New Orleans Parks and Parkways Director Fired Following Councilman's Criticism
Michael Karam, the Director of the New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways, was terminated one day after Councilman Jason Hughes publicly criticized the department's service quality. The city of New Orleans confirmed the firing, stating it aligns with the Mayor's commitment to improving city services, strengthening accountability, and ensuring responsiveness across government. Residents had reported numerous concerns to Councilman Hughes, including uncut grass, debris left in streets and drains, overgrown sidewalks, delayed tree maintenance, and poor communication. The Parks and Parkways department attributed these backlogs to a hiring freeze and reduced contractor funding. Councilman Hughes highlighted a specific case involving a dangerous tree on Benson Street that lacked a clear response or completion date, expressing frustration over the department's unacceptable quality and responsiveness. Karam was appointed to the role in 2020 during former New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration, ha...
