Submitted by Deana Vickry

CENTRAL, LA – September 13, 2011    

    Billy Nungesser, the  parish president of Plaquemines challenging incumbent Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is coming to Central. So is New Orleans attorney Joseph Cao, qualified to run against Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

    They are among many of the qualified Republicans accepting invitations to speak this Monday for the MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM and Membership Meeting of Republican Women of Central.

    “Barbecue and Saucy Political Conversation” are on the menu for this event at Pitt Crew Barbecue, located on the corner of Hooper and Shady Bluff Roads in Central, LA. Doors open at 6p.m., meeting and “stump speeches” begin at 6:30p.m. Cost is $15 per person for the meeting, including barbecue buffet, cold drinks and homemade desserts by RWC members and door prize drawing.

    All state elected positions are up for grabs – Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Commissioner of Forestry and Agriculture, Commissioner of Insurance, Senate, State Representatives and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).  For the first time in our state’s history, Republicans outnumber Democrats as registered voters, and in some races there are no democratic or other challengers.

    “We must become better acquainted with all Republican candidates in this important October 22nd election,” said RWC President Joan Lansing. “This forum gives the public a chance to meet those qualified as Republicans in a casual, social setting.”

    Also attending are Central residents seeking election to the newly formed State Senate District 6: State Rep. Mack “Bodi” White and Michael J. Mannino, Jr.

    Areas of Central and Livingston both fall into State Senate District 13 where incumbent Dale Erdey is being challenged by another Republican, newcomer Derek Babcock. Both are attending.

    When State Rep. White announced his candidacy for the Senate, his seat in District 64 became available and two newcomers, attorney Barry Elkins and Livingston Parish Republican Valarie Hodges, stepped up to run. Both will offer their qualifications, platforms and visions for the job.

    In nearby District 63 in Baker and Brownfield area, first-time candidate Barbara Thomas is the only Republican in her race.

    EBRP Sheriff and Republican candidate “Sid” J. Gautreaux, III and EBRP Coroner candidate Dr. William “Beau” Clark and incumbent of 8 years Dr. Shannon Cooper will be attending.

    Zachary City Police Chief candidate David McDavid is the only Republican in his race, and looks forward to meeting residents of the area.

    Voter registration, party affiliation change, and absentee ballot request forms will be available.

    Co-hosting the event is the re-organizing and revitalized Republican Women of Baker/Zachary led by Jeannette Boggs of Zachary, LA. The two groups are partnering to include all Republican candidates in the northern part of East Baton Rouge Parish.

    Reservations and information can be made by emailing republicanwomenofcentral@yahoo.com. Information on RWC and membership can be found on www.lfrw.org/republicanwomenofcentral or by contacting Betsy Barnes, Membership Committee Chairwoman at (225)333-0018.

    For information on membership in the Republican Women of Baker/Zachary, please contact President Jeanette Boggs, email jnettboggs@att.net or (225)936-1378.

From the City of Central

  The following bridges have recently been inspected by DOTD and noted critical deficiencies.  They are being posted with a 5-ton weight limit.  No vehicles over 5 tons are to travel over these bridges.   The map below shows the bridge locations. 
800445:  Hubbs Road over Beaver Bayou
800444:  Devall Road over Drainage Canal

Photo by Mia Freneaux

    Last Friday night, a large group met at Kristenwood in Central to celebrate Rep. Clif Richardson’s return for another term as a State Representative.  As the qualifying for Representative and Senate candidates closed at the end of the week, it became evident that Richardson would be running unopposed.  Richardson, a Republican from Central, is a former Justice of the Peace who was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2007 after the seat was vacated by the late Donald Ray Kennard.  Rep. Richardson will continue to serve District 65 for another four years.  Congratulations!

From the City of Central

AGENDA
CITY OF CENTRAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday, September 22, 2011 6:00pm
Kristenwood Meeting Facility
14025 Greenwell Springs Road

1. Call to Order
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Recitation of Rules
5. Approval of Minutes ( August 25, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting)
6. Amendments and Consent Agenda

PUBLIC HEARING CASES (NEW BUSINESS):

7. SS-8-11 Subdivision 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 in Sections 41, T5S, R2E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing to create seven (7) lots for single family residential land use. (Applicant: Mickey L. Robertson) This is a companion case to RZ-2-11.
8. SS-9-11 Subdivision 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 in Sections 7 and 70, T-6-S, R-2-E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing to separate a single family residence and a contractor business. (Applicant: Paul J. Burns)

PUBLIC HEARING CASES (OLD BUSINESS):

9. PUD-2-11 Twin Lake Estates Landscape Plan and Restrictions This property is located on the north side of Denham Road between the White Oak Run Drive and Hidden Creek Drive intersections in Sections 21 and 42, T-5-S, R-2-E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing a landscape plan for a single family residential development. (Applicant: Jim Clark)

10.   Announcements

11.  Adjourn    

The item(s) on this Agenda will be heard by the Central City Council on October 11, 2011, unless the item(s) is deferred by the Commission.

