Under the guise of “redeveloping” Fat City, Sheng, with the
help and support of her mentor, Newell Normand, took it upon herself to rewrite
the zoning rules for a neighborhood placing the first ever alcohol sales
limitations imposed on a neighborhood in the state.
The onerous Fat City Rezoning Ordinance systematically drove
businesses out of Fat City, caused several owners to close businesses that were
Metairie institutions, reduced property values (the site housing the former
Salvatore’s restaurant was valued at $1 Million. It sold for $510,000 after
Salvatore’s closed), and led to minimal development almost three years after it
was enacted.
After claiming that there would be “no exceptions” to the
Fat City ordinance, Sheng just happened to include exceptions for several
favored businesses and political contributors.
In addition, after driving out several restaurants, Sheng
managed to persuade the JP Council to allow banned food trucks imported from
New Orleans to congregate monthly in a Fat City parking lot owned by Tommy
Cvitanovich, the owner of Drago’s Restaurant and a Sheng supporter, to hold the
“Cynthia Sheng Food Truck Festival”.
Ok, so that’s not really the name but, it might as well be.
Councilwoman Sheng then set her sights on “improving” Jefferson
Parish Mardi Gras parades.
Again, she imposed more onerous rules regarding the number
of marching bands each parade should have as well as the number of floats and
riders and also put in stiff penalties for non-compliance.
Not content with those improvements, Sheng has now taken it
a step further by banishing a parade completely.
At yesterday’s JP Council Meeting, Sheng handed out a death
sentence to the fledgling Krewe of Hera.
Hera, a woman-only Krewe that was formed and expected to
hold its first parade last year, was cancelled by Sheng after allegations of
mismanagement and financial difficulties. It was replaced by the new Krewe of
Atlantis.
There was some controversy after Hera cancelled their one
and only parade due to bad weather one day before the parade was scheduled to
roll.
A couple of former Hera members complained about a lack of
communication and the Krewe’s management structure.
Sheng wasn’t buying the excuse of growing pains for a new
Krewe and refused to give Hera a second chance.
“When we give a permit, it gives a stamp of approval that helps
you recruit members,” Sheng said. “I just can’t let more women be in the same
situation.”
So, after “fixing” Fat City, launching a festival, “improving”
JP Mardi Gras Parades, Sheng is now taking on the noble cause of standing up
for all Women against the evil oppressors lording over a woman-only Mardi Gras
Krewe.
What’s next for Councilwoman Sheng? Global warming?
World Peace?
How about drainage on Metairie Road? Now that would be something
relevant to her district.
As for Hera, Sheng put the hangman’s noose around the parade
and did it with glee.
“The accusations rise to the level where I do question the
legitimacy of your organization,” Sheng said.
Of course it doesn't matters that many Jefferson Parish
residents question Sheng’s legitimacy.