Submitted by Sharon Phillips

Metropolitan Councilman Trae Welch, who represents District 1 and the Zachary Chamber of Commerce will host a Candidates’ Forum for citizens of the Zachary area and Metro 1 on Thursday, October 6, at the Fellowship Church Auditorium, 1555 Mt. Pleasant Road at 6:30p.m.  Candidates running for the following seats were invited to participate: State Senate Seat 15 (Sharon Weston Broome) and State Senate 17 (Rick Ward, Larry Thomas), State Representative 62 (Rob Farmer, Bob Arnold, Kenny Havard, Ken Dawson, Ronnie Jet), State Representative 63 (Barbara Thomas, Hillery Godfred Johnson, Dalton Honore, Ronald Rogers Jr.), State Representative 64 (Valarie Hodges, Barry Elkins) and Zachary Chief of Police, (David McDavid, David Courtney, David Brown). Candidates running for Senate and Representative Seats will be given 5 minutes each to address the following four topics: Top three issues in the region, How to best represent Zachary, Economic Development in the Region and State Budget Issues. Chief of Police candidates will be allotted 3 minutes each to discuss their platforms.  

From the City of Central

Below is the current map of completed and scheduled work on the Central Thruway.  The Thruway is scheduled to be completed in December 2012.

From the City of Central website

The City of Central is seeking consulting services for the transportation element of our comprehensive Master Plan. The city of Central requests proposals from qualified consultants who have expertise in transportation planning and travel demand modeling. For a copy of the RFP, please visit the City of Central website at www.CentralGov.com.

Treasurer Kennedy Says State Investments Yield Strong Returns For Taxpayers Despite Challenging Market Environment

Submitted by the Louisiana Treasury Press Office

The fiscal year 2010-2011 investment numbers are in for Louisiana's major funds, and their performance this year has far outpaced comparable market investments, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
 
"Despite the turmoil in the market these days, the Louisiana Treasury has turned in incredible results on our state fixed income investments," says Treasurer Kennedy. "Taxpayers should know that they are getting incredible bang for their buck from our state's investment team."
 
In a market environment where the return on United States Treasury Notes yielded 0.53%, the Louisiana State Treasury has delivered these strong returns:
 
Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund: 3.93%
Medicaid Trust Fund for the Elderly: 3.47% 
Millennium Trust Fund: 3.24%
State General Fund: 2.05%

"I commend our in-house investment team, Chief Investment Officer John Broussard, Lori Pierce, Diane Spurlin and Amy Mathews, for these exceptional results," says Treasurer Kennedy.  "Every dollar we earn in investments is one less dollar we have to ask from the taxpayers."
 
The State Treasury has the responsibility of investing the state's idle cash in the General Fund on a daily basis, as well as managing investment of nearly $3 billion in trust funds that are constitutionally dedicated to healthcare and education costs. 

From the City of Central

Work continues on building the four headwalls to the Lovett Road bridge.  Scheduled completion date is Nov. 2, 2011.  The photo below was taken on September 21.

By Dave Freneaux

    Monday evening all area Republican candidates seeking election on October 22nd were invited to speak at a forum held at Pit Crew Steak House & BBQ here in Central.  After a meal and informal conversation each candidate was given four minutes to share their qualifications, their platform and their vision for the office they seek.  In races most closely affecting Central, six candidates (above and left) all spoke.  See below for a summary of their statements.  Also speaking were Lt. Governor challenger Billy Nungesser, Secretary of State Tom Schedler, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, State Representative Clif Richardson, State Representative Dist. 63 candidate Barbara Thomas, BESE Board incumbent Chas Roemer, EBRP Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, EBRP Coroner incumbent Dr. Shannon Cooper and challenger Dr. Beau Clark and Zachary Police Chief Candidate candidate David McDavid.  The video of the forum will be available on Central Speaks TV.

