Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Reports to Federal Prison

By Joey Lehrman | Email the Author | Follow on Twitter

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin reported to the minimum-securitiy federal prison in Texarakana, TX yesterday morning to begin his 10-year sentence stemming from corruption charges. The former mayor maintained innocence throughout the trial and will allegedly be appealing the ruling, albeit from behind bars. Joined by his family, Nagin arrived at the facility approximately 10 minutes before the noon deadlines set for him to appear. 

Read more about Nagin's trial and NOLA.com's ongoing coverage of the former mayor here.

It was a relatively uneventful end to the turbulant and very public trial of the mayor that was the city's most visible leader during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2006. In the wake of the storm, many residents rallied around the mayor, who was a vocal critic of the state and federal recovery efforts in the Crescent City. However, the mayor's reputation is now largely tarnished due to the bribery and fraud charges he was convicted of earlier this year. Nagin was found guilty on 20 of 21 charges in February. 

The prospect of an appeal, however, could be somewhat unlikely, given the financial duress that Nagin and his family made public throughout his trail. Although Nagin was once a highly paid executive for Entergy, the local utility in Lousiana (making as much as $400,000 at the peak of his tenure), Nagin claims that his current bank account is all but exhausted:

In a letter to U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan before he was sentenced in July, Nagin's wife said he had been unable to find work, and the family was collecting food stamps to make ends meet. On financial forms he submitted last week in order to be appointed a public defender to handle his appeal, Nagin said he had $23.65 in his bank account.

And over the summer, Nagin's attorney officially resigned from the case, stating he wouldn't lead any appeal process on account of his client being unable to afford the legal services.

Check back to www.joeylehrman.net for ongoing coverage of the appeals process. 

Joey Lehrman is a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience in the New Orleans public school system. Since retiring, he has transitioned to sharing his experience and perspective and all things New Orleans through a variety of blogs, news-sites, and social networks.

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Flood Advisory for Metro Area

By Joey Lehrman | Email the Author | Follow on Twitter

A flood advisory has been issued for Kenner, Metairie, Avondale, and Norther Jefferson Parish until 3pm today. Stay safe and dry out there!

The National Weather Service issued the notice early this morning; the advisory includes urban and small stream flood notices for northern Jefferson Parish, including Metairie, Kenner and Avondale, until 3 p.m. 

At 12:55 p.m., meteorologists with the Slidell office of the National Weather Service detected a band of showers and thunderstorms over Metairie and upper Jefferson Parish.. Radar estimates indicate that up to 2 inches of rain had fallen over parts of Metairie during the past few hours.

"Many secondary streets will likely succumb to nuisance street flooding," said the advisory mesage. "Additional rainfall will maintain the threat of street flooding through 3 p.m." 

That concern is borne out by radio messages reporting street flooding at various locations during the past hour by Kenner police and Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies.

Stay safe and dry out there! And send in your storm pics if you've gotten any; I've seem some remarkable photos and posts already today from some of my followers.

Joey Lehrman is a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience in the New Orleans public school system. Since retiring, he has transitioned to sharing his experience and perspective and all things New Orleans through a variety of blogs, news-sites, and social networks.

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Ray Nagin Sentencing Delayed until July 2

By Joey Lehrman | Email the Author | Follow on Twitter

Former Mayor Ray Nagin will be sentenced on July 2nd.

In a somewhat unfortunate ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Giner Berrigan granted a delay in former Mayor Ray Nagin's sentencing. Nagin, who was set to be sentenced on June 11th, was allowed a 3-week delayed and he will now face sentencing on July 2nd. Nagin's legal team calimed they needed more time to review a "pre-senting investigation report".

Such reports, issued by the U.S. Probation Department, delve into the defendant's background and alleged offenses, and they serve as an aid for judges as they consider how much prison time and fines to mete out at sentencing.

Prosecurtors were disappointed by the ruling, especially since they claimed that issues with these reports are supposed to be filed within 2 weeks of its release. In Nagin's case, the report was filed on May 7th. 

Regardless of the delay in sentencing, it has become clear that Nagin will likely face a severe penalty stemming from 20 counts of public corruption during his time in office. Nagin was found guilty on all charges, and legal experts familair with sentencing guidelines believe that the former mayor will face up to 20 years in prison. 

Joey Lehrman is a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience in the New Orleans public school system. Since retiring, he has transitioned to sharing his experience and perspective and all things New Orleans through a variety of blogs, news-sites, and social networks.

