The Central City Council meetng this evening, 8/12, was highlighted by a visit from three of our state level elected officials.  State Senator Dale Erdy and State Representatives Cliff Richardson Bodi White were in attendance and spoke to the Council and visitors about their efforts to secure funding for road improvements in Central.  The widening of Sullivan and Hooper Roads should begin in the near future, alleviating one of Central’s biggest traffic problems.  Additionally, turning lanes off of Wax Road onto Old Wax and four-laning of Magnolia Bridge into Livingston Parish should also begin in the next 18 months.

Also on the City Council agenda for the evening was recognition of a first place award received by the City of Central at the recent Louisiana Municipal Association convention.  Central was awarded for outstanding community improvement in basic services for cities of 10 to 30 thousand population.  Other items coming before the Council included approval of a cable franchise agreement, positioning Central to request state funding to beautify city entrances, and further discussion of a request for de-annexation of some lands north of Hwy 64.  The meeting was well attended and was held at Kristenwood.

The American Cancer Society will hold its annual Relay for Life in Central at the Central High School track on October 3, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

The Relay for Life is the Society

The American Cancer Society will hold its annual Relay for Life in Central at the Central High School track on October 3, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

The Relay for Life is the Society

Wouldn’t it be nice to be greeted with a smile, a “good morning”, and be handed a basket when you visit a business? At Central City Produce and Market you get just that. Owned by the Langlois family, the Market opened on August 7, and is located at 9718 Shady Bluff Drive, which is at Hooper Road at the entrance to Winchetser Subdivision near Blackwater Road. Hours are 7:30 AM to 7 PM Mon – Sat and 9-5 Sundays. They offer fresh fruits and vegetables at good prices. Through an arrangement with Our Daily Bread Bakery on Florida Boulevard, they get fresh, hand made whole grain breads to sell right here in Central. The Market will soon be installing refrigerators and freezers to stock Kleinpeter Dairy and Smith Creamery products. They plan to be fully operational by Labor Day. Come out and support one of Central’s newest businesses – there can’t be a better way to celebrate Labor Day than with some Central City Produce watermelon and corn on the cob!

The Central Community Theater has begun a Chair Drive to help upgrade the theater at Central High School by replacing the seating. The current seats in the theater at the High School have served their purpose for many years but are very much need of replacement. The cost of each new seat is $215, including an engraved plaque recognizing the gift in honor or memory of someone, and the gift is tax deductible. Click SPONSOR A SEAT AT CHS. to support this effort.

CentralSpeaks.com commends Central Community Theater for taking the initiative in this effort. Let’s also support this local arts organization by visiting their web site at WWW.CENTRALCOMMUNITYTHEATRE.ORG and planning to see their next production, the Wizard of Oz, which opens Thursday, July 31, at 7pm. The Central Community Theater office is located at 6631 Sullivan Road and the mailing address is 7148 Frontier Drive, Central, LA 70739. You can also call (225)615-7615 or (225)938-7433 or e-mail centralcommunitytheatre@cox.net to purchase tickets or to support the Chair Drive.

Physicals will be offered to all CMS athletes at school on Wednesday, August 20 at 10:00 a.m. The cost of the physical will be $15. Forms can be picked up at school in the office. All athletes must have a physical done each school year or they cannot participate. Call 261-3056 for more information.

The Backers want to invite everyone to the annual workday at the stadium. Coach Sid has requested that work also be done at the practice field. They need everyone to come out on Saturday, August 16th at 8:00am. Please bring any tools and/or cleaning supplies you have. If you don’t have either, just bring yourself. There will be plenty of work to do!

Also, a great big invite goes out to anyone who is interested in being a Backer. Come and see what the Backers are all about at a social hosted on Monday, August 18th right after “Meet the Wildcats”. If you can bring an appetizer, such as a dessert or chips and dip, please do. Also needed is a two liter bottle of your choice of soda. The social will be held in the cafeteria. Hope to see everyone there.

The goal for Backer membership this year is 200. Remember that your $125 membership will get you and your spouse into all home games of any sport. This means you will more than get your monies worth! This price excludes any and all state play-off games. Below is the Backers application form.

The Central Community School System is not kidding around when it comes to drug use.  Every student who participates in ANY extra-curricular activity must first pass a drug screen.  While it is not unusual to hear of drug testing of athletes, this policy applies to ALL extra-curricular activities.  In addition, any student desiring to have a parking pass must also submit to drug screening.  Proactive steps such as these can only contribute to the Central Community School System continuing down the path of academic excellence as well as producing model citizens.

The Central Community School Board met this evening, 8/11/08, at Kristenwood. Aside from the usual procedural issues, Superintendent Faulk presented four major pieces of business for approval. The Superintendent recommended administrative, instructional and support staff for this school year was approved. Many new positions have been created due to increased enrollment. The board approved the 2008-2009 Pupil Progression Plan. Mr. Faulk then presented the completed work on updated job descriptions, which was approved with no objections. Finally, Sections C, D and E of the Policy and Procedures Manual were also approved. Superintendent Faulk also reported that enrollment currently stands at 3,610 students, with more being added each day. The meeting was adjourned and school board members headed out to the three open houses being held at the elementary and intermediate schools.