Old Arabi group names its new president

It wasn't an election as much as a recruitment, but in any case, the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association got its man when William McCartney accepted the nomination of president for the group.

Not one to seek the spotlight, McCartney was chosen for his strong, quiet leadership and for his love of Old Arabi. He said he looks forward to collaborating with the residents of Old Arabi and with other neighborhood groups in the surrounding area, including groups in Arabi Park, Brittany Place, St. Claude Heights and Carolyn Park, as well as working with the Holy Cross Association in New Orleans.

"I am looking forward to making Old Arabi an even bigger partner in the recovery of our parish," McCartney said. "Some very special things have been started by the group, such as Sugar Festival and the possibilities of having the Farmer's Market, and the Tourism Welcome Center located in the Old Arabi Neighborhood. I think mostly, though, I will enjoy meeting and serving the people of my community that I may have not met yet."

McCartney, who serves as the action officer for St. Bernard Parish Government, said he is excited by the challenge of leading OANA, but also humbled by the faith placed in him by his friends and neighbors.

"I have some big shoes to fill," McCartney said. "The Old Arabi Neighborhood Association has had so many selfless participants and officers before me, and I feel the pressure to meet those high standards."

McCartney and his wife Kelly have a vested interest in the neighborhood, as they plan to raise their first child, 5-month-old William Finn in St. Bernard Parish.

McCartney said the two best things about living in Old Arabi are the character of the people and of the neighborhood itself.

"We have lost a great number of Arabi residents, but the people that chose to return are a hard-working, community-minded group," he said. "I also love the character of the neighborhood and the close proximity to the natural resources of St. Bernard parish, while being six miles away from the heart of New Orleans . We truly are the gateway to rest of the parish. I feel a great sense of pride when I drive through Arabi."

In other OANA news, resident Jan Hirschey is leading the fight for the return of home mail delivery. Prior to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Old Arabi residents received mail at their doors, but now mailboxes must retrieve their mail from boxes placed on the street.

According to the post office, the change came about because of the "lack of population" in the area, meaning Arabi had been labeled a "rural" community and did not qualify for home delivery. But according to Hirschey, the sparsely populated 9th Ward in New Orleans receives door to door service.

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