Jay Batt has conceded the race for the District A Council seat.

“This has been a difficult race, but I’m excited to put politics behind us and focus on what’s best for District A and New Orleans,” Batt said to a crowded room full of supporters.

“This is about New Orleans.  It has always been about New Orleans.  And now it’s time to heal.  Our City will heal, our state is getting better, and our nation can heal.

“I congratulate Ms. Guidry on her success today, and wish her the best as she begins representing the citizens of District A.”

This newspaper makes the following recommendations for Saturday’s ballot.

ORLEANS PARISH

DISTRICT A

Jay Batt

Mr. Batt has broad experience that would serve the district well. He is co-owner of several Jos. A. Bank clothing stores, and he served as District A representative on the City Council before Hurricane Katrina. He said that being out of public office has given him a fresh perspective on the failings at City Hall. In the past four years, he has worked with neighborhood groups on rebuilding issues and wants to focus on improving permitting, enforcement and other recovery-related city services. He is active in the Lakewood property Owners Association and is a board member of the Coastal Conservation Association. The district covers the western swath of the city, including Lakeview, Carrollton and sections of Uptown and Mid-City.

Click here to read the full article from The Times-Picayune

At-large City Council Member Jackie Clarkson today announced her endorsement of Jay Batt in the race for Council in District A.

Speaking at the Women for Batt Luncheon this afternoon at Ralph’s on the Park, Clarkson said she recognizes Batt as the right choice for the citizens of District A.

“To move New Orleans ahead, we need strong, decisive leadership on the Council,” Clarkson said. “For me, the choice in District A is clear.”

Clarkson said Batt is not only a true public servant, but knows how to work with others on the Council and in the City’s administration to move New Orleans forward.

“Jay Batt has proven himself on the Council,” Clarkson said. “He is a strong, diplomatic leader who has valuable experience in bringing and retaining business in New Orleans.”

“I am honored that an elected leader of Jackie Clarkson’s caliber has chosen to support my candidacy,” Batt said. “Having worked side-by-side with Jackie on the Council in the past, I have tremendous respect for her vision and wisdom. I look forward to serving with her again.”

Clarkson is the latest in a number of high-profile endorsements Batt has received from elected officials. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Clerk of Court Dale Atkins, Conressman Steve Scalise, State Reps. Jared Brossett, Neil Abramson and Cameron Henry, and State Sens. Ed Murray, J.P. Morrell and Julie Quinn, and School Board Member Brett Bonin have all endorsed Batt’s candidacy. He is also supported by former District A Council members Suzanne Haik Terrell, Scott Shea and Howell Crosby.

“I’m proud and honored to have the support of so many leaders in our city, from both major parties and from all areas of interest,” Batt said. “I didn’t win multiple endorsements by making promises I can’t keep. I won these endorsements based on my record of keeping the promises I make.”

Batt has been endorsed by the Times-Picayune, Alliance for Good Government, Forum for Equality, Mid-City Democrats, Independent Democratic Electors Association (IDEA), Greater New Orleans Republicans (GNOR), NOLA PAC (hospitality industry employees political action committee), and Louisiana Weekly.

In addition, Batt has received the public support of New Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand.

“Law enforcement leaders recognize that I approach the problem of crime as a safety issue, not as a `social ill,’” Batt said. “Unlike my opponent, who believes in coddling criminals and turning them loose, my tough-on-crime attitude lets these leaders know I will be a partner in reclaiming our streets.”

Batt has also been endorsed by Congressman Steve Scalise and by numerous state legislators from both sides of the aisle, including Sen. Ed Murray, Sen. J.P. Morrell, Sen. Julie Quinn, Rep. Jared Brossett, Rep. Neil Abramson and Rep. Cameron Henry.

Former Representatives Garey Forster and Peppi Bruneau have also endorsed Batt.

“State legislators need a partner in city government, to help them gather information, write good law, and make a real difference in representing our mutual constituents,” Batt said.

“These leaders, who have earned the trust of the voters, know I can and will be that partner.”

Those who preceded Batt on the Council have also given him their support. Former New Orleans City Council Members Suzanne Haik Terrell, Scott Shea and Howell Crosby have all publicly endorsed Batt, recognizing his commitment to continuing the level of service the people of District A expect and deserve.

Current School Board Members Seth Bloom, Brett Bonin and Thomas Robichaux have given their names to Batt’s campaign, as well, acknowledging that he will work with the local education system to elevate the education offered to New Orleans’ children.

In addition, Jefferson Parish Council Members Thomas Capella and John Young have endorsed Batt.

“Our neighbors know that New Orleans’ problems do not stop at the Parish Line,” Batt said. “They need a leader on the New Orleans City Council who will work to address problems from a regional approach.”

Former Congressman Bob Livingston and Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere have also endorsed Batt, as have Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere III and First City Court Constable Lambert Boissiere IV.

