Key Judgeships on Dec. 8 Ballot
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Serving Baton Rouge CAPITALCAPITAL CITYCITY and City of Central Central City News Christmas Gift ComingGuide Tuesday, Nov. 20 NEWSNEWS® Thursday, November 15, 2012 • Vol. 21, No. 7 • 16 Pages • www.capitalcitynews.us • Phone 225-261-5055 Early Voting Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 Key Judgeships GOPOn Could Dec. Get 8— BallotSupreme Court — 4-3 Majority on State Rep. Clif Richardson (left) with Congressman Bill Cassidy in 2011 Supreme Court BATON ROUGE — With the results of the Nov. 6 election still settling into people’s minds, candidates Candidates Lining Up to Seek who face runoff elections on Dec. 8 are realizing that the Decem- ber election, held in the middle of Richardson Seat in La. House Christmas holidays, will be a very John M. Guidry (D) Jeff Hughes (R) low turnout election where every — Court of Appeal — Several Well-Known vote will count. Clif Richardson to If the Nov. 6 election was pri- Officials Eye Race marily about the election for Presi- Step Down Jan. 3 CENTRAL — The expected res- dent and Mayor-President of East CENTRAL — State Rep. Clif ignation of State Rep. Clif Rich- Baton Rouge Parish, the Dec. 8 Richardson, a Republican who ardson has some elected officials runoff will be about judgeships. represents most of the City of considering whether to throw their Voters will choose between Central and part of Baton Rouge, hats into the ring. Democrats and Republicans in will resign from the Louisiana Metro Councilman Scott Wil- three critical races — Louisiana House of Representatives Jan. son, who was just reelected to a Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, 3, according to sources close to four-year term on the Council, said and Baton Rouge City Court. the legislator. Wednesday, “I haven’t spoken to See EARLY on Page 16 Richardson is reportedly at Clif in the past few days and am Gideon Carter (D) Mike McDonald (R) M.D. Anderson Cancer Center unaware of his plans. Our main in Houston, Texas, where he is concern is for his health right now. Early Voting — Baton Rouge City Court — undergoing treatment. Friends But if he did decide to resign, I of Richardson report that the would strongly consider the race.” Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 See REPORT on Page 2 See SEVERAL on Page 2 Marching into Tiger Stadium T. Foxworth (D) Suzan Ponder (R) The Best Way to Make an Entrance To Tiger Stadium BATON ROUGE — While waiting along the guard rails to take pho- tos of the LSU Band marching into Tiger Stadium, a security official who happened to be an old friend grabbed me and said, “Hey, you’re marching with the band! Stand here!” Made to stand in the circle in front of the J-School, I took photos fu- riously. The friend said, “Get in behind the band and watch out for the horses!” I must say marching with the band through a gauntlet of 10,000 cheering LSU fans is quite an experience. By far the best way to enter Ti- ger Stadium! Photo by Woody Jenkins Woody by Photo — Woody Jenkins, Editor Band Photos on Page 10 2 CAPITAL CITY NEWS Thursday, November 15, 2012 CAPITAL CITY NEWS® Incorporating the South Baton Rouge Journal Vol. 21 • No. 7 • Entire contents © 2012 910 North Foster Drive Post Office Box 1 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Greenwell Springs, LA 70739 Phone (225) 261-5055 • FAX 261-5022 Email stories and photos to [email protected] Published 1st and 3rd Thursdays by Community Press, LLC 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 Capital City News resumed publication of the Journal with Vol. 21, No. 1 on Aug. 16, 2012. Community Press, LLC, publishes the Central City News on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Editor & Publisher Woody Jenkins Business Manager Candi Lee Graphic Artist Terrie Palmer Business Specialists Shara Pollard, Jolice Provost Member, National Newspaper Association Deadline for news and advertising: 5 p.m. Mondays Jenkins Woody by Photo PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION — State Rep. Erich Ponti of Baton Rouge sur- prised many experts by receiving more than 43,000 votes for Public Service Commission 2012: A Year of Decision in last Tuesday’s election. The PSC district includes 1/5th of the entire state. Early Voting Is Key to Dec. 8 Elections ‘Who Votes’ Dec. 8 For all practical purposes, the Baton Rouge area and create a 4-3 working for the cause of justice. Dec. 8 runoff is a special election — Republican majority on the court. Likewise, Judge Mike McDon- with the expecta- But whether the ordinary, taxpay- ald has been a pillar of strength Will Decide Result tion of extremely ing citizens who should be fired up and integrity on the Court of Ap- low participation about this election will even show peal and should be returned to that Of Judicial Races by the voters.This up to