New Orleans CityBusiness articles from September 2003

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from September 2003

Sobig virus inflicts record punishment on New Orleans businesses.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts The laid-back New Orleans way of doing business makes it vulnerable to the new wave of viruses plaguing the computer world, tech experts say.Information technology officials throughout the metropolitan area said the...

Tulane Univ. teaches medical professionals from Africa how to manage health care.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts African countries plagued by serious diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are receiving a virtual helping hand from educators in New Orleans.Tulane University Health Sciences Center at 1440 Canal St....

Tulane Univ. president continues to press for reforms to college football championship selection.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Holly Miller Tulane University President Scott Cowen is taking the show on the road to stump for reforms to the college football championship selection.On Thursday, Cowen will testify in Washington, D.C., at a House Judiciary...

Tulane researcher receives federal grant to develop deadly trap for mosquitoes.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Tulane University medical entomologist Dawn Wesson wants to know: What turns a mosquito on? The National Institutes of Health recently promised Wesson a $2.1 million grant to find out. She will use the money over 4.5 years to...

Broken water main causes shut down of New Orleans Office of Public Health.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Soaring summer heat sent people scurrying from the Office of Public Health on Loyola Avenue last week.A broken water main Aug. 25 forced the office to shut down its water-dependent air-conditioning unit. The break also cut...

Green Party candidate for La. Senate concerned about how state reapportionment affects some voters.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Jason Neville, Green Party candidate for State Senate District 3, might have to move after the election. If he gets elected, that is. Louisiana's districts were reapportioned this summer following updated U.S. Census Bureau...

Rising interest rates make mortgage servicing more attractive.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Michael Giusti It may look like a Dear John letter to new homebuyers, but banks say the practice of selling mortgage servicing rights is just part of the business.Especially in turbulent interest rate environments, many banks...

Commentary: Hard questions demand real answers from would-be governors.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Mark Singletary As sure as I am that it will rain in the next two weeks, I'm certain that our next governor is going to work hard for Louisiana's economic development.I hope the new governor has a good plan.It is vital that the new...

Commentary: Labor Day offers time to celebrate progress.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Terry O'Connor Labor Day, a funny name for a holiday weekend where little work is done beyond barbecues, drinking beer and watching sports, is just another three-day weekend in Louisiana. The reason: The labor movement failed to...

California's ban on Gulf Coast oysters costs Louisiana up to $20M so far in 2003.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Holly Miller Louisiana lawmakers and oyster fishermen say there's something fishy about California's ban on Gulf Coast oysters. In April, the California Department of Health Services enacted emergency regulations banning the sale...

Gasoline price pinch to ease after refineries return to work.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel American crude oil refineries are running on empty.Last week, tight supplies combined with an unexpected demand surge to send the price of gasoline up to an eye-popping $1.61 per gallon in Louisiana. The national...

Sprint takes on BellSouth by expanding local phone service in N.O.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Competition is ringing off the wall in the telecom industry, and Sprint is answering the call.Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint Corp. announced plans last week to expand local phone service to New Orleans and most of...

$9M business center expansion projected to generate 200 jobs in New Orleans area.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts Sealy & Company Inc. is counting on a new $9 million business development to draw more tenants to James Business Park in St. Rose.Construction will begin in early September on the two buildings that will make up...

$6.5M Lakefront condo in New Orleans' West End will use unique steel-and-glass design.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts A $6.5 million condominium project planned for the Lakefront will feature a design unique to the region, developers say.The Palms at Lake Marina, an eight-story condo scheduled to be completed at 400 Lake Marina Av. in...

Glazer's Distributors adds new distribution center in St. Charles.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer A liquor distributor in St. Rose is overflowing its 190,000-square-foot office space.Glazer's Distributors, a Dallas-based purveyor of wines, liquor and beer, established its Louisiana headquarters in Riverbend...

I-49 planners in New Orleans look for environmental answers.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer Studies on the environmental impact of completing Interstate 49 are under way in St. Charles and Jefferson parishes. But planners and state officials say many obstacles lie in the road to completion.The project seeks to...

New Orleans Medical Briefs: September 1, 2003.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler East Jefferson General Hospital moved toward paperless medical records this summer when it hired a Maryland firm to overhaul its computer systems during the next four years.Administrators at East Jefferson General...

