Baton Rouge’s Community Newspaper CAPITALCAPITAL CITYCITY Keep Up with St. George St. George Leader Like “St. George Leader” on Facebook ® NEWSNEWSDecember 2013 Edition • Vol. 23, No. 1 • 20 Pages • Circulation 20,000 copies • www.capitalcitynews.us • 225-261-5055 Target: St. George Fire District Coup Attempt Mayor-President Kip Holden Attempts to Oust Majority of St. George Board of Directors Woody Jenkins At Wednesday’s Met- Editor, Capital City News ro Council meeting, the routine reappointment BATON ROUGE - While of three members of the telling the Baton Rouge St. George Fire District Rotary Club that “We Board of Directors took are better together” at on unexpected contro- noon Wednesday, May- versy when Holden’s or-President Kip Holden floorleader on the Metro was secretly plotting the Council, John Delgado, unprecedented takeover nominated three differ- of the St. George Fire ent individuals from the District. St. George is floor. an independent, non- Delgado admitted that political fire protection he had been working district that serves more behind the scenes to get than 70,000 residents the three elected. of unincorporated areas Metro Councilman Metro Councilman John Delgado: Fighting St. George south and east of the Ba- Buddy Amoroso said ton Rouge city limits. Mayor-President Kip Gov. Bobby Jindal at Press Club Wednesday Holden had orches- trated the plan to give a Councilman: I’ll majority of the Board to individuals who oppose Gov. Jindal on St. George: the incorporation of the File Suit to Block proposed City of St. George. “This brings City of St. George Let People in SBR Decide See Page 10 BATON ROUGE — Gov. Bobby Jindal tary Club and promising years of BATON ROUGE - Metro should decide the mat- told the Baton Rouge Press Club litigation if the people of St. George Chief Denies Claim Councilman John Del- ter, Delgado said he will Wednesday he supports the right of vote to incorporate. St. George Fire chief gado has declared war file suit to block the in- the people of St. George to incor- Jindal, whose office plays a key Jerry Tarleton has de- on the proposed City of corporation, even if vot- porate as a new city or form a new role in the incorporation of new cities, nied claims by Coun- St. George and is under- ers approve it. school district. was having none of that. “I respect cilman John Delgado taking a variety of guer- At press time, Delga- At the same time the governor was the will of the people, not just on this that any inappropriate rilla tactics designed to do was also promoting making his remarks, Mayor-President issue but in general. Conservatives use of St. George Fire block the effort. Un- a plan which would de- Kip Holden was taking the opposite tend to believe that government that stations has occurred like Gov. Bobby Jindal, prive the new city of its position before the Baton Rouge Ro- governs closest to the people governs in connection with the who said Wednesday tax base. Even though See WHILE on Page 20 incorporation effects. the people of St. George See Page 10 New Ship Cruises from New Orleans Serenade of the Seas Visits Key West, Nassau, Private Island Every Other Week NEW ORLEANS - A new the time of year and the For more, see the photo or go to the Royal Ca- royalcaribbean.com cruise ship is sailing out type of cabin selected. spread on pages 14-15 ribbean website, www. See Pages 14-15 Pro-life marchers last year of New Orleans. The Serenade of the Seas Thousands to left on its first voyage from Louisiana on Sat- March for Life urday, Dec. 28. The 10-year-old vessel just Jan. 18 at 12 completed a $58 mil- BATON ROUGE — lion revocation and is Thousands of support- in “like new” condition. ers of the right to life are The ship, which left expected to gather at 12 with 2,436 passengers, noon on Saturday, Jan. offers a new route as 18 for the annual Loui- well — from New Or- siana Life March from leans to Key West to the Old State Capitol to Nassau to Coco Cay in the new State Capitol. the Bahamas and then The event is sponsored back to New Orleans, by the Catholic bishops, all in seven days. the Louisiana Baptist Fares run from about Convention, and other $700 a person to $2,000 pro-life organizations. a person, depending on APPROACHING NASSAU — The Serenade of the Seas approaches Nassau on New Year’s Eve. Photo by Woody Jenkins 2 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014

COMMUNITY PRESS, LLC CAPITAL CITY NEWS CENTRAL CITY NEWS & South Baton Rouge Journal Vol. 23 • No. 1 & The Leader Vol. 17 • No. 1, No. 355 910 North Foster Drive Post Office Box 1 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Greenwell Springs, LA 70739 Phone (225) 261-5055 • Entire contents © 2013 Email stories and photos to [email protected] Published on the first Thursday of each month (except January, when it is the second Thursday) by Community Press, LLC The Leader was founded April 30, 1998, and the Central City News was founded April 21, 2005. They merged May 4, 2006. Capital City News is a continuation of the South Baton Rouge Journal, which went on hiatus in 2008 during its 20th year of publication. The Cap- ital City News resumed publication of the Journal with Vol. 21, No. 1 on Aug. 16, 2012. Editor & Publisher Woody Jenkins Business Manager Candi Lee Business Specialist Jolice Provost

Member, Louisiana Press Association, Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, and National Newspaper Association MEET SANDY DAVIS — Sandy Davis is Assistant Superintendent of the Central Com- Deadline for news and advertising: 5 p.m. Friday before publication munity School System. Before accepting that position, she was principal at Central Mid- $18 a year by subscription in advance • $25 a year outside East Baton Rouge dle School. From 2007 to 2011, she was principal at Tanglewood Elementary in Central, which had the highest performing 3rd graders on the LEAP tests in the entire state for four straight years. Country Living in the City People in St. George Pay for a City Now, Just Not Their City • It will bankrupt our future. • It’s just a small group doing it! incorporation can be challenged but $52 Million a Year • It will cripple one of the strongest Some Background. Kip Holden the likelihood of such a challenge be- economies in the nation. and I served together in the Louisi- ing upheld is extremely small. Transferred from • They want to divide us. ana House for 12 years and sat about Virtually all of the issues which • It will take a major financial toll. five feet from each other in the House are likely to come up in any legal • It’s just a small group doing this. Chamber. We had countless conver- challenge to the incorporation of St. St. George Taxes • They want to capture our taxes. sations, all friendly. I feel I know him George have already been decided by • They’d have to elect officials. quite well, and I like him, although the courts. One of the most important To Baton Rouge • They’d have to provide police, we disagree on politics. cases is Devall v. Starns, which chal- fire, garbage, and public works. Having said that and with no dis- lenged the incorporation of the City Woody Jenkins • It would duplicate government respect intended, I have to say that of Central. Editor services. every single thing he told the Rotary For example, the notion that voters • Duplicating services means du- Club about the proposed City of St. outside the proposed city should get BATON ROUGE — Mayor-President plicating costs. George is false, except for one thing: to vote on the incorporation of a new Kip Holden condemned supporters • Starting a city is complicated. If the new city city was dealt with in Devall and dis- of the proposed City of St. George • Who will pay for the litigation? is created, there posed of as without merit. before the Baton Rouge Rotary Club • It will mean higher taxes! will be an elec- A Tale of Two Cities. Before re- Wednesday. Even though more than • It will mean loss of funding for tion for Mayor, sponding to the Mayor-President’s 10,000 people have signed the St. the D.A. and other officials. Police Chief, and ill-advised and over-the-top remarks, George petitions, they are just “a • It will adversely affect public City Council. I would like to tell you a tale of two small group who wants to divide us,” safety. That’s true! cities, two pretty nice cities in our he said. • It will hurt our bond rating. The things he area that were founded on two very Then he poured out a litany of care- • We’re being held hostage in a dis- said were simply different models. They are: fully crafted cliches designed to end agreement over schools. talking points he City of Hammond, Louisiana — the discussion about incorporating • We should work together to fix wrote down be- Founded: 1818 the City of St. George: what is broken. fore his speech, Woody Jenkins Population: 20,000 • It will impose a burden on future • It will turn back the clock on ra- but they are not Annual Budget: $30 million generations. cial harmony. true and he cannot back them up. Deficits: Struggles to avoid a defi- • Starting a city is complicated. • It will cripple our area. A Basic Principle of Our Law. cit of $500,000 a year The basic principle here is that people Number of Employees: 325 living in unincorporated areas of Lou- A Traditional City isiana have the right under Louisiana City of Central, Louisiana — RonaldRonald ReaganReagan law to organize a new city (La.R.S. Founded: 2005 33:1 et seq). Furthermore, the Loui- Population: 27,000 NewsmakerNewsmaker LuncheonLuncheon siana Constitution of 1974 has a spe- Annual Budget: $6.3 million cific provision (Art. 6 §2), which re- Surplus: $1 million a year Col. Rob Maness pealed a part of the East Baton Rouge Cash Reserves: Over $10 million Candidate for United States Senate Plan of Government, which had pro- Number of Employes: 3 SponsoredSponsored byby RepublicanRepublican PartyParty ofof EBREBR hibited the formation of new cities in A Fully Privatized City this parish. City services are provided by IBTS, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 So the law is clear — people have a non-profit organization established Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 a right to file an incorporation petition 11:30 Reception • 12 Lunch • $15 by the National Governor’s Associa- 11:30 Reception • 12 Lunch • $15 “Like”“Like” CapitalCapital RepublicanRepublican with 25 percent of the registered vot- CaféCafé AméricainAméricain •• 75217521 JeffersonJefferson Hwy.Hwy. onon FacebookFacebook oror gogo toto tion. IBTS has 26 of its employees RSVP [email protected] CapitalRepublican.comCapitalRepublican.com ers and then have a vote on whether RSVP [email protected] to incorporate. If the ayes have it, the See INCORPORATING on Page 13 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 3