vote is highly questionable. important post. could easily put We see a lot of moaning and Finally, City Judge Suzan Pon- Woody Jenkins Editor, Capital City News the election in the groaning about the results of the der has done a wonderful job and 15 to 20 percent Presidential election. But while is deserving of reelection. BATON ROUGE turnout range. we’re moaning, we need to realize Probably the most important — Voters in the Ba- Unfortunately, that something very important is thing we can do to elect these fine ton Rouge area face three crucial we will have on happening — we are electing judg- candidates — and also Smokie judicial races on Dec. 8, and there the ballot one of es to the highest courts in our state. Bourgeois, who has been an out- is plenty of reason for concern the most impor- Woody Jenkins In Judge Jeff Hughes, we have a standing voice on the Metro Coun- about the outcome of those three tant races in recent memory — the fine conservative Republican can- cil — is vote early! races. election of a new Justice of the didate who will stand for Constitu- Dec. 8 will be a busy day, filled The Nov. 6 election will prob- Louisiana Supreme Court. tional values in the state Supreme with Christmas shopping and so- ably be the highest turnout in a This is our opportunity to elect Court. In all likelihood, he will cial events. So vote early — be- four-year period. But the Dec. 8 the first-ever Republican member provide the deciding vote in many tween Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 — and election will probably be one of of the Supreme Court from the key cases. We need him there, get the job done! the lowest. Several Candidates Consider Possible Race for State House Continued from Page 1 teacher. He is an administrator with ministrator. Wilson, who is president of a Central City Councilman Wayne the East Baton Rouge Parish school Former Rep. John Labruzzo, trucking company, is the brother of Messina said, “Our No. 1 concern system who recently moved to Central, parish assessor Brian Wilson. is for Mr. Clif and his family. So Another possible candidate is is reportedly considering the race. Central Republican chairman Jr. it’s a little premature to speculate, Central school board member Dr. He formerly represented Jefferson Shelton, who said he will not be but it is something I will strongly David Walker. Dr. Walker, a life- Parish in the Louisiana House. a candidate, said, “This could be consider if this happens.” long Central resident, is particular- Businessman Barry Ivey is a a very important race for Central. Messina, a long-time Central ly well known in the Central school likely candidate. Ivey is president We would need someone to get resident, is former principal of system and at Zoar Baptist, where of Pinnacle Precision Services, involved and be very aggressive Baker High School, coach, and his father Graydon Walker is ad- LLC, which builds piping for the for our district.” Shelton serves as nuclear power industry. In March, chairman of the Central Republi- he was elected to represent House can Municipal Executive Commit- Community Press 2012 Publication Schedule District 65 as a member of the Re- tee, which is authorized to repre- Capital City News - 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month publican State Central Committee. sent the GOP in Central. Capital City News is distributed in South Baton Rouge & Central Central City News - 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month Central City News is distributed primarily in the City of Central Report: Richardson to Resign Jan. 3 NOTE: Both newspapers cover news in Central Continued from Page 1 May, citing health reasons. His Deadline: 5 p.m. Monday before publication cancer is life-threatening. possible resignation has been ru- Thursday, Nov. 15 Capital City News Thursday, Dec. 6 Capital City News Richardson began his second mored for months. Tuesday, Nov. 20 Christmas Gift Guide Thursday, Dec. 13 Central City News term in the Louisiana House after He represents House District 65, for both newspapers Thursday, Dec. 20 Christmas Edition serving as Justice of the Peace for which includes the southern two- Thursday, Nov. 29 Central City News for both newspapers more than a decade. thirds of the City of Central and a Central Christmas Parade No publications Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 2013 Richardson resigned from all few precincts of East Baton Rouge of his committees in the House in Parish south of Florida Boulevard. The Best Price In Roofing & Sheet Metal Services Blanco’s Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC Serving Central and the Surrounding Area Since 1990 Our Top Priority Is Your Complete Satisfaction COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL 262-1980 Fax 262-1981 www.blancosroofing.com CAPITAL CITY NEWS November 15, 2012 3 Republicans Push Early Voting Nov.