Central Today - Capital City News

NEWS
CAPITAL CITY
Baton Rouge’s
Community Newspaper
Central Today
®
Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
Cox Cable 21
®
March 2015 Edition • Vol. 24, No. 3 • 16 Pages • Circulation 15,000 copies • www.capitalcitynews.us • 225-261-5055
House Runoff Mar. 28
House District 66 in Southeast Baton Rouge
Republican
Party Backs
Amoroso for
State House
Buddy Amoroso, Darrell Ourso
To Face Off in Special Election;
Early Voting Set March 21-28
Photo by Woody Jenkins
BATON ROUGE - The
Republican Party of
East Baton Rouge
Parish has renewed
its support of Buddy
Amoroso for Louisiana House from District 66 in the election March 28. GOP
chairman
Woody
Jenkins said, “Buddy Amoroso is a true
conservative and a
man of courage and
integrity. We need
him working for us
in the House.”
Buddy Amoroso and Darrell Ourso in runoff March 28 in House District 66.
See Story on Page 3
BATON ROUGE - Metro Councilman Buddy
Amoroso, the conservative leader on the
Metro Council, faced
a surprisely strong
challenge from former
Councilman Darrell
Ourso in the Feb. 21
primary in House District 66. Now Amoroso and Ourso are preparing for the March
28 runoff election.
All 105 House and
39 Senate seats will be
up for election this fall,
but this particular race
is a special election to
fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of
Rep. Hunter Greene,
who resigned to become Juvenile Court
judge.
The winner
will serve only until
the end of the year and
will have to run for a
full term this fall.
Amoroso is supported by the Republican
Party, the Louisiana
Association of Business & Industry, ABC,
and NRA. Ourso is
supported by the Baton
Rouge Police Union
For information on
the race in House District 66, see Page 3.
vehicles a day on just
three arteries:
• I-10 from I-12 to
Essen, 101,000 cars a
day
• I-12 from Airline
to Sherwood, 101,000
cars a day; and
• Airline Hwy., from
Old Hammond to I-12,
64,000 cars a day.
As a non-profit, the
station will not be able
to sell commercials but
it will be able to sell
sponsorships,
much
like LPB or public radio. Cavenaugh said
the station should be
on the air by this June.
Chamber EBR to Launch New Radio Station
95.1 FM Will Be
On Air by June
With Coverage
Of Community
BATON ROUGE - The
Chamber of Commerce of East Baton
Rouge has received
pemission from the
FCC to build a new
radio station for Baton
Rouge.
The station’s tower
will be located in Southeast Baton Rouge and
will provide excellent
coverage of Baton
Rouge and St. George,
according to the Chamber’s chairman, Cecil
Cavanaugh.
The station will be
broadcast on 95.1 FM.
It has applied for call
letters WSGX.
Cavanaugh said the
Chamber EBR is re-
viewing programming
options, but most of
the day will be live,
locally-originated programs. Cavanaugh said
most people listen to
radio in their cars, rather than at home, and
the station will reach
more than 260,000
Billy Nungesser Brings Campaign to BR GOP
Plaquemines
Leader Is Top
Fundraiser for
Lt. Governor
Photos by Woody Jenkins
BATON ROUGE - Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser
brought his campaign
for Lt. Governor to the
Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon and
explained the role he
would to play as Lt.
Governor. Nungesser,
who is the leading
fundraiser in the race,
said the governor needs
a partner to help get
things done. But the Lt.
Governor has to stand
up to the governor
when he’s wrong. Nungesser said he learned
how to do that when
he called out Obama
after Hurricane Isaac.
Annual Fair
At Greenwell
Springs Set
Friday-Sat.
NUNGESSER RUNNING FOR LT. GOVERNOR — Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser with Baton
Rouge Republican leaders Buddy Amoroso, Norman Browning, and Dwight Hudson at Reagan luncheon. See Page 16.
CENTRAL - Greenwell Springs Baptist
will hold its annual
Craft Fair this Friday and Saturday in
the churh’s family
center. The popular event will offer
carnival rides, food,
auction, car show,
and more than 60
craft booths. On Friday, Mar. 6, the fun
will be from 4 to 9
p.m. On Saturday,
March 7, the event
will be from 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m. For more
information, go to
greenwellsprings.
com.