U. S. Senator, Congress, Judiciary, School Boards Voters Face Important Choices in 2014 Landrieu, Maness, Cassidy Seeking Louisiana Seat in Senate This Fall BATON ROUGE — Politics will dom- inate much of the news during 2014 as the nation goes to the polls in a number of important elections. Loui- siana will be in the spotlight because one of the most important races will be for the U. S. Senate seat currently being held by Sen. Mary Landrieu. Landrieu is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats because of her support for Obamacare and a host of liberal causes and her close ties to President Obama. Landrieu is being challenged in Louisiana’s Nov. 4 open primary by Congressman Bill Cassidy (R) Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) Col. Rob Maness USAF (Ret.) Congressman Bill Cassidy of Baton Rouge and Col. Rob Maness, USAF Anedot. He is the grandson of the could have opposition. (ret.). Cassidy is a practicing physi- late Paul Dietzel, who coached LSU’s • District Judge Trudy White could Herman Cain Coming cian. Maness retired from the Air 1958 National Championship team. draw two opponents, Gideon Carter Force, where he was a B-1 Bomber pi- Claitor is an attorney and two-term and Alfred Williams. To Speak for Dietzel lot and commander of a B-1 Bomber state senator. Felder is a practicing • District Judge Kay Bates has two BATON ROUGE — Former presi- Squadron. During Desert Storm, he attorney. possible opponents. dential candidate Herman Cain flew bombing missions from Barks- Also on the ballot this fall will be • 1st Circuit Court of Appeal Judge will headline the 2014 Campaign dale AFB to the Mideast, Both Cas- all of the district, family, and juvenile Duke Welch is up for reelection, and Kickoff for Congressional Candi- siday and Maness are Republicans. A court judges from the 19th Judicial he reportedly has a possible oppo- date Paul Dietzel at 6:30 p.m. on runoff if necessary, will be Dec. 6. District. Rumors are floating around nent. Friday, Jan. 17. Dietzel is running Here in the 6th Congressional Dis- about which incumbent judges will Area school boards will be up for have opponents, including these: for the open 6th congressional dis- trict, Cassidy’s seat is up for grabs. reelection this fall. These include trict seat currently held by U.S. The candidates include Paul Diet- • Metro Councilman Trae Welch is members of the East Baton Rouge zel II, Sen. Dan Claitor, and Cassie expected to run against District Judge and Central school boards Representative Bill Cassidy. The Felder, all Republicans. Dietzel is the Mike Erwin. Qualifying for the fall elections is event is free at The Renaissance, founder of an internet company called • District Judge Mike Caldwell Aug. 20-22, 2014. 7000 Bluebonnet Boulevard. 4 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 Community Leaders Are Optimistic

Norman Browning Congressman Bill Cassidy Cecil Cavanaugh Paul Dietzel II Brennan Easley An Historic Year for need to finish strong. I think 2014 “As bad as Obamacare is, I am Both of these attributes will continue New City of St. George will be a historical year for East Ba- optimistic. Americans have an oppor- to attract people and businesses to Norman Browning, organizer ton Rouge Parish and the new City of tunity to say enough is enough, and our parish. of the movement to incorporate the St. George!” demand that Washington repeal this “Our biggest concern is how the City of St. George and local busi- law and replace it with market-based National Affordable Health Care ness owner, said, “First, I would like Voters Can Change Things solutions that give the power to the Act will affect small business. Its in- Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D., patient, not the DC bureaucrat.” consistencies and uncertainties will to personally thank the many people a physician and member of Congress who work tirelessly toward the City impede small business growth and from Baton Rouge, said, “As we enter Energy Will Fuel Growth expansion. We believe EBR has the of St. George incorporation effort. 2014, I’m concerned that Americans Cecil Cavanaugh, CPA, chairman This would not be remotely possible basics requirements for growth and will continue to feel the heavy bur- of the Chamber of Commerce of East that our taxes provide enough reve- if it were not for your hard work. It’s den of Obamacare. The flawed roll Baton Rouge, said, “The EBR Cham- been an honor to work with you all, nue, but the parish must better priori- out of healthcare.gov was only the ber primarily represents small busi- tize spending. The time for looking to and I look forward to working togeth- beginning. Starting right now, Louisi- ness. Having just completed our first er in the future. I would also like to the state or Washington for financial ana families will see their paychecks year and being recognized by the U.S. help is over. We must stand on our thank all of those citizens who took squeezed as Obamacare taxes and Chamber of Commerce, we look for- the time to sign the petition. Remem- own two feet. We expect a great year fees go into effect. Employers have ward to 2014 as being a growth year ahead. May God continue to guide ber, every signature counts. So tell already begun cutting jobs to avoid for our members and for the people of your friends, family, and neighbors and bless us. Have a happy, healthy, Obamacare whenever possible, hurt- East Baton Rouge Parish. and prosperous New Year!” that ‘I’m in!’ and ask them to please, ing our economy and families. When “The Chamber EBR sees 2014 as ‘Take the time to sign!’” the health insurance tax starts this a pivotal year, both economically and 2014: A Year of Decision “The effort to incorporate the City year, families will see their monthly politically. We believe that EBR will Paul Dietzel II, founder of An- of St. George is entering the second health care costs go up as much as continue to grow economically, due edot and Republican candidate for half of collecting signatures. We are $360. Seniors will begin to see higher to our smaller, independent school Congress from the 6th District, said, coming into the New Year with mo- premiums as the heavy cuts to Medi- districts in Zachary and Central and “In 2014, Louisianans will have a mentum and a positive outlook. We care Advantage are implemented.” more abundant energy resources. choice. Will we continue to grow CityCity ofof CentralCentral Final Deadline 2014 YellowYellow PagesPages SaveSave101010 % % % onon YourYour YellowYellow PagesPages AdAd Prepay Ad by January 10, 2014 Save 10% Pay after January 10, 2014 No Discount Copy Deadline Monday, Jan. 13, 2014 Publication Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014

Column Width: 1 column = 2.25”; 2 columns = 4.6186”; 3 col- umns = 7.0” Size of Ads: Full page = 3 columns x 9”; 2/3 page = 2 columns x 9”; 1/2 page = 3 columns x 4.42”; 1/3 page = 1 column x 9” or 2 columns x 4.42”; 1/4 page = 3 columns x 2.13” 2 columns x 3.195”; 1/6 page = 1 column x 4.42” or 2 columns x 2.13”; 1/12 page = 1 column x 2.13”

Color Color B&W B&W Contact Jolice The Central Community at 405-8894 Size Pre-paid Monthly Pre-paid Monthly or Candi Directory & Yellow at 261-5955 Covers 4,000 n/a n/a n/a Pages is Central’s “go Full Page 3,000 300 2,500 250 to” source for informa- tion — next to every- Jolice Provost 2/3 Page 2,000 200 1,675 170 one’s phone at home 1/2 Page 1,500 150 1,250 125 or office. Be included 2014 Central Community 1/3 Page 1,000 100 835 85 in the 2014 edition. It Directory & Yellow Pages 1/4 Page 800 80 650 65 could be Your 2014 “Salesman of the Year”! published by central city news 1/6 Page 600 60 500 50 910 N. Foster Drive • Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 261-5055 • [email protected] 1/12 Page 400 40 325 35 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 5 About Baton Rouge Economy in 2014