On the record with Stephen David Beck, leader of LSU's Creative Arts and Technology initiative.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer When Louisiana State University created its Laboratory for Creative Arts and Technologies on July 1, pianist Stephen David Beck returned as its leader. LCAT's mission is to bridge multimedia arts with technology through...

New federal legislation makes it easier for Louisiana to battle West Nile virus.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff New legislation will make it easier for Louisiana to fight the bite of the West Nile virus. The Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act, signed by President George W. Bush late last month, authorizes a matching grant...

New Orleans officials consider linking private surveillance cameras to city system.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Citizens who want to join the city's fight against crime by installing their own surveillance cameras can submit their contact information to the city's new Web site, iseecrime.com.There has been an overwhelming response to...

New Orleans neighborhood development program to provide modular housing tips from Atlanta.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff A program through the New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative could shed some light on historic modular housing. Andy Scheggenburger of Atlanta's Historic District Development Corp. will speak about Atlanta's HDDC...

La. Restaurant Assn.'s School-to-Career program teaches students about jobs in industry.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Officials in charge of Louisiana Restaurant Association's School-to-Career program expect it to flourish in Orleans Parish classrooms this year. "It's going to be a little more supported in the district," said Rachelle...

Harahan hosts FBI agent for seminar on identity theft.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff A dinner and seminar on identity theft will be held in Harahan from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Colonial Country Club, 42 Colonial Drive.The southeast Louisiana chapter of the American Payroll Association is putting on the...

Columbia Accident Investigation Board releases final report about space shuttle disaster.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The Columbia Accident Investigation Board released its final report of the space shuttle Columbia disaster. It confirmed a chunk of foam broke off from the external fuel tank on liftoff and punched a hole in the left wing of...

Oak Brook, Ill.-based company awarded $3.6M contract to fight deterioration of La.'s wetlands.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. of Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded a $3.6 million contract to fight deterioration of Louisiana's wetlands by diverting Mississippi River water and sediment. The company will dredge through the...

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and state of La. sign agreement for Avondale modernization program.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and the state of Louisiana signed a cooperative agreement at Avondale Operations for a $111.7 million modernization program. The modernization includes the construction of a new, automated panel...

Statue of Louis Armstrong unveiled at opening of New Orleans' Robert E. Nims Jazz Walk of Fame.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The Louisiana Music Commission and the New Orleans Jazz Centennial Celebration unveiled a statue of Louis Armstrong Aug. 25 at the grand opening of the Robert E. Nims Jazz Walk of Fame. The walk spans the levee from the Henry...

New Orleans-based Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel receives four-diamond rating.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel received a four-diamond rating from AAA for 2004. AAA considers luxury, amenities and price in its ratings. Four diamond hotels in New Orleans include Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, Iberville Suites,...

Liberty Bank of New Orleans merges with First American Bank in Jackson, Miss.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Liberty Bank of New Orleans has merged with First American Bank in Jackson, Miss., to form Liberty Bank-First American Branch. Liberty acquired First American's shares in April and will retain former First American employees...

New Orleans-based Hibernia Corp. upgraded to positive rating.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The outlook for Hibernia Corp. in New Orleans was upgraded Aug. 21 by Standard & Poor's from stable to positive. Standard & Poor's credited the upgrade to Hibernia's improved risk profile.

Candidates announce plans to run for Louisiana offices.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff State Sen. Ken Hollis, R-Metairie, announced he will run for re-election to the District 9 seat. Hollis has served four consecutive terms in District 9, beginning in 1988.... Carol Chambers announced her candidacy for the...

New Orleans receives grant to support its community-based Algiers/Bywater weed and seed site.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Jim Letten, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Robert Samuels, director of the Executive Office for Weed & Seed, said New Orleans has received a $275,000 grant to support its community-based...

Tulane Cancer Center participates in research trial for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma vaccine.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The Tulane Cancer Center is one of 33 institutions participating in a research trial of a vaccine to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The study will test MyVax Personalized Immunotherapy, which is designed to use each patient's...

Superior Energy Services of Harvey elects Enoch Dawkins to board of directors.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Superior Energy Services of Harvey has elected Enoch Dawkins to its board of directors. Dawkins, who has 40 years of energy experience, worked with Murphy Exploration and Production from 1991 until his retirement earlier this...

