We NYers have the same problem with out-of-towner freepers. They paint with a very broad brush. We report from the trenches!
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities although I only visit as a tourist.
In other New Orleans Mardi Gras news apparently there will be a huge Toronto Mayor Rob Ford float with him sucking on a crack pipe. Our mayor is also heading to LA for the Academy Awards and a Jimmy Kimmel talk show chat. The election for mayor is underway now with 4 candidates declared. It’s going to be a 3 ring circus all year. Currently because city council stripped him of most of his powers the deputy mayor does an awful lot of the city business leaving Ford to galavant around all over the place. He is attacking the chief of police in the press and vice versa. Fun fun fun. Meanwhile you in NY will have relative calm. :)
I wouldn't want to live in either city, but I respect your choice.