AGENDA
CITY OF CENTRAL ZONING COMMISSION
Thursday, September 22, 2011 6:00pm
Kristenwood Meeting Facility
14025 Greenwell Springs Road

1.   Call to Order

1. Roll Call
2. Recitation of Rules
3. Approval of Minutes (August 22, 2011 Zoning Meeting)
4. Amendments and Consent Agenda

PUBLIC HEARING CASES (NEW BUSINESS):

5. 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 in Sections 7 and 70, T-6-S, R-2-E, GLD, EBR, LA. The applicant is proposing to rezone from R (Rural) to LC-1 (Light Commercial One District) for a contractor business. (Applicant: Paul J. Burns)
6. 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 in Sections 41, T5S, R2E, GLD, EBR, LA. 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) This is a companion case to SS-8-11.

PUBLIC HEARING CASES (OLD BUSINESS):

7. RZ-10-08 Rev Site Plan Revision (Deferred from August 25th 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 decrease the square footage of the shopping center from 21,360 sq. ft. 19,200 sq. ft.  (Applicant:  Kimble Development of Central)
8. Announcements
9. Adjourn

From the City of Central website

            Building permits slowed during the month of August 2011 within the city of Central. A total of 6 new residential permits were issued.  The total valuation of these permits was $1,062,878. 

            Within these permits, one was issued in Village Lakes with a building valuation of $187,762; two in Morgan Springs with an average valuation of $160,724; two in Burlington Lakes with an average valuation of $159,741; and one on a private parcel of land with a valuation of $234,186.  So far this year, a total of 95 new residential building permits have been issued.  This is in line with building permits through the same period in 2010 in which 94 new residential building permits were issued.

• Access to markets (include transportation and telecommunications)
• Labor (include a summary of the workforce and education especially related to Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) capabilities and training)
• Resources (natural resources, manufacturing and any particular services highly associated with the community, utilities including electricity, natural gas, and water – costs, quality, availability and potential for growth)
• General Business Climate (Economic development organization, leadership development, funding for economic development)
• Access to capital for financing or low interest loans for small business or new business start-ups
• Brief overview of quality of life aspects of the community (housing, cultural/recreational opportunities, medical, retail, crime)
• Steering Committee meetings have been scheduled through November of 2011 and are posted on the LaDRC website.
• All other pertinent reports and minutes have been uploaded to the LaDRC website to date.

Tuesday's City Council meeting will be held at 6 PM at Kristenwood.  The agenda includes the following:

I. Preliminary Business

(1) Call to Order

(2) Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

(3) Roll Call

(4) Approval of minutes from the August 23, 2011 council meeting.

II. Unfinished Business

None

III. New Business

1) Mayor’s report and presentations.

2) Report to be given at the September 27, 2011 council meeting by Doug Browning, City of Central Chief of Police concerning deputy patrolling within the city. (Council Member Messina)

3) Introduction of the following item (with public hearing to be held at the September 27, 2011council meeting).

a) 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)

b) 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)

c) 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)

4) Public Hearing and action regarding the following instrument(s):

a) A Resolution to study the feasibility of improving Frenchtown Road while Frenchtown Road is closed for completion of the Central Thruway. (Council Member DeJohn)

b) 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 September 27, 2011 council meeting):
None

(2) Discussion and Action regarding the following case(s):
a) RZ-10-08 Rev Site Plan Revision (Deferred from July 28th 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). Central City Council Agenda Tuesday, September 13, 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

Submitted by Betsy Barnes

Pictured: John J. Price, Harold Williams. Billy Thompson, Joan Lansing, Debbie Dougherty, Betsy Barnes

    John J. Price has been named chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Party following the resignation by former chairman Harold Williams.  Williams announced that he has resigned as chairman of the East Baton Rouge Republican Party Parish Executive Committee in order to run for the Louisiana House of Representatives in the newly created District 101.  The North Baton Rouge district, created in the recently completed legislative session, centers at Florida Boulevard and includes neighborhoods like Sherwood Forest, Monticello, Brookstown and Merrydale.  

    Williams, 43, said while there is no formal requirement that he resign as chairman of the Republican Parish Executive Committee in order to run for the legislature, he felt it was the right thing to do and would allow him to devote more time to his campaign  while addressing the needs and problems of the district.   Williams qualified for the new legislative seat when formal qualifying opened Tuesday. The election is scheduled for October 22, 2011. 

    Williams is the owner of 1st Team Insurance Agency and is a former uniformed officer with the Baton Rouge City Police.  He is currently a member of the Baton Rouge Reserve Officers Association and previously served as a member of the East Baton Rouge ABC Board.    

    Williams said John J. Price has now replaced him as chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Party.  Price, a local attorney, is a lifelong Republican and has been a member of the EBR Republican Parish Executive Committee since his election in 2008.  He was elected vice chairman of the EBR Republican Parish Executive Committee in 2010 and also currently serves on the Republican State Central Committee.

Submitted by Mike Mannino

    I am Mike Mannino and I am running for Senate District 6, a newly formed district in EBR, St Helena, Livingston, and Tangipahoa Parishes.