Hank Henagan Michael S. Hudson Gil Matherne Amy Plaisance Sen. Dan Richey jobs and small businesses, or will we es. Everyone has been hearing all the Rouge and the surrounding areas. excited about our new Bethany Liv- let Washington, D.C. hold us back?” announcements of all the upcoming My Grandfather always said, ‘As ingston Campus opening up in Walk- “Louisiana businesses are ex- projects. We’ve had jobs from Hous- long as there is water in the Missis- er on February 9. The clarion call to ponentially expanding, but we are ton to Baton Rouge and in the North- sippi River, Baton Rouge South will young people 150 years ago was, ‘Go reaching a tipping point. This year, east US and expect to do much more always have a good economy,’ and he West, Young Man, Go West!’ But the new tax increases, mandates, and reg- in the years ahead.” was right! The exciting news of plant call today is, “Go East, Young Man, ulations created by Obamacare and “Health care is our biggest concern. expansions and major corporations Go East!’” the EPA threaten to stifle Louisiana’s Obamacare has a lot of unknowns. building new buildings and relocat- “Let’s remember for 2014 what economic progress. In this Novem- However, the things happening in the ing here is something to be excited Winston Churchill said many years ber’s election, we can send a message energy field are so strong that I expect about.” ago, ‘We make a living by what we to the Washington liberals by elect- the economy to grow despite Obam- “We at Bethany Church and our get, but we make a life by what we ing fresh faces to Congress. I’m run- acare. There will be more jobs and pastor, Jonathan Stockstill, are also See HOPES on Page 6 ning for Louisiana’s 6th Congressio- more people building homes. Here nal District because we need to send in Central, the election this spring is more foward-looking entrepreneurs very critical. We are on our way to a Chamber of Commerce to Congress who have actually bal- lot of positive things with the opening anced budgets, made tough financial of the Central Thruway and the new of East Baton Rouge decisions, and created jobs.” Magnolia Bridge. We are looking Meets on 4th Tuesday of “Louisiana’s voters want fresh forward to the widening of Sullivan Each Month at Cafe Americain perspectives that empower our state’s Road and the widening of Hooper 7521 Jefferson Highway families and businesses, and in 2014, Road and its extension across the Next Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28 we must elect new leaders to fight for Amite River. Our schools are out- Reception 11:30 Lunch 12n our state’s future.” standing and one of our best assets. Affiliated with U.S. Chamber But good leadership is so important, www.ChamberEBR.com Central Election Is Key and that’s why the election for Cen- Brennan Easley, president/CEO tral’s Mayor and City Council will be of Trade Construction, which is an critical April 4.” industrial contractor and pipe fabri- cation company for the oil and gas Go East, Young Man! and petrochemical industries said, Hank Henagan, retired business “2013 was a good year for our busi- owner and Marketplace Minister of ness but we expect 2014 to be even Bethany Church, said, “I am excited better because of the growth in our about 2014 and the Economic Devel- industries due to low natural gas pric- opment taking place in East Baton

BREC STRATEGIC PLAN CALENDAR

Thurs., Jan. 16–Kick-Off Meeting Independence Park Theater, 6–8:30 p.m. Second Parish-Wide Meeting–Details TBA

All meetings below are area meetings, to be held from 6–7:00 p.m. January Tues., Jan. 21–Flannery Recreation Center Tues., Jan. 28–Highland Road Community Park, Church Street Park, and Hamilton Park Thurs., Jan. 30–T.D. Bickham Jr. Park, Perkins Road Community Park, and Sharp Road Park February Tues., Feb. 4– Independence Road Park, Antioch Boulevard Park, and Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library Thurs., Feb. 6– Anna T. Jordan Community Park, Plank Road Park, and Gus Young Park Tues., Feb. 11– City Park, Ben Burge Park Thurs., Feb. 13– Jackson Park, Baker Recreation Center, and McKinley Middle School Tues., Feb. 18– Forest Community Park, Cadillac Street Park, Barringer Road Park Thurs., Feb. 20– North Sherwood Forest Community Park, Louisiana School for the Deaf and the Visually Impaired, and Flanacher Road Park Tues., Feb. 25– River Center Branch Library (Downtown), Greenwood Community Park March Tues., Mar. 11–Howell Community Park, Santa Maria Golf Course, and Jefferson Methodist Church Thurs., Mar. 13–Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library, Cedar Ridge Avenue Park Tues., Mar. 18–Monte Sano Park, Lovett Road Park

www.brec.org/ImagineYourParks2 6 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 Hopes for 2014 Hinge on Natural Gas Consensus: Energy Boom Will Offset Negative Effects of Obamacare Fiasco Continued from Page 5 give.’ So to all of family and friends in East Baton Rouge and the metro- politan area, ‘Let’s Continue to Give in 2014 and Be Blessed for it!’ Love Y’all!” Double Digit Growth Michael S. Hudson, market man- ager for Clear Channel Media & En- tertainment, said “I expect 2014 to be strong in all sectors of our market- place because of the unprecedented economic development occurring in Baton Rouge and surrounding par- Port Allen Councilman Hugh Riviere Central Mayor candidate Jr. Shelton U. S. Sen. David Vitter ishes. The very affordable natural gas prices we’re enjoying now and fore- casted for the future are the catalyst to significant industrial expansion and construction. I expect our local un- Sen. Vitter: Roll Back Obamacare employment rate to shrink further and Roll Back Obamacare “I’ll be deeply involved in conser- “I’ll also be very involved dur- our population to expand with skilled Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) vative efforts to delay Obamacare and ing 2014 in important issues that af- labor and professional newcomers said, “Wendy and I are carefully then roll it back, including ending the fect Louisiana. We must reform the embracing our amazing community.” considering whether I should run for Washington exemption from Obam- National Flood Insurance Program “The money multiplier impact Governor in 2015. Whatever our acare. We must also present our own to avoid unaffordable rate increases from these new payrolls and citizens decision, though, I look forward to targeted health care reform ideas – a and pass fiscally responsible Water will benefit all business sectors from tackling big, important issues in the clear set of workable alternatives. Resources and Highway bills that automobiles to medicine. Clear Chan- U.S. Senate during the year ahead. “This issue will have a lot to do build essential Louisiana infrastruc- nel Media and Entertainment Baton “Our biggest challenge is to slow with how voters respond in the No- ture and help grow good jobs. Per- Rouge will continue to improve its and reverse our country’s march to vember 2014 elections. We have an haps most importantly longer term, media and digital assets to meet the socialism under Barack Obama. excellent opportunity to end Demo- we need to stabilize and improve needs of our growing community. We Most people now understand that cratic/Harry Reid control of the U.S K-12 and higher education. 2014 had incredible double digit growth in Obamacare’s problems aren’t just Senate, including through Bill Cas- will be an important year, and I look 2013. Our Baton Rouge team believes about its website or rollout; rather, sidy’s challenge to Mary Landrieu forward to representing you in the we can continue the momentum from Obamacare is fatally flawed. here in Louisiana. United States Senate.” 2013 throughout 2014.” copper but you can do so much more ton Rouge Parents Magazine, said, to the value that is placed on the word Demand for Bandwidth with fiber. Not only indoors but out- “We’re looking forward to what’s on ‘family’ in our culture. Gil Matherne, president/CEO of side too. One of the biggest growth the horizon and meeting the resolu- “As one of the oldest, continuous- GM Cable, one of state’s largest con- areas is the plants. Whereas a man tions we set for 2014. This year prom- ly published monthly magazines in tractors building fiber optic and cable used to turn a value on or off, today ises to be a great year for print media. Baton Rouge offering a distinctively systems, said, “We are based in Cen- it is done by computer. We build the “The mission of the magazine has local perspective on issues affecting tral but our work comes from across system that makes it possible. Big not changed. Twenty-four years ago, families, our free monthly also pub- the state and nation. We saw a 20 companies have to make investments Baton Rouge Parents Magazine was lishes resource information about lo- percent increase in 2013 and expect to be more competitive. This year we created, predicated on the belief that cal events intended to assist parents in stronger growth this year. There’s a are becoming much more selective in our community was the best city in raising happy, healthy children. growing need for bandwidth, and we who we work with. We have to front the state to raise a family. Parents “This year marks the homestretch are supplying it. Anywhere you find the cost of our work, and that takes a know they can rely on a wide selec- of the integration of our print, web- large concentrations of people, great- lot of money. So we are not doing busi- tion of safe neighborhoods, an award- site, social and digital media, our er capacity is needed. We’re building ness with slow paying companies.” winning parks system, superb health ‘Parent Universe,’ to connect parents more networks, putting more fiber in care, and numerous youth sports pro- with up-to-date information, ideas, the ground. So much today is elec- A Great Year for Print grams. The wealth of high quality opinions, expert advice, local calen- tronically driven. You can still use Amy Plaisance, publisher of Ba- education and childcare also speaks dars of events, media reviews and in- formation about the myriad of issues confronted by and discussed among today’s Baton Rouge families. “Baton Rouge Parents Magazine is one the most decorated parenting publications in the country, having won numerous Parenting Media As- sociation, Medill School of Journal- ism, University of Missouri School of Journalism awards for editorial, photographic, and production excel- lence. Best of all, you can pick up a copy just about everywhere that par- ents go — daycare centers, private schools, doctor’s offices, hospitals, bookstores, museums, theaters and all area McDonald’s. “We have many more big initia- tives on our plate. These are exciting times for our company, our readers, our customers, and our employees. But above all, our perennial New Year’s resolution is providing the best information that Baton Rouge Fami- lies Live By.” A Banner Year for EBR Sen. Dan Richey, political consul- tant and former state senator, “Think- ing optimistically, 2014 should be a banner year for East Baton Rouge See SPOTLIGHT on Page 7 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 7

