James Perry Announces Time and Location for Election Night Party

WHO: James Perry, Candidate for Mayor of New Orleans
WHAT: James Perry Election Night Party
WHERE: Perry for Mayor Campaign HQ, 2547 Palmyra St., New Orleans, LA  70119
WHEN: Saturday, February 6 at 8:00 p.m. CST

James Perry Announces Time and Voting Location for Election Day

WHO: James Perry, Candidate for Mayor of New Orleans
WHAT: James Perry Votes in New Orleans Mayoral Primary
WHERE: Leo the Great School – Cafeteria, 1501 Abundance St., New Orleans, LA  70119
WHEN: Saturday, February 6 at 6:00 a.m. CST

James Perry Responds to Sierra Club Endorsement

NEW ORLEANS – James Perry issued the following statement in response to Sierra Club Endorsement in Mayor’s Race.

“If we are ever going to see full coastal restoration and a green New Orleans in our lifetime it will be because of the heavy lifting done by organizations like the Sierra Club.” Perry continued, “It is their commitment not just to advocacy but to holding elected leaders accountable once elected that I think it’s more likely than not that we will be successful on both fronts. As a candidate who believes that the most important color in choosing the next Mayor of this city isn’t black or white but green I am truly honored to have earned their endorsement.”

The Sierra Club is an environmental organization with more than 750,000 members nationwide. The New Orleans Group has a membership of approximately 1,800 residents of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. The Sierra Club‘s endorsement process is based on a candidate questionnaire sent to all major candidates.  The Sierra Club will be sharing this decision with its members, and urging them to support either candidate with donations or by volunteering for campaign efforts.

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The Sierra Club’s 750,000 members work together to protect communities and the planet. The Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. The Delta (Louisiana) chapter of the Sierra Club has more than 3,500 members and has been active in local conservation projects for more than 30 years. For more information, contact the organization’s website: www.louisiana.sierraclub.org.

James Perry Issues Statement on $474.7 Million Award to Replace Old Charity Hospital

NEW ORLEANS – Nonprofit executive and candidate for Mayor James Perry today issued a statement on the ruling by FEMA to award the state $474.5 million for the replacement of Old Charity Hospital.

“While this is a great day for New Orleans as we are one giant step closer to providing healthcare to our citizens it is unacceptable that it has taken almost five long years to take this step.   President Obama and Sen. Mary Landrieu should be applauded and recognized for thinking outside the box to break this impasse through the creation of this arbitration process,” said Perry.  “I can only hope that this funding is used in a way that respects neighborhoods like Mid-City and provides access to quality healthcare.  We can achieve this through the Foundation for a Historic Louisiana Plan which I have supported since its creation.”

James Perry has the executive experience as a non-profit CEO to navigate city hall and the courage to fix what needs to be fixed. He has a record of building coalitions, building organizations, and making a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s helping homeowners, fighting discrimination or standing up to politicians and exposing corruption.

New Orleans Musical Icon Dr. John Endorses James Perry for Mayor

NEW ORLEANS –  “James Perry is the right candidate, in the right place, at the right time,” said Dr. John. Born in New Orleans, Dr. John is famous for music that incorporates local rhythms and traditions.

“Artists and musicians like Dr. John are the heart and soul of New Orleans,” said Perry. “We thrive on rhythm, blues, jazz, zydeco, funk and rock and roll. I’m truly humbled that Dr. John has endorsed my candidacy for Mayor and if elected I do more than make sure that music, arts and culture are truly supported in our great city.  I’ll make the city safe again for musical treasures such as Dr. John and the the people in New Orleans that want to enjoy our music and experience our culture.

James Perry has the executive experience as a non-profit CEO to navigate city hall and the courage to fix what needs to be fixed. He has a record of building coalitions, building organizations, and making a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s helping homeowners, fighting discrimination or standing up to politicians and exposing corruption.

James Perry Responds to Mayor Nagin’s Attacks this Morning on WBOK
Again Refuses to Embrace Divisive Nagin-Henry

NEW ORLEANS – Nonprofit executive and candidate for Mayor James Perry today issued a statement in response to Mayor Nagin’s attacks this morning on WBOK radio.

“Less than twelve hours after Troy Henry falsely invoked my name in his racially charged political stunt, Mayor Ray Nagin went on WBOK to attack me for not supporting Henry in his attempt to exploit the fears of black voters,” said Perry.

“They’re apparently playing as a political ‘tag team’ in this Mayor’s Race. Troy Henry’s trying to secure his future with Ray Nagin’s help; perhaps Ray Nagin sees Troy Henry as the best opportunity to preserve his ’legacy’.”

“I’m not playing from the same political playbook as Troy Henry and Ray Nagin. I don’t want to continue down the path that Nagin has set for New Orleans, which is a path as divisive as it is destructive, a path that is sown by racial mistrust and suspicions on both sides.”

