Saturday is an important election in our City and our State. Central Speaks would fi rst remind you that many have given their lives and many more have served THIS COUNTRY to guarantee your right to vote. Let’s have a record voter turnout AND an LSU win on Saturday. Now, Central Speaks would like to tell you how to vote: VOTE SMART.  Yes, that is all. It is not a newspaper’s job to promote one candidate over another.  It is not the media’s job to give one candidate more coverage than another.  Responsible journalism does not include selectively enhancing the resume of one candidate while seeking to vilify another. VOTE SMART.  The candidates have worked hard for months or longer to get their message out. They have push cards, advertisements, web sites and signs.  They have spoken to large groups and walked neighborhoods to meet voters face to face. They have given interviews, many of which can be seen on line. The voters of Central are intelligent enough to VOTE SMART.  The complete sample ballot can be seen or printed at https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/

Congressman Bill Cassidy will hold a town hall meeting from 1:30 to 3:00 P.M. today, Wednesday, October 19.  It will be at the Oakwood Village Senior Living Community on 4400 McHugh Road in Zachary.  The meeting is set up to discuss issues that are important to Louisiana and the U.S.  Everyone is welcome.  (Although this meeting is being held in Zachary, Cassidy's Congressional District 6 also includes Central.)

From the City of Central

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) installed centerline rumble strips last week on Hwy 64 from Plank Rd to Liberty Rd as part of safety improvements along state highways.  New striping and reflectors will be installed soon as well.

Work on the $1.37 million project involves installing centerline rumble strips on over 186 miles of state highways in DOTD District 61, which includes Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. James, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.  In Central, the rumble strip installations are only being done on Hwy 64 at this time.  Just outside of Central, centerline rumble strips will be installed along Greenwell Springs Rd from Liberty Rd north approx. 7.5 miles.

The city of Central has a similar project scheduled for 2012 through the cooperation of DOTD and the Local Road Safety Program from a grant submitted by David Barrow, Chief Administrative Officer for the city.  This will involve the installation of centerline rumble strips along sections of curves on Lovett Rd, Devall Rd, Denham Rd, and Frenchtown Rd.

Centerline rumble strips are grooved patterns that are grinded into the center of a roadway. They work by producing a noise and vibration that alerts drivers that they are beginning to leave their travel lane. Installing centerline rumble strips is a way to prevent head-on collisions and opposite-direction sideswipe crashes on two-lane roadways. According to the 2010 Highway Safety Manual published by the American Association of State and Transportation Officials, installing centerline rumble strips can reduce these crashes by 15%.

"The safety of the traveling public is the number one priority at DOTD," said DOTD Secretary Sherri. H. LeBas. "Installing centerline rumble strips is yet another way that we can help to prevent crashes and increase safety on Louisiana’s roadways."

    Entergy has completed the first round of street light installations at the following locations/intersections:

1)  Sullivan at Wax

2)  Wax between Sullivan and Willowbrook

3)  Hooper at Devall

4)  Lovett at Magnolia Square

5)  Sullivan at Wisteria Lakes

6)  Greenwell Springs at Sullivan

    DEMCO is working on getting their permits from DOTD before starting work in their areas.

Submitted by Betsy Barnes

    Bill Cassidy wears many hats: Baton Rouge physician, teacher, LSU Associate Professor of Medicine, and U.S. Congressman, to name a few. He has also been called a hero on more than one occasion.

    Bill Cassidy will be the special guest speaker for the Republican Women of Central Membership Meeting and Luncheon on Wednesday, October 19, at Sammy’s Grill in Central. Doors open at 11:30a.m. Meeting starts at 12p.m.

    Cost is $20 for guests, and $15 for members which includes lunch, meeting and door prize drawing.

    Congressman Cassidy is a favorite speaker and visitor to the Central area. It’s been a busy week for Cassidy.

    On Tuesday Cassidy was interviewed by Fox Business news on the Solyndra bankruptcy scandal under investigation for alleged shady federal financing with losses of $500 million in tax dollars. This has resulted in the beginning of new investigations throughout federal regulatory agencies within the Obama administration. Solyndra will be the focus of a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the near future.  The complete interview can be seen http://cassidy.house.gov/press-release/bill-cassidy-discusses-solyndra-scandal.

    Last Thursday, October 6, Cassidy voted to create jobs and stop burdensome EPA regulation on the cement industry, helping to pass the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act. That could bring hope to local contractors in Louisiana.

    “Today, the House of Representatives passed the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act.  This bill will direct the EPA to create common-sense regulations to allow the cement industry the flexibility to expand while complying with the EPA’s rules,” said Cassidy in a press release.

    “Government, including the EPA, should work to create a stable marketplace and predictable regulatory environment. In Louisiana, these regulations have affected businesses that focus on manufacturing and energy development which have the potential to create jobs across our state.”