2 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
COMMUNITY PRESS, LLC
CAPITAL CITY NEWS
& South Baton Rouge Journal Vol. 24 • No. 3
910 North Foster Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
CENTRAL CITY NEWS
& The Leader Vol. 18 • No. 3, No. 373
Post Office Box 1
Greenwell Springs, LA 70739
Phone (225) 261-5055 • Entire contents © 2015
Email stories and photos to centralcitynews@hotmail.com
Published on the first Thursday of each month (except January, when it is the
second Thursday) by Community Press, LLC
The Leader was founded April 30, 1998, and the Central City News was founded April 21,
2005. They merged May 4, 2006. Capital City News is a continuation of the South Baton Rouge Journal, which went on hiatus in 2008 during its 20th year of publication. The
Capital City News resumed publication of the Journal with Vol. 21, No. 1 on Aug. 16, 2012.
Editor & Publisher
Business Manager
Business Specialists
Woody Jenkins
Candi Lee
Jolice Provost
Kim Powers
Member, Louisiana Press Association, National Newspaper Association, Chamber of
Commerce of East Baton Rouge, and National Federation of Independent Business
Deadline for news and advertising: 5 p.m. Friday before publication
$18 a year by subscription in advance • $25 a year outside East Baton Rouge
East Baton Rouge Parish coroner Dr. Beau Clark gave his Annual Report at the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish. D.A. Hillar Moore will speak to the group
at noon on March 24 at Café Américain. For more, go to ChamberEBR.com
Country Living in the City
Warren Drake on How to Have Great Schools
In 2012, We Asked
Drake to Tell Us His
Secrets of Success
Woody Jenkins
Editor
BATON ROUGE - The East Baton
Rouge Parish School Board is in
the process of interviewing candidates for parish Superintendent of
Schools. The outstanding applicant
is Warren Drake, who led the Zachary Community School System for
10 years. During that time, Zachary
was and still today remains the No.
1 school system in Louisiana.
While Drake was superintendent,
we covered his activities closely,
and I can say without reservations
of any kind that there is probably
no choice in America better than
Warren Drake. He is a man who inspires administrators, teachers, and
students to achieve far beyond their
own expectations.
I don’t know if the East Baton
Rouge school system can be fixed,
but there is no
doubt in my
mind that, if given a free hand
by the school
board, Warren
Drake can turn
this school system around and
make it much
better than it
is today. This Woody Jenkins
newspaper is proud to endorse Warren Drake for EBR superintendent.
Back in 2012, I interviewed Mr.
Drake and asked him how to create
a great school system. Here is what
he said:
1.Neighborhood Schools with
Strong Parental Involvement.
“To me, this is clearly No. 1. When
students can go to school in the community where they reside, it makes all the
difference. If the name of your town is
the name of your school system, it speaks
volumes. If your parents truly buy into
your schools, you’re difficult to beat.”
2. Good Leadership at the School
and in the Classroom.
“There’s no substitute for high quality people. You need great principals
and great teachers. It’s all about who
the students are exposed to. Put the
best principals in position and the best
teachers in the classrooms, and you
will get results.”
3. High Expectations.
“You must expect a lot from people.
Let them know that we expect outstanding performance in every way.
Then let them do their job. They will
rise to the occasion.”
“If something bad happens, leaders must take care of it immediately. I
want the leader to take care of the problem before it comes to my attention.”
4. Take Ownership.
“Everyone involved must take ownership of the schools and the students’
education — the students, the parents,
the teachers, the administrators, and
the community. When people buy in
to what’s going on, then everybody is
part of the solution. This involves a
lot of things you might not expect. For
example, I shop at a store in Zachary.
Why? Because their success is key to
the success of the school system. If
businesses in Zachary are dying, they
will not be able to pay the taxes our
schools need.”
Around the state, many people
think No. 1-ranked Zachary is an allwhite school system, when in fact it
is 50-50. Drake was asked how he
keeps racial peace and multi-racial
support for Zachary schools.
“The key is an expectation of
fairness. Fairness is the one word.
When black and white feel they will
get a fair shake, things work out
very well. Another key is to have an
open door. My door is always open.
If someone comes and I’m not
there, I come back to the office to
see them. I want everybody to feel
they are important and have a voice.
A school system — like a business — is about customer service.”
“The last 10 years have been a big
challenge but it has been the greatest 10 years of my life. Now I’m
ready for the next challenge.”
