As the director of her own non-profit organization, Cyndi Nguyen believes she understands the needs of the community.
“I am running for public office because I have the skills, talents, and experience to effectively represent the people of District E,” says Cyndi Nguyen, about her second bid for the district’s city council seat. “With over 16 years of community building experiences and civil engagement, I know what it takes to find solutions and get things done.”
Capacity building, community consensus, dedication and commitment to serving diverse communities, fairness and transparency, and innovative thinking are skills that have prepared her to serve District E, says Nguyen.
Nguyen is the executive director of VIET (Vietnamese Initiatives in Economic Training), a non-profit she co-founded in 2001. The organization helps non-English speaking families meld into American society and has served over 600 families from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
If elected, Nguyen says she will work to ensure that District E gets its fair share of the city’s infrastructure budget. Her top priority is to address the lack of economic development.
“My first project will target the former Six Flags property that has sat in isolation for the past twelve years. If put back into commerce, the property will create jobs, curb crime, and increase revenues for the city.”
Nguyen wants more government transparency.
“As a city, we need to have more accountability and transparency in all areas of city government.—the recent flooding is one example of inadequate leadership. We need to stop covering up for leaders who are not serving our community effectively.”
Nguyen’s plan to address obstacles confronting the city’s African-American citizens includes “ensuring that our DBE’s have equal opportunities to bid on all contracts.”
“As the vice-chairperson of East New Orleans Business Development District and a current board member of the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network and the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, I have a full understanding of the importance of economic equity.”
Crime reduction is also priority for Nguyen.
“I believe that when we support sustainable economic development projects, we will create jobs that will curb crimes and increase public safety.”
Nguyen says to move the district forward, she is creating an eight-year economic development needs plan for District E that covers New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward.