As we begin this new year and a second term, it is critical that we accomplish what we set out to do from the beginning.
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** New year, new opportunities.
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I hope that the holidays brought you both the rest you need to recover from challenging times and the inspiration you need to accomplish bigger and better things this year. I, for one, am feeling energized and ready to get back to fighting for a better New Orleans.
Although we were faced with significant challenges in 2021, the City of New Orleans maintained continual operations and services for our residents. We continued to make critical investments in our infrastructure, even as we weathered a major hurricane, and in restoring City funds to right the financial ship as we move toward full recovery.
As we begin this new year and a second term, it is critical that we accomplish what we set out to do from the beginning. The COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse impact on our economy and our people. Now is our time to rebuild with innovative approaches that will provide better opportunities for people to thrive in our great city.
In spite of the challenges we faced, we accomplished a lot in 2021:
My administration set up mass testing and vaccination sites, provided funds to help struggling New Orleanians pay their rent and utility bills, gave grants to culture bearers who lost work due to the pandemic, and launched the Crescent City Card Program.
We used federal aid funds to help over 8,000 tenants and small landlords with emergency rental, utility, and legal assistance.
The City of New Orleans was one of the first government agencies to require vaccines for all employees and has achieved one of the highest municipal vaccination rates not just in Louisiana, but in the whole country.
We worked hard to make COVID-19 vaccinations accessible to everyone and to spread awareness. As a result, 81% of adults and 65% of all New Orleanians have now been fully vaccinated.
We also made big advancements in public safety, investing $34 million in innovative programs to reduce violent crime and supporting NOPD.
We built hundreds of new affordable housing units, solved the waste collection problems that came about after Hurricane Ida, and helped hundreds of unemployed residents find new jobs.
We also continued our historic progress on infrastructure, making millions of dollars worth of street repairs and upgrades and securing a $275 million WIFIA loan to modernize our sewage and water infrastructure. And that’s just the beginning. My administration has already put into motion plans to begin more than $1 billion worth of infrastructure projects in 2022.
You’ll be amazed at the things that are possible throughout this new year. Now is the time to address the deep-seated inequalities that have plagued our city for generations. We’re going to make huge advancements across the board, from public safety to infrastructure and from affordable housing to protecting our culture bearers.
So, from my family to yours: May this year be filled with blessings!
Sincerely,
Mayor LaToya Cantrell
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