Councilmember District A

League of Women Voters^®
of New Orleans

Shelley Stephenson Midura

NAME: Shelley Stephenson Midura
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: PO Box 792205, New Orleans, LA 70179-2205
Phone: (504) 561-6552
FAX: (504) 561-6560
Email: miduraforcouncil@bellsouth.net
Website: http://www.shelleymiduraforcitycouncil.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
PROFESSION: career diplomat/current candidate/housewife-mom
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business): candidate
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date): Bachelor's of Science of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, 1988
APPLICABLE TRAINING: 10 years in the diplomatic service; Loyola University Institute of Politics, 2004
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: co-founder, International School of Louisiana
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Loyola University Institute of Politics, 2004, five years co-founding charter school
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS: None.
1. Will you expedite the completion and adoption of a Master Plan for the city with the force of law?
Working with neighborhood and business input, I will set firm deadlines for completion of the master plan, and through the city charter, require that the plan bear the force of law and that all ordinances conform to it. The master plan should not be revised more frequently than once every two years. Additionally, I will work toward completing and adopting a comprehensive zoning ordinance that would require that decisions made pursuant to it also comply with the master plan.
2. What is the Council's role in bringing back New Orleans?
The Council must bring people into the discussion about the process of planning neighborhood redevelopment so that consensus can be reached and plans won't be opposed (before they're even released) by any group that feels excluded in the planning process.
3. Will you pledge to end the practice of deferring to the District Council Member on land use matters?
Yes, for good government reasons, I support consensus- and standard-driven planning decisions that do not place ultimate zoning and development decisions in the hands of one person.
4. What are the unique priorities for your district?
1. Advocating for new FEMA maps, levee reconstruction, and a buyout/bailout plan for homeowners without flood insurance;
2. Rebuilding the devastated parts of District A;
3. Reforming City Government to take the politics out of zoning and to ensure integrity at the City Council;
4. Working for unified, collaborative, and cooperative leadership at City Hall;
5. Requiring an emergency-preparedness plan publicly available for the City of New Orleans.

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