Nagin Apologizes for Ground Zero Jab

Aug. 28, 2006 — -- Walking through his childhood neighborhood, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin describes his city's prospects as much brighter than he could have ever anticipated a year ago as he scoured what little remained of his fallen city after Hurricane Katrina.

"Based on the slow response right after the event, I thought we would be a little further behind, to be totally honest with you," Nagin said.

The views from high above the Big Easy and from ground level show the city's famous French Quarter and tourist districts are bouncing back.

The rebirth is not necessarily complete.

Even in his backyard, Nagin is met by the city's other reality: Poor residents who want to know when their lives will return to normal -- when they'll feel welcome again in their city.

A year ago, Nagin became the voice of New Orleans.

A year later, however, he courts a different kind of controversy.

"You guys in New York can't get a hole in the ground fixed, and it's five years later. Let's be fair," Nagin said on "60 Minutes."

He maintains he meant no disrespect to the people of New York.

"I flipped it back on the reporter who was from New York and said, 'Look, it's been five years. Let's be fair. Five years after the events of 9/11, we need a memorial. Let's do it for the people of New York and stop criticizing us because we have a lot of work to do,'" he said.

That work, or the lack of it, is at the core of discontent among the poor of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.

"I push HUD [the Department of Housing and Urban Development] as much as I can to move forward," Nagin said. "Katrina was unexpected, and we're trying to make sure that wherever … they've relocated [to], that we have things in motion to bring everyone back to the city of New Orleans."

It's a tale of two cities for Nagin, who, after a year of living elsewhere, moved back to New Orleans a week ago.

"The house is not totally complete, but it's good enough for us to be in. The Nagins are home. It's time for everyone else in New Orleans to be home, also," he said.