I sent the letter below to ebay and posted links to the auctions and some comments to one of the local NOLA forums hosted by our city newspaper, The Times-Picayune. Within minutes, a host of forum readers had posted comments, sending similar messages to ebay, the sellers, and posting suggestions for action on the list. Apparently, the problem is quite widespread and the forum has been active in getting auctions pulled in the past. Other suggestions were along the lines of reporting the auctions as internet fraud (which they are) through the proper channels, since ebay won’t miss the opportunity to gain a buck if there isn’t very clear evidence of foul-play. So, feeling it my civic duty, I did.
It made for an interesting day. One of the representatives from the US Attorney’s Office called in the morning. He was incredibly nice, had checked out the ebay listings and encouraged me to call the local Federal branch of the Cyber Crimes unit. Apparently, they open the cases and then turn them over the US Attorney’s Office. So, I did. In the mean time, I contacted some of the people instrumental in getting the last ebay listing pulled. One of them is a local artist, Heather Elizabeth of Heather Elizabeth Designs. She immediately forwarded messages to contacts she has at the Sewage and Water Board and City Attorneys; we emailed a few times during the day and I can now say I have a new artist friend in NOLA (check out her website and give her lots of great business!) On a roll and writing well, I sent a message to Anderson Cooper, too. (I guess I had hit my limit with the incredible lack of respect so many are showing New Orleans and went a little nuts.)
But the best part of the day was the dinner-time call I received from the Sewage and Water Board, to personally thank me for my efforts. The representative said that post-Katrina, the theft of historical city artifacts has been beyond extreme. Particularly in the flooded areas, where visiting and local workcrews have been stripping private and public properties without care or reflection on what they are taking. We shared the feeling that these are important fights, even if they seem trivial in our post-Katrina world, where anything that is not life and death rings as insignificant. The architectural and historical artifacts within the very streets of New Orleans are things to be perserved and protected; once they are gone, they are gone.
Yesterday ended with me feeling uplifted. I broke out a little from the frustration and sadness I’ve been feeling and I connected with other people who truly care and are willing to take the time to stand up for little things that matter.
Elizabeth | 23-Mar-06 at 12:58 pm | Permalink
Hi Holly, I’m Elizabeth, one of Gwen’s friends and I periodically read your blog (hope that is ok) – I wanted to comment on this because although I don’t have any personal experience I think it is wonderful that you took such a stance and made someone’s day with your persistence in fighting for something you believe in! I think it is great that people took note and commended you on your efforts!
On another note, little Will is too cute and I’m excited to hear about your other baby news upon her arrival! Thanks for letting me read about you and your family!
Holly | 23-Mar-06 at 9:54 pm | Permalink
Hi Elizabeth!
Thank you for your kind comments! Any friend of Gwen’s is a friend of ours and you are always welcome any place we are… virtual or otherwise!
Fondly,
Holly
jim | 03-Feb-08 at 8:58 am | Permalink
I picked up one of these at the french market. I think it may be stolen. I got on line after I got home and saw that these were not “as far as I can see” made for the market place. I painted it black and then over brushed it with silver to make it look old. Dont know what to think now. I paid 20 for it. I looked for one that is made of plaster and they were all sold out. this one is of cast iron and has a double arch system under it. almost like legs. I just like the way it looked.
jim | 03-Feb-08 at 9:03 am | Permalink
Here is a link to my cover I bought. The seller said he bought them from a place that reconditons them. I am now a bit skeptical. but I have no way of knowing if it is stolen and or how to even get it back if it was.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5774/watermetercoverrh4.jpg
Anonymous | 03-Apr-08 at 7:37 pm | Permalink
where did the water meter cover come from left for you by the “water meter cover fairy”? are stolen water meter covers o.k. when they are covering your meter? “How inexpressible is the meanness of being a hypocrite! how horrible is it to be a mischievous and malignant hypocrite.
Cold Spaghetti | 03-Apr-08 at 7:48 pm | Permalink
Repeat: I called the Sewage and Water Board. They replaced it, as they do to ALL missing water meter covers.
Anonymous | 04-Apr-08 at 4:42 am | Permalink
the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board does not replace missing covers with crescent covers anymore. They use a generic cover that says “meter cover” so they will not be stolen again. You even blogged that you didn’t know where it came from. Shame on you.
Cold Spaghetti | 04-Apr-08 at 5:36 am | Permalink
The Sewage and Water Board replaces water meter covers with whatever they have — in some cases, they are able to use old meter covers. Seemed pretty obvious that what happened was a thank you. If it HAD been stolen, when the S&WB showed up to replace it according to the request, they would have noticed a new cover. Call them if you like.
And NO, they do not use a generic cover so it won’t be “stolen again.”