News Roundup
Nov 16 2006
N.O. City Council OKs strong Inspector General
City Business
November 3, 2006
Deon Roberts
2006-11-02 4:04 PM CST
NEW ORLEANS — The seven-member New Orleans City Council today unanimously adopted an ordinance to create an Office of Inspector General, a post designed to root out fraud and corruption in city government.
Although there had been uncertainty over whether the city’s charter allowed the IG to have subpoena powers, the ordinance provides such authority. Without subpoena powers, some officials have said, the IG cannot be truly effective.
“This person will have subpoena powers,” said Councilman Arnie Fielkow.
The IG’s office is 10 years in the making. Orleans Parish voters voted to create the office in 1995 but it was never implemented. After Hurricane Katrina, widespread support for reforming city government created renewed interest in the IG’s office.
“Today’s vote represents a great beginning and a great day for all New Orleanians,” Fielkow said.
Councilwoman Shelley Midura, who took office this year, was one of the strongest supporters of the IG. Her office wrote the ordinance.
Some City Council members who ran for election after Katrina promised during their campaigns to help create a true IG.
“This was one of the top priorities of my campaign,” Fielkow said.
The city now must hire an IG. A seven-member Ethics Review Board, which must be appointed within 60 days, will help with the selection.
Filed under: Good Governance | Rebuilding New Orleans
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