    On the very same day, Cassidy announced that Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kenney of Baton Rouge have been named Angels in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI).  Congressman Cassidy nominated them for this award.  They will be honored at the annual CCAI awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

    In addition to these accomplishments, Cassidy is considered a hero by the victims of the Stanford “Ponzi” scheme costing many local and state residences their entire life savings. He continues to work to help victims recover millions of dollars in stolen investments and convict those involved on a local, state and federal level.

    The RWC will also announce the 2012 Slate of Officers for the club presented by the Nominations Committee. Active members in good standing may volunteer or nominate other members to run as a candidate at this meeting only. Elections take place on November 16, 2011.

    Absentee ballot request forms will be available in Central at this meeting to make it easier for many who may not otherwise cast their vote in the upcoming October 22nd elections.

    Absentee ballot requests forms are also available at the office of attorney Walton J. “Ti” Barnes, II. today through October 18 at 12628 Hooper Road, Suite A, from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. week days. Absentee ballot requests can be faxed or mailed to the Registrar of Voters office.

    Once voters receive their ballots at their home address from the Registrar’s office, voters can completed ballots but must mail to the Registrar’s offices or fax no later than 4:30p.m. on October 21, 2011 to be counted.

    For information on RWC sponsorship, membership, reservations or information on future events, please email RepublicanWomenofCentral@yahoo.com or visit their website at www.lfrw.org/RepubublicanWomenofCentral, or Face Book page Republican Women of Central.

Central Community Alliance Press Release

    On Tuesday Oct. 18th, 7:00pm, the Central Community Alliance (CCA) will host a Candidate Forum. The Forum will be held in the newly renovated Central High School Theatre. Moderator for the Forum will be Mike Steele – WBRZ Capitol Correspondent.

    Candidates speaking will be for (State Senate): 6th and 13th Districts, (State House): 64th and 65th Districts, (Sheriff): EBR Parish, (Coroner): EBR Parish, and (B.E.S.E.): 6th District. A list of participating Candidates is available on CCA’s website at www.CentralCommunityAlliance.org . Each Candidate will be given equal time to introduce and make an opening statement and then given equal time to answer questions from moderator. Questions will be related to the issues that pertain to how the Candidate will represent the City of Central. You may submit suggested Candidate questions on the CCA website.

    The final numbers are in for the 2010 Census for the city of Central, Louisiana.  The U.S. Census Bureau has set the population of Central at 26,864 people.   The total number of housing units is 10,574 and the total number of households is 10,179.  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau at www.Census.Gov.

POPULATION

                         #             %

Total Pop.        26,864    100.0
Under 5 yrs     1600       6.0
5 to 9 yrs         1666       6.2
10 to 19 yrs     3646       13.6
20 to 29 yrs     3280       12.2
30 to 39 yrs     3034       11.3
40 to 49 yrs     3916       14.6
50 to 59 yrs     4177      15.6
60 to 69 yrs     3159       11.8
70 to 79 yrs     1612       6.0
80 & over yrs  774         2.8

AGE/SEX

                        #             %

Median Age     40.6    
18 yrs & over  20,674    77.0
21 yrs & over  19,641    73.1
65 yrs & over  3,728      13.9
Male Pop.        13,167    49.0
Female Pop.     13,697    51.0

RACE

                        #             %

One Race         26,606    99.0
White               23,993    89.3
Black               2,241      8.3
Native Amer.   105         0.4
Asian               152         0.6
Other Race       115         0.4
Two + Races    258         1.0

HOUSING OCCUPANCY

                        #             %

Total Houses    10,574    100.0
Occupied 10,179    96.3
Vacant             395         3.7
Owner Occ.     8,586      84.4
Renter Occ.      1,593      15.6

HOUSEHOLD TYPE

                        #             %

Total Houses    10,179    100.0
Family             7,913      77.7
Non-Family          2,266      22.3
Houses w/under 18     3,512      34.5
Houses w/over 65      2,622      25.8
Avg House size     2.63    
Avg Fam size  2.98    

    “Family Households” consists of a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption.  “Non-Family Households” consists of people living alone and households which do not have any members related to the householder.  “Average Household size” refers to the average number of persons of any age living in a household.

By Dave Freneaux

    The ordinance seeking to increase the size of Central’s City Council has failed.  Council Members Messina, Washington and LoBue attempted to override the Mayor’s veto of this ordinance, but failed to garner support from either Council Member DeJohn or Council Member Moak.  A super-majority of four votes is required to override a veto by the Mayor.  Mayor Watts had vetoed the ordinance, stating that he is not in favor of bigger government for Central.

    The City Council has been at odds over this decision for months, with Council Members Washington, Messina and LoBue standing by their decision to increase the size of the Council by dividing into five Districts and adding two At-Large seats.  Council Members Moak and DeJohn supported a move to five Districts, allowing each area of the city to elect one Council Member, but have been opposed to the increased cost of adding two Council Members.

    Council Members LoBue, Messina and Washington campaigned for a change to Districts, but at the last Council meeting voted down a compromise offered by DeJohn to establish five Districts, and another compromise to move to Divisions.  Council Member Moak finally proposed that this decision be put to a vote of the people, but Messina, Washington and LoBue also voted that down.