If the school board announces
their choice is Warren Drake, celebrate, because things will get better!
Ronald Reagan
Newsmaker Luncheon
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Sponsored by Republican Party of EBR
11:30
11:30 Reception
Reception •• 12
12 Lunch
Lunch •• $17
$17
Café
Café Américain
Américain •• 7521
7521 Jefferson
Jefferson Hwy.
Hwy.
No
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Reservation Necessary
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“Like” Capital Republican
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CapitalRepublican.com
Flu Shots Now Available
CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 3
March 28 Runoff for State House Down to Wire
Amoroso,
Ourso
at
Odds
on
Taxes
Embarrassing Low
Voter Turnout Left
Candidates Asking
How to Motivate
Apathetic Voters
House District 66
Southeast EBR Parish
Runoff Election
Saturday, March 28
Buddy Amoroso vs.
Darrell Ourso
BATON ROUGE - Metro Councilman
Buddy Amoroso, the conservative
leader on the Council, narrowly led
a field of four candidates Feb. 21 in
a Special Election to fill a vacancy
in the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 66, which is
located in the proposed City of St.
George.
Amoroso received 1,512 votes,
or 36 percent of the votes cast. He
will face former Metro Councilman
Darrell Ourso, who received 1,477
votes, or 35 percent of the total.
The runoff election will be Saturday, March 28.
Republican Rick Bond received
771 votes, or 18 percent, while former Communications Director of
the state Democratic Party, Susan
Nelson, who ran with No Party designation, received 483 votes, or 11
percent.
Nelson, a leader in the effort to
kill the proposed City of St. George,
based much of her campaign on opposition to St. George. However,
her effort fell flat, and the first and
second place finishers, who strongly
supported the incorporation of St.
George, received more than 70 per- RUNOFF MARCH 28 — Voters in House District 66 in southeast East Baton Rouge Parish will go to the polls on Saturday, March 28,
cent of the vote between them.
to decide who will represent them in the Louisiana House for the rest of 2015, including the annual legislative session. The runoff will be
See HD 66 on Page 9
between Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso (left) and former Councilman Darrell Ourso (right). Amoroso narrowly led in the primary.
Celebrating Lives and Healing Hearts
Proud
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Community!
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9995 Hooper Road, Central, 225-236-0800 • www.sealefuneral.com
225-686-7221
4 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Analysis: Forget Everything You Were Taught About Politics
The Rise of the Independent
The Demise of
Democrats in La.
May Be Worse
Than It Appears
Woody Jenkins
Editor
BATON ROUGE - The common wisdom among the “political class” is
that Louisiana is a solidly Red State
that can be expected to stay in the
Republican colum for a long time to
come.
After all, every statewide elected
official is a Republican, and so are
all but one member of the Louisiana
Congressional delegation.
A majority of the Louisiana Supreme is now Repulbican, as is a
majority the Public Service Commission and a majority of the Louisiana House and Senate — all for
the first time since Reconstruction
after the Civil War.
Since the 1960’s, the path to victory in Louisiana’s statewide elections for liberal Democrats was
simple:
•Unite black voters behind your
candidacy, and
•Pick up at least a third of white
voters.
Today, there are 2.8 million voters in Louisiana, including 900,000
who are black. It follows that a
VOTER REGISTRATION IN LOUISIANA
Independents & ‘Others’
Democrats
Republicans
Total
White
Black
Other
734,734 500,225 170,717 63,792
1,338,991 591,506 709,053 38,432
805,533 753,157 21,851 30,525
Notes: 1. There are more Independents than either white
Democrats or black Democrats
2.There are nearly as many Independents as there
are white Republicans
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State
Democratic candidate who unites
black voters can still win statewide
elections in Louisiana with as little
as 30 percent of other voters.
So the question is, why aren’t
Democrats winning statewide today
in Louisiana?
Mary Landrieu’s losing 2014
Senate campaign is probably giving Democrats heartburn right now.
In their minds, they see an 18-year
“moderate to conservative” Democratic woman with unlimited funds
going down to ignominius defeat by
an overwhelming margin of 56 per-
cent to 44 percent.
What they should be seeing is
that they had a terrible candidate
with a terrible record in a terrible
Democratic year, and they still got
44 percent of the vote!
How often did Mary Landrieu
vote with Barack Obama? That’s
right! 97 percent of the time!
