An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

     "Shop Central First" is more than a catchy marketing phrase.  To me, it means that I should support the businesses in the Central area, the businesses owned by the people of Central, and the businesses that serve Central.  The first and most obvious reason to Shop Central First is Sales Taxes.  Our City Government and our School System are both funded in large part by Sales Taxes.  Growth in Central is unavoidable, even if every effort is made to slow it down.  That growth in homes and schools will require more tax dollars to support our infrastructure and schools.  Central has what is called "Sales Tax Leakage", which is the measure of how much of the sales taxes paid by Central residents is spent outside of Central.  In our case, it is estimated at 49%, with almost half of our sales tax dollars being spent in neighboring towns.  That means if we could do 100% of our shopping in Central, we would increase our City's annual budget by over $4 million and send an additional $6 million into our School System, all at no additional cost to the taxpayers.

    In contrast, our neighboring Denham Springs has "Negative Sales Tax Leakage," meaning they collect two times as much in sales taxes as their taxpayers spend.  Where does the money come from?  From people coming in from outside of Denham and shopping at Bass Pro, the businesses at the interstate interchanges, and the antique mall area.  Central does not currently have many ways to attract sales tax dollars from those outside of Central.  That is one challenge faced by an Economic Development effort.  Another challenge is to bring businesses to Central which will allow our citizens to buy things in Central that they normally would have driven to Baton Rouge or Livingston to purchase.  I have heard suggestions on that issue ranging from clothing stores to a movie theater.  Many are hopeful that as Central grows, the first growth is to attract businesses we do not currently have.  That is a step in stopping sales tax leakage.

    So, why "Shop Central First"?  Sales tax revenues aside, the people of Central own many of these businesses and work in these businesses.  Shopping in these businesses benefits our friends, neighbors and relatives…which in turn benefits Central's economy as a whole.  We also have opportunities to spend our dollars with businesses located outside of Central which are owned by Central citizens.  These business owners pay property taxes in Central and many of them are among Central's most generous supporters of Schools and charitable efforts right here in Central.

    A few weeks ago Mia and I were headed down Wax Road to check out a new Mexican restaurant a friend told us about in Denham Springs, then, in a sudden fit of loyalty to Central, we turned in to the parking lot of Caliente and spent our tax dollars in Central.  It may have only amounted to a couple of dollars, but we are only two of Central's 27,000 residents, and that was only one shopping choice of the many to be made that week.  Dollars turn into thousands which can turn into millions for our City and Schools in the coming years.  This can only happen as reasonable Economic Development efforts bring us the businesses we truly need, and we in turn make the effort to Shop Central First.  That….can be Good News for a Great City.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    When my daughter was six years old I had every intention that she would eventually grow up to be a mature, well educated woman…but I did not give my six year old the car keys and tell her to go out and get a job.  My goal was to help guide her development, growth and education so that she was prepared at each age to handle the challenges she would face.  At times, I felt she was growing up too fast, and I could gently apply the brakes, but I could not stop her from growing up.  At other times, I felt she was not growing up fast enough, and I had to gently push her so that she was prepared for the next stage of her life, often against her will, but for her own good.  That, in a simple analogy, is Economic Development.

    It is simply not possible for Central to survive with zero Economic Development.  I see lines being drawn in Central, and on one side people are loudly proclaiming a desire to stay a quiet rural community with plenty of farm land and oak trees.  On the other side the call is to build a tax base that can support the school system and the resulting growth and infrastructure demands.  I have friends on both sides of the line and I hear both arguments, and they are both right.

    The question, as I see it, is not WHETHER to encourage Economic Development, it is HOW QUICKLY and IN WHAT WAYS.  Regardless of WHAT will be done, the process of intentionally planning Central’s Economic Development needs to move forward.  If those who are willing to pitch in and assist with the process will come to the table with an open mind, hear differing viewpoints, and seek consensus, Central has a good chance at making sound decisions.  As those decisions are made, we have the opportunity to look beyond our own desires and build a community that meets the needs of our children and grandchildren.

