Timing is everything in politics, and the timing of the race to fill state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson’s former seat in House District 93 has been set for May 1 — which falls on the second weekend of Jazz Fest. The runoff, if needed, will be May 29, which falls on Memorial Day weekend. Qualifying will be March 30-April 1, which is just days before Easter Sunday.

The election and qualifying dates were set by House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, who the state constitution authorizes to call special elections to fill House vacancies. Tucker says he called the election for May 1 partly because that date is the next scheduled special election date (i.e., it’s already paid for by the state) and partly because he wants to make sure the district is represented during the upcoming legislative session, which begins March 29. The May 1 date also was recommended by Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, the state’s chief elections officer.

The timing of the special election was largely out of Tucker’s control. Peterson did not officially resign until last Monday, March 1, when she took her oath of office as a senator. Tucker could not legally call the election until she officially tendered her resignation.

Tucker may soon be calling another special election in the House for May 1 — depending on the outcome of the City Council runoff in District E. If state Rep. Austin Badon wins that seat — and if he resigns or announces his resignation prospectively soon enough — Tucker says he will schedule the election to fill his unexpired term in House District 100 for May 1 as well. “It’s important for those two districts to be represented in this session,” Tucker says. “Even if each race goes to a runoff, many of the biggest decisions come in the final weeks.” The session must end by June 21.

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… or so claims this article in today’s Chicago Tribune. (Big props to Clay of the Nola-dishu blog for finding it.) It’s the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade:

Gumbo and jambalaya won’t be ready for hours. Right now, it’s bloody marys, Cajun-spiced eggs and king cake, that deliciously gooey circular pastry in which a small baby figurine has been baked. Beads have yet to fly, but they will. It is the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, and 80 miles north of New Orleans, the best parade in the state is about to happen.

The best parade in the state? Is that a throwdown to New Orleans or what? I’m sure the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade is very nice, but … compared to Muses? Zulu? Rex? Krewe du Vieux?

This year’s Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade is Feb. 13. It has something to do with pink flamingos (the lawn decoration, not the movie). And the theme is “XXXpress It,” but then there’s an “Alcohol-Free Family Zone” (???).

Best parade in the state.

XXXpress It + “Family Zone.”

These are English words, yes, but sense they do not make and confused am I. Help me here, Gambiteers in Baton Rouge. Do we need more flamingos at our Mardi Gras? More Les Miles? What are are we doing wrong in New Orleans that we have let our crown slip away to our neighbor to the West?

One Eyed Jacks truly held down the rock ‘n’ roll fort this year in New Orleans. The venue grabbed up an endless string of marquee indies (search for “One Eyed Jacks” on our blog to get an idea). Baroness, Jay Reatard and The Slackers all headlined just this past week (on separate nights, even).

But Red Stick’s Spanish Moon will be treating crowds to a generous helping of road trip-worthy gigs, kicking off tonight with reverb-loving pop-up-and-comers Surfer Blood (pictured above), with support from NOLA boys MyNameIsJohnMichael. Things get heavier tomorrow night with a reunited New Orleans punk rock supergroup the Faeries (with BR’s metal monsters Thou). Next week, stay tuned for Crystal Antlers (Dec. 16); Bill Callahan of SMOG (!!!) (Dec. 17), and Lafayette’s answer to Dirty Projectors, GIVERS (Dec. 19). Look for Bowerbirds and RJD2 in February.

Phew.

Baton Rouge has thrown down the gauntlet. What you got in 2010, New Orleans?

The Louisiana Commission on Streamlining Government approved a recommendation today, requiring an independent study to evaluate the overall plan for the proposed LSU/VA medical centers in Mid-City. A source from within the commission says that the study will look at all of the options for the medical centers, including rebuilding Big Charity hospital, or constructing a new site to house both the LSU teaching hospital and the VA medical center.

The streamlining commission, which was created in an effort to reform government and eliminate bureaucratic waste, reports to Governor Jindal, who can either act on or reject specific recommendations.

The full commission took up the matter this morning after an advisory committee, headed up by state treasurer John N. Kennedy, had earlier proposed a recommendation for renovating Big Charity in order to save the state $300 million. After hearing testimony from both sides of the issue — including representatives from the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals, LSU officials, National Trust for Historic Preservation and local activists — the commission’s chair, state senator Jack Donahue (R-Mandeville) presented an amended version of the recommendation, calling for the independent evaluation. The amended version passed by a 7-3 vote.

Even though the recommendation was changed from renovating Big Charity to conducting an independent study, local organization Save Charity Hospital considers today’s vote to be a victory.

“(The study) has been something that’s critical, and should be something that everybody can agree upon because this is the biggest economic development project in the city’s history,” says Jonah Evans, spokesperson for Save Charity Hospital.

