Letter From The President

Dear Members,

As I write what may be my last message as President of French Quarter Citizens, I am wondering what life will be like at the conclusion of this three-year adventure, Yes, it's true. In the near future, I will be resigning from the Presidency of French Quarter Citizens -- work which, frankly, I expected to be doing for the rest of my life. The current situation has forced a change in my priorities, so even though my passion is still preservation of the French Quarter, my time and energy have to be refocused.

It has been a very rewarding three years. I can't say that I felt qualified when I began this work. When the organization's former President, Carol Greve, stepped down, I could not imagine succeeding her. I had watched in awe her presentations at general meetings. Her natural leadership coupled with her extensive knowledge of the issues and the 'cast of characters' was impressive and made me seriously doubt my effectiveness. As a relative newcomer to New Orleans, how could I ever maneuver the political landscape? I couldn't even spell Tchoupitoulas. I didn't know where the Crescent City Connection was. A good roux eluded me (still does!). And I absolutely didn't know "ya Mama 'n 'em!"

And I had to wade through a maze of acronyms: CZO, CPC, VCC, HDLC, ARC, CDC, VCPORA, PRC and hundreds more. I had to learn where to park near City Hall, how to sign up as a speaker at public hearings, what NOT to say in a deposition and how to stay positive in the wake of so many negative activities in the French Quarter. I had to learn that the fragile balance of residents, businesses and visitors in the French Quarter is crucial to its future and that this must be protected first and foremost.

This work came at the right time for me. After considerable change in my life, I needed an outlet for my energy, and did I ever find one! Working on French Quarter issues truly became a passion for me. At a time when my life seemed direction-less, it gave me the necessary focus. For that and so much more, I am very grateful.

I went to the meetings and the hearings, read lots of materials, wrote thousands of e-mails, made millions of calls and soon, things began to take shape. I began to form alliances with leaders of other French Quarter organizations, rely on those who had experience and expertise, and ever so gradually, started to emerge from the fog.

There was always lots to do, but luckily, so many people love the French Quarter and want to protect it that I was not alone. Over the past three years, I have served with 31 French Quarter Citizens' Board members. Each brought special talents to the Board, and most were dedicated workers. Serving with caring and capable people has been a highlight of my tenure.

I am grateful for the number of opportunities that the organization has afforded me. Besides Board members, I have met and worked with some wonderful people, many of whom are now my friends. I have been able to represent the organization in many venues -- many interesting and satisfying, other less so. I have learned so much about our organization and its lofty goals, about our unique historic neighborhood and about the activists, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to protect it. When I think of the number of people who work daily at jobs they dislike, I realize how lucky I have been to work at something I love so much.

In the past three years, we have suffered some devastating defeats. Some of these daily erode the quality of life for French Quarter residents. Others are BIG eyesores on the Canal Street edge of our neighborhood. The defeats deflate us and cause us to wonder how the French Quarter has survived such difficult losses.

The victories were fewer but all the sweeter. Legislatively we have given the 'little guy' a more even playing field and the French Quarter better odds of continued long-term survival. Politically we have gotten a place at the table. Publicly we are written about and quoted. Diplomatically we have forged a positive working relationship with the City Administration. Financially we no longer live hand to mouth. Our hard work has won us some respect. I am so proud of that.

And so, it is the right time to start preparations to step down--to make way for some new ideas, some new techniques, some different approaches to the age-old problems. Not being President doesn't mean that I'm not a practicing preservationist or that I won't be doing everything I can for the organization and the French Quarter. I will, of course be around to help and support the 2003 Board, but they are energetic and capable of great things in their own right.

My heart is heavy, but my15 minutes are up. It has been the best.

I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season.