NOFD "Informational" Meeting

Over 150 people gathered at the Informational Meeting called by the New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Police Department and city officials. The crowd expressed its overwhelming support for the event. The video's below present the fire department's initial statements, and Shelly Midura's endorsement of the NOFD's initial position

None of the initial remarks pointed to a positive outcome, as there is no organization ready to apply for a permit and take on the liability costs on the 10 days notice the city has given us.

City Council Vice-President Arnie Fielkow made some very conciliatory remarks that led the a proposal that a small group of Mid-City residents meet in Midura's office with representatives of the NOFD, NOPD and Parks and Parkways department to discuss alternatives.

As the video's show, the NOFD's official position is that those alternative will not include a bonfire on Orleans Avenue, a position that is unacceptable to the community, it is not clear what tomorrow's discussion will produce.

(Bad) Video of NOFD Opening Remarks Part 1 and Part 2.

One eloquent resident defends the tradition.

Shelly Midura's opening remarks, and Arnie Fielkow's remarks late in the meeting.

Signs of Resistance

Some one has made a painted sign and placed it on the site of the Mid-City bonfire in the 4200 block of Orleans
Avenue.

A small sign I put up last week (just a marker and an illegal marketing sign) has been amended by someone calling for the citizens of Mid-City to assemble on the neutral ground fo the 4200 block of Orleans after the Saints' game Sunday. It doesn't say what to do when we get there, but I think a public show of solidarity and support for the bonfire would be good in advance of Monday's nights meeting with the N.O.F.D and other city officials. It would be an opportunity to discuss strategies for saving the bonfire and how to approach the city officials.

Please Sign The Petition

It would be wonderful if everyone who has clicked Yes or Yes but not fireworks would take a moment to sign this online petition. If you're from Mid-City please put your address in the comments

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?bonfire

Please also join the Facebook group if you use that program online to keep in contact with fellow bonfire advocates: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=51811934745

Please tell the NOFD to back off

Please call the New Orleans Fire Department and ask them to reconsider the city's effort to stamp out New Orleans traditions. The N.O.F.D. has been on-site for years with an engine to monitor (and later extinquish) the bonfire. There is no reason to change the existing practice.

NOFD Office of Public Affairs
317 Decatur Street
(504) 658-4714
Monday - Friday 8am. - 5pm.

Gambit blog article

Here is a link to the Gambit's BlogOfNewOrleans.com notice of the city's attempts to ban the Mid-City Bonfire.

Blog Of New Orleans story

Save The Mid-City Bonfire

The City of New Orleans' Park and Parkways Department, Police Department and Fire Department are trying to block the century-old tradition of a New Year's Eve bonfire of Christmas trees on the Orleans Avenue neutral ground.

Long-time residents report that the bonfire, traditionally held in the 4200 block of Orleans Avenue, has been a continuous celebration for going on 90 years.

Please call your local elected officials and tell them to stop trying to kill New Orleans traditions. They've tried it with Second Lines and the Mardi Gras Indians. Now it's our turn. Remember how hard it was to get the city to return to traditional Mardi Gras routes including Endymion?

What will they try to kill next?

Please call or email your councilmember and at-large members jackie Clarkson and Arnie Fielkow and tell them to leave our traditions alone

Shelly Midura:
Phone: (504) 658-1010
Fax: (504) 658-1016
SMidura@cityofno.com

Arnie Fielkow:
Phone: (504) 658-1060
Fax: (504) 658-1068
AFielkow@cityofno.com

Cynthia Hedge Morrell:
Phone: (504) 658-1040
Fax: (504) 658-1048
CHMorrell@cityofno.com

Cynthia Willard Lewis:
Phone: (504) 658-1050
Fax: (504) 658-1058
CWLewis@cityofno.com

James Carter:
Phone: (504) 658-1030
Fax: (504) 658-1037
JCarter@cityofno.com

Stacy Head:Phone: (504) 658 -1020
Fax: (504) 658-1025
SHead@cityofno.com

Jackie Clarkson:
Phone: (504) 658-1070
Fax: (504) 658-1077
jbclarkson@cityofno.com