Derek Babcock – Senate District 13

    Derek Babcock has spent the last eight years serving at the state and local level.  He is the vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Family Forum, supporting pro-life and pro-family legislation. 

    Mr. Babcock has served on the board of the National Association of Insurers and Financial Advisors and is the treasurer of the Republican Parish Executive Committee in Livingston Parish.

    He serves as the chairman of the Livingston Parish Citizens for Highways and Infrastructure, lobbying for improvements in the parish.  Mr. Babcock owns a health insurance agency, was raised by parents who were small business owners, and understands the concerns of small businesses.

Dale Erdey – Senate District 13

    Dale Erdey is the incumbent in Senate District 13.  He attended LSU and has a Degree in Business Administration and is the President of Erdey Insurance Agency.  Senator Erdey is the former Mayor of Livingston Parish and served as a State Representative for two terms.

    Erdey Serves on Senate Committees for Revenue & Fiscal Affairs, Health & Welfare, and Environmental Quality, and is the Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.  In that capacity he has, and will continue to, fight to improve the roads in District 13.

    Senator Erdey worked with Representatives Bodi White and Donald Ray Kennard to help create the Central School District and is supportive of teacher pay raises.  He is pro-business and has been instrumental in creating many jobs in his District.  Finally, Erdey is anti-loop and led the charge to block Senate funding for the loop.

Bodi White – Senate District 6

   Bodi White graduated from Southeastern where he studied Criminal Justice and the law, he then served in law enforcement and now has spent the last two terms in the House of Representatives writing the laws.  Working closely with the Attorney General, he has helped 500 families in this area recover their retirements lost in the Stanford Group scam.

    Representative White is a life-long resident of Central and has always been a community activist but never ran for any political office until his successful election to the House in 2003.  He was instrumental in the effort to create the City of Central and in passing the legislation to create the Central Community School District.  Both the City and the School System now have budget surpluses and Central has set the standard for saving taxpayer dollars through privatization.

Mike Mannino – Senate District 6

    Mike Mannino shares that he is not a career politician and that he is a citizen’s advocate, fighting for citizen’s rights.  He is a 33 year employee of Exxon.  He states that he is a life-long anti-tax, small government, Christian conservative and a founding member of Tax Busters.  He seeks to get government back into the boundaries of limited powers, and feels that government has strayed beyond its legitimate powers.

    Mr. Mannino opposes increased taxes and government waste, and supports the right to bear arms and integrity in government.  He feels that his work experience at Exxon qualifies him to manage the tax dollars of the State of Louisiana.  He pledges never to vote for increased taxes and never to vote for a pay raise.

Barry Elkins – House District 64

    Barry Elkins graduated from LSU and taught school for three years, then spent 15 years selling high end medical equipment to hospitals throughout the southeast.   In 1991 he enrolled in law School at Southern University and graduated in 1994. Since then he and his wife have operated Magnolia Title, closing residential and commercial transactions.

    Mr. Elkins has volunteered with the Boy Scouts in this area for the last 15 years and served on the Board of Directors of the Istrouma Area Council. He was one of the founding members of the Governor’s Sporting Clay Shoot, and as Chairman of this group for two years raised over $100,000 for the Boy Scouts and Camp Avondale.

    Mr. Elkins is very involved in the housing industry and is acutely aware of the problems of falling property values and high property taxes.  He also is committed to improving education and roads in the District but opposes the loop.

Valarie Hodges – House District 64

    Valarie Hodges stated that she has spent 28 years dedicating her life to being active in the community and serving others.  She is on the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Louisiana.  She is a founder and past president of the Livingston Parish Republican Women’s Club.

    Ms. Hodges has volunteered for Senators Vitter and Cassidy and Governor Jindal.  Ms. Hodges is very involved with CASA and the WOW organization (Women Outreaching Women) and works with the Coroner in a suicide prevention program she helped to start.