Patout's Mandeville restaurant reopens one year after kitchen fire.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Alex Patout's Mandeville restaurant is back in business, and so far the North Shore location has been hotter than the Cajun smothered roast duck.Patout, who has been in business for more than 15 years with his French...

U.S. 190 project aims to reduce gridlock coming from Mandeville.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Ellen Boyer The traffic congestion in St. Tammany Parish is about to ease up on one corridor.Parish President Kevin Davis, Rep. John Hainkel, R-New Orleans, Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price and the Greater New Orleans Expressway...

Slidell City Council bars floating residences from town while planners study the issue.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Sitting in their living room, Dale and Marlene Holladay look out at a panoramic view of the Tchefuncte River. The sun glitters on the water as it rolls past their wooden front porch. It's peaceful, the Holladays...

Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation asks residents to help develop master plan.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts The future of economic development in Tangipahoa Parish will be shaped by its residents.That's the message from the Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation, which is creating a master plan with public input, said...

New Orleans Non-profit Briefs: September 1, 2003.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Keith Pandolfi Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West has completed construction of a new home on Avenue B in Mandeville, which will soon be occupied by Mandeville resident Dawn Gatewood. Construction was sponsored by the Habitat...

On the record with Gayle Sloan, superintendent of St. Tammany Schools.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel What's new with the St. Tammany Schools this year?We've had a little resurgence in our growth. Although final numbers aren't in yet, we know we're a few hundred students higher than we were last year. We have a new...

Commentary: Utilities Inc. in Mandeville should act to restore public trust.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Terry O'Connor The loony saga of the Looney Birds restaurant water bill in Mandeville has been resolved.Utilities Inc., which initially wanted a $43,370 water usage fee from the startup, later reduced the charge to $24,988 even...

C.J. Ladner wins grand prize at sold-out St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce raffle.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Lisa Blossman Last month I wrote about my belief that change is good. Even something that has been successful and well received can be made much stronger through change. After a lot of arm-twisting, John M. Schroder agreed to chair...

Commentary: Federal energy bill is critical for La. and nation.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Louisiana needs a federal energy bill passed - for oh, so many reasons.If you've read the recent headlines, you know some of the reasons why. Topping the list is something that we should all be thinking about right...

North Shore forum focuses on Louisiana governor's race.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff Louisiana gubernatorial candidates will discuss North Shore economic development issues at the 2003 North Shore Forum at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Southeastern University Center. Education, transportation, and infrastructure are...

Slidell's $4M Olde Town project honored by the Louisiana Municipal Association.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The city of Slidell has won the "Community Achievement for Exceptional Merit in Community Improvement" Award for its $4 million project to redevelop Olde Town. The Louisiana Municipal Association awarded the honor after...

Hammond Downtown Development District looks for executive director.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The board of directors for the Hammond Downtown Development District is looking for an executive director to replace Marco Monoc, who resigned July 21.Brenda Sibley, who assisted Monoc at the DDD, is filling in while the...

Mandeville businesswoman buys Jumpbunch outlet.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff A Mandeville resident has launched a company to coax preschool children off the couch and away from their electronic toys.Cindy Lovecchio of Sportivo LLC bought a franchise of Jumpbunch, which she plans to market in St....

Southeastern Louisiana Univ. receives grant to provide professional development to school teachers.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Staff The Louisiana Board of Regents granted Southeastern Louisiana University $90,000 to help the university provide professional development to middle school teachers in English, math, science and language arts in St. Tammany,...

32nd annual Southern Decadence festival in New Orleans deemed a success by all.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Holly Miller The show must go on. And it did.The 32nd annual Southern Decadence festival flourished in the French Quarter over Labor Day weekend despite stricter laws and protests from Rev. Grant Storms and the Christian...

New Orleans gains 6,000 jobs in 2003.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Holly Miller Unemployment is up this summer, but don't break out the umbrella just yet - the economic forecast isn't necessarily calling for rain.The Louisiana Department of Labor's July report indicates unemployment rose 1.2% in...

Chalmette-based Coastal Entertainment Operations plans to construct three water parks by end of 2004.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Water, water, everywhere... that's the plan for Chalmette-based Coastal Entertainment Operations LLC. Construction starts soon for the company's first water attraction, the $7.5 million Gulf Islands Water Park in...

