New Orleans residents are seeking to remove controversial mayor LaToya Cantrell from office, accusing her of “quietly quitting” by not meeting her department heads for more than a year.
The recall against Cantrell, 50, began in August 2022 as vice president organizer Ellen Carter worked to collect 50,000 signatures by February 22 — a goal she says they surpassed.
Carter worked in Cantrell’s office for three years and saw firsthand how she claimed the mayor “quietly quit,” or quit her job, as crime rates rose and residents became frightened, she told Fox News.
“Right now, our mayor doesn’t like New Orleans, so the citizens and residents stood up,” Carter told the news outlet. “We’re taking our city back and we’re going to save New Orleans.”
Cantrell was at the front end of several scandals when footage surfaced showed her horsemen bobbing at a Mardi Gras parade and reports claimed she was having an affair with her bodyguard.
New Orleans residents seek to remove controversial mayor LaToya Cantrell from office, accusing her of ‘quitting quietly’
Cantrell was on the front end of several scandals when footage surfaced showed her flipping the bird at Saturday’s Krewe of Tucks Parade in New Orleans
Records showed that Cantrell has suspended her regular responsibilities as mayor, including meetings with department heads she has not scheduled for more than a year as of November, the news outlet said.
Cantrell’s lack of concern for her city has left voters in fear as New Orleans was nearly named the nation’s murder capital in 2022 before being ousted by Jackson, Mississippi.
Remember Vice President organizer Ellen Carter, who used to work in the mayor’s office and remembered when she supposedly stopped working
New Orleans witnessed a 116 percent increase in homicides between 2019 and 2022. In 2022, the city recorded 280 homicides, according to WDSU news. About 480 shooting incidents were also recorded, along with 541 robberies and 279 carjackings.
“We’re like Gotham here,” Carter told Fox News. “It’s sad to say, but that’s what people call us, and that’s what we call ourselves.”
‘People are scared. This government has not been given the opportunity that we now need. The quality of life is only decreasing.’
Crime aside, maintenance of the historic city has declined as Carter claimed buildings have broken windows and potholes fill the streets.
“I don’t think she makes very informed decisions for the city, to the point of being arrogant,” Carter said.
If the county registry office verifies the 50,000 signatures as valid, a recall election will be triggered to allow voters to decide whether to impeach Cantrell.
Cantrell’s office was not immediately available for comment.
Cantrell’s lack of concern for her city has left voters in fear as New Orleans was nearly named the nation’s murder capital in 2022 before being ousted by Jackson, Mississippi
Carter worked to collect 50,000 signatures by Feb. 22 — a goal she says they surpassed. Callback organizers applauded after receiving the number of signatures they needed to trigger an election
During the recall, some residents feared retaliation for signing petitions in support of Cantrell’s impeachment.
Cantrell will be bitter. She goes after people. They don’t want retaliation against them, but they will vote for it when there is an election,” Babs, a resident of the city, told the news outlet.
A restaurant owner was issued a restraining order for allegedly violating his lease after being warned by his landlord to cancel an event in support of Cantrell’s recall.
Carter called Cantrell’s tactics fear-based, claiming, “They’ll take your job.” They will take away your livelihood.’
Cantrell is struggling to win the favor of her constituents and was recently filmed screaming and flipping the bird at riders on a Mardi Gras float.
The short clip shows the Democratic leader cheering from bleachers in downtown Gallier Hall, as if appearing to support the Krewe of Tucks parade before raising her middle finger to the crowd.
The mayor seems to be shouting to the floats passing her, “I love you. God bless you. I will see you. Happy Mardi Gras. Enjoy your ride. Glad your ride was so good. Love you.’
It’s unclear what exactly triggered Cantrell’s rude response and a statement from the mayor’s office released Sunday evening reads: “Mardi Gras is a time when satire and jokes are on full display. The city is enjoying a safe and healthy carnival and looks forward to continuing the celebration on Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras.”
Cantrell was charged last month with having an ‘ongoing adulterous affair’ with Detective Jeffrey Vappie, 50
Cantrell was charged last month with having an “ongoing adulterous affair” with the former head of her police detail, who has since been suspended over an investigation into irregularities related to his salary.
The latest allegations came to light after New Orleans Detective Jeffrey Vappie’s wife, 50, amended her divorce petition to allege that her estranged husband had a sexual relationship with a woman known only as “Mrs. LC’
Vappie’s wife, Danielle, claims her husband and the mayor have continued the affair since May 2021, the same month he began working on Cantrell’s detail.
Cantrell also faced a wave of criticism for using $30,000 in taxpayers’ money for first-class tickets to Europe.