“I’m an African-American who has spent his entire career working in the trenches on civil rights, standing up for people’s rights and fighting against racial discrimination. I know the difference between real progress for our people and the Nagin/Henry political rhetoric, which adds nothing of substance to the discussion of race in this city.”

“Mayor Nagin and Troy Henry’s approach is the exact opposite of the approach President Obama has taken on race relations. The Nagin/Henry approach takes us backwards, not forward as a city.”

“Attacking the media and sowing seeds of distrust won’t make a difference on our crime rate, on job creation, or on race relations.  Taking a stand with some new ideas and plans for the future will.”

“I’m the only candidate in this campaign–the only candidate, white or black–to address those urgent issues with a detailed plan for recovery and reform. Neither Troy Henry nor Mitch Landrieu have addressed those issues adequately. I have.”

“When I am elected Mayor of New Orleans it will not be because the voters of this great city decided I was the best black candidate. It will be because of the content of my character, my vision for where I want to take this city and our people – both black AND white, and the hope that my vision represents.”

James Perry has the executive experience as a non-profit CEO to navigate city hall and the courage to fix what needs to be fixed. He has a record of building coalitions, building organizations, and making a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s helping homeowners, fighting discrimination or standing up to politicians and exposing corruption.

Let’s be honest. Racial inequality still exists in New Orleans. Although laws have changed, schools and neighborhoods are still shockingly racially segregated. Racial segregation has a tremendous impact on student achievement, home values, transportation access, health outcomes, and concentration of poverty. We can only be a great city when we are a fair city.

Let’s be honest. Far too many politicians have used race as a wedge issue to divide our city. Far too many private business interests have willingly profited from this political abuse.

Let’s be honest. Our often racially separate worlds can breed prejudice, distrust, and misunderstanding. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina New Orleans’ politics have been deeply racially divided. Far too many votes of the city council have split along racial lines and race has been used as a wedge too many times. Rather than finding common ground our leaders have sought to divide us.

In this mayoral election the people of New Orleans have a chance to shape a new direction for this city. As I see it, we have three choices.

We can choose to pretend that there is no racial problem. We can bury our heads in the sand and refuse to address the painful realities of racial differences in crime, education, housing, and employment.

We can choose to let racial differences divide us. We can choose leadership that will continue to pit the people of New Orleans against one another just for political or economic gain.

Or we can choose to courageously heal this painful divide, through open and accountable government, fair policies and procedures, broad community input, collaborative political efforts, and a determination to build a city that works for all her people.

Let’s be honest. New Orleans is a city rooted in a history of cultural and racial diversity. We know that our differences are our strength, not our weakness.

Let’s be honest. There is no way for one group to succeed, while another group fails. We must all come up together. The only way to make progress is by acknowledging the problems, finding common ground, refusing to politicize our differences, and telling the truth about where we are and we are going.

Racial injustice and racialized politics too often stand in the way of doing what is best for the whole community. We need leadership that will stand for fairness for all people. We need leadership that refuses to misuse racial antagonisms for personal gain. We need leadership that will put progress over politics.

I am the only candidate for mayor whose career has been devoted to fairness, justice, and common ground, not to politics, profit, and personal gain. I pledge to work with all the members of our city council. I pledge to create open and accountable government procedures. I pledge to consider input from all our neighborhoods and to work toward solutions that benefit all. I pledge to conduct a campaign and run a city government that will not use race as a wedge issue.

Join me in making New Orleans a city that is great for all New Orleanians.

Recently, I helped to co-host an event for James Perry, a candidate for Mayor of the city of New Orleans. I wanted to send a quick note to thank those of you who could attend and who had an opportunity to hear James share his vision for the city.

For those of you who were unable to attend the event, there is still time to support James.

I do not live in New Orleans, but I care about the city’s future.  More than four years ago, New Orleans was devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since the storm, this historic, distinctive, and vital city has been struggling to recover. Unfortunately, the little recovery that has occurred has been in spite of local government, not because of it. Now is the time for that to change.

Mayor Ray Nagin is term-limited. The people of New Orleans now have a chance to choose a new mayor and a new direction for their city. And while this is a local election, it has national consequences. With the latest withdrawal of a leading African American candidate, this race is wide open and James is poised to make the run-off.

Americans everywhere care about New Orleans and want to ensure that the city has competent, visionary, honest leadership. James Perry is the only candidate who can bring the political independence and leadership necessary to bring the dramatic systemic change New Orleans needs.

To make these changes, James Perry needs our maximum support.

I hope you will consider a contribution of up to the maximum of $5,000. Any level of support of $50, $100, $250, $500 up to the maximum of $5,000 will be a great help and can be made online here, or you can click on this link to download a contribution form to mail in a check. Contributions can be accepted from individuals and corporations.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

James Perry Issues Statement on Sen. Ed Murray’s Departure from New Orleans Mayor’s Race

NEW ORLEANS – Nonprofit executive and candidate for Mayor James Perry issued today the following statement on Sen. Ed Murray’s sudden departure from the New Orleans Mayor’s race.

