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This Week's Headlines / Wed, Feb. 03, 2010
Cassidy has $735,000 in the bank
Bill Cassidy
If there were any Democrats waiting in the wings last year in preparation for taking on freshman Congressman Bill Cassidy, they didn’t raise any money. Campaign finance reports for the final quarter of 2009 were due to the Federal Election Commission on Sunday, and Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, was the only politician in the 6th Congressional District to file. Moreover, Cassidy’s report reveals his campaign has a whopping $735,000 in the bank, which exceeds the holdings of all other Louisiana House members and is the second highest among freshman House Republicans, according to National Journal’s House Race Hotline. From October to December, Cassidy collected more than $161,000 in donations, of which 96% came from individuals in Louisiana; 65% of that total can be traced to the Baton Rouge region. Cassidy was surpassed in fund-raising only by Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-New Orleans, who put together an impressive $247,000 — and spent it all — during the last quarter in what many consider to be the most contested House race in the nation. In a prepared statement issued this morning, Cassidy said he was grateful for the support. "I have worked to bring the ideas and values of our district to bear in Congress," he says. "People vote with their dollars, and this shows a lot of votes for limited government, free enterprise, and individual opportunity." — Jeremy Alford
Naked Pizza signs franchise deals for Florida, Colorado
In a success story for the Greater New Orleans region that tastes good – and is good for the economy, too – NakedPizza has awarded area development rights for 58 units in Central and South Florida and Boulder, Colo. in its first stage of expansion. Co-founded by anthropologist Jeff Leach and investment banker Randy Crochet, the New Orleans-based firm seeks to offer a healthy, functional alternative to the traditional pizza chain. "Fast food is arguably the most successful commercial enterprise in the world in terms of marketing, product, distribution, and economies of scale," Leach says. "We're hijacking that with a pizza that is physiologically aligned with the way people should eat – that offers health instead of harm and that's contributing to epidemics of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and unsustainable healthcare costs." Since forming in 2006, NakedPizza has operated from a 498-square-foot shop near Tulane University. Despite its simple and unadorned furnishings, the company has been widely covered in the media. Its unique concept and popularity has attracted investment from billionaire Mark Cuban and The Kraft Group, and the company unveiled plans for expansion in September 2009. Since then, NakedPizza has received 3,000 franchising inquiries and expects to enter into area development contracts for most major national markets by the end of 2010. "NakedPizza is an example of how a good idea plus a great team can lead to a huge success," says Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "When NakedPizza is operating across the country, it will help millions of Americans eat better and live better, and remind them how New Orleans can cook up extraordinary companies."
Letten tapped for national committee
Jim Letten
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has made three new appointments to a special committee that practically reports directly to him and one of the Crescent City’s sharpest legal minds is on the list. Jim Letten of New Orleans will join another dozen U.S. attorneys from around the country to serve on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee. A seat on the AGAC is more than just a resume and ego booster; it’s a direct line to one of the most powerful men in the country. It was created in 1973 to give U.S. attorneys a voice on the national level. The AGAC reports to the attorney general through the deputy attorney general and offers advice on everything from policy to management. A Tulane Law School grad, Letten has served as Louisiana’s Eastern District U.S. attorney since 2001 and cut his political teeth under former Orleans Parish DA Harry Connick. In a press release, Holder said he welcomed all of the new members. "I will rely heavily on them as we work to further the department's efforts to reduce violent crime and gang violence, promote civil rights, ensure fairness in the marketplace and above all, preserve our national security," he says. – Jeremy Alford
Lafayette firm sues Google over gadgets
Who had the gadgets first? That's the question posed in a lawsuit filed by a Lafayette Web site design company suing search engine giant Google, alleging the company infringed on its trademarks. The Advocate reports that Firefly Digital is alleging in a federal lawsuit that it owns both state and federal trademarks for its "Web site Gadget" and "Gadget," a proprietary Web site content management system and add-on applications. Firefly Digital claims Google's use of features and programs, such as 'Google Gadgets," "Google Gadgets Editor," "Google Gadget Ventures," "Gadgets API," and "Gadget" create a likelihood of injury to Firefly’s business reputation and a weakening of the distinctive quality of Firefly’s famous marks. To read the full story in The Advocate, click here.
JEDCO doles out $1.5 million in business loans
The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission has lent $1.5 million to five businesses through its Louisiana Revolving Capital Fund to retain 134 jobs and create 18 new ones. The lending program supplies qualifying businesses with a minimum of $25,000 for the acquisition of land and buildings, the purchase of equipment or working capital and inventory. The funds, recaptured from the Louisiana Small Business Grant and Loan Program resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are used to capitalize a revolving loan fund to further economic development in Jefferson Parish. The goal is to provide gap financing for existing businesses locally as well as businesses relocating to Jefferson Parish. "While the Louisiana Revolving Capital Fund focuses on business retention and expansion, it also allows JEDCO the flexibility to attract businesses to Jefferson," says JEDCO's Director of Financing Alberto Queral. Two new projects are taking advantage of the program - to the tune of $380,000. The firms are expected to have an economic impact of about $1 million for Jefferson Parish and retain 74 jobs. Loop Linen Service, Inc., a full service textile and linen rental company founded in 1929 as a family laundry and dry cleaner in Westwego, will use the loan to acquire new water heating equipment which will modernize operations and increase energy efficiency. Dibbz, L.L.C. is a computer gaming business that will use the money to purchase the company's existing land and building that has housed its operations since 2004.
Share your favorite snowball
Amaretto. Blue Hawaiian. Cake Batter. King Cake. Lime. Cherry. Banana. Just how many flavors can you put on a snowball? Honestly, we don't really have time for that. What 10/12 does want to know is where we can find some of the tastiest ones on the corridor. We'll feature the best of the best in our summer issue in our latest edition of Corridor Cuisine. We're looking for the flavor of the snowball, the name and location of the stand that sells it and a brief description of why it tops all others. Nominations are selected based on quality, not quantity, so any that appear to be part of a stacking campaign will be rejected. To send us an email, click here.