    Part of me wanted my six year old to stay Daddy’s little girl forever, but now she is grown and I am glad I did not interfere with that unstoppable progression.  Central’s first schoolhouse was a slice of 1900’s Americana, but could never have prepared our children for the technological and educational demands of 2011.  Central’s eight roads and 100 family farms of 1920 are the roots of a great city, but could not support the conveniences and leisure activities we enjoy today. 

    The Central community made a decision to create an independent school system and city.  That decision set economic wheels in motion that cannot be stopped, but the course and speed of those wheels can be influenced.  Central’s schools will grow.  People will build more houses.  New businesses will open.  Our ordinances will provide guidance and government agencies may facilitate discussion, but the direction of this community will ultimately be determined by our citizens. The cost of education, lifestyle and convenience will ultimately be paid through Economic Development or through taxes.  The challenge is to come to the table with our preferences pencilled in, and a willingness to hear other ideas and find the Economic Development solutions that are right for the community as a whole.  Like my daughter years ago, our Central is only a six year old, and we CAN have an influence on her as she grows, but we can’t stop her from growing up.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    Looking back over the months and years since Central became a city, I see either complete agreement or distinct division.  On most of the really important issues the people of Central seem united.  We want the best education for our children.  We want good jobs for all of our citizens.  We want to feel safe on our streets and in our homes.  We are not real excited about taxes, but then again who is?

    On other issues that impact our community, but are less global in nature, there seems to be a recurring practice of “taking sides”.  While that practice likely starts from the grass roots and works its way up, it certainly manifests itself most obviously in our most visible public forums of City Council and School Board meetings.  Let me stipulate that most issues that come before these groups seem to be passed by unanimous vote.  But, in many cases over the past few years it seemed you almost knew before discussion of the item began that the vote would be 3-2 or 5-2, one way or another.  I’m not saying that is wrong, only that it has become predictable.

    Public comment during these meetings seems divided along similar lines.  After attending a few meetings it is again fairly predictable that certain individuals and groups will take one side or another of the issue, usually supporting the stance of the same Council or Board Members.  I refer to them as groups, because those likely to side together on an issue also seem to sit together at these meetings.  Again, I’m not saying that this is wrong, only predictable.

    So my question is this:  Whatever happened to consensus?  I know that consensus is not always possible, or even desirable, but recently it seems like consensus is often not even a consideration.  It is likely in a 3-2 vote that 40% of the people will be 100% dissatisfied.  In compromising to find consensus it is entirely possible that 100% of the people will be 80% satisfied.  I will choose 100 somewhat satisfied people over 40 completely irate people every time.  I do not advocate compromise to find consensus in every situation, but I do encourage both citizens and elected officials to at least be mindful of the possibility of finding consensus.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    As I watch the many articles, announcements and schedules get placed in Central Speaks for publication each day on the internet and each week in the printed newspaper, I realize how much activity there is in our small town.  Yes, Central is the 12th largest City in Louisiana, but Central is still a small town by any national standard.  In spite of that there is almost always something going on.  In fact, if you are not careful, it is easy to get committed to too many things.

    So, here are the best ways I know of to find out what is happening and get plugged in.  I will go ahead and admit my bias and start with the information readily available from Central Speaks.  Read Central Speaks each Thursday.  It is mailed to 8,000 homes and available free in retail outlets throughout Central.  Be sure to check the week's events on the calendar which is always on page 2 of Central Speaks.  News and events from around Central are posted daily on our website at www.CentralSpeaks.com.  You can click on the "Subscribe" link on the right side of any web page and have the daily news emailed to you.  Click on the CentralSpeaksTV icon at the top of any page to view City Council and School Board meetings a day or so after they happen.  Visit the Facebook Page "CentralSpeaks.com" and discuss Central news and events with others on Facebook.

    In addition to Central Speaks, pay a regular visit to the City website at Centralgov.com, and the School System website at CentralCSS.org.  Attend a City Council meeting every second and fourth Tuesday at 6:00 PM at Kristenwood at 14025 Greenwell Springs Road near Sullivan.  Attend School Board meetings every second and fourth Monday, also at Kristenwood at 6:00 PM.  Become a part of any number of charitable and service organizations, including Cooking in Central, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, CCA, CCAF and many more.  They are always looking for new volunteers.  In fact, all of these and others are listed, along with their contact information, on the "Service" page (page 12 in the front glossy section) in the Chamber of Commerce Directory and Phone Book mailed to every home in Central this past April.

