Bringing in the best

Just going to put the reminder up here that Cantrell's CFO was hired as the result of a national search. 

Mayor-elect LaToya Cantrell’s pick as chief financial officer of New Orleans once held the same position under disgraced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is now serving a 28-year sentence in federal prison on corruption charges.

At that time the best the  Advocate could do to reassure us about White with regard to Kilpatrick's scandals was to say,  "Those controversies in many cases followed a pattern that began before White's tenure as chief financial officer, and it’s not entirely clear what role he played in continuing them."

So, okay. Keep an open mind.  Here's what that gets us so far.

In an interview, Brossett said he was disappointed with city Chief Financial Officer Norman White's lack of preparation and his failure to give the committee any idea of what the budget impact would be if changes were made to the traffic camera program.

Instead of a long-term budget outlook for 2019, White provided the council with data on traffic cameras mounted in school zones. They are among the biggest revenue generators because they have a lower trigger point for issuing tickets -- vehicles 6 mph or faster over the limit are ticketed during school hours versus 10 mph for cameras in non-school zones. The school zone cameras are also placed along some of the city's most traveled thoroughfares.

Council members questioned some of White's numbers because they conflicted with a report they received given in July during a revenue estimating conference, where officials get an update on tax receipts and other sources of city income. School zone cameras are projected to generate $12 million during non-school hours in 2018, according to the July report. White's presentation put the amount at $7.1 million.

Well, alright.  Maybe give him some time, though.  It says here he has a considerable amount of experience figuring out how best to maximize revenue from drivers. 

The plaintiffs are Kayla Friess, 25, of Detroit, who has received numerous parking violations by the city of Detroit over the years. At least one of the tickets was for $45. She paid the fine within 10 days, but was still charged the full amount.

Issa Haddad, 40. of West Bloomfield is the other plaintiff. He also has received numerous parking tickets in Detroit, including at least one for $45. 

The lawsuit, filed by attorney Shaun Godwin, is seeking class-action status.  The defendants  are the city, Wisconsin-based parking meter contractor Duncan Solutions; Detroit parking director Norman White; and James Canty, manager of the city's parking violations bureau.

Maybe they should let him look at S&WB.