Tilman Hardy says he is qualified to unite District A and help create a more sustainable future.
“I can put my experience to good use in helping everyone embrace the change that is necessary for this city to grow,” says Hardy, who promises to bridge the cultural, social, and class divides that exist in the city.
Hardy has served on several boards and committees, including the Green Project, Mayor Landrieu’s Blight Task Force, and Oak Street Main Street Association, among others.
Hardy says his compassion and deep appreciation for the culture and history of New Orleans has given him a clear picture for what is necessary for all citizens to have equity.
“I’ve facilitated many workshops where cultural differences didn’t stop us from proposing policy together,” he says.
The Army veteran’s work at the Preservation Resource Center, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) and his service as a Neighborhood Partnerships Network board member led Hardy to his current bid to become a public servant.
“I plan on practicing much of what I learned when I take office.”
If elected, Hardy will focus on crime, education, economic development and infrastructure challenges in District A and throughout the city.
“I will seek full funding for CeaseFire, the PeaceKeepers, NORDC and NOPSB citywide after school programs, neighborhood schools, and help rebuild our economy to create more opportunities for unemployed and underemployed citizens,” Hardy says. “I will also seek funding for free college for residents. Poverty must be addressed in order to eliminate violence and theft.”
Hardy’s crime-reduction plan also includes getting NOPD to ramp up community policing immediately. The candidate suggests workforce training and job placement program for non-violent offenders, instead of prisons, to reduce crime. Hardy also thinks rehabilitation of violent ex-offenders, “who seem to almost never get a second chance,” will reduce recidivism.
With regard to economic development, Hardy says worker-owned cooperatives, incubators, and workforce training can be effective economy boosters. “I’ll work with businesses to learn what high paying jobs chronically go unfilled, and we will find the resources to help get unemployed and underemployed citizens trained to fill them.”
To shore up the district’s infrastructure, Hardy will secure a feasibility study to determine what condition our system is in and create a plan for the next 100 years.