    So, if ball practice, dance lessons, work, homework, vacations and yard work ever fail to fully entertain you, and you live in Central, there is plenty to do.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    If any of Central’s five Council Members were asked, “Should a Council Member’s interest in re-election in 2014 have any influence on what election structure they support for Central’s City Council Seats?” I believe they could say no.  I believe that they could each have the integrity and independence to keep politics out of the decision and consider what will be best for our City in 2040, and not worry about 2014 and how it might affect their political future.

    The expression “The Elephant in the Room” refers to an obvious problem or risk that no one seems to want to discuss.  The “Elephant” in this case is NOT HOW Central’s City Council seats will be elected in 2014, it is the challenge that our CURRENT five Council Members face in deciding whether to change the City Council “At Large” election process.

    Let’s just go ahead, break the ice, and talk about the “Elephant in the Room”.  All five of Central’s City Council Members live less than two miles from the corner of Greenwell Springs and Sullivan Roads.  Dividing the City’s voters into either five or seven Districts would very likely mean that most or all of the current Council Members would also live in a single City District.  If that were the case, they would likely all be competing for one Council seat if they sought re-election in 2014.

    So why is this a problem?  Let’s assume that at least three, and maybe four or five, of the current Council Members intend to seek re-election in 2014.  These same Council Members, at the Council Meeting on July 12th, will be considering an Ordinance which could make re-election in 2014 much harder for each of them.  Running as the incumbent Council Member is an advantage, an advantage they would lose if they were all running for the same City Council Seat.  Meanwhile, four other Council Seat races would feature fresh faces from the City who would not be running against a sitting Council member.

    It almost seems unfair to these five Council members to be asked to make the decision as to how the Council Seats should be elected in 2014, but the law requires them to make this decision.  To round out consideration of this matter, recall that three of Central’s Council Members, LoBue, Messina and Washington, were elected on a platform of supporting a move to Districts.  Central’s other two Council Members, DeJohn and Moak, have recently stated that they have heard the people’s support for Districts and that they too support a move to City Council elections by District.

    I have a great deal of respect for the time end energy it takes to be an informed, prepared, and fair-minded Council Member.  I choose to believe that in considering a change in Central’s City Council election method, that decision will be made solely on the basis of what is best for Central.  Our five Council Members each have the ability to make independent and informed decisions, and this issue should be no exception.

An Editorial By Dave Freneaux

     After seven months of hard work Central has a new company, IBTS, poised to take over City Services on July 1, two short weeks from now.  I say short weeks because I know from talking to city officials and the management of IBTS that there is a great deal of work going on every day to prepare for this transition.  David Ratcliff and his team at IBTS are putting in long hours preparing the new City Services office at Sullivan and Greenwell Springs Road.  I am certain they are equally hard at work preparing computers, equipment, systems and people to spring into action on July 1, with the goal of uninterrupted and perfect service for the City of Central.

    I, and I am sure all of us, hope that everything goes off without a hitch.  In a perfect world none of the computer hard drives will crash, none of the mowing equipment will break, none of the employees will miss work for illness, and none of the phone lines, cell phones and data lines will fail.  In a perfect world the number of permits and work orders will be exactly as anticipated and there will not be a major rain storm, flooding ditches and knocking down trees.  But, let's be realistic.  Some time, and to some degree, in the first days, weeks or months of our partnership with IBTS, something will go wrong.  It will likely be things no one saw coming, and it will likely inconvenience people.  At that moment, consider taking on a Spirit of Charity and Cooperation.

    I encourage everyone to remember that we have just entered into a five year partnership with a company who has shown themselves to be capable and professional.  At each opportunity to show frustration, choose instead to look for the best outcome in a difficult situation and show a Spirit of Charity.  At each opportunity to stand your ground, insist on getting it done your way and be inflexible, choose instead to find compromise in a Spirit of Cooperation.  I am not advocating that IBTS be allowed to provide less than excellent service.  I am suggesting that there will be bumps in the road as this relationship is geared up, and that we make the best of each opportunity with a Spirit of Charity and Cooperation.  If IBTS does less than an excellent job, I strongly suspect that their management team would like your feedback so that they can avoid making the same mistakes in the future and so that they can improve their processes.