“The people who know me best, the people who know the needs of District A, and the people who know government at all levels have given their support to my candidacy,” Batt said. “As we enter the last 10 days of this campaign, our momentum continues to build and our list of supporters continues to grow. I’m both humbled and proud by the level of support we have gathered and by the broad cross-section of our community that has lined up to support my candidacy. I look forward to the final days of this campaign, and to serving the citizens of District A for the next four years.”

–Michelle Gaiennie

“I am supporting Jay Batt because his issues are the ones I care about too–things like anti-crime initiatives, stopping blight, encouraging charter schools, and fixing the streets. He believes in public-private partnerships. Since Katrina, we have learned that it takes many ways to move the city forward. I believe Jay Batt is the best person to keep improving New Orleans.”

–Ted LeClercq

“I am glad that Jay Batt decided to run for City Council again. Unlike so many others, Jay is not a career politician. He is a honest local  businessman, father, family man and friend who wants New Orleans to be the best it can be and he has the talent, dedication and loyalty to move this city forward. He has a unique gift of bringing people with opposing interests together to talk about their differences and finding compromises that suit everyone. Although you can never make everyone happy, Jay keeps his eye on the ball and focuses on the end result, making New  Orleans safe, prosperous, family friendly, visitor friendly, neighborhood friendly and business friendly, while preserving New Orleans’ unique  charm, history and culture. I want a city council member who is not in office for what the office can do for him, but what he can do for the city  and its citizens. I want someone who is guided by making the right decisions, not just the popular decisions. Jay is that guy.”

–Robin C. O’Bannon

“We need an experienced, aggressive statesman like Jay Batt to lead District A at this crucial time.”

–Val Marie Cupit

“After Hurricane Katrina, Jay Batt was crucial to our neighborhood’s recovery efforts. He made sure our roads were open for residents and contractors. He pushed Entergy to get electricity to us ahead of schedule. Whenever we ran against a hurdle, Jay was only a phone call away,  despite operating out of a makeshift office himself.   Given Jay’s extraordinary efforts during that most difficult time, I am confident he is the best choice to take on the crime, blight and broken infrastructure plaguing our streets in New Orleans today.”

–Joseph Mannino

“I’m voting for and supporting Jay Batt for New Orleans City Council District A because Jay Batt possesses the ability to look beyond the interest of small groups with personal interest that prohibit the progression of District A. The success of District A is paramount to the success of City of New Orleans and Jay’s perception and understanding of the issues before us, is unsurpassed. Jay has the ability, knowledge and experience to unite other Council members, citizens of District A, and other members of City Government in creating a safe, clean, prosperous district. Jay Batt will not succumb to small interest, Jay will stand up for District A, Jay will not walk out because he doesn’t get his way and he won’t quit until the job is complete.

We have all witnessed firsthand what happens when council members can’t create unity among their peers and quit before the job is done. Let’s not repeat the same mistake. Please join me in supporting Jay Batt for District A.”

–Stephen Saussy

Click here for the full article.

1) City Hall

1300 Perdido Street

Parking: There will be parking lots at Perdido and South Robertson, and some meters will be covered around Perdido Street

2) Orleans Parish Voting Machine Warehouse

8870 Chef Menteur Highway

Parking: There will be parking lots around the warehouse itself and ample street parking

3) Algiers Courthouse

225 Morgan Street (right by the river)

Parking: There will be ample parking around the courthouse itself

When To Vote

January 23-30 (except Sunday, January 24), anytime from 8:30 am to 6 pm

While other candidates lacked knowledge of the City Charter and had poorly defined opinions on basic issues affecting the future of New Orleans, Batt clearly laid out his approach to solving the problems of City Government with clear, concise answers to moderator Norman Robinson’s questions.

To the question of merging the jurisdictions of NOPD and Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff, while keeping NOPD as the lead agency, Batt said such an issue is worth pursuing while the primary concern in law enforcement remains consistency of funding.

“We need to fully fund the criminal justice system and we need to make sure the system is fully funded all the time,” Batt said.

Batt also addressed the issue of transparency in awarding City contracts, a matter he vigorously pursued during his previous service on the Council.

“It has been the perception of corruption in our city that has thwarted economic development,” Batt said. “It is imperative that we follow through with transparency.”

He also said the Council has tools at its disposal to address transparency in the awarding of contracts and stressed the importance of impartiality in awarding bids and ensuring bidders don’t use dummy companies to hide outsourcing work to out-of-state vendors.

“There are tools we have before us as a Council to deal with the process,” he said. “We need to have a fair and level playing field and we need to make sure the people here get the jobs.”

Batt, who served on the City Council from 2002 to 2006, is a successful business leader and a longtime volunteer and Board of Directors Member of Crimestoppers. He has been endorsed by District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, and the Alliance for Good Government, among many others.

Jay was on the forefront of these issues after Hurricane Katrina, and the failure to enforce these standards after he left office is one of the reasons Jay is looking to represent District A on the City Council once again. He has a proven record of understanding these issues and will fight to eradicate blight and make city government transparent and accountable to its citizens.