I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I love New Orleans. Sure, I’ve had my complaints, and I stand behind them. Every major city will have its problems – that is given. But the dismal days are over. This is one of the most exciting times that New Orleans has had in a long time. In one month, we will hold one of the biggest parties that the world has ever seen, play host to the biggest sporting event in the world, possibly gain another professional sports team and choose a new mayor. Not bad for one little month.For starters, the mayoral race is getting white hot with about two weeks to go. Police chief Richard Pennington and New Orleans City Councilman Jim Singleton may be the frontrunners; if for nothing else except they are well-known in the city. But in a race that features 15 – count them, 15 – candidates, nothing is certain. State senator Paulette Irons and businessman Ray Nagin are two examples of how diverse the field of candidates is for the election. Voters will be forced to choose whether they want a strong political leader or someone who might boost the ailing economy.On top of trying to decide which candidate of 15 is the best, New Orleanians have been thrown a barrage of candidate profiles, telling us each person’s age, place of birth, party affiliation, stance on several issues and many other telling facts. New Orleans will also hold the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, just one day after the mayor’s election. The world’s eyes – sporting and otherwise – will be on the Louisiana Superdome for Super Bowl XXXVI. In what is the biggest sporting event in the world in terms of television viewers, marketing ploys and advertising, the Super Bowl will not only mean huge revenue for New Orleans, but also huge issues of crowd control, especially after recent terrorist events. More than 75,000 people will pack the Dome for the game, and many more will come down for the extravaganza that accompanies the NFL title match-up. That amount of people requires a great deal of security. The city has contacted several organizations, such as the Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for security aid. Many revelers will also be arriving for Mardi Gras at the end of January and the beginning of February. Because of the shifting of the Super Bowl after Sept. 11, the Super Bowl splits Mardi Gras in two. Thus, the people already here for Carnival will be greeted by upwards of 80 or 90,000 people who want to see the Super Bowl. So for all of the preparation the city will have to undertake for the big game, less than a week later it will be forced to plan for huge parades.Needless to say, city planners in charge of crowd control are having quite a stressful time. And the cherry on top is the recent news that New Orleans may be the next city to gain a National Basketball Association franchise. The Charlotte Hornets are in heavy negotiations with the city to bring the team to the Crescent City.Many know New Orleans as the Big Easy. However, this is anything but an easy time for our great city. It is stressful on an economic, political and social level, but all the additions and changes look as though they will work out for the best.I hope so. New Orleans deserves it.