Submitted by Betsy Barnes

Bill Cassidy wears many hats: Baton Rouge physician, teacher, LSU Associate Professor of Medicine, and U.S. Congressman, to name a few. He has also been called a hero on more than one occasion.

Bill Cassidy will be the special guest speaker for the Republican Women of Central Membership Meeting and Luncheon on Wednesday, October 19, at Sammy’s Grill in Central. Doors open at 11:30a.m. Meeting starts at 12p.m.

Cost is $20 for guests, and $15 for members which includes lunch, meeting and door prize drawing.

Congressman Cassidy is a favorite speaker and visitor to the Central area. It’s been a busy week for Cassidy.

On Tuesday Cassidy was interviewed by Fox Business news on the Solyndra bankruptcy scandal under investigation for alleged shady federal financing with losses of $500 million in tax dollars. This has resulted in the beginning of new investigations throughout federal regulatory agencies within the Obama administration. Solyndra will be the focus of a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the near future.  The complete interview can be seen http://cassidy.house.gov/press-release/bill-cassidy-discusses-solyndra-scandal.

Last Thursday, October 6, Cassidy voted to create jobs and stop burdensome EPA regulation on the cement industry, helping to pass the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act. That could bring hope to local contractors in Louisiana.

“Today, the House of Representatives passed the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act.  This bill will direct the EPA to create common-sense regulations to allow the cement industry the flexibility to expand while complying with the EPA’s rules,” said Cassidy in a press release.

“Government, including the EPA, should work to create a stable marketplace and predictable regulatory environment. In Louisiana, these regulations have affected businesses that focus on manufacturing and energy development which have the potential to create jobs across our state.”

On the very same day, Cassidy announced that Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kenney of Baton Rouge have been named Angels in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI).  Congressman Cassidy nominated them for this award.  They will be honored at the annual CCAI awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

In addition to these accomplishments, Cassidy is considered a hero by the victims of the Stanford “Ponzi” scheme costing many local and state residences their entire life savings. He continues to work to help victims recover millions of dollars in stolen investments and convict those involved on a local, state and federal level.

The RWC will also announce the 2012 Slate of Officers for the club presented by the Nominations Committee. Active members in good standing may volunteer or nominate other members to run as a candidate at this meeting only. Elections take place on November 16, 2011.

Absentee ballot request forms will be available in Central at this meeting to make it easier for many who may not otherwise cast their vote in the upcoming October 22^nd elections.

Absentee ballot requests forms are also available at the office of attorney Walton J. “Ti” Barnes, II. today through October 18 at 12628 Hooper Road, Suite A, from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. week days. Absentee ballot requests can be faxed or mailed to the Registrar of Voters office.

Once voters receive their ballots at their home address from the Registrar’s office, voters can completed ballots but must mail to the Registrar’s offices or fax no later than 4:30p.m. on October 21, 2011 to be counted.

For information on RWC sponsorship, membership, reservations or information on future events, please email RepublicanWomenofCentral@yahoo.com or visit their website at www.lfrw.org/RepubublicanWomenofCentral, or Face Book page Republican Women of Central.

From the City of Central

The City of Central Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 6:00pm at Kristenwood Meeting Facility, 14025 Greenwell Springs Rd, Central, LA 70739 to consider the following items:

SPUD-1-09 Revision Central Square Phase 2 This property is located on the west end of Wax Road Extension near the Sullivan Road intersection in Sections 68, T6S, R2E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing a revision to a previously approved Small Planned Unit Development reducing the number of townhomes to 81 townhomes and 30,143 square footage of commercial/office/retail. (Applicant: Jeff Couvillion)

SS-11-11 Subdivision Tract 1-B-2 of the Raymond E. Coxe Estate This property is located on the north side of Greenwell Springs/ Port Hudson Road west of the Blackwater Road intersection in Sections 2, T5S, R1E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing to subdivide a tract for an existing single family residence and manufactured home and dedicate an existing drive as a private servitude of access. (Applicant: James D. Pickering)

SS-12-11 Subdivision of Lot B-5-A-2 of the Northeast Place Subdivision This property is located at the end of Northeast Street in the Northeast Place Subdivision in Section 30, T5S, R2E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing to subdivide a lot for a manufactured home.  (Applicant: Roy Covington)

EOP-7-11 Exchange of Property between Tract B-2-A and Tract B-2-B-1 of the Former Howard P. Bullock and Curtis M. Jones Property This property is located at the southeast corner of the Old Greenwell Springs Road and Greenwell Springs Road intersection across from Liberty Road in Section 41, T5S, R2E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing an exchange of property between two adjoining properties that are for single family residential use. (Applicant: Charles St. Romain)

EOP-8-11 Exchange of Property between Lot B-1-B-1-B-1 and Lot B-1-A-1 of the O.W. Watts and King G. Hostein Property. The property is located on the west side of Blackwater Road north of the Carey Road intersection in Section 23, T5S, R1E GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing an exchange of property between two adjoining properties that are for single family residential use. (Applicant: Charles St. Romain)