    The measure of the success of Central's relationship with IBTS will not be taken when all systems are working well, nothing has gone wrong, and everyone is happy.  The measure of the success of this relationship will come when people have a right to be dissatisfied and choose to do so with an even temper and an expectation of a good resolution.  So, as this new venture is launched in Central, saving our taxpayers several million dollars over five years, let's all approach the inevitable problems with a Spirit of Charity and Cooperation.  THAT, would be Good News for a Great City.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    Every community has roots, and Central's roots run deep.  Many of the families here today have been here for a hundred years or more. You may have seen T-Shirts around Central that read: "I wasn't born here, but I got here as soon as I could."  I believe Central is the greatest place on earth to live and raise a family, whether you were born here or came here last week.  That one's family has been here for 100 years does not give anyone special privilege. However, for those whose families have been here for generations, you may have much to offer the Central community in the way of historic photos, letters and documents.

    Vicki Carney is the president of the Central Historical Society and has done an amazing job of putting together quite a collection of Central's history at the Central Library.  Central Speaks would like to encourage everyone to consider bringing us your historic photos and documents.  We will scan them and immediately return them to you, while you wait if you wish, then we will make them available to Vicki to add to the documented history of Central.  If you would like, we'll make you a CD with your scanned images so that you can copy it and give it to all of the descendants in your family.  We will also, as space permits, print such stories in the newspaper to share with the Central communitty.

    Consider helping to preserve Central's history.  Dig out your old photos and documents, call us at 262-3730, and stop by and see us at 12023 Sullivan Road, three driveways north of Sullivan and Hooper in the small brick building out front.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    Good, productive and well organized things do not happen spontaneously.  It is May and the first meeting of the 2011 Christmas Festival organizing committee took place Tuesday at noon.  Cooking in Central just happened last month yet the Cooking Board met this week and volunteers have already been recruited to organize Cookin’ 2012.  The Mayor’s City Services Committee began meeting last October and worked for seven months to hire IBTS as Central’s new City Services contractor.  Hundreds of people, working intentionally, set processes in motion to accomplish these large tasks.  Let’s Respect the Process.

    I could name many efforts, events and organizations that could serve as examples of processes that work, including the City of Central itself and the Central Community School Board.  Ordinances, policies, rules and procedures are constantly being considered, updated, refined and adopted which are intended to improve our City and Schools.  Anyone attending any one meeting in these processes may indeed fail to see the direction or purpose of any one decision, but the process moves steadily along and makes gains every month.  Let’s Respect the Process.

    We have become accustomed to getting everything we want RIGHT NOW.  Microwaves, emails, texts, overnight shipping and fast food joints have fooled us into believing that intentional and well planned progress is not immediate enough.  In fact, every example in the last two paragraphs supports the concept that well organized things do not happen spontaneously.  Let’s exhibit a little patience and willingness to work, and let’s Respect the Process.

    Having been immersed in raising children and being involved in all of their activities for all of their lives, I sent them off to college, looked around our new City, and found there were dozens of ways to get involved in the process.  I also found that every group involved in intentional and well planned efforts welcomed any volunteers who were willing to help the process along.  No closed doors, only people glad to have the help.  However, there were successful processes in place in these groups, so I did have to learn to Respect the Process.

    So the point of all of this is?  If I don’t like the way the City Council handles an issue, I should go talk to Council Members…that is the process.  If the School Board is considering an action with which I disagree, I need to voice my opinion at a School Board meeting and speak to my School Board member…that is the process.  If I want an explanation of why an elected official spoke or acted in a certain way, I should call or email the official, and they should respond…that is the process.  If I dislike an ordinance or feel a new ordinance needs to be written, I should find a Council Member willing to sponsor the ordinance…that is the process.  So the next time anyone is tempted to complain about something in Central, please consider first exploring what processes are in place for jumping in and becoming a part of the solution.  Let’s Respect the Process.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    You may have noticed the new CentralSpeaks.com masthead which includes the tag line “Good News for a Great City”.  You will be seeing this every week in CentralSpeaks.com.  You will also see this theme reflected in articles we print each week.  Let me explain:

