Vendredi

by Emma Boyce 

Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced his endorsement of James Gray for City Council District E this afternoon at Sisters N Da East Restaurant.  Gray, whose impressive credentials include Morehouse College and Harvard Law, thanked the mayor for his endorsement and spoke in front of a full house, including notable figures like Congressman Cedric Richmond and Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis. 

During the meeting, the mayor emphasized the City’s recent growth and progress after Katrina.  He notes that while the hurricane may not have caused all of New Orleans’ problems, it certainly worsened them.  Since then, according to the mayor, New Orleans has become one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and remains one of the best cities to visit. 

“This city has become this nation’s most immediate laboratory for innovation and change,” says Mayor Landrieu. 

After touching on many of the current projects taking place around the City, such as rebuilding Methodist Hospital, adding Walmarts to Gentilly and New Orleans East, creating a playground in the Ninth Ward, and rebuilding blighted areas, the mayor asks for one thing, a partner to help him improve the City.  He sees just that in James Gray and, as he says, he didn’t have to look anywhere but in his own backyard to find him.   

“We have to work as one team…If we pull in the same direction, we will get there,” says the mayor.  

Gray, lauded by both the mayor and Congressman Richmond for his hard work, discipline, public service and vision, coached and mentored kids before running for City Council.  As an infantry commander during Vietnam he not only knows how to lead, but also to commit to a cause.  Remembering what he learned in the army, he knows that you never let anyone under your command be put at greater risk than the commander. 

“If you’re the lieutenant you always carry the heaviest load.  That is how I will serve you,” says Gray.

Gray aspires to work together with the council and constituents in order to carry his district forward.  He also wants to ensure that kids have the direction and leadership to succeed and, most importantly, hope.  For the mayor, hope comes in the color Gray.  

“Obama talks about hope.  Hope has to hit the streets [and] that’s where James Gray went with his law firm.  James represented everyone on the street,” says the mayor.  

With the mayor and the congressman placing their confidence in Gray, Councilwoman Willard-Lewis speaks up. 

“James Gray’s heart is with the people,” says Willard-Lewis.