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Joey Lehrman Launches Science-Based Natural Dog Training System

Media Contact

Joey Lehrman

www.joeylehrman.net

joey.lehrman@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joey Lehrman Launches Science-Based Natural Dog Training System

NEW ORLEANS, La. (April 9, 2014)  Joey Lehrman Dog Training (www.joeylehrman.net) announced today a revolutionary new way to train dogs, based on scientific research and innovative new training techniques. In contrast to the traditional method of using shock collars and electric fences to punish dogs into the desired behavior, Joey Lehrman Dog Training focuses on curating a natural environment that allows a dog to be both curious and obedient at the same time.

The new Natural Dog Training approach can reduce the time it takes to train a dog by up to 50% and can significantly improve the capability of training programs.

Based on the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) framework established in the 1930s by psychotherapists attempting to address various social issues, the Natural Dog Training concept is driven by evidence-based practices in which the training is based on data collected and the individual needs of a dog.

Instead of applying the “heavy handling” strategies that were common for many decades, including shock therapy and punitive measures, ABA within the Natural Dog Training system attempts to understand the root causes of negative behaviors, and seeks to address them through tested and evidence-based methodologies.

The most promising benefit of the ABA-driven Natural Dog Training Series is that it is both scientifically backed and built around the needs and goals of the dog and dog owner. Joey Lehrman has offered dog training services in New Orleans for nearly 35 years, but today’s announcement represents a significant improvement.

“I’m focused on finding new ways to train dogs, in an effort to improve safety and enjoyment. Effectively training a dog is critical to creating a healthy living environment, and to making sure the canine is compatible with children and other pets. Our new Natural Dog Training system is as exciting as it is innovative,” said Joey Lehrman.

For more information about this groundbreaking new research and to learn about available opportunities in the New Orleans area, visit www.joeylehrman.net.

About the Natural Dog Training Series

The core philosophy driving the Natural Dog Training Series is that all dogs are naturally positive and curious creatures. So, instead of punishing animals with shock collars and electric fences, pet owners should try to create an environment in which the dog can be curious and obedient at the same time. The social and free-to-explore philosophy is at the core of a new training series being offered by Mr. Lehrman and his staff. The highly trained and experienced staff will work with you to observe and document any recurring issues, and then develop an individualized plan to train your dog and build a better, more positive relationship.

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Where to Put Hyperlinks in Your Articles and Posts

By Joey Lehrman | Email the Author | Follow on Twitter

The dreaded hyperlink!

I often get inquires from my readers about where to put a hyperlink in a news article, blog post, or class assignment. Although it seems like a straightforward process, placing hyperlinks properly is something of an art (and there certainly is no established MLA guide for inserting hyperlinks). And of course, as a former teacher, I've always been focused on encouraging students to follow the guidelines for proper written English.

So, the general idea for inserting hyperlinks is to consider the text itself (and what you are linking to). For example:

The author in this article seems to understand how to place links properly; notice how the phrase "this article" is hyperlinked because the phrasing refers directly to whatever is being linked!

But, the phrasing of a passage isn't always so direct. For example, here's a passage from that same article above that demonstrates the principle further:

Happily, there are solutions. Just as we teach children how to ride bikes by putting them on a bicycle, we need to teach students how to write grammatically by letting them write. Once students get ideas they care about onto the page, they are ready for instruction—including grammar instruction—that will help communicate those ideas. We know that grammar instruction that works includes teaching students strategies for revising and editing, providing targeted lessons on problems that students immediately apply to their own writing, and having students play with sentences like Legos, combining basic sentences into more complex ones. 

Since the link was to a study that supports the idea in the passage, the author placed the hyperlink with the words "we know." In other words, the author is encouraging readers to explore what "we know" through those exact words.

If you continue reading the article, the author continues the effective use of hyperlinks as follows:

Schools that have shifted from traditional “stand-alone” grammar to teaching grammar through writing offer concrete proof that such approaches work. They are moving more students more quickly into college-level courses than previously thought possible. One of these is a program at Arizona State in which students who test below college-level in their writing ability immediately begin writing college essays. 

Again, since the author is referring to a program, why not put the link to information about the program with those exact words! 