The commission must submit its initial proposals to the governor and the legislature by December 15.

While you’re waiting for President Barack Obama to arrive (Air Force One touches down at MSY at 11:20, unless he pulls a switcheroo and comes in on JetBlue), here’s some background reading…

• The New York Times and The Washington Post both report on the duration of the visit and the contretemps over whether it’s long enough….

• Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao is still disappointed in Gov. Bobby Jindal for not getting in on the funding for the proposed high-speed rail line between here and Baton Rouge….

• On the HuffPo, Harry Shearer examines Obama’s to-do list, and weighs in on what’s been checked off and what’s overdue….

• Michael Bauer of the San Francisco Chronicle interviews Leah Chase, who will be packing up a takeout lunch for the president today. (Hail to the chef!) Then the topic of another president arose:

In another photo, President George W. Bush was seated at a table with other dignitaries, and he was grasping her hand as she posed behind him.

At the end of the meal I asked about Obama and her eyes took on a joyous sheen as she practically sang his praises in her deep, rich voice.

I couldn’t resist: “So you seem to be an equal opportunity cook,” I said, as I drew attention to the other President. Her twinkle shifted a bit.

“He’s a lovely man,” she said. “He’s invited me to the White House twice and he’s such a gentleman.” After a short pause she said: “However some men just find themselves in the wrong job.”

That ought to keep you occupied. Meanwhile, Clancy DuBos will be on CNN at some point this morning, and we have reporters at both the UNO town hall and the Crescent City Recovery protest on the river. We’ll also be Twittering Obama’s speech, as well as all the bloviating from the punditocracy. Later.

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Photographs courtesy of Greg Rhoades

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John Georges hasn’t officially come out and said that he’s running for mayor — he came just barely shy of saying so on the radio — but considering his actions of late, you could pretty much count on it. See that picture up there? That’s Georges with Jazzfest founder Quint Davis (far left in white jacket) on the back of a car at the head of the Young Olympia 125th Anniversary Second Line back on Sunday. See that bag Georges is holding in his lap? Well they were full of these:

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He was also handing out plastic cups and Mardi Gras beads with the same slogans on them. Oh, and GeorgesforMayor.com has been booked, meaning somebody (probably Georges) has bought the rights to the URL and is creating a site for it.

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We were there filming second line footage for our brass band documentary and noticed Georges handing out the trinkets. With all the people that were out on Sunday (not sure on the actual count but it had to be in the thousands) I can’t think of a better grassroots effort than giving out plastic cups at a second line — most of which were promptly filled with booze.

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Now far be it from me, a humble sports and entertainment writer, to do any political prognosticating. But when someone who has already run for governor of Louisiana is talking about his possible platform on the radio on one day and is then handing out “Georges for Mayor” trinkets on the next, it’s a good chance that that person is most likely running for mayor. Official announcement or not.

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Oh, and it always helps to have a guy like Quint Davis on your side. That should keep people from making any references to Tommy Carcetti from “The Wire” (though he did become Mayor of Baltimore and then Governor, so that may not be a bad thing).

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Karen Carter Peterson, speaker pro tem of the Louisiana House of Representatives, just announced in a statement she would not be running for mayor of New Orleans in 2010.

With Mitch Landrieu and Arnie Fielkow also deciding not to run in recent weeks, Peterson would’ve been a natural frontrunner in a race where the only declared candidates to date are state Rep. Austin Badon, state Sen. Ed Murray and housing advocate James Perry.

Peterson’s statement in full:

Over the past several months, I have been truly moved by the outpouring of support from many members of the community encouraging me to become a candidate for Mayor of the City of New Orleans. It has been very humbling to interact with so many constituents expressing their concerns about the state of our recovery and revitalization four years after Hurricane Katrina. After full consideration and thoughtful examination, however, I have decided not to seek election to the Office of Mayor. Instead, I will continue to passionately serve the people of this great City and State in my current role as Speaker Pro Tem of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

I am more inspired than ever by the level of civic engagement that is now characteristic of many in our City. Citizens have formed non-profit organizations, become active in their neighborhood associations, church groups, and social organizations to move this City in the right direction. It is a testament to the will and resolve of the people of New Orleans. As I have over the past decade, I will work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for our citizens by fighting to provide equal access to health care for those who need it the most, improving our public schools so that our children get the education they deserve, encouraging economic development that provides real opportunities for families, and ensuring a full recovery for one of the greatest American cities.

• Ignore those two things out in the Atlantic.

• Alan Levine, head of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, announces new pediatric day care health facilities. Despite the fact that they’ll be paid for by Medicaid funds (!) and licensed by the state (!!!), people seem to think this is a good idea, not a Communist plot to euthanize Louisiana children. Yet.