    She and her husband, a pastor and homebuilder, also run an international nonprofit organization.  She was a missionary for 18 years and thus understands working with those who are disadvantaged.   Ms. Hodges shared that she is tired of seeing jobs go overseas and is committed to infracsructure improvements in the District. 

An Interview with Mayor Mac Watts by Dave Freneaux

Next Tuesday’s City Council agenda includes consideration of an ordinance to change the way in which Council Members are elected.  In your opinion, how important is this decision?

    This is one of the most important issues that our City Council has ever considered.  The decision they come to will affect the way Central is governed and the cost of that government for generations.  We owe it to our grandchildren to come to a sound decision in this matter.  Decisions like this are not easily reversed, so I am depending on this City Council to consider the impact it will have on Central not in 4 years , but in 40 years.

Do you have any preference as to which election method is decided on or whether additional Council Seats are created?

    I am personally opposed to bigger government.  All across our nation there are people regretting having let government grow uncontrolled.  People are working hard to find ways to reduce government all the way to Washington, and it is difficult, if not impossible.  Here in Central we started with small government, we privatized City Services, and have only two city employees.  Central does not need to reduce the size and cost of government, because we already have small government.  If the Council acts to increase the size and cost of Central’s government I will have a difficult time supporting that decision.  As to how the City Council is elected, whether by Districts, Divisions or At-Large, I can support whatever the Council feels best serves the citizens of Central, as long as we protect the tax dollars the people have entrusted to us.

Over the past few months it has become evident that the Council seems split over how this issue should be resolved.  As our Mayor, what do you see as the best resolution to this matter?

    The Council is empowered by the Lawrason Act to make this decision.  I am hopeful that the decision is based on good research and that it reflects the will of the citizens.  I would like for the Council to respond to any concerns raised by the people because I want them to know that they have been heard.  Finally, I am personally committed to protecting the taxpayers’ dollars and to keeping Central’s government small, streamlined and efficient.  I can support any decision the Council reaches which keeps government in check.  However, if the City Council votes to increase the size and cost of government, that decision needs to be on a 4-1 or 5-0 vote.  If it is, I will accept that the elected representatives of the citizens have spoken clearly and I will put aside my personal desire for small government and respect that decision.

Submitted by Rep. Richardson’s Office

Crews continue to set forms and install reinforcing steel for the next deck pour. This should take place the week of 9/26. Also, crews continue to set girders, forms, and cast caps to prepare for future pours.

The contractor has completed driving all piles. They have cast 22 of the 28 caps. They just completed the 2nd of 12 concrete pours for the bridge deck. For questions or comments, contact DOTD’s Customer Service Center at 1-877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683) or e-mail dotdcs@la.gov. The center is open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also visit the project’s Web page by going to www.dotd.gov and clicking on "Projects" from the Programs & Projects section of the main menu on the left-hand side of the page and selecting the LA 64 Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project link. You can also follow the La. 64 Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project on Facebook. Again, we thank you for your feedback and patience during this construction. Additionally, at your convenience, please let us know how we are doing by filling out our Customer Service Survey.

The City Council will meet this Tuesday, September 27 at 6 PM at Kristenwood in a piblic meeting.  The agenda is as follows:

The rules for conducting such public hearings are as follows:

1)         In compliance with R.S. 42:14(d) and Ordinance 2011-8, members of the public will be allowed to speak on any item upon which a vote is to be taken that is included on the agenda. The applicant will speak first for a period not to exceed 10 minutes. Other proponents will speak next, then the opponents. Each speaker will be allowed not more than three minutes. The speakers are requested to limit their remarks and to avoid duplication in their presentations.

2)         The proponents will be allowed three minutes for rebuttal.

3)         Each councilman will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes to express his views on any one subject without interruption from the other members upon initial consideration and five (5) minutes for rebuttal.

I.          Preliminary Business

1. Call to Order
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of minutes from the September 13, 2011 council meeting.

