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Former New Orleans permits director speaks about indictment [Video]
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Former New Orleans permits director speaks about indictment [Video]

A former New Orleans safety and permits director is speaking about the bombshell indictment of a former inspector.That indictment implicates Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano.Zach Smith says there is a lack of transparency after seeing WDSU investigate and push Cantrell and Montano for answers.It is a slap in the face, Smith said.Smith was director when prosecutors allege Randy Farrell accepted bribes to let unlicensed electricians work on hundreds of New Orleans homes. Prosecutors also say Farrell wanted a high-ranking city employee who was suspicious of him terminated. Smith says he and other employees worked to investigate Farrell.When you take out the senior leadership of a department and all the people pressing back against shenanigans, I dont think theres a better way than to call it decapitation, Smith said. “Why did you deny the budget request?”The indictment alleges Farrell bought Cantrell tickets to Saints games, lunch at a steakhouse and a new iPhone. This week, Cantrell did not take questions from reporters and sent her spokesperson.The mayor will not be making comments at all, but I will come address you, Terry Davis, director for the mayor’s Office of Communications, said. WDSU asked, Why is the mayor not making any comments? “She is going to present before the council, Davis said.Cantrell did speak to the City Council during the budget meeting and stated she is going out of office the same way she came in, with “accusations.””That’s an accusation, but it also a track record of delivering results, so, as I stand before you this morning, I am so excited simply because the work hasn’t stopped.Its pretty terrible that a communications director goes to discuss a serious topic like this and is completely unprepared, unwilling to talk and answer questions that are very easy to answer they are yes or no, Smith said.In the indictment, it is alleged Montano asked Farrell’s associate, Fouad Zeton, to get him expensive tickets for the 2020 College Football National Championship game. WDSU Investigates uncovered city policy with Montano’s signature on it, stating an employee shall not accept or solicit a valuable gift for personal benefit.”I can’t comment at this point. On the human side of things, I do want to articulate that this obviously has been the most challenging last few days I’ve experienced, and once again, I’ll reiterate for the people who know me and know my integrity. I’m here to deliver the budget, I’m here to make sure the city continues to function and run, and I’m going to do my best to ensure that is delivered today. We’re proud of what went into this budget, and as for the other items, reports, and conversations, there is a right time and a right place. Right now, I am here to discuss the budget” said Montano.A person who has signed his name onto a policy that he clearly violated is trying not to answer those questions on purpose, Smith said. Sometimes, a lack of an answer says more than an answer.The city of New Orleans issued the following statement: As stated yesterday and on the record for the public in City Council Chambers, the administration stands firmly behind Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano and appreciates his service and looks forward to his continued leadership for the City of New Orleans.Stay with WDSU on this developing story.

Massachusetts organizations work to support communities in need [Video]
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Massachusetts organizations work to support communities in need [Video]

AT THE NEWTON NONPROFIT WELCOME HOME. WE PROVIDE PRIMARILY USED HOME GOODS TO OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE PEOPLE IN TRANSITION. WELCOME HOME IS A TEAM EFFORT, ACCORDING TO CO-FOUNDERS AND LONGTIME FRIENDS JULIE PLAUT MAHONEY AND MINDY PEGLER, DONATIONS COME IN AND THE NONPROFITS MORE THAN 100 VOLUNTEERS JUMP INTO ACTION, ENSURING THERE ARE NO RIPS, TEARS OR STAINS. DIGNITY IS ONE THING WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR CLIENTS. THAT DIGNITY STARTS IN THEIR SIMULATED STORE, WHERE PATRONS CAN SELECT FIVE ITEMS FOR THEIR SPACE. ITS REALLY A SPECIAL MOMENT WHEN A CLIENT READS IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE THAT THEYRE WELCOMED IN, THAT THERE ARE NO COSTS INVOLVED. WELCOME HOME DEPENDS ON THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE MOVING FROM OUR HOME OF 47 YEARS, JIM MNOOKIN SAYS HES BEEN DONATING AT THE NONPROFIT FOR YEARS, SO WE ARE DEACCESSIONING AND WELCOME HOME HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT. THE ORGANIZATIONS VOLUNTEERS WEED THROUGH THE DONATIONS, ITEMS THAT CANT BE USED HERE ARE SENT OFF TO ONE OF WELCOME HOMES PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. WHILE THEY CANT ACCEPT FURNITURE AND CLOTHES, WELCOME HOME TAKES JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE. WE REALLY RELY ON. ALSO, FOR PROFIT BUSINESSES TO THINK OF US. ONE NEW ITEM LIKE THESE SHEETS FROM IKEA STOUGHTON GOES IN EACH PACK OF GOODS FOR CLIENTS. IT ELEVATES THE ENTIRE PACK BECAUSE FOR WELCOME HOME, IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO DIGNITY AND RESPECT. 18 YEAR OLD TREVION GARCIA PARKER HAS HIS EYES ON THE FUTURE. HOPEFULLY ME BEING SOFTWARE AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, BUT GETTING TO THIS POINT WAS A CHALLENGE. LIFES HARD LIFE IS HARD, BUT BRIDGE IS ABLE TO HELP ME. EARLIER THIS YEAR, GARCIA PARKER FOUND HIMSELF WITHOUT A PLACE TO STAY AND TURNED TO THE BOSTON NONPROFIT BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS. HE ENDED UP AT BRIDGES TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM, WHERE HE LEARNED VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS. IVE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE WHILE ALSO JUST ENJOY LIFE, NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT NOT HAVING A PLACE TO STAY FOR THAT NIGHT. NEXT, FOR GARCIA. PARKER IS THE BRUNSON LIBERTY HOUSE. HE WILL LIVE HERE FULL TIME AS PART OF BRIDGES INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM. THIS PROVIDES KIND OF THE NEXT STEP. SO AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN AN INDEPENDENT SETTING THAT ISNT STAFFED 24 HOURS A DAY, BUT STILL HAVE A LOT OF STAFF SUPPORT. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO PROVIDE A GUIDING HAND FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH BRIDGES TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM. NINE YOUNG ADULTS WILL LIVE AT THE HOUSE FOR UP TO TWO YEARS. LIBERTY MUTUAL IS ABLE TO HELP US SEARCH AND ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY. MELISSA MCDONNELL IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LIBERTY MUTUAL FOUNDATION. STARTING IN 2018, WE REALLY LEANED IN HEAVILY ON ADDRESSING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED SOME $28 MILLION AND HAVE PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVER 16,000 YOUNG PEOPLE TO MOVE FROM SHELTERS INTO STABLE HOUSING. PEOPLE LIKE GARCIA PARKER, WHO IS NOW ABLE TO ENJOY HIS PASSIONS LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY. AND IM ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE STABLE LIVING. I CAN FINALLY LIKE, MOVE THAT STUFF FORWARD, WHICH IM REALLY HAPPY ABOUT. JUST A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION, DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS. THE BRUNSON LIBERTY HOUSE IS NAMED FOR RICHARD BRUNSON, A COUNSELOR AND SOCIAL WORKER WHO WORKED AT BRIDGE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. SO MANY GREAT STORIES TONIGHT. THAT IS CHRONICLE FOR THIS EVENING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. IM SHAYNA SEYMOUR WE HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT FO