• Rick Santorum in 2012? Mmmmmaybe.

• Jeff Crouere on ABC26 News, July 31, 2009:

This week, a source within the New Orleans Police Department confided to me that Police Chief Warren Riley will resign his post within the next few weeks and begin a campaign for Mayor of the city. Qualifying for candidates is in early December and the election is in early February 2010, only six months away.

Riley on WDSU-TV last night:

After weeks of public speculation and, perhaps, some private contemplation, New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley told WDSU Tuesday he will not run for mayor — not now, not ever….

“I do not plan to run for mayor. I’ve never, ever planned to run for mayor,” he said. “I have absolutely no interest in that position.”

Who ya gonna believe?

• NOLAFugees asks: Whatever became of Roger Wilson, architect of “Broadway South”?

• Mad Men starts in four days. Star Jon Hamm was on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien last night, and gave this print interview to The Onion. Meanwhile, today’s gratuitous photograph of the show’s Christina Hendricks:

• The Baton Rouge Advocate comes out swinging in an editorial about Gov. Bobby Jindal’s much-vaunted transparency:

Gov. Bobby Jindal has gone on record opposing President Barack Obama’s health-care plan because it isn’t transparent enough.

We’re all for transparency, but we were surprised to see the governor criticizing someone else for not practicing it.

Perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised. This is a governor, after all, who has favored one standard of transparency for members of the Legislature and other public officials, but another, more secretive standard for himself….

This is clearly a governor whose guiding philosophy is “Do as I say, not as I do.”

• The Hill reports the White House is leaning on Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao:

Rep. Joseph Cao voted against the economic stimulus measure, climate change legislation and President Barack Obama’s budget, but that hasn’t stopped the White House from trying to get his vote on healthcare reform.

The vulnerable GOP Louisiana lawmaker told The Hill that the White House legislative liaison assigned to lean on Cao, Jim Papa, recently contacted his office. But Cao says the White House will have to wait because he is still reading the bill, which is over 1,000 pages long….

• Was Kanye West behind the Reggie Bush/Kim Kardashian split?…

• Roger Wilson, the New Orleans actor who starred in the first two Porky’s movies and was also famous for dating model Christy Turlington, has been working as a bartender for a while, according to the New York Post’s Page Six…

• Looks like the Dollar Bill jurors will be ending their second day of deliberations with no verdicts. Court reconvenes on Monday.

• Hot off the press-release presses:

The New Orleans City Council will hold a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 28th at 2 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall.

The Council will consider Ordinances relative to the acquisition of the Chevron Building, located at 935 Gravier Street, as the site for a new City Hall, as well as any other matters that may properly come before the Council.

These Ordinances are to be considered in a Special Council Meeting as a result of their deferral at yesterday’s regular Council meeting.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cynthia Sylvain-Lear made a presentation yesterday on the Administration’s position regarding the need for a new City Hall, improvements needed at the current City Hall, and a comparative analysis of the current City Hall and the Chevron Building.

• The Lutheran youth in town are having a rally tonight at the Louisiana Superdome, and will dispatch volunteers tomorrow on buses, ferrying 12,000 volunteers around the city to work on more than 200 projects. Meanwhile, their moms found our earlier “Welcome to the city!” blogpost and have been leaving sweet messages. Thanks, Lutheran Moms!

• Author E. Lynn Harris died this morning at 54. He was a favorite among New Orleans readers and the first writer to conduct a signing at the Afro-American Book Stop when it reopened last December. Essence magazine has a tribute, along with reminiscences of Harris by other writers.

• The director of the new indie film New Orleans, Mon Amour, Michael Almereyda, gives an interview to IndieWire. Sounds interesting … and the star is the amazing Elisabeth Moss, who plays Peggy on our favorite show, Mad Men.

• Christopher Tidmore says State Rep. Juan LaFonta is going to challenge U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao for the 2nd Congressional seat when reelection time rolls around in 2010.

• Last: Go to jail in Iberia Parish, be prepared to be pretty in pink:

It’s a punishment Warden Frank Ellis says he learned was very effective since they implemented the pink jumpsuits 8 months ago.

Now, they’re painting the lockdown pod to match the inmate uniforms.

Warden Ellis” “a color means something, when they are put in pink, it’s demeaning to them, they feel they lost their manhood they’ve lost control and we are now in control.” …

“It would really disturb me to wear pink and go to court in pink. It’s not easy wearing pink” said one inmate we spoke to.

For the warden, the change to pink has meant a change to a prettier attitude.

Another inmate explains: “If it was Abercrombie and I wasn’t here it wouldn’t matter, but due to the fact, it’s a pink jumpsuit and you are in jail, you have to uphold some manly levels.”