, the city has come together to show our support for the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department. Thank you for your service!

How will you Geaux Blue?