Can New Orleans Do Better?

After his Katrina performance, mayor Ray Nagin needs to show he's the one to revive the city

Long before Hurrican Katrina exposed the racial and economic canyons of New Orleans for all the nation to see, Mayor Ray Nagin swept into office with high hopes of bridging those gaps. So how is it that now, in the wake of Katrina's devastation and dislocation, the Big Easy seems more polarized than ever about Nagin himself? To his fervent supporters, New Orleans' up-by-his-bootstraps millionaire turned city-hall reformer is just the right man for the job of rebuilding New Orleans, "the only guy who can assure accountability and transparency," says Tim Williamson, head of the Idea Village, a leading New Orleans...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!