She wasn’t a “moderate” or a
“conservative.” Rather, she was a
far-left Democrat who voted for almost everything bad, except energy
issues.
I would make this wager: If Mary
Landrieu had actually been a moderate to conservative Democrat and
voted with Obama perhaps only 80
percent of the time, she’d be in the
Senate right now.
If she’d been pro-life, pro-gun,
pro-marriage and pro-balanced
budget, she would have been almost
impossible to beat.
So back to the question: Why
aren’t Democrats winning statewide today in Louisiana?
Basically, it goes back to lack of
talent.
Democratic candidates are still
getting the vast majority of black
voters, but they are failing to get
30 percent of the white voters in
the state. In many all-white voting
precincts, Landrieu got less that 20
percent of the vote. In those same
precincts in 2012, Obama received
only 12 percent of the white vote.
See FALL on Page 15
Municipalities in Baton Rouge Area
with Mayors Listed as ‘No Party’ (9)
Zachary Mayor David Amhrein is an Independent as are the Mayors of Bogalusa •
Angie • Varnado • Greensburg • Morgan City •
Berwick • Franklin • Brusly
Brusly Town Council has 3 independents,
1 Republican and 1 Democrat
St. Francisville Board of Alderman has 4
Independents and 1 Democrat.
West Feliciana School Board has 3 Independents, 2 Republicans, and 2 Democrats
East Feliciana Clerk of Court David Dart
is an Independent
Denham Springs Antique Village
PIONEER DAY MARCH 21 10 am - 3 pm
Working Gristmill • Handmade furniture • Old wooden wagon
Quilters • Louisiana Gold Honey Bee observation deck
Rope Knotting of 19th century sailing ships • Pelican
Woodcarvers Club • All-natural handmade soap • Unusual
driftwood birdhouses • Chair caning • Handmade cypress
boat • Quill pen and pencil making demonstration
Military exhibit • SASS Single Action Shooters Society
in front of Heritage House • Jambalaya, Jams and Jellies
Bluegrass Band plays from 11 am - 1 pm
Gospet singing from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 pm
Contact Elvin Watts, Theatre Antiques 665-4666
CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 5
Louisiana’s Judges Are Abandoning the Two Parties
The Silent Revolution in Black
Many La. Judges
Want to Be Seen
As Non-Partisan,
And That Can Be
Good Politics Too
Louisiana Judges Listed as ‘No Party’
Louisiana Supreme Court (One)
Associate Justice John Weimer, Thibodaux
Louisiana Courts of Appeal (Two)
Judges Jeannette Garrett, Shreveport
Jimmy Genovese, Opelousas
Louisiana District Judges (25)
Woody Jenkins
Editor
BATON ROUGE - The most powerful political changes generally come
from the bottom up. While most of
the political establishment has been
asleep, including the media, the Louisiana electorate has been changing,
as more than 700,000 have shunned
the Republicans and Democrats
and registered to vote as Independents, No Party or Other. Today,
there are almost as many Independents as Republicans in Louisiana.
You may be surprised to learn
that one group of elected officials
has recognized the sea change that
is going on and taken full advantage
of it. This most unlikely group is in
some ways the least political of all
elected officials — the judiciary!
Today 34 sitting judges and district attorneys in Louisiana have
switched from Democrat or Republican to Independent or No Party.
They include one member of
the Louisiana Supreme Court, two
members of the Court of Appeal,
25 District Judges, and six District
Attorneys. This does not include a
large number of city court judges,
justices of the peace and constables.
No sitting judge we asked was
willing to talk about his party affiliation on the record, but several did
submit to interviews off the record.
Here are some of their comments:
Former State Reps. Joe McCallum and
Steve Windhurst are now sitting District
Judges. McCallum is an Independent and
Windhorst is a Republican.
•“I’ve never been an advocate
of parties and as a judge my role
should be non-political. So being No
Party fits my philosphy perfectly.”
•“I’ve been a Democrat most of
my life, but the party has left me.
I’d probably be more comfortable
as a Republican but in my district
that would be too big a step. So
now I’m a proud Independent!”
•“Most people I know hate the
Democrats and most of them also
hate the Republicans, and I do too.
But ‘Independent’ is a good brand,
and I’m happy with it.”
•“My district is polarized between black Democrats and white
Republicans, and all of them seem
to be happy I’m not aligned.”
