In 1988, the Republican party held its national convention in New Orleans to bid adieu to incumbent Ronald Reagan and nominate George Bush as their next candidate for President. Then Democrat Buddy Roemer (who would change his political stripes two years later) was in the Governor's Mansion espousing his views of political reform. And New Orleans' Mayor Sidney J. Barthelemey was in the middle of his two terms in office.

Meanwhile, in the private sector, Jan Ramsey was leaving ...