Adams and Reese continues its expansion
Adams and Reese has continued its expansion into Florida with the addition of a Tampa office, opening March 1. The new office will add eight lawyers and a certified land planner who were formerly with the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Ruden McClosky law firm, and is the third Florida acquisition this year. Adams and Reese added 23 attorneys to its roster when it acquired two offices in St. Petersburg and Sarasota on Jan. 1. "The Tampa Bay area has always been on our strategic radar with its growing dynamic market, and this is a natural extension of our firm’s growth," says Charles Adams, managing partner of Adams and Reese. "We have been looking for the right opportunity to open an office in Tampa, and this addition strengthens our critical mass along the Florida west coast." Robert Boos, Marilyn Mullen Healy, Donald Mihokovich, Deborah Oliver, Eric Partlow, James Porter, Kimberly Madison, Melissa Rizzo and certified land planner Susan Finch, in addition to their staff, will be temporarily housed in Adams and Reese’s St. Petersburg office while the firm works to find office space in Tampa for permanent operations, Adams said. The addition of the Tampa office will bring the firm to more than 290 lawyers in 13 offices in 12 markets including Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota; Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans and Baton Rouge; Birmingham and Mobile, Ala.; Houston; Jackson, Miss.; and Washington, D.C.
Website tells all about Louisiana health care facilities
Louisiana residents now have easy access to detailed, accurate information on the cost, quality and performance of health care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, as well as health plans and prescription drugs. The state has launched a new website called HealthFinderLA.gov, through which consumers – including children - will be able to access educational materials on living healthier lives, find the usual and customary charges for the Top 100 most commonly prescribed medications, and access information comparing various quality and patient safety measures in Louisiana hospitals, nursing homes and health plans. The site will provide key performance data on health care facilities and health plans, including death rates, readmission rates, dozens of nationally accepted quality and performance measures for health plans, and complication rates for procedures. The website is a product of the Consumer’s Right to Know Act the legislature passed in 2008, which was part of the governor's legislative package and was authored by Sen. Willie Mount of Lake Charles. The act authorizes DHH to collect a broad range of health care information and publish it on the Internet.
Louisiana contractors win honors for their work
Twenty-three Louisiana builders and contractors have been recognized for their work. The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors recently bestowed 18 Awards of Excellence and five Awards of Merit. Excellence Award winners were EXCEL Contractors, Turner Industries Group, Cajun Constructors, James Construction Group, Triad Electric and Controls, ISC Constructors, Barriere Construction, Cajun Deep Foundations, MAPP Construction, APEX Constructors, Block Builders and Shaw Constructors. All will compete in the National Associated Builders and Contractors competition; winners will be announced Thursday.
Women's Caucus seeks nominations
The Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus Foundation will award two scholarships during its Women of Excellence Awards Gala in May 2010. The scholarship will be given to the winners of the Young High School Woman of Excellence Award [ages 14 to 18] and the Young Woman of Excellence Award [ages 18 to 23]. Each scholarship will be $1,000 must be used for higher education. Nominations are currently being accepted in the categories of Business, Culinary Arts, Education, Law & Justice, Volunteerism & Civic Involvement, Young High School Woman of Excellence [ages 14 to 18] and Young Woman of Excellence [ages 18 to 23]. This annual award recognizes and honors the professional achievements and contributions of extraordinary women who personify excellence in their area of specialty, integrity, character and community service. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Women's Caucus website by clicking here. The deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 9. The awards will be presented at the LLWCF 2010 Women of Excellence Awards Gala on May 19 in Baton Rouge.
Poll: Most 10/12 poll respondents are headed for the recliner
The vast majority of 10/12 poll respondents will be watching the Super Bowl from their recliners. Some 63% say the big game will be viewed from that location. Another 16% will cheering on the Saints in New Orleans, and only 4% are headed to Miami. Ten percent will be watching from another unspecified location, while the remaining 5% have no plans to take part in such a spectator sport. The 10/12 poll is not a scientific survey. It reflects the responses of the people who choose to participate. This week's question: How much have you spent on Saints memorabilia in the last month?
Places to be on the corridor
:: Feb. 9: Mayor Randy Roach will deliver the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance's first State of the City Address at 11:30 a.m. in the Contraband Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center. Cost is $10 per person. To RSVP no later than Friday, click here.
Viewpoint: Beginning of the end for charity hospitals
The best thing to come Louisiana's way since the start of the Obama administration, LaPolitics columnist John Maginnis writes, has to be the $475 million arbitration award won by LSU last week to replace the Katrina-damaged Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Resolving the drawn-out dispute with the Federal Emergency Management Agency marks the last big piece of unfinished recovery business to fall into place since the water went down. Along with $300 million the state has banked, LSU has a two-thirds down payment toward constructing a $1.2 billion academic medical center alongside the planned Veterans Administration Hospital on 70 acres near downtown. Now it can move ahead on forming the non-profit entity that can issue revenue bonds that won't count against the state's debt limit. A confederation of community and preservation groups still want the new hospital to be built within the shell of the old one, but LSU and state officials make a compelling case for development of a brand-new medical complex with room to grow. What makes the difference so far is that the opponents don't have enough allies at the State Capitol, whereas LSU has the big one. Gov. Bobby Jindal envisions the two hospitals forming a bio-medical corridor that will attract research grants and jobs to bolster the city's economy and serve its healthcare needs. He is unlikely to break ground on anything this big as long as he is governor, so the healthcare complex figures to be his most tangible and enduring legacy. To read the full column, click here.