Spotlight Will Be on Elections In Cities of Central, Port Allen Continued from Page 6 of our award-winning school system. Parish! The City of St. George should The automotive industry is strong in be incorporated; several new schools Central too with more than $60 mil- should be on the drawing board for lion a year in new car purchases by the new city; Mary Landrieu should our citizens. All three of these posi- have more time to spend with her tive factors position Central for 2014 family; the petro-chemical industry to be a banner year economically.” should be booming; the suit against “Perhaps the biggest new factor CATS should lower our property in the Central economy is the Cen- taxes; Common Core should be de- tral Thruway. With this infrastruc- bunked at the Capitol; there should ture, along with Joor Road running be several conservatives looking at from LA 64 to Florida Boulevard and the Governor’s race for 2015; Kip Hooper Road going from Greenwell Holden should be officially tagged as Springs Road to the airport, Central a ‘lame duck’ Mayor; Bobby Jindal has become arguably the most ac- should be spending more time in cessible city in the parish. Our city Louisiana; LSU Sports should climb is now open to the buying public to a Top Tier Program in the country; throughout the region. The potential Louisiana should continue to be the for investment along the thruway by top ‘Pro-Life’ state in America; and businesses will add to our property the Chamber of Commerce of East taxes in record amounts. Couple these Baton Rouge should continue to pro- economic pieces with the Municipal vide a voice for small business.” elections in April, and Central should have a historic and hopefully robust Port Allen Is Looking Up! economy for 2014.” Hugh Riviere, Port Allen City Councilman, said, “Things are on the upswing in Port Allen. After our tumultuous 2013, we are mov- ing forward in 2014 with a balanced budget. A highlight in our budget is a $375,000 capital outlay dedicated to the upgrade and maintenance of our city’s infrastructure. Other high- lights of our recently adopted bud- get include the first of three annual $180,000 expenditures to replace an aging Police Department fleet, and a 2.35 percent pay increase for city em- ployees. I see better days ahead for us in Port Allen!” “We in Port Allen are fortunate to be a part of the solid tax base of West Baton Rouge Parish. Sales tax revenues are outpacing those of the previous year, and we look for that to continue. The economy in WBR is strong. I believe our nation’s econo- my is a powerful machine. Certainly, there need to be regulations and safe- guards, but not to the point of hinder- ing economic growth and the entrepre- We are now offering iMedicare services neurial spirit that makes America and for people on Medicare Part D Ask About Our New its hardworking people who we are.” Prescription Drug Plan. Medication A Great Year for Central Jr. Shelton, local realtor and candi- Synchronization date for Mayor of the City of Central, We can compare 2014 Medicare plans Program. said, “The City of Central is poised that are customized to your for historic times. As a young munici- current prescription medications! pality, we have been faced with many Start refilling all of your challenges in structuring a city and a business environment that will bring Open enrollment ends December 7, prescriptions at one time about economic prosperity. 2013 had so call us today to get started! instead of making serveral trips! many ups and downs throughout the United States, but Central has main- tained tax revenues and grown in property values. The three economic indicators nationally are the banking industry, the housing market, and the automobile industry.” “When you look at Central in terms of these three indicators, we are doing very well. The large number of finan- cial institutions located in Central and how well they are doing show we possess significant resources that the banking industry is vying to get into You can now refill your prescriptions online by going to our website and clicking the their coffers. The housing market con- ‘Refill Your Prescription Online’ link. We offer text and email alerts when your prescription tinues to be strong in Central, because is ready to pick up. Call or email us for more information! of the advantages families see in lo- cating in Central, in large part because Fast Convenient Service • 13565 Hooper Road www.centraldrugbr.com • [email protected] Find Us On-Line centralcitynews.us capitalcitynews.us Archives for both at 262-6200 centralcitynews.net Where you’re not a number, you’re a friend! 8 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 Middle Schools’ Attendance Zones Are Not Contiguous Crosstown Busing Still in Full Swing Also, Students from Failing Schools Get to Attend Any School in the System NBR Includes Attendance Zones Broadmoor Middle School’s For Four SBR Middle Schools Zone Extends to Prescott Rd.

WOODLAWN ATTENDANCE ZONE

WESTDALE

GLASGOW SOUTHEAST Broadmoor Middle

Instead of Being Neighborhood Schools, Westdale and Glasgow Extend from the River to the SE Suburbs and Include North BR

Westdale Middle School

Glasgow Middle School

EBR Attendance Zones Break Up Neighborhoods CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 9 Kids Get Up at 5 a.m. to Be Bused 17 Miles From Hollywood St. to Woodlawn Middle NBR Has Been Carved Up and Distributed to Schools in SBR Neighborhood Schools vs. Busing WOODLAWN ATTENDANCE ZONE Southeast Middle School The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has contin- ued cross-town busing. Here are the two non-contiguous areas that make up the Southeast Middle School atten- WESTDALE SOUTHEAST dance zone. The first area of the Southeast attendance zone is in North Baton Rouge (light green area). The second area is in the southeast part of the parish near the school (also light green). In addition, under No Child Left Behind, students who formerly attended a failing school GLASGOW anywhere in the EBR district can attend Southeast Mid- dle School. These students are bused to Southeast Middle School. It is not a neighborhood school. This system requires students to get up at 5 a.m. and leave their home and their neighborhood. They return in the late afternoon. It is very difficult for parents to attend school events.

Southeast Middle Is Not a Neighborhood School Baton Rouge’s Secret: Busing Never Ended BATON ROUGE — Some people in Baton Rouge think that when the U.S. Department of Justice ended its consent order over public schools in East Baton Rouge Par- ish that busing in the parish also ended. But busing has not ended. Case in point: Woodlawn Mid- Southeast Middle School dle School. The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board — not the federal courts — has continued cross-town busing. Here are the two non-contiguous areas that make up the Woodlawn Middle School attendance zone. The first area (purple) is in North Baton Rouge. It is bounded on the More than 300 Students from Outside Woodlawn south by Hollywood Street and on the north by Airline Highway. The second area is in the south- Are Bused to Woodlawn Middle School Every Day east part of the parish near the school. In addition, under No Child Left Behind, students who formerly attended a failing school anywhere in the EBR district can attend Woodlawn Middle School. Woodlawn Middle School These students are bused to Woodlawn Middle School. It is not a neighborhood school. This sys- tem requires students to get up at 5 a.m. and leave their home and their neighborhood. They return in the late afternoon. It is very difficult for parents to attend school events. Because students are coming from various parts of the parish, they have often developed rivalries based on the areas they come from.