“The more candidates that drop out, the more clear the differences become between those who remain in the race.  Ed Murray’s withdrawal from the Mayor’s race doesn’t change the fundamental question facing voters in this election: Who will bring the needed reforms to a city government that’s badly broken and is not serving the interests of its people?

I understand how desperately our community needs and wants change, because I’ve been working in, of, and for the community throughout my professional career. I’ve fought to reform the Road Home Program. I’ve sought to drive gender and racial discrimination out of our midst. I haven’t just talked about ‘the public interest’: I’ve lived it.

My campaign was on the record months ago with an aggressive program for reform. We were the first to spell out a detailed plan for fighting crime and fighting blight, for changing the budget process and putting an end to corrupt city contracts. I’m the only candidate who’s embraced such a sweeping agenda for changing the way city government does business.

I’m running for Mayor for reasons that don’t change with the blowing of the political winds. What I was for before–and I’m still for–is a new relationship between city government and the people it serves. I want to bring us together in support of a program for reform that’s long overdue.

I know this was a tough decision for Senator Murray.  I wish him well and hope to work with him as he continues to serve this City in the Louisiana Senate.

It’s time for a fresh look at the Mayor’s race as we enter the final month before the February 6 primary. I’m reaching out to Ed Murray’s voters and Leslie Jacobs’ voters and to all voters who are still searching for a candidate who will change our broken city government for the better. I sincerely believe I am that candidate, and I ask voters to get on board our movement for reform.”

James Perry has the executive experience as a non-profit CEO to navigate city hall and the courage to fix what needs to be fixed. He has a record of building coalitions, building organizations, and making a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s helping homeowners, fighting discrimination or standing up to politicians and exposing corruption.

In less than a month, the people of New Orleans will begin early voting to elect a new mayor.  Some call this place “the city that care forgot.”  Most of us know from reading stories over the past four years that New Orleans, a city brimming with artists, culture and musical history is in trouble. Hurricane Katrina exposed how infested the city government was with corruption, inefficiency and ineffectiveness.

No matter where we live in America or what our political persuasion, I think we all want to see New Orleans great again.

I have a special connection to the city.  My grandmother lived there and my mother was raised there.  But so many of us have been there, know about the city and want to visit in the future.

If any place needs a strong, smart, dynamic leader, it’s New Orleans.  The man who can chart a better course for New Orleans is James Perry.   I’m writing today to ask that you join me in helping James right away.

Let me tell you about this rising star.

James Perry was born and raised in New Orleans.  The son of educators, James received his B.A. and his J.D. at universities in New Orleans. The Perry family lived in New Orleans East, where young James witnessed first-hand the decline of his beloved neighborhood even before Hurricane Katrina swamped it with floodwater.  Even though he’s only in his 30s, he has already run two nonprofits that help people with housing issues and he has been in the trenches fighting for reform and fighting to stop discrimination.   As Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC), a private, non-profit organization created to promote equal housing opportunity. Under James’ leadership and management, GNOFHAC has tripled in size and helped thousands of residents.

James Perry has a true vision for the city’s future.  On his web site you can read about his “Five Actions in Five Days.” Unlike many candidates, he knows what he wants to do his first five days on the job.

James is waging a professional campaign.  His campaign has nearly 1,000 donors, which is four times as many as other well-financed candidates.  It’s a true grass roots campaign.  He is generating news media coverage, releasing plans for the future and will be using a wide range of tools to get his message out: TV commercials, online videos, a website, social networking, direct mail, and plenty of door-to-door canvassing.

But, to fund the final stage of his campaign, James’ campaign needs the help of people like you right now.

Martin Luther King said, “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.”

My wife, Tamia, and I have made maximum financial contributions to James and we wanted to do even more. So, I’m asking my friends and people like you to get involved, make a contribution to the James Perry for Mayor campaign.  Your contribution will help put James over the top and show the rest of America that we value culture, music, artists and the history New Orleans has contributed to the fabric of America.

Too often candidates with a real vision and the right motives lose, while flawed leaders with baggage win.  Too often elections are won by the deep-pocketed political power brokers and political insiders. Join me and make sure that doesn’t happen this time in this great city.

For a forward-looking leader like James to win, he needs to continue to attract support from around the country and around his city from people like us.

Please take five minutes and go to www.jamesperry2010.com and learn more about James Perry today and please make a contribution of $500, $250, $100 or $50 before January 7, 2010.

Sincerely,
Grant Hill

P.S. The election is February 6th.  For James to have the resources to fund the final stage of his campaign, he needs to set his budget in December.  Please 1.) go to his web site 2.) sign up for his email list and 3.) make a contribution TODAY or before January 7.