Only two Independents serve in
the Louisiana Legislature but scores
serve as Mayors, Councilmen,
School Board members, justice of
the peace, and constables.
Is a revolution brewing?
Judges Jennifer Clason, Homer • Jimmy Teat,
Jonesboro • Cynthia Woodar, Ruston • Jay McCullum, Farmerville • Wilson Rambo, West Monroe •
Fred Ammon, Monroe • James Stephens, Baskin •
Jacque Derr, Winnfield • Thomas Yeager, Pineville
• Stephen Beasley, Many • Michael Canaday, Lake
Charles • Jules Edwards III and Thomas Duplantier, Lafayette • Keith Comeaux, New Iberia • John
LeBlanc, Thibodaux • William Dupont, Plaquemine
• James Best, Ventress • Peter Garcia, Covington •
Tom Kliebert, Paulina • Kevin Conner, Belle Chasse
• John Waller, Houma • Kirk Vaughn, Chalmette •
Kerry Anderson, DeRidder • Ashley Thomas,
Columbia • Robert Burgess, Mansfield
District Attorneys Listed as ‘No Party’ (6)
John Belton, Ruston • James Lancaster, Oak Grove
• Chris Nevils, Winnfield • Cam Morvant, Thibodaux •
Asa Skinner, Leesville • Brian Frazier, Columbia
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6 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Premiere of ‘Central Today’ Will Walk
In a mother’s womb were
two babies. One asked the
other: “Do you believe in life
after delivery?”
The other replied, “Why, of
course! There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we
are here to prepare ourselves
for what we will be later.”
“Nonsense” said the first.
“There is no life after delivery.
What kind of life would that
be?”
The second said, “I don’t
know, but there will be more
light than here. Maybe we will
walk with our legs and eat from
our mouths. Maybe we will
have other senses that we can’t
understand now.”
The first replied, “That is
absurd. Walking is impossible.
And eating with our mouths?
Ridiculous! The umbilical
cord supplies nutrition and
everything we need. But the
umbilical cord is so short. Life
after delivery is to be logically
excluded.”
The second insisted, “Well
Central schools Supt. Mike Faulk and Central Jr. Shelton will host Central Today on Cox 21.
The Central School Complex will be the focus of the first episode of Central Today.
Frank Hillyard (far left) videoing the first Central Today program. At center, Mayor Shelton and Supt. Faulk at Central Middle Library. At right, the entrance to Central Intermediate.
1st Program Will Feature $46 Million School Complex
Supt., Mayor Walk
Viewers Through
State-of-the-Art
Facility on Sullivan
CENTRAL - The inaugural
edition of Central Today,
the new weekly television
program about Central, will
be devoted to the new $46
million Central School Complex, located on Sullivan
Road, just north of Hooper.
The state-of-the-art facility is the center of daily life
for 2,100 students attending
Central Intermediate School
and Central Middle School.
It is reputed to be one of the
finest school campuses in
the South. But few outside
of Central have been inside
the complex and seen firsthand what is there.
In the first edition of Central Today, Central schools
Supt. Mike Faulk will provide a personally-guided tour
of the facilites, as Mayor
Shelton takes the role of the
viewer, asking questions
and making comments.
The show was taped over
the Mardi Gras holidays
when the students were
gone. So the focus is on
the facilities themselves and
what they have to offer.
The school complex is
the result of a bond and tax
election passed by the voters of Central.
Central Today is made
possible because of the cooperation and support of
Metro 21 and Dennis Mc-
Cain and thanks to the cooperation of Metro Councilman Scott Wilson.
Videography is by Frank
Hillyard. The producer is
the Central City News,
Woody Jenkins, editor.
Photography is by Jolice
Provost. Staff support is
provided by Candi Lee and
Kim Powers. Here’s how to
view Central Today:
Central Television
Central
Today
How to watch Central Today LIVE:
1. For Cox Cable subscribers, tune to
Cable Channel 21 at 6:30 p.m. every Friday
2. For AT&T U-Verse subscribers, tune to
U-Verse Channel 99 at 6:30 p.m. every Friday
3. On your computer, iPhone, iPad, or other mobile
device, go to brgov.com/metro21/stream.asp
at 6:30 p.m. every Friday
$3,595.00
Cash Price
How to watch Central Today ANYTIME:
On your computer, iPhone, iPad,
or other mobile device, go to the following
and click “Central Today”:
City of Central website: www.CentralGov.com
Central Schools’ website: www.CentralCSS.org
Central City News website: www.CentralCityNews.us
Central Today website: www.CityofCentral.com
NOW $2,399.00
Cash Price
www.CityofCentral.com
CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 7
Viewers Through School Complex
At left, Central Mayor Jr. Shelton and Supt. Mike Faulk with Central Intermediate principal Rhonda Taylor. The school has had the state’s top performing 3rd graders for years.