For more on St. George, Go to St. George Leader on Facebook 10 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 What Happens to the $80 Million in Local Taxes Currently Collected in St. George? Local Taxes Collected in Unincorporated Areas Are Where Local Tax Revenues Transferred to City of BR Collected in St. George Now Go ST. GEORGE — In the current fiscal the parish (those agencies established year, more than $80 million will be by the Louisiana Constitution), such collected in local taxes from the area as the 19th Judicial District, Family within the boundaries of the proposed Court, Juvenile Court, District Attor- $52 Million City of St. George. ney, Registrar of Voters, and Coroner. Transferred to What happens to those dollars after • $10.4 million from the fund is they are received by the City-Parish used to pay the expenses of parish- City of Baton Rouge Treasurer’s office has been the sub- wide agencies, such as the Parish ject of a growing controversy. Prison, Juvenile Services, Animal St. George organizer Norman Control, Parish Health Unit, Council Browning said his volunteers began on Aging, Crime Stoppers, and oth- combing the budget of the East Baton ers. Rouge Parish School Board in an ef- • The remaining $52 million dollars fort to prepare a budget for the pro- is transferred directly to the City of posed Southeast Baton Rouge Com- Baton Rouge. munity School System. The Unincorporated Fund doesn’t After they decided to launch the pe- pay a “share” of the expenses of the tition drive to incorporate St. George constitutional and parish offices. $17.7 Million as a municipality, they began study- Rather, it pays 100 percent of those Constitutional Offices ing the City-Parish budget. expenses! What they found in the City-Parish The taxpayers of the City of Baton - District Court, Family budget left them in wide-eyed disbe- Rouge make no contribution at all — Court, Juvenile Court, lief. zero — to the operating expenses of It seems the unincorporated areas the 19th Judicial District, the D.A., District Attorney, Regis- of East Baton Rouge Parish, chiefly the coronor, the Parish Prison, or any trar of Voters, Coroner. St. George, have been financially car- of the others. Neither do the taxpay- rying the entire parish in one of the ers of Baker, Central, or Zachary! most one-sided relationships since The remaining $52 million in the colonial days. Unincorporated Fund is transferred According to budget documents in its in entirety to the City of Baton produced by the City-Parish, the $80 Rouge. It is not transferred to the million collected in St. George is parish or shared with Baker, Central, placed in a separate fund called the or Zachary. All of it goes to Baton Unincorporated Fund. Rouge. The $80 million in that fund is spent The taxpayers of St. George are al- in three ways: ready paying for a city — but not their • $17.7 million is used to pay the ex- city. They pay $52 million a year to penses of the constitutional offices in support the City of Baton Rouge. Local Revenues Collected in Delgado Going Full Speed Proposed City of St. George To Stop City of St. George $80 Million Continued from Page 1 Delgado’s efforts Wednesday night state law permits the residents of any to pack the St. George Fire District unincorporated place with more than with supporters of Mayor Kip Holden 200 residents to incorporate and form left some of his fellow Republicans their own city, Delgado’s plan is to angry and upset. One said Council deprive the new City of St. George members work together to name the of sales tax revenues for the next 10 members of the boards of political years. Sales taxes collected in the subdivisions in their districts. The City of St. George would continue to only way the public has to affect what be paid directly to the City of Baton these boards do is through the Council. Rouge, even after St. George incorpo- The Council is made up of 12 rated. elected members. These include five How this would be possible under Democrats and seven Republicans. state law appears problematic but Delgado is a Republican but he some- Mayor-President Kip Holden and times sides with the Democrats and Councilman Delgado are still pursu- Holden. ing the plan. When the Baton Rouge Business St. George Fire District Could Be Taken Over in Jan. 22 Council Vote However, Lea Anne Batson of Report announced its annual ‘40 un- Continued from Page 1 peared on the printed ballot. Howev- the Parish Attorney’s office said it der 40’ last year, Delgado was one of politics into this vital public safety er, Delgado had planned to nominate doesn’t mean the new City of St. the winners. Each of the honorees agency. It is unprecedented.” three insurgent candidates to replace George would have to get Metro was asked who he or she considers If St. George wins its incorporation them by majority vote of the Metro Council approval to change it. She his “mentor.” Delgado said his was fight, fire protection services would Council. said she is “not aware of any scenario Kip Holden. continue to be provided by the St. The three insurgent nominees for under which another municipality, if Delgado was elected to the Metro George Fire District. the St. George Fire District Board created, would be required to seek to Council last year in the most hotly Mayor Pro-Tem Chandler Loupe were nominated by Council members modify that agreement.” contested Council race in the parish. and Council Joel Boé, who represent Delgado, C. Denise Marcelle, and Delgado’s preoccupation with the He took on incumbent Republican the St. George area, were outraged Donna Collins-Lewis. St. George issue is getting under the Councilman Smokey Bourgeois, a by Delgado’s actions. Normally, However, when the matter came to skin of some of his colleagues on the moderately conservative, indepen- appointments on fire district boards a vote, no candidate received the re- Council. One said that it’s fine to ex- dent-minded member of the Council. are the prerogative of Metro Coun- quired seven-vote majority. press your support or opposition to The Republican Party of East Baton cil members representing the district. As a result, the election of St. the incorporation of the City of St. Rouge Parish endorsed Bourgeois in During the Council meeting, May- George board members will come George, but ultimately you have to the race. In the end, Delgado pulled or Pro-Tem Chandler Loupe said the before the Council again at the next realize that state law permits people out a narrow victory. substitute appointments were part of meeting on Jan. 22. The incumbent in unincorporated areas to form their In November 2013, Delgado told an orchestrated attempt by the Baton members of the Board will serve until own city, if they desire. You have to the Baton Rouge Business Report, Rouge Fire Department union to take new members are approved. have some respect for state law and “I used to be the guy at home yelling over the St. George Fire District. During the voting on the St. George the democratic process. Delgado is at the TV. Now I’m the guy on TV Only the names of the three incum- board, Metro Councilman Trae Welch way over the top at this point, he said. people are yelling at!” bent St. George board members ap- abstained from voting. CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 11 What Happens to the $80 Million in Local Taxes Currently Collected in St. George? Where Local Tax Revenues Collected in St. George Now Go $10.4 Million Parishwide Offices - Parish Prison, Juveniles Services, Animal Control, Parish Health Unit, Council on Ag- ing, Crime Stoppers, etc.

Contribution to Parishwide Expenses Parishwide Constitutional Offices Offices Baker $0 $0 Baton Rouge $0 $0 Central $0 $0 St. George $10.4m $17.7 m Zachary $0 $0 Note: 100% of expenses for parishwide and constitutional offices are paid by taxes collected in unincorporated areas.

Local Revenues Collected in Proposed City of St. George $80 Million

St. George Fire District Could Be Taken Over in Jan. 22 Council Vote George firemen have been support- District Board of Directors passed a ing the incorporation of the proposed resolution expressing neutrality on This is a political attempt to take over the Board of City of St. George. the incorporation vote. the St. George Fire District, The fire district is run on a Amoroso said the St. George Fire “non-political basis. It is vital to the safety of our citizens. Our lives and property are at stake, and our fire rating has a big impact on homeowner insurance costs. It is Fundraiser Set Jan. 26 for St. George a terrible thing to bring politics into this important public ST. GEORGE - The movement to Norman Browning said funds will safety organization. This is totally unprecedented. incorporate the proposed City of St. be needed to launch an educational George and start a new independent campaign in the media, in order to — Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso school district will hold a fundraising educate residents about the opportu- event Sunday, Jan. 26 at Louisiana nity they have to create a new city and ” Lagniappe, 9990 Perkins Road. a new school system. In an interview after the meeting, citizens. Our lives and property are at The event will be from 6-9 p.m. To purchase tickets on-line, go to Councilman Buddy Amoroso con- stake, and our fire rating has a big im- Tickets are $125 each. Sponsors www.eventbrite.com and search for demned the Mayor-President’s ac- pact on homeowner insurance costs. will donate $500, which includes two St. George or go to www.facebook. tions. “This is a political attempt to It is a terrible thing to bring politics seats at the Sponsor Table. com/SEBRSchools. take over the Board of the St. George into this important public safety orga- The price of the donation includes a In order to purchase tickets in per- Fire District,” Amoroso said. “The nization. This is totally unprecedent- meal and drinks. son, email volunteer@stgeorgelouisi- fire district is run on a non-political ed.” Dress will be casual. basis. It is vital to the safety of our Delgado said he is upset because St. ana.com. 12 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 Central Turned Out for Christmas Parade

Congressional candidate Paul Dietzel II

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For a limited time. Bring your coupon to the office to redeem. (225) 928-3384 Must be prepaid on LUMIDay. Cannot be combined with another coupon. Expires 05/30/13 www.drweilbacher.com CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 13 Newspaper Wins Top National Honors design. Central City News Jenkins won 3rd Place in the country for Best Feature Writing. Named in Top 4 He has won 1st, 2nd or 3rd Place in feature writing for three of the last Community Papers four years. Terrie Palmer of the Central City In United States News and Capital City News was honored with two 2nd Place awards PHOENIX — Louis (Woody) Jen- for advertising design. kins, editor and publisher of the Earlier last year, the Central City Central City News and Capital City News won first place as the best News was on hand in Phoenix, AZ, community newspaper in Louisiana at the National Newspaper Associa- in its category at the Louisiana Press tion’s 127th Annual Convention to Association Annual Convention. It accept one of the organization’s top also won 1st Place for Best News awards for 2013 Coverage. Its sister publication, the The Central City News received Capital City News won 2nd Place the General Excellence Award as in Louisiana for General Excellence one of the Top 4 community news- at the state convention. The Capital papers in the United States. The Na- City News won 1st Place in Louisi- tional Newspaper Association is the ana for Best Investigative Reporting oldest and largest organization of and 1st Place for Best Front Page. newspapers in the country with more Jenkins said, “It is an honor for than 3,000 newspaper members. our newspaper to once again be cho- The Central City News also re- sen as one of the Top 4 community ceived a number of other awards for newspapers in the country. It is a its news coverage and advertising GENERAL EXCELLENCE — Louis (Woody) Jenkins, editor and publisher of the real tribute to the great communi- Central City News and Capital City News, was honored at the 127th Annual National ties we serve. We thank our readers Newspaper Association Convention. The Central City News was named one of the four and our advertisers for all they do to Incorporating Is best community newspapers in the United States. The paper received eight other awards. make us successful!” Not So Complex Or Duplicatory COMING JANUARY 2014... Continued from Page 2 assigned to the City of Central. Hammond was developed on a 19th Century Model, while Central was the “new restaurant coupon book” and developed on a 21st Century Model Central: A Conservative, Cost- fundraiser for local area schools Conscious City Government. City Employees. The City of Cen- and organizations tral has only three city employes. So you can see that there is no bureau- cracy, and the public is not accruing vast unfunded liabilities for hundreds of city employes who may want to $ retire in the future. This obligation Baton Rouge 20 simply doesn’t exist in Central. 100 Law Enforcement. The people of ~ A unique coupon book 2014 Buy 1, Get 1 FREE Central pay a law enforcement tax featuring only restaurants offers inside! to fund the Sheriff’s Office. Before Central was incorporated in 2005, the & food from fine dining to CITY BUCK East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office was the primary law enforce- fast food. ment agency. Eight years after incor- $ poration, the Sheriff is still the prima- ry law enforcement agency in the new City of Central. There was no reason for Central to create its own full-time police department. That would have ~ 100 “Buy one, get one been duplicatory. But Central does have an all-volunteer Central Police free” offers in every Force which assists the Sheriff’s Of- fice. It is similar to Reserve Deputies. annual issue. Every volunteer in the Central Police Department is fully certified. Fire Protection. Before incorpo- ration, the people of Central funded the Central Fire Protection District through property taxes. The district ~ 50% of all sales goes was providing excellent service. So Hungry? there was no reason to create a new to schools! duplicatory fire department in the City of Central. Sewer Services. Central was part of the parish sewer system before in- ~ For more info call corporation, and it still is. The people Support Your Local Schools! pay the same sewer user fees as resi- dents of Baton Rouge. Claire Gowdy, Garbage Collection. Garbage col- 100 Favorite Restaurants! lection is parishwide. So the people Fundraising Director Fundraising for local schools & organizations of Central receive the same garbage www.CityBucksFundraising.com service that they did before incorpora- (225) 954-7250 tion, and they pay for it with the same monthly user fee as in Baton Rouge. Parks and Recreation. Parks and recreation in Central are provided by BREC which levies the same proper- ty tax in Central that it does in Baton Our mission is to give financial support to schools, sports teams, civic groups, and organizations Rouge. So the incorporation of Cen- tral made no change in parks. who have fundraising needs. Not Complex, Not Duplicatory. Not expensive. As a result, you can see that the creation of City of Central www.citybucksfundraising.com has really been quite simple — not See REBUTTAL on Page 18 14 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 Serenade of the Seas Now Sailing from