    GOOD NEWS: All of us at CentralSpeaks.com are committed to bringing quality, honest, unbiased news to our readers, and we call a commitment to journalistic integrity “Good News”.  We also understand that not everything newsworthy that happens in Central is pleasant, and we will continue to report burglaries, hardship, and other unfortunate news items.  The “Good News” in those instances is almost always the spirit of the people of Central as they rise up and work together to meet the difficult times.  Finally, after publishing over 3,000 articles since 2008, CentralSpeaks.com recognizes that the overwhelming majority of what happens in Central is truly GOOD news.  Our schools, service organizations, businesses, and our City leaders are consistently going about the business of doing GOOD things, and that is the “Good News” we all want to read about every week.

    A Great City: I have said and written many times that I believe Central is the greatest place on earth to live and raise a family.  I believe that, because my family has seen it first hand for five generations in Central.  This IS a Great City.  It is not a perfect City, nor has this community solved all of the issues involved in creating a city from scratch.  We disagree, and then find common ground.  We want different things for this community, and then find fair compromise.  We argue, then remember that we are first friends and neighbors and we learn to accept our differences.  The measure of a Great City is not what we do when everything is settled and we all agree, the measure of a Great City is how we act toward one another when there is disagreement and conflicting ideas.  I believe Central IS a “Great City”.  Pick up CentralSpeaks.com each week, read all of the “Good News for a Great City” and see if you agree.

An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    During Central’s 2010 municipal elections one topic discussed by several candidates was term limits.  Central currently has no legislation limiting the number of terms an elected official can serve.  Central’s Mayor, Council Members and Police Chief are up for election every four years.  The question now being asked is, should Central impose term limits?

    Those in favor of term limits would argue that it keeps any one individual from becoming a permanent fixture, re-elected each year simply because of popularity or name recognition.  Those against term limits can counter that by pointing out that if the people want to be represented by this individual, they should have a right to elect the person.  The argument against term limits would maintain that if an elected official is doing a good job they deserve to be re-elected.  The case for term limits includes the argument that even if a challenger is more qualified, the incumbent has an edge in the election.

    So where does that leave Central?  I do not claim to be an expert on Louisiana Law or the Lawrason Act, but my research indicates that the citizens of Central, a Lawrason Act City, can indeed vote to have term limits.  Several opinions of the Louisiana Attorney General as well as a court case in Harahan support that position.  Assuming Central has the “right” to impose term limits, is it “right” for Central?

    With the pay for Council Members at $800 per month, the police chief part time at $26,500 per year and the Mayor, a full time job, at $55,000 per year, it is unlikely that any elected official will seek to become a “career politician” in Central for the sake of the money.  That leaves the issue, in my opinion, to one of representation.  With all of the current Council Members having come out in favor of dividing Council Seats into districts, each district in Central will likely be able to elect a person from their area as a Council Member.  Once elected, the voters in that district can easily vote the Council Member out at the next election if the voters disapprove of his or her performance.  THAT, in my opinion, is a term limit.  Voters do not have to wait until the Council Member or Mayor or Police Chief serves eight years, they can be voted out in four, or they can serve as long as the people feel they are doing the job well.

    If this issue is put to a vote in Central and the people opt for term limits, I can support that as well…with one stipulation.  I am not sure if term limits can be retroactive, but if they can and the people want them, they should be retroactive.  If the people do not want their Mayor, Police Chief or Council Members to serve more than eight years, for whatever reason, then current elected officials should be no exception.  In fact, if term limits cannot be retroactive, I would suggest that current elected officials voluntarily term limit themselves.  If the people speak in an election and say they want Central’s Mayors to be limited to three terms, the sitting Mayor should not run for a fourth term, even if it is technically allowed.  The same thinking should apply to Council Members and the Chief of Police.  In short, I would prefer no term limits in a small community like Central where serving is more a public service than a career, but if the voters want term limits, current elected officials should be no exception.