At left, Associate Supt. Sandy Davis and Central Intermediate School principal Rhonda Taylor begin a tour of CIS for Central Mayor Jr. Shelton, Supt. Mike Faulk, and viewers.
CENTRAL - The Central School
Complex is located on 88 acres on
Sullivan Road. Built at a cost of
$46 million, it has 258,000 square
feet of indoor learning space. The
architect was PBK. It includes
two schools — Central Intermediate School (grades 3-5) and Central
Middle School (grades 6-8). Each
school can serve 1,200 students.
,
e
m
a
N
New
.
y
c
a
g
e
L
e
m
a
S
Central uses Steven Covey’s Leader in Me
Classifieds
$6 for first 10 words. $10 for 11 to 20
words, $15 for 21 to 30 words. $20 for
31 to 40 words. $25 for one column inch
classified display ad. Call 261-5055.
Must be paid in advance. To pay by
credit card, go to www.centralcitynews.
us and click “Pay Now” on the left. Then
email ad copy to centralcitynews@hotmail.com. Or mail or hand deliver check
and ad copy to Central City News, 910
N. Foster, Baton Rouge 70806
CHRISTIAN/DEPENDABLE —Lady
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FOR SALE —Dooney & Bourke purse.
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4-1-15
HOUSE FOR RENT—3 Bedroom 1.5
Bath totally updated home in Indian
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Essential means giving more and understanding that the good things in life always
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8 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Buddy Amoroso Victory Party Feb. 21
AMOROSO FAMILY CELEBRATION — Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso, his wife Denise and family members celebrated his first place finish Feb. 21. He faces a runoff March 28.
What’s Happening?
VICTORY PARTY — Carla Robert, Buddy Amoroso, Rep. Valarie Hodges, Hank Henagan, and Lionel Rainey III
Continued from Page 1
March 6 • 4 to 9 p.m. March 7 • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
10th Annual Craft Fair
Greenwell Springs Baptist
Greenwell Springs Baptist, located at 19421 Greenwell Springs
Rd.. will hold it’s annual Craft
Fair. Family-friendly fun will include carnival rides, over 60 craft
booths, live auction, car show, food
and lots of fun for everyone!www.
greenwellsprings.com
March 6, 13, 20 and 27
4 to 6 p.m.
St. Alphonsus Fish Fry
St. Alphonsus Men’s Club will
hold its annual Lenten Fish Fry
each Friday in March at the church.
Price is $7 a box take out only. For
more information call Butch Henderson at 241-1256
March 13-14
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Garage Sale
Zoar Baptist Church
Huge Garage Sale at Zoar Baptils Church, corner of Hooper and
Joor Rd. Cash only!
March 12 and 28
9 a.m.
Deep South Horse Show
BREC Shady Park Arena
Deep South Stock Horse Show
Association will hold Open Horse
Shows at BREC Shady Park Arena
in Greenwell Springs. Show times
are 9 a.m. Showmanship, followed
by Trail and all Western Pleasure
classes at 12 noon. Speed events
(starts with Quads) are 30 minutes
after the previous class.
March 21
5:30 p.m.
10th Annual
Sportsman’s Banquet
Greenwell Springs Baptist,
19421 Greenwell Springs Rd., will
host its annual Sportsman’s Banquet in the gymnasium, As always,
this is a free event. Men, young and
old, are invited!
March 21
10 a.m.- 12 Noon
A Woman’s Wellness
Community Event
The Ladies Ministry of Galilee
Baptist Church at 11050 Greenwell
Springs-Port Hudson Rd, Zachary,
LA 70791, will be hosting an Outreach Wellness Event for Women.
It will be a time for women to come
together to learn the importance of
healthy living. Businesses and organizations will provide educational information that will encourage
women to lead a healthier lifestyle.
