Welcome to the Best of New Orleans! Bouquets & Brickbats 03 26 02

BOUQUETS & BRICKBATS

03 26 02

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The Best and the Worst of the Week

The Louisiana Gumbo Krewe ,
known for feeding rescue workers at Ground Zero, again offered its tasty services to charity -- this time, to the local Public Broadcasting Station channel WLAE-TV. The Gumbo Krewe fed more than 250 school representatives, staff members and volunteers at WLAE's recent Family Tuition Auction, which auctioned off college, high school and elementary school tuitions.

The Tulane-LSU Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Unit
has received a five-year, $4.2 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, one of 18 university-based sites in the United States to receive grant money. The Tulane-LSU facility was chosen for its success in reducing the rate of mother-to-infant HIV transmission and its pioneering trials of treatments for HIV-infected children. Tulane-LSU plans to expand its adolescent treatment and prevention research.

New Orleans
has the second-worst street conditions in the country, according to a recent study by the nonprofit Road Information Program. According to the study, 56 percent of New Orleans' roads rank in the "poor" category; 21 percent are "mediocre"; and only 23 percent are "fair" or "good." New Orleans drivers pay an average of $620 per year in extra vehicle operating costs; the national average is $358. Only Boston ranked worse.

Criminal District Judge Sharon K. Hunter
has been ordered to turn over her administrative responsibilities to another judge after her staff was unable to produce complete court transcripts for several cases. The state Supreme Court's order allows Hunter to continue presiding over cases, but she cannot make administrative decisions without consulting a court-appointed judge. Hunter's transcript troubles have resulted in several new trials for criminal defendants.