Editor’s note: This article is not an endorsement and does necessarily represent the views of the editorial board.
“I want to be a champion for the citizens of New Orleans and not be labeled as a politician. I am proud that people in the community refer to me as a voice for the voiceless,” said Belden “Noonie-Man” Batiste, candidate for New Orleans City Council District D.
Batiste was just a little boy when he learned about the programs offered through Tambourine and Fan. The training and inspiration Batiste subsequently received led to his future path as a community activist. “Tambourine and Fan made me who I am today. They taught us reading, writing and life skills. Westudied math and science. We learned about history from the songs we sang including the Neville’s ‘Sister Rosa,’ ‘Amazing Grace’ and Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’. They took us to protests, showed us how to stand up, advocate for ourselves and not back down,” explained Batiste. Each summer until Hurricane Katrina, Batiste attended the 21 Century Camp in Selma, Alabama. “It was like going to civil rights school. We learned so much.”
By age 14, Batiste was running Tambourine and Fan’s summer camp working with adults to ensure the camp met the needs of its participants. Batiste watched his mentor and saw what he and others did to help the community. He quickly realized that doing what was right for the people – especially young people – would be his life’s goal.
Batiste is a force to be reckoned with at City Hall. He never hesitates to weigh in on issues important to the community. Many of those issues including crime, infrastructure, affordable housing and homelessness are at the heart of his district council campaign. “I want to make sure our young people have the resources and tools they deserve to succeed. I want the money allocated for youth to actually go to programs that will benefit our young people,” he said.
When the discussion turns to youth and crime, Batiste is adamant that the root causes of crime must be addressed. “If a family is struggling, the youth in the family are struggling too,” he explained. Batiste is also concerned with the young girls in the community. “We often focus so much on young boys that we forget about the young girls. They need our guidance and resources as well. Equity and inclusion is important for both boys and girls,” Batiste said.
Batiste is also disappointed by the decline in NORD facilities and programming. He believes the city has been abandoning the neighborhood parks. “How can we take money from NORD to build a new jail and let the children suffer,” Batiste questions. “It’s the cliques and the politicians who are causing the damage.”
Batiste is also concerned about holding Entergy and the Sewerage & Water Board accountable. “Entergy is making millions for their investors off the backs of poor and middle class New Orleanians. This is a sin. We must break Entergy’s monopoly and ensure that the people’s bills are not too high, Batiste exclaimed.
He is also disappointed that Entergy sold their gas business to Delta Utilities, a company with “zero” experience in that industry. “If Delta raises the gas rates as expected it will hurt seniors, poor people and those on disability,” said Batiste.
Batiste also has his eye on the Sewerage & Water Board. “We’ve been messing with the same infrastructure problems for years.The SWB is responsible for much of the flooding in New Orleans. They clearly have not done a good job. People are fed up and leaving New Orleans in part because their water bills are too high,” he said.
Batiste insists that the SWB needs to be held accountable. “The billing system is outrageous. The meter system does not work. The billing system does not work. At the end of the day, no one has consideration for the residents. When a home floods, the SWB should have to pay for repairs. When the lights go out, Entergy should give customers a credit. The utility companies work for the people. We are their bosses and should be respected,” Batiste explained.
Batiste is running a grass roots campaign. “If a voter wants to help me, he or she can donate a dollar or $1.25. If you can’t,don’t worry. I have the support of the people and don’t believe I will need all that much money. I won’t do something strange for a little change. That’s not ‘Noonie Man’ Belden Batiste,” he concluded.
Qualifying will take place Wednesday, July 9 through Friday July 11 at the offices of the Hon. Darren P. Lombard, Clerk of Criminal District Court and Orleans Parish Chief Elections Officer.