SERENADE OF THE SEAS on its maiden voyage out of New Orleans. At right, the port of Key West, Florida, as seen from the 10th floor of the Serenade of the Seas.

SERENADE OF THE SEAS docked in Nassau, The Bahamas at left. At right, a closer look at the dock at Key West, as seen from the Serenade of the Seas.

COCO CAY, BAHAMAS, is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean and used exclusively by guests of the cruise line. On this day, guests enjoyed the beach and a cookout. Serenade of the Seas • Royal Caribbean Line • began sailing from New Orleans over New Year’s 2,436 passengers • 7-day cruise to Key West, Nassau, and Coco Cay, The Bahamas • Prices range from about $700 to $2,000 a person, all-inclusive, depending on type of cabin and time of the year. For more information, go to www.royalcaribbean.com. Photos by Woody Jenkins of Capital City News CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 15 New Orleans to Key West and Bahamas

A QUICK RAIN AND A RAINBOW appeared at Coco Cay, The Bahamas, after a day at the beach. At right, two Carnival ships docked at Nassau.

KEY WEST, FLORIDA, has had a make over and is an idyllic stop for Serenade of the Seas. Guests wanted to stay over a few days but it’s not possible on a seven-day cruise.

NASSAU on New Year’s Eve, 2013. At right, a view of the Centrum, a performing arts stage and dance floor in the center of the ship, as seen from a sixth floor balcony.

Inaugural Voyage of the Serenade of the Seas from New Orleans • Dec. 28, 2013 • Photos by Woody Jenkins 16 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 ‘The Incredible Power of a Teacher’