There will be music, door prizes,
guest speakers at 11 a.m., and a light
lunch. The event is free to all women. Child care will be available.
CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 9
HD66 Being Fought
Door to Door in SG
Ourso (R)
Nelson (NP)
Feb. 21, 2015 Primary
St. George, LA
Bond (R)
House District 66
Amoroso (R)
HOUSE DISTRICT 66 — Candidates Darrell Ourso, Rick Bond, and Buddy Amoroso.
01 090 A Episcopal High School
22
26
24
23
01 090 B Episcopal High School
28
19
26
20
01 103 A Parklawn Park Rec Center
68
19
10
25
01 103 B Parklawn Park Rec Center
56
5
9
15
03 010 A Lutheran Church of Our Savior
49
9
9
31
03 010 B Lutheran Church of Our Savior
39
11
5
22
03 016 A The Runnels School
87
28
12
68
03 016 B The Runnels School
82
25
17
89
03 019 A Highland Rd. Park Rec Center
35
40
6
33
03 019 B Highland Rd. Park Rec Center
56
55
10
26
03 020 A Ben Burge Park
37
38
47
27
03 022
Woodlawn High School
49
11
9
134
03 020 B Woodlawn High School 38
56
34
22
03 033 A Barringer Rd. Park Rec Center
51
9
12
46
03 033 B Barringer Rd. Park Rec Center
50
30
11
41
03 034 A ITI Technical College
23
3
5
23
03 034 B ITI Technical College
14
5
17
21
03 038 A Woodlawn Middle School
32
9
14
51
03 038 B Woodlawn Middle School
46
11
14
49
03 043 A Shenandoah Elementary School
28
13
4
38
03 043 B Shenandoah Elementary School
37
14
11
47
03 045 A Woodlawn High School
53
24
13
82
03 045 B Woodlawn High School
48
19
14
76
03 047 A Crosspoint Baptist Church
42
28
11
43
03 047 B Crosspoint Baptist Church
34
19
14
35
03 048 A ITI Technical College
48
36
13
59
03 048 B ITI Technical College
57
18
17
43
03 053 A Woodlawn Middle School
29
2
19
24
03 053 B Woodlawn Middle School
28
5
9
7
Early Voting 246
184
67
257
FINAL RESULTS
1,512
771
483 1,477
Percentages
36%18% 11% 35%
Amoroso, Ourso
To Face Runoff
Election Mar. 28
$200,000 to generate interest in
their campaigns.
Now the candidates and their
volunteers are on the streets going
door to door, trying to motivate voters to go to the polls in early voting
March 14-21 and on election day
March 28. It is a pitched battle, and
Continued from Page 3
candidate knows that a hand Bond, who included many liber- each
ful
of
votes either way could make
tarian ideas in his campaign, was the difference.
reasonably well funded and ran a
competitive campaign. However,
in the end, he ran a disappointing
third place with 18 percent of the
vote.
Both Amoroso and Ourso are
registered Republicans. However,
Amoroso has the official endorsement of the Republican Party of
East Baton Rouge Parish.
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Both are conservative on most
& Sheet Metal Services
issues, but Amoroso says they disagree on taxes. “If you look at
Darrell’s record on the Council, he
often supported raising taxes as the
solution to problems,” he said.
LLC
With a budget shortfall, the legislature will be pressured to raise taxServing Central and
es, he said. Now, more than ever, it
the Surrounding Area
is important to have fiscal conservaSince 1990
tives in the legislature, he said.
Both Amoroso and Ourso say
Our Top Priority Is Your
they are strongly pro-life, and both
say they are committed to maintainComplete Satisfaction
ing marriage as between one man
COMMERCIAL &
and one woman.
The big challenge for both canRESIDENTIAL
didates as they approach the March
28 runoff is the problem of voter
apathy.
A feeble 13.8 percent of regisFax 262-1981 • www.blancosroofing.com
tered voters went to the polls and
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Use Central
City News to Reach
The City of Central
Louisiana’s 12th Largest City
Baton Rouge Central
Population
229,426
27,743
Home Ownership 50.9%
87.2%
Home Value
$154,600 $175,200
Per Capita
Income
$23,949
$31,724
Median Household
Income
$38,594
$68,985
Below Poverty 25.4%
7.3%
Total Personal Income • City of Central
— $880,118,932 Annually —
Retail Sales: Over $260 Million
Central City News
Post Office Box 1 • Central, LA 70739
CentralCityNews@hotmail.com
Phone 225-261-5055
To Advertise, Contact Kim at 921-8784 or Jolice at 405-8894
10 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Annual St. Alphonsus Taste of Central
Anna Budde
Father Mike Moroney and Bo Stepp
Rita and Mayor Jr. Shelton and Mr. and Mrs David Ratcliff
Jennifer Applewhite
Participants enjoyed food from Central’s best restaurants.