And, just a few more examples of well-placed hyperlinks from an article about America's favorite athlete, Richie Incognito (notice how the hyperlinks can be extended from just "an article" to the rest of the phrase because the article and link are about Richie:

Richie Incognito, who has had anger-management issues during his football career, smashed his own black Ferrari with a baseball bat, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

Notice that although the phrase "anger-management issues" doesn't use the words "article" or "blog post" directly, the link itself shows an example of Richie's anger-management issues. So the link works perfectly! And the second one is much more straightforward, since it leads to an article that discusses the Ferrari-smashing incident!

So the next time you are wondering where to place a hyperlink, just consider the actual text you are using and what you are directing people to find. And if you have any questions, EMAIL ME! 

P.S. Did you anyone notice the one linked that I place in hear as a joke? Links can also be used humorously!

Joey Lehrman is a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience in the New Orleans public school system. Since retiring, he has transitioned to sharing his experience and perspective and all things New Orleans through a variety of blogs, news-sites, and social networks.

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Louisiana Man's Death Penalty Sentence is Overturned

By Joey Lehrman | Email the Author | Follow on Twitter

The execution chamber at the Angola prison facility.

In a landmark announcement from U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell of Alexandria, the conviction and subsequent death penalty ruling from a 1993 nightclub murder has been overturned. According to the ruling:

'We find the state trial court allowed an avowedly biased juror ... to be seated on petitioner's jury,' Drell wrote in his ruling, issued last Thursday. 'The juror ... was never otherwise rehabilitated, nor did he ever indicate he would weigh the evidence and/or decide the case fairly and impartially,' Drell wrote. 'Accordingly, we find petitioner's unreliable conviction cannot be the basis for criminal punishment, much less a sentence of death. ... he has met his burden to have that conviction vacated and for a new trial,' the ruling states.

The convicted man, Willard Allen, and his attorney, James Calhoun, expressed relief and support in the aftermath of the ruling. According to Calhoun, "[The ruling] addressed the points in a very solid way, and we appreciate the hard work that went into the result," said New Orleans attorney, Andrew Lee, who was appointed in 1999 to assist Mr. Allen with his post-conviction relief. 

This comes as welcomed news for the Lousiana anti-death penalty community. Aside from Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma, Louisiana ranks near the top of the list for most executions by state.

Moving forward, the case will be returned to the state court with explicit instructions to conduct a bail hearing within 45 days. Additionally, the state now has 270 days to decide whether they will retry the case. If nothing proceeds from here, Judge Drell states that the state must, "unconditionally discharge petitioner from custody."

What is your opinion of capital punishment in the United States? Do you support or oppose it? Are there any circumstances under which capital punishment is defensible?

Stay tuned to www.nola.com and www.joeylehrman.net for additional updates on the case.

Joey Lehrman is a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience in the New Orleans public school system. Since retiring, he has transitioned to sharing his experience and perspective and all things New Orleans through a variety of blogs, news-sites, and social networks.

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New Orleans 2014 Primary Election Results

By Joey Lehrman | Email the Author | Follow on Twitter

Mayor Mitch Landrieu celebrates his re-election as Mayor of New Orleans

Mayor Mitch Landrieu easily won his bid for another 4 years as the mayor of New Orleans, earning a considerable majority with nearly 63 percent of the vote, dramatically beating Michael Bagneris (34 percent) and Danatus King (3 percent). While pundits speculated that the primary race could extend to a runoff, those predictions turned out to be just that: speculation.

In other races from Saturday's primary:

• At-Large: Stacy Head was re-elected to an at-large seat; 
• At-Large: Cythia Hedge-Morrell and Jason Williams will head to a runoff for the second at-large seat; 
• District A: Susan Guidry was easily re-elected in District A; 
• District C: Jackie Clarkson and former Judge Nadine Ramsey will square off for the Distric C seat; 
• District D: State Rep. Jared Brossett defeated Joseph Bouie and Dalton Savwoir, Jr. for the Distrct D seat; 
• District E: and James Gray will retain his seat in Dsitrict E.

None of the candidates earned a clear majority (50+1) in the other two closely watched races, with Marlin Gusman and Charles Foti seeking the Sheriff's post, and Dwight McKenna will meet Jeffrey Rouse in their bids to be New Orleans' next coroner.

All runoffs will be held on Saturday March 15, 2014. Stay tuned to www.nola.com and www.joeylehrman.net for ongoing election coverage.

Joey Lehrman is a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience in the New Orleans public school system. Since retiring, he has transitioned to sharing his experience and perspective and all things New Orleans through a variety of blogs, news-sites, and social networks.

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