    I am a 33 year Resident of Central. I am married to Vanda Withers Mannino and I have 5 Children, 3 boys and 2 girls, Chris, Brad, Jason, Christy and Vallen. I am also a very proud Granddad of Christian, Kaylee, and Edyn Mannino.

    I am currently employed at Exxon where I have worked for the last 32 years. I am currently in middle management. My wife Vanda is a High School teacher in the Livingston Parish system. My Mother and Father are both from Tangipahoa Parish where I have strong family ties to this day.

    I am a lifelong conservative being one of the original 15 members of Taxbusters. I will never vote for increasing taxes, firmly believing that Government doesn’t have a Revenue problem, it has a spending problem cause by being involved in many functions that they should not be a part of. As Federal spending and by default, Federal money to the states begins to be reduced, we will be faced with financial challenges in Louisiana that we have never seen before and it will take a new way of thinking to get through these budget challenges. We are hardworking people in this State and are up to the task.

    But government must:

1-        Learn to do more with less

2-        Adopt tax policies that encourage companies to move here

3-        Put people to work that are able to contribute to this effort

4-        Increase revenue by job creation , and a vibrant economy.

    Government must NOT:

1-        Continue to raise taxes to finance government functions that our founders never intended government to be involved in

2-        Increase regulations that burden companies with needless bureaucracy

3-        Continue operating under the “Good Ole Boys” system where projects and funding is not approved on Merit but by who is asking or who needs a favor.

4-        Collect money at the State level to send back to the local municipalities after skimming off the top to fund a huge State Government

    If you believe in less government, and honest and ethical government, I would appreciate your consideration for Senate. If you do your homework, you will find that I am the only true Conservative in this race.  I’m not an imposter; I am the real deal that can affect change in the State!

Submitted by Mack "Bodi" White

Louisiana State Rep. Mack “Bodi” White, R-Central, La., says he will qualify to run for State Senate District 6 in the Oct. 22 primary election next week during the state’s qualifying period, Sept. 6-8.

White plans to officially register as a senate candidate at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 6) in the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court’s Office.  He will be available to the media for interviews after completing the qualification process.

State Senate District 6 represents parts of East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes.

White cites his experience as an effective legislator who has led efforts to lower taxes, create jobs, invest in infrastructure, strengthen laws against criminals and improve education during his tenure in the Louisiana House of Representatives as his qualifications for the new post.

“I will continue to work hard to get the job done for the people I represent,” White said.  “I look forward to putting my experience in state government to work in the State Senate, and continuing to accomplish positive, forward-moving changes for my district and for the state as a whole.”

White has been a champion of fiscal conservative policies by consistently voting to lower taxes and reduce the size of government.  In fact, over the last six years, the State Legislature has reduced more than $1 billion in state and personal taxes, including a reduction in the Stelly Tax.

At the same time, he secured $400 million worth of funding for infrastructure projects in the Baton Rouge Metro Area, including the widening of I-12 and I-10 and repairing local bridges. Those projects are considered crucial factors in improving economic development opportunities in the area that will in turn create local jobs in the future.

White also was instrumental in passing legislation that allowed the Livingston Parish governing districts to enter into a tax-incentive-financing agreement with Bass Pro Shops, creating hundreds of jobs and bringing thousands of tourist dollars into the local community.

“Investing in our infrastructure, creating an environment for more jobs, and improving education for our children are important ways the state can support our local economy.  I will continue to seek ways to improve conditions for people, so they can have the resources to have good, high-paying jobs in their home areas,” White said.

White holds important committee assignments in the State House, including Appropriations, Judiciary, Criminal Justice, and Homeland Security, which he presides over as chairman.  White also serves on the state’s Juvenile Justice Commission and the Louisiana Emergency Response Network.

White was among those legislators who pushed for ethics reform in this current administration by authoring the first ethics bill to be approved.  His bill provided protection to government whistleblowers who reported illegal or unfair activities in their office.  He also supported and lobbied for legislators to disclose information on their financial dealings, for the Ethics Administration’s Executive Director to be a full-time appointee, and for mandatory governmental ethics training for legislative officials.

White is an active member of his hometown community.  He’s involved in local civic, community and youth recreation organizations, and he is a member of the chambers of commerce throughout the district.  He is also an active, long-time member of Blackwater Methodist Church.

White and his wife, Robin Wunstel White, will celebrate their 29^th anniversary this fall.  They are the parents of three children and a son-in-law: Kimberly, Kristen, Mackie and Ivan McKnight; grandparents to Sydney Elizabeth; and best friends of a six-year-old Boxer named Izzi.

White holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Southeastern Louisiana University, and did his post-graduate studies at Loyola University.  He served as an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s detective for six years, and worked as a supervisor at ExxonMobil for 17 years.  He currently works as a commercial and property real estate agent with Rogillio Real Estate Company in Baton Rouge and owns a small private security company.

White has been named the City of Central’s “Man of the Year,” as well as numerous awards for his public service.  He also has been recognized for has assistance in providing student scholarships for Southeastern Louisiana University.