Cindy and John Ryals
Baton Rouge Business Directory
Advertising
Central City News
For information on advertising
in the newspaper, call
Jolice or Candi at
225-261-5055
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Wind Shield Repair & Replacement
We Come to You • 225-791-7440
Automotive
North Store
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225-927-2311
South Store
12116 S. Airline
Alterations
Carpet Cleaning
Flower’s
BayouSteam
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General Sand & Gravel Co.
Limestone, Gravel, Mason Sand, Clay, Top Soil,
Riversilt, Crushed Concrete, Tractor Work,
Swimming Pool Demo & Fill-In
225-261-3953
Furniture
3-month contract $50 a month
6-month contract $47 a month
9-month contract $45 a month
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Plumbing
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CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 11
Raised Funds for Church and School
Central’s Restaurants Served
Their Best to Packed House
Officer Gene Hebert, Mayor Jr. Shelton and wife, Rita Shelton
Ricardo Barraza, owner of Caliente Mexican Craving in Central
Melissa and Tommy Dykes
owners of MePa’s Diner
Jeanette Eisworth
of Don’s Seafood
Mikayla Gerald of
Cafe Phoenicia
Shirley and Dwayne
Digirolamo of
Carlton’s Seafood
Rhonda and Brennan Easley
225-261-2995
Gaston and Lorraine Gerald
Lewis Wrecker Service, Inc.
Family Owned and Operated since 1956
Remember When?
Lewis Cafe on
Airline Highway
in the 1950’s
9555 Joor Road
Central, LA 70818
You have tried the rest! Now USE the BEST!
Mike Gardner and Mason Evans
of Coaches Corner
Emily Maddie and
Sous Chef, Kyle Gautreaux
State Inspections
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oil & Filter Change
Up to 5 Qt
Conv. Oil
$2.50
Disp Fee
Since
1966
Eye Glass Recycling Boxes at
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12 CENTRAL CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Milestones
Births • Engagements • Weddings • Deaths
Anniversaries • Reunions
WEDDING
Jessica Ann Morris and Travis John
Aslin were wed at The Bluffs.
BIRTHS
Cooper Ross Lormand was born on
December 17, 2015
Jessica Morris, Travis Aslin Pocorello, Gordon to Marry at
Married in St. Francisville The Gatehouse April, 18, 2015
CENTRAL — Jessica Ann Morris
and Travis John Aslin were married in a 4 p.m. ceremony on October 11, 2014 at The Bluffs Golf
Resort in St. Francisville. Pastor
Les Colvin, of First Baptist Church
Zachary, officiated the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of
Russell and Kathy Morris of Pride.
She is the granddaughter of Alvin and Betty Morris of Denham
Springs, and the late William and
Alice Powers of Erwinville.
The bridegroom is the son of Joe
and Connie Aslin of Zachary. He is
the grandson of Mildred Aslin of
Ethel, the late Rayburn Aslin, and
the late Roy and Gladys Hadden of
Zachary.
The bride was attended by her
matron of honor, Brittany Spinks,
and bridesmaids Letrez Cole and
Amber Hopkins.
The groom was attended by his
best man and father, Joe Aslin,
and groomsmen Mike Fresina and
JaVaughn Joseph. Ushers were
Dustin Aslin, the groom’s brother,
and David Crapanzano, the bride’s
brother. On the evening before
their wedding, the groom’s parents
hosted a rehearsal dinner at The
BATON ROUGE — Danielle Elizabeth Pocorello of Zachary and
Patrick Lee Gordon, Jr., of Satsuma will marry in a 7 p.m. ceremony on April 18, 2015, at The
Gatehouse in Baton Rouge.
The bride-elect is the daughter
of Joseph “Farrell” and Elizabeth
Pocorello of Zachary. She is the
granddaughter of Alice Pocorello
and the late Joseph Pocorello of
Greenwell Springs, the late Ralph
and