LARRY BELL said, “My babies were the tough guys. They came from black gangs or they wore Confederate T-shirts. Some were spoiled. Some were special ed. It didn’t matter!” Woody Jenkins are or what school you went to. Be Editor a connoisseur of minutia. Do the It’s not about race! It’s not about how little things right everyday, and the PINEVILLE — “The Incredible much money they have or don’t have! All big things will take care of them- Power of a Teacher” is enough to selves,” he said. “that matters is if you can show that child “There’s a child thinking I sure change lives and change the world, according to former high school how much you care. When he knows how hope I get my dream teacher some- teacher and motivational speaker day. Yes, these kids have it bad, Larry Bell. much you care, it’s on! And it’s on now! but they have YOU for a teacher! Teachers can do that through — Larry Bell at A+PEL conference The difference is YOU!” creating high expectations. “It Bell said, “It is an egregious doesn’t matter what race you are or ” mistake to think you can teach what status you have. All of God’s them anything. You have to be children can teach all of God’s chil- their heaven. Amanda will misbe- dren!” he said. Bell focuses on de- The Incredible Power of a Teacher have in one classroom. She’ll be veloping teachers who can inspire Larry Bell • Sponsored by A+PEL a terror over there. But in another 100 percent of their students to pass she will be perfect. She knows their course and 100 percent of their Photos by Woody Jenkins there’s a different set of expecta- students to pass state standardized tions in there. This teacher cares exams. students in 67 schools in the dis- asked, and everybody said, “Rich- about her. It’s the little things that Bell told some 350 teachers transcend race, income, special from across Louisiana assembled at trict. ard!” Bell started the seminar by When he got to Carla, he said, conditions, or the class favorite. It Louisiana College in Pineville that takes audacity, audacity, audacity.” they will have to be audacious and meeting some of the teachers in at- “That’s MY Carla! Carla, did you tendance. “What’s your name?” he know you’re my favorite?” “No I Bell said, “Too many teachers inspire their students to be suc- are swimming in blessings and cessful. Bell showed plenty of au- asked. If the teacher said, “Mary,” didn’t,” she said. “Well you are! Bell would say, “That’s MY Mary! Who’s my favorite?” And every- drowning in complaints.” He said, dacity in his day-long presentation “Some teachers say, ‘I never do sponsored by A+PEL. Bell ran the Mary, you are wonderful!” Then one said, “Carla!” That’s right! he’d turn to the other teachers and One by one, Bell took owner- motivation!’ Oh well, then you’re seminar much like he did when not a teacher! It’s about you and he was in the classroom. He had ask, “Who’s wonderful?” They ship of the teachers. He made dutifully answered, ‘Mary!’” Bell each one feel special, said some- your future! No! It has to be about the teachers laughing, crying, and the student, not the teacher! And learning lots of new techniques. said, “That’s right, MY Mary!” thing uplifting about each one, Then he went to Richard, asked and made them his. “How do they it’s not about the grade.” Bell gained national recognition Bell said the 100 per centers — when he took tough kids who were his name, and called him “MY know they’re special? Because I Richard.” He said Richard was told them, that’s why! How does the teachers all of whose students failing and soon had them outper- pass the course and pass the stan- forming the gifted and talented “brilliant.” “Who’s brilliant?” he Richard know he’s ‘MY Richard’! Because I told him!” dardized tests — all use motivation “It’s not about race!” he said. and inspiration. He said there are “It’s not about how much money more 100 per centers right here in they have or don’t have!” “All Louisiana than anywhere else! that matters is if we can show that Bell said, “Do the best with child how much we care. When he whatever you have right where you knows how much you care, it’s on!” are! Provide inspiration with the “And it’s on now!” he said. information. Get them to like you. “My babies were the tough guys. If they don’t like you, they’re not They came from black gangs or they going to work for you. We need wore Confederate flags on their every child to be successful.” shirts. Some were rich and spoiled. “We don’t want feel-good dum- And some of them were special mies. We want people of real ed students. It didn’t matter.” achievement. Ask yourself, why “You’ve got to push somebody! shouldn’t my classroom be a 100 It’s the little things that make the per cent classroom?” difference. It’s not how tall you Bell said teachers have to give their students power at the expense of their own power. “At risk kids have a lot of promise,” he said. “Inspire yourself, so that you can inspire somebody else. Be the rea- son that some child gets up in the morning. You have to be the mod- el for the enthusiasm of others.” “Don’t sit down. You have to move around the room and involve people. I don’t want them just lis- tening to my words. I want them observing my actions. Get people to repeat what you say back to you.” “Emerson said, ‘A man becomes what he thinks!’ What did Emer- son say?” And the audience said, “A man becomes what he thinks!” Bell said he has developed a series of short, simple, systematic strategies to help turn kids around. CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 17 Can Change Lives, Change the World “They are developed with kids like Always put the words where me in mind. My dad couldn’t read kids can see them, he said. or write. You do not get fewer “People judge you by how you brain cells because you are poor. speak. Today I’m able to travel IQ is not based on your Zip Code.” across the country speaking and When a child does poorly, Bell enjoying a wonderful life. Do says, “Richard, this is not one of you know why? Because a great your papers. You’re better than principal put 10 new words on this.” Or he might say, “Carla, I the blackboard everyday for us to expect more from you because learn!” you’re wonderful!” Twelve Words. Bell said there Bell displayed a series of post- are 12 words that every student ers that had information he said must learn. These 12 words are will revolutionize students’ per- used over and over again on stan- formance in any course. Some dardized tests, and they tend to of them explained point by point trip up at-risk students, who often how to read, analyze, and answer a don’t understand them. complex problem or question. The twelve words are: He said, “A lot of kids don’t pass • Trace because of long passages. They • Analyze have trouble unraveling them. • Interpret These posters help them do that.” • Evaluate Bell raised the issue of how • Formulate to help students who are behind. • Describe “How do you help kids like I was • Support catch up without slowing down ev- • Explain erybody else? Take six minutes ev- Larry Bell had teachers involved, as though they were in his classroom. • Summarize eryday to review what they should • Compare already know. If you’re teaching • Contrast algebra and they don’t know how Some teachers say, ‘I never do motiva- • Predict to add, get them to spend six min- tion!’ Oh, well, then you’re not a teacher! Bell said teachers should help utes a day working on addition.” “It’s about you and your future! No! It has to students convert these words to “Somebody needs you! You words that are friendly to at-risk have an extraordinary, unprece- be about the student, not the teacher! 100 students. He said teachers should dented opportunity. If somebody per centers all use motivation! make these words part of every needs you, what are you willing child’s vocabulary. to do? Tim Gardner of Southav- — Larry Bell at A+PEL conference Bell said never accept students’ en High School said, ‘If they are ” excuses. “When someone doesn’t still human, I can work with them! • Praise them. “This is why I standing, hard worker, star, super- live up to my high expectations, I He never sits down in class. He teach!” “Lord, thank you for giv- star. We speak it into existence! say, ‘I understand. It’s just that I ex- doesn’t even have a chair. And ing me students like this!” He Say, ‘Come here, cutie!’ in front pect better out of you.’ or ‘I expect he’s a 100 per center!” said,“You’ve got to know how to of everyone. Call them what you better out of you! How could you Bell told of Jennifer Collins breath in order to praise properly!” want them to be like. Then three do this to me. I talk about you so Ragland, a first-year teacher who • Change your voice and enter- times during the hour, we brag on much, my wife wants to meet you.” took the ones who weren’t per- tain them them. ‘You mean you did all 44 Bell said teachers should give forming well and got 100 percent • Take ownership of your kids homework questions? Outstand- kids the vocabulary they need. to pass the course and pass the Bell said, “I didn’t get kids to ing!’ Lincoln said, ‘Everyone likes “The gaps in America have little to standardized exams. The adminis- like me by letting them out of do- a compliment!’” do with racism and sexism. They trators were so impressed they told ing what they’re supposed to. No, Fabulous Five Rules. Bell have everything to do with what her she was taking over the gifted I did it by showing I cared.” said it is so important to help built kids are exposed to. Expose them and talented program. She told “It’s about the relationship. If students’ vocabulary. Teachers to the right nomenclature, and you them, “No, you give me my babies he disappoints me, I say, ‘Rick, should systematically improve the will see them excel.” or put me in another school!” how could you do this to me?’ or students’ vocabulary, using the “It’s not where they come from. “‘Come to the edge,’ he said, but ‘Rick, of all my students, you hurt Fab Five, five things to help learn a It’s where you going to lead them!” the people said, ‘We are afraid!’ me today!’ or ‘Rick, I can’t be- word: Larry Bell will speak in New ‘Come!’ he said. So they came. lieve someone as wonderful as you • Say it Orleans Feb. 24-25. For more on They didn’t know they could fly would do something like this.’” • Spell it Larry Bell, including that event, until they were pushed. Get to visit his website at http://www.lar- Bell explained his rules for • Define it ry-bell.com. flapping, child!” power names and praise. “Seven • Create a sentence using the “If it was easy, everybody could For information on A+PEL, As- times an hour, we call the kids word, and sociated Professional Educators of teach, but it’s not easy. Do you power names — wonderful, out- • Make a question using the word. have the passion and the courage?” Louisiana, go to apeleducators.org. Bell cited a school in St. Charles Parish that uses his methods. Ev- ery year for the past eight years, every 4th grader and 8th grader has scored proficient or higher on the LEAP test. “If you will take a team down there to observe, I will give you $250 worth of posters free,” he said. Bell said students should mem- orize each of the words or rules on his posters. “If they can memo- rize 99 rap songs, I know they can memorize these rules,” he said. Bell said the problems of edu- cation are so massive, what differ- ence could it make to save a few students here and there? “It mat- ters to them, and it matters to me!” he said. Bell gave several rules of great teachers: • Celebrate the small successes • Smile • Voice up • Partner with the tough kid. “It’s strategic ingratiation!” he laughed. • Display their work. Hang it on the walls and in the halls, in the li- brary, and anywhere else. 18 CITY NEWS Thursday, January 9, 2014 Rebuttal to Mayor-President on St. George Continued from Page 3 out a vote of the people. However, es, they will be headed to Livingston atmosphere.” “It makes us feel at complex and not duplicatory — with since the city is run so efficiently and and Ascension! But St. George will home!” respect to police protection, fire pro- is compiling large surpluses, there is provide people with a great place to But the most interesting part of our tection, sewer, garbage collection, no thought of a tax increase by the live right next door in the southern survey was yet to come. We decided and parks. All those services are the City of Central. Instead, the city fa- part of THIS parish — a city with to poll the white people coming out of same now as they were before incor- thers have been considering where to good schools and safe neighborhoods. Wal-Mart and ask them the same ques- poration. The only difference is that use some of its accumulated surplus The real racism in this debate has tion: “Why do you live in Central?” Central has added an all-volunteer for capital improvements without the been the knee-jerk reaction against St. Amazingly, the whites answered Central Police Force to supplement necessity of acquiring debt. George. Somehow if an area is major- the question the same — good the Sheriff’s Office. Experts in privatization estimated ity white, conservative, and Republi- schools, low crime, and country at- What Did Change in Central? that the City of St. George could run can, it shouldn’t be allowed to incor- mosphere. And in exactly that order! There are three major areas — 1) the entire city with fewer than 10 porate and have a city. That is a racist The black people and the white public works, 2) planning and zoning, employees, while utilizing a private position to take. people wanted the same things! and 3) plan review, permits, inspec- contractor such as IBTS to provide It is also racist to assume that blacks The opponents of St. George who tions, and Code enforcement. These city services. They estimate the con- and whites are looking for something holler “Racism!” are doing such a are very important areas of local gov- tractor would need to utilize roughly totally different in a city. Will blacks, grave injustice to this community and ernment, and all require considerable 50 staff members and certainly no Latins, and Asians want to live in St. to our people. St. George isn’t about expertise. However, these services more than 70 to provide the services George? Of course they will! race. It’s about creating a city where can readily be contracted out to pri- that citizens will expect. A few years ago, a black political people of ALL races can go to public vate providers. Funding of Constitutional Of- leader made a statement on WAFB- school and get a good education and The City of Central contracts with fices and Parishwide Offices. The TV about what a racist community where people of ALL races can live in IBTS, a non-profit organization es- leaders of the St. George movement Central is. At the Central City News, their home or shop at the store with- tablished by the National Governor’s have pledged to continue to fund the we believed that was false but we out fear of being robbed or murdered. Association, to provide these city ser- parish constitutional offices, such as wanted to find out what the black peo- It’s about creating a city where the vices, plus a variety of other things, the 19th Judicial District and the Dis- ple living in Central thought about the people control their own destiny, and such as personnel to answer citizens trict Attorney, as well as parishwide Central community. Do they see it as decisions are not made from afar. complaints and problems. offices, such as the Parish Prison, with racist place to live? I have a challenge to the people IBTS provides the Public Works funds that flow into the St. George Members of our staff went to the who are opposing St. George based Director for the City of Central, en- Fund. So the Mayor’s claim that these Central Wal-Mart to survey black cus- on accusations of racism. The chal- gineering services, personnel to staff offices will be defunded is bogus. tomers as they came out of the store. lenge is this: Go out to Central and the planning and zoning commission, Charges That St. George Is The first question we asked was, “Do ask black people how they enjoy liv- clerical staff, and building officials to Breaking Away, That It Is Divi- you live in Central?” If they said no, we ing in Central and having their chil- do inspections. sive, or That It Is Racist. These al- thanked them and ended the interview. dren attend the Central School Sys- Unlike inefficient local govern- legations are intended to inflame the If they saw yes, we proceeded with the tem. Then maybe you will be able to ments, which may send out four or Mayor-President’s political base and next question, which was, “Since you speak with some authority about what five inspectors to one job site, IBTS have nothing to do with reality. have lived in Central, have you ex- having its own city and school system sends a Certified Building Inspector, Obviously, the City of St. George perienced any acts of racism or been will mean to St. George. one person who performs all inspec- is not breaking away from Baton made to feel uncomfortable out here?” St. George Is Already Paying tions, including building, plumbing, Rouge. It’s not part of Baton Rouge. We got looks of puzzlement, laugh- for a City — Just Not Their City. mechanical, and electrical. We’re talking about the unincorpo- ter, and a lot of “Are you kidding? Today, $80 million in local taxes are In addition to the 26 employees rated areas that Baton Rouge never We love it out here! People treat us collected each year from the proposed that IBTS provides to staff the Cen- wanted to annex. Suddenly, the fact great!” Out of 100 interviews, not a City of St. George. Of that $80 mil- tral Municipal Services Center, IBTS that the people there would want to single black resident of Central said lion, $28 million is used to pay for the contracts with general contractors have their own city is “dividing us.” they had been discriminated against constitutional offices and parishwide to repair potholes and provide street How ridiculous! St. George is going or felt uncomfortable in Central be- offices in the parish. But the remain- overlay. It uses sub-contractors who to be right next door to Baton Rouge. cause of race. ing $52 million is transferred directly work at pre-negotiated prices. Some It will still be in East Baton Rouge We then proceeded to the next ques- into the coffers of the City of Baton services such as lot cutting are done Parish! Everyone will flow from one tion, which was “Why do you live in Rouge! That is wrong! at a fixed rate per linear foot, rather city to the other freely and seamless- Central?” The people of St. George are al- than by the hour. ly. There won’t a 10-foot-high wall Here were the top three answers: ready paying for a city — the City of Taxes. Municipal taxes in Central or checkpoints. 1) Great schools: “We want a good Baton Rouge — but it’s not their city. have NOT gone up with incorpora- Truly, having a great new city right education for our children, and we The community where taxes are col- tion. In fact, they are LESS than mu- next to Baton Rouge can only make couldn’t get it in Baton Rouge!” 2) lected should get some of those taxes nicipal taxes in Baton Rouge. For one Baton Rouge better. Yes, IBM may put Low crime: “Out here we can let our to pay for the needs of that commu- thing, the Central City Council has an office in Baton Rouge, but where children play in the yard without fear nity. No one anywhere can honestly staunchly refused to levy a municipal are the employees going to live? You of anything happening to them!” 3) argue against that! property tax, which it could do with- can bet that, unless something chang- Rural setting: “We love the country