Louisiana gubernatorial forum offers limited seating.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff A "Business of Business" gubernatorial forum will offer audiences the rare chance to actively question the top gubernatorial candidates. The forum is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. Friday at the Delgado Community College...

Rowdy Southwest plane passenger faces 20 years, $250,000 fine.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Ronald Anthony Guidry Jr. of Picayune, Miss., threw a costly temper tantrum April 24 on a Southwest Airlines flight between Baltimore and New Orleans. It could cost him $250,000 and 20 years in prison or both.Guidry, shouting...

Commentary: Two amendments try sending Louisiana voters down slippery slopes.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Mark Singletary Likely voters, please pay attention. We have to make decisions on 15 proposed Constitutional amendments this fall. There will be an up and down vote on the following items:Wetlands Conservation and Restoration...

Severe flooding delays Historic Renovations Inc.'s redevelopment project near St. Thomas.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts Opposition to a redevelopment plan at the site of the former St. Thomas public housing complex shows no signs of stopping. Still, developers plan to continue with the multimillion-dollar project as soon as permits are...

Tulane Engineering Forum to spotlight technologies of the future.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel An upcoming engineering forum promises a peek into the technological future.That's just one area to be explored at the fourth annual Tulane Engineering Forum Sept. 26 at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside and Towers....

Versatile niche advertising agencies gain New Orleans foothold.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Amber Bethel Small New Orleans advertising agencies are looking for safety and profits in numbers.Specialized firms throughout the region are developing partnerships to offer full service with lower overhead.Ray Fisk, professor and...

Rising mortgage rates give brokers an unwanted refinancing rest.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts A little more than a month ago, business was nonstop at Richard Enright's Metairie-based mortgage company.Those were the golden days.Interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage, low all year, were still beneath 6% in...

Lagging Medicare reimbursements threaten New Orleans-based Tenet Choices HMO.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler Only one health maintenance organization in New Orleans shot warning flares into the sky this year. But officials at Tenet Choices Inc. say if they don't get help soon, their program is doomed. During the last few...

Mirabeau Family Learning Center offers needed educational programs and services.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler After dropping out of the 11th grade at age 17, Danielle Alexander waited until she was 20 to go back to high school as a senior. She only lacked three credits to graduate, but by then it was too uncomfortable to...

Look Who's Talking: Andrala Walker, director of La.'s workforce development program, Job One.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts One out of every two adults in New Orleans is unemployed. That startling figure was released last week as part of Mayor C. Ray Nagin's first state of the work force address. Nagin said a lack of soft skills has...

New Orleans Preservation Resource Center opposes demolition planned by Harrah's.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff The demolition of five historic buildings for the construction of a new hotel for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has received opposition from the New Orleans Preservation Resource Center.Harrah's wants to tear down the five...

Louisiana experiences lower infection rates this season from West Nile virus.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff The West Nile virus took it easy on Louisiana this year. As of last week, 40 people in Louisiana tested positive so far this year. This time last year, the state case count hovered near 200 with eight deaths. The virus...

Louisiana lawmakers visit classrooms for America's Legislators Back to School Week.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Louisiana legislators are returning to the halls of learning.For the fifth year in a row, lawmakers across the country will visit classrooms Sept. 15-19 to teach students the ins and outs of being a legislator as part of...

Louisiana Commerce Exchange System allows companies to advertise online.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Looking for an available, strong, reliable... fabricated metal product manufacturer? Good news: the Louisiana Commerce Exchange System - the state's first searchable directory of Louisiana businesses - is up and running....

New Orleans-based Pendleton Memorial Hospital sells to Pa.-based Universal Health Services.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital in eastern New Orleans was sold Aug. 28 to Universal Health Services Inc. of King of Prussia, Pa. Methodist Health System Foundation Inc. will retain 10% ownership. The transaction is...

New Iberia-based Teche Holding Co. increases its quarterly cash dividend.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff New Iberia-based Teche Holding Company, parent company of Teche Federal Savings Bank, increased its quarterly cash dividend to 17 cents per share payable Sept. 30 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 16. The increase marks a...

Ponchatoula, Miss.-based Homestead Bancorp sells $3M of trust preferred securities.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Homestead Bancorp Inc., parent company of Homestead Bank, has sold $3 million of trust preferred securities. The securities have a floating rate equal to the three month London interbank offered rate - 1.140 last week - plus...