II.        Unfinished Business

            None

III.       New Business

1. Mayor’s report and presentations
2. Report from Doug Browning, City of Central Chief of Police concerning deputy patrolling within the city.  (Council Member Messina)
3. Transportation Planner Committee—Each Councilman appoint one person to this committee by no later than Friday September 30, 2011.  The purpose of the committee will go over the RFP’s and decide on the Transportation Element Plan Consultant for the City of Central (Councilman LoBue)
4. Report from IBTS concerning services provided to the City of Central.
5. Introduction of the following item(s) (with public hearing to be held at the October 11, 2011council meeting).
6. To amend and re-enact Appendix J of Title 7, The Unified Development Code, and to provide for related matters. (Council Member Washington)
6. Public Hearing and action regarding the following instrument(s):
7. An Ordinance to amend the 2011-2012 Annual Budget to appropriate $104,268.04 of the City of Central’s One Half-Cent Sales and Use Tax for Revised Right-of-Way Maps, Roadway Final Plans, and Sewer Final Plans in Compliance with Phase II, Part 5, (Final Right-of-Way Map) and Phase III (Final Plans) in connection with the

Hooper-Sullivan Intersection Improvements (State Project DOTD No. H.002320 and City-Parish Project No. 11-TL-HC-0032) and the Hooper Road Improvements (Joor to Sullivan, State Project No. H.002317 and City-Parish Project No. 08-TL-HC-0034.) (Council Member Moak)

2. An Ordinance to amend the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year Budget for the One-Half Cent Sales and Use Tax Dedicated for Road Improvements to Appropriate $5,000 to Soil Testing for Frenchtown Road and to Provide for related matters.  (Council Member DeJohn)
3. An Ordinance to establish a seven-member Council with five members to be elected from single-member Districts and two members to be elected at-large and to provide for related matters.  (Council Member Messina)
7. Other items for discussion by council:

None

IV.       Zoning Cases

1. Introduction of the following item(s) (with Public Hearing to be held at the October 11, 2011 council meeting):
2. RZ-1-11 Rezoning of Portion of Tract Y of the Thomas H. Robertson Property. 

This property is located on the east side of Joor Road near the Hooper Road intersection north of Morgan Place Subdivision.  The applicant is proposing to rezone from R(Rural) to LC-1 (Light Commercial One District) for a contractor business.  (Applicant:  Paul J. Burns).

2. RZ-2-11 Rezoning of Lots 26, 27, 28 and 29 of Indian Mound Subdivision. 

This property is located on the southwest corner of the Chickasaw and Liberty Road intersection.  The applicant is proposing to rezone from A-1 (Single Family Residential), B-1 (Transition), C-1 (Light Commercial) to A-2 (Single Family Residential) for single family residential land use.  (Applicant Mickey L. Robertson)

2. Discussion and Action regarding the following case(s):
3. RZ-10-08 Rev Site Plan Revision (Deferred from July 28^th Meeting) – This property is located on the south side of Wax Road between Willowbrook Dr. and W. Brookside Dr. on Lot Y of the Brian Tract, being in Sections 8 & 9, T-6-S, R-2-E, GLD, EBR, LA.  The applicant is proposing to increase the square footage of the shopping center from 21,360 sq. ft. to 25,908 sq. ft. (Applicant:  Kimble-Development of Central)

Commission Action (August 25, 2011):  A motion to defer RZ-10-08 Revision was made by Wade Giles, seconded by Mr. Paul Burns.  Vote:  6 yeas (Messrs: Bonvillain, Burns, Giles, Rauls, Reado, Walker), 0 nays and 1 absent (Mr. Johnson).
Commission Action (September 22, 2011):  The Zoning Commission will hear this case on September 22, 2011.

V.        Other Business

1. Public Comment

* Restricted to items not on the agenda.  A Public Comment Request to Speak Card must be turned in to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting in order to be considered. Public comment is limited to 10 speakers with three minutes each.

2. Announcements
3. Adjournment