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ST. ALPHONSUS FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS— Students in Mrs. Fugarino’s and Mrs. Glissman’s fifth grade classes at St. Alphonsus Catholic School collected items for care packages to be sent to soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan for Christmas. The Blue Star Mothers of Central came to speak to the students and pick up and ship the many bags of items that were collected. Students would like to thank Mrs Linda Furr of the Blue Star Mothers for her help. Michael Berry Coming For Col. Rob Maness BATON ROUGE — Radio talk show host Michael Berry will ap- Specialty Publications pear at a fundraising event for U.S. Senate candidate Col. Rob Maness from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. The event will be held at The Station Sports Bar & Grill, 4606 Bennington Ave., Baton Rouge. The cost is $100 a person. RSVP to 225-247-9974 or [email protected]

LUCAS LECOQ harvested this 145 lb. 7 pt. on October 26, 2013 while hunting with his dad in West Felici- ana Parish. Lucas is the son of Gary and Pam LeCoq and Eileen Lem- oine. Lucas is an honor student at Central High School and a member of the Rifle Team.

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BATON ROUGE PRESS CLUB — Gov. Bobby Jindal announced a seven-day industry-seeking mission to the Far East Wednesday. At right, with Beth Courtney of LPB.

LOTS OF QUESTIONS — The governor answered questions from the media, including his harshest critics, for more than an hour. At right, with Mark Ballard of The Advocate. Continued from Page 1 best. So I tend to defer to the will of the people to make their decisions themselves,” he said. “When Sen. Bodi White was push- Most Issues in Any Legal Challenge ing legislation to give people the right to decide if they wanted their own schools, I had the same philosophy. I signed the bill that he did pass into To St. George Have Been Resolved law that people could decide if they Plan of Government prohibiting the was a deficiency in the certification wanted to run their own schools.” Woody Jenkins incorporation of any additional city of the registrar of voters. Instead, Under state law, if 25 percent of Editor the voters in a proposed city sign a or town in the Parish of East Baton Mr. Starns offered evidence show- Rouge was superseded by the gen- ing that the preliminary require- petition, the governor calls a special —The decision election on the matter. However, the BATON ROUGE eral law enacted by the legislature in ments for incorporation were in fact governor does have some discretion, by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal, Title 33 authorizing the incorpora- met. Additionally, Mr. Starns of- and Gov. Kathleen Blanco refused to written by Judge Robert Downing, tion of an area in excess of two hun- fered evidence demonstrating that call the election for the City of Cen- in the challenge to the incorporation dred inhabitants. Moreover, Section public services are being provided tral, because of alleged defects in the of the City of Central, addressed 1.05 violated the constitutional ban to the citizens of Central, and noth- wording of the petition. She later ap- most of the issues likely to be raised on any provision of a parish plan of ing in the evidence indicated that proved the election. in any challenge to the incorporation government prohibiting the incor- such services would not be provided If the citizens of the proposed city of the proposed City of St. George. poration of a city or town as pro- in the future. Moreover, there was vote to incorporate, Jindal would also The case, Devall v. Starns, was vided by the general law. Thus, as of no evidence suggesting that the in- have the responsibility of appointing decided Dec. 11, 2006, by the 1st 1984, Section 1.05 was no longer a corporation wouldSee have FRIDAY any adverse on Page 13 an interim Mayor, Police Chief, and Circuit. The ruling was upheld by viable and enforceable provision.” effects on other municipalities in the members of the City Council. Who he the state Supreme Court. • Louisiana Law on Incorpora- vicinity, nor was there any evidence appoints could be of considerable im- In that case, attorney Yigal Band- tion Is Not Unconstitutional on Its demonstrating that the incorpora- portance, because the person appoint- er made some of the same racial Face or as Applied. “We find that tion of Central was unreasonable.” ed interim Mayor has a good chance claims against the City of Central plaintiffs failed to prove that any • A Plaintiff Who Loses Will of being elected when special election that he is making now against the of the provisions of La. R.S. 33:1- Have to Pay Attorney Fees and is called within the next six months. proposed City of St. George. 7, which provide a procedure for Court Costs. “For these reasons, Under state law, incorporation of Some of the key language from new cities is a matter almost entirely incorporating areas with two hun- we find that plaintiffs failed to sus- that decision is as follows: dred or more residents to petition tain their burden of proving any of in the hands of the voters of the pro- Residents Outside the Mu- posed city. The issue of incorporation • the governor to hold an election on the grounds upon which the validity of St. George will not be voted on by nicipality Have No Right to Vote the incorporation issue, are facially of the incorporation of the City of the Metro Council or the Louisiana on Incorporation. “We hold... that unconstitutional. Nor have plain- Central was challenged. In accor- Legislature. plaintiffs failed to sustain their bur- tiffs demonstrated how those provi- dance with La. R.S. 33:4(E)(1), we However, the Metro Council could den of proving that the incorpora- sions are unconstitutional as applied. enter judgment declaring the City of conceivably put up legal roadblocks, tion procedural statutes were uncon- Plaintiffs failed to offer competent Central to be incorporated as of July such as filing suit or passing an ordi- stitutional or that the persons living evidence in support of their claim 11, 2005, and having those boundar- nance to attempt to deprive the new outside of the area of incorporation that the boundaries of Central were ies as set forth in the legal descrip- city of its normal funding sources. were deprived of their right to equal purposefully drawn in a racially tion of the area to be incorporated Whether such efforts would be suc- protection or their right to vote, discriminatory fashion or were in the petition for incorporation. In cessful or even delay the creation of and uphold the validity of the in- chosen to deprive black citizens light of this ruling, all requests for the City of St. George is question- corporation of the City of Central.” in the area of their right to vote.” relief raised in plaintiffs’ answer to able, because Louisiana courts have • City-Parish Plan of Govern- • No Evidence That Services this appeal are denied as moot. Trial already decided many of the issues ment, Which Attempts to Prohibit Could Not Be Provided or That court costs and costs of this appeal that could be raised. Additional Cities from Incorpo- Other Municipalities Would Be are assessed to plaintiffs/appellees.” Regardless of what happens, Gov. rating, Is Contrary to Louisiana Jindal made it clear Wednesday that Adversely Affected. “Plaintiffs As a result of this decision, any Constitution of 1974. “It is evident failed to establish that the petition challenge to the incorporation of St. he will respect the decision of the vot- that after 1984, Section 1.05 of the ers of St. George, if they should de- was fatally defective, or that there George could have a difficult road. cide to incorporate.