Non-profit research group gives unfavorable review of New Orleans' sewer systems.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff The Bureau of Governmental Research, a private, non-profit research organization, issued an unfavorable review of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board's request for proposals for the management, operations and maintenance...

New Orleans Workforce Partnership changes name to Job One.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin delivered his first state of the workforce address on Labor Day and released a five-point plan to meet employer demand for a skilled and reliable workforce. In conjunction with the plan, the New...

Port of New Orleans signs contract with Norwegian Cruise Line for new ship.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Port of New Orleans officials signed a three-year contract Aug. 31 with Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. to bring a new cruise ship into the port for 21 sailings per year. The 1,748-passenger Norwegian Dream will offer seven-day...

Six Flags New Orleans introduces its national literacy program to La. schools.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff Six Flags New Orleans introduced its national literacy program to 400 Louisiana schools last week. Read to Succeed targets children from kindergarten through the sixth grade. Six Flags offers participating children a free...

La. Transportation Authority discusses funding for Leesville Bridge rebuilding project.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff The Louisiana Transportation Authority met Sept. 3 to discuss funding options for a Leesville Bridge rebuilding project. La. Highway 1 would be elevated and rebuilt from the bridge seven to nine miles all the way to Bayou...

Pres. Bush announces new regulations reducing hospital obligations to emergency patients.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff President Bush announced new regulations concerning emergency medical care. The rule, which takes effect Nov. 10, limits the implications of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986. It will reduce hospital...

New Orleans city engineer finds downtown buildings repairable; Harrah's wants buildings destroyed.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff City engineer Ashton B. Avegno Jr. reported several downtown buildings Harrah's New Orleans Casino has deemed unsound are actually in fairly good shape. Avegno said the major problems he found include water damage, roof...

Commentary: Tulane Univ. President Scott Cowen's quixotic quest deserves some success.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Terry O'Connor Tulane University President Scott Cowen is not asking for too much in his seemingly quixotic quest to share in some of the $109 million in bowl loot collected last year by teams in the Bowl Championship Series.He and...

Commentary: Key West business climate offers road map to success.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Terry O'Connor Just returned a little bit toasty from a first trip to Key West, Fla. The parallels from this island paradise to New Orleans are striking. Key West's tourism-dependent economy is anchored by seafood-based businesses...

New Orleans-based O. Perry Walker High School closes for air-conditioning repairs.
September 8, 2003... Byline: Staff O. Perry Walker High School students, faculty and staff returned from Labor Day to a broken air-conditioning system. About 1,000 students were dismissed at noon Sept. 2, Orleans Parish School System officials said. The...

Developer critical of N.O.'s World Trade Center lease terms.
September 15, 2003... Byline: Deon Roberts When Stanley Muller looks at the World Trade Center of New Orleans, he sees more than a 33-story building towering over the Central Business District.For Muller, owner of MKL Development LLC, the WTC represents a...

St. Louis shows top job creation innovations to New Orleans.
September 15, 2003... Byline: Terry O'Connor The purpose of the 2003 Metro Workshop was decided before the 118 participants even boarded the charter plane bound for a three-day economic development summit in St. Louis Sept. 7-9."This trip is all about jobs,"...

Medicare, Social Security sport identical funding woes.
September 15, 2003... Byline: Elisabeth Butler For once, college students may have to pay their parents' tab. Economics experts say today's long fuses of the federal Medicare and Social Security programs will be burning quickly by the time baby boomers...

Avondale builds on scraps of Sept. 11.
September 15, 2003... Byline: Staff As the country marked the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks last week, Louisiana paid tribute through one of its hallmark industries.To honor those who lost their lives in the attacks, 24 tons of New York's...

Mayor Nagin announces he will run for re-election.
September 15, 2003... Byline: Staff New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin announced Thursday he intends to run for re-election. The mayor made his announcement during taping for "411," a talk show moderated by Glenn Boyd. The show airs at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on WBTV-38.

Candidate's wedding anniversary spurs forum sparring.
September 15, 2003... Byline: Staff When gubernatorial candidates were allowed to ask economic development questions at the North Shore Gubernatorial Forum Wednesday, Kathleen Blanco and Hunt Downer used their turns to ask Buddy Leach about his...