Councilmember District E

League of Women Voters^®
of New Orleans

Cynthia Willard-Lewis

NAME: Cynthia Willard-Lewis, Incumbent
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: 10911 Willowbrae Dr. New Orleans, LA 70127
Phone: (504) 874-5814 or (504)5541290
FAX: (504) 658-1058
Email: cwlewis@nocitycouncil.com
Website: http://www.cynthiawillardlewis.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
PROFESSION: City Council Member
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business): City of New Orleans / Council Member District E
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION: (include graduation date): B.A. Honors Graduate in Social Studies Education, Xaiver University
APPLICABLE TRAINING: Vice-President of New Orleans City Council - Current
Executive Board Member, Louisiana Police Jury Association
Chair, Sanitation and Environmental Enforcement Committee
Chair, Special Development Projects and Economic Development Committe
Commissioner, Orleans Levee Board
Member, Budget Committee
Member, Utility, Cable and Telecommunications Committee
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
Board Member, Total Community Action
Board Member, The Infinity Network
Board Member New Orleans Center for Successful Living
Member, Board of Dirctors, Cameron Commercial College
Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Member, Amnesty International
International Member, National Conference of State Legislators
Member, National Black Caucus of State Legislators
Member, Women in Government National Organization
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State Representative District 100, 1993-2000
New Orleans City Council District E, 2000-Present
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
1. Will you expedite the completion and adoption of a Master Plan for the city with the force of law?
Yes, I will continue my work to complete and expedite a Master Plan for the City of New Orleans that is inclusive of rebuilding and revitalizing all city neighborhoods, and enforce it.. It shouldn't matter if you live in Lakeview, or Lake Catherine, or anywhere in between, every citizen should have the right to help bring their community back.
2. What is the Council's role in bringing back New Orleans?
The City Council of the City of New Orleans is the legislative arm of the city. The Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans gives the Council legislative authority over the expenditure of funds, the organization of city agencies, and zoning. Therefore, I believe the City Council will play a very important role in bringing back New Orleans, because all use of city funds, and zoning must be adopted first by the council.
3. Will you pledge to end the practice of deferring to the District Council Member on land use matters?
I believe that voters elect council members to represent their interests. It is for this reason that the practice of deferring to the district Council Member should be respected. The Council Members at Large provide an overview of all constituents and voters in the city. Only in a case where laws or ordinances have been violated should the practice of deferring to the district Council Member not be used.
4. What are the unique priorities for your district?
District E makes up 47% of the land mass of New Orleans and it is the most diversely populated in the city. Today, I represent of the Lower Ninth Ward, the Desire, most of New Orleans East, Village D'lest, Venetian Isles, and Lake Catherine and although each community is perhaps physically and culturally different, their needs are the same. First and foremost my constituents want to come home and rebuild. Many are now living in trailers on their lawns or on their second floors. We all need essential city services, such as potable water, electricity, streets lights, sewage, regular garbage pickup, and security. With these services in place throughout the District, both commerce and communities will continue to grow and we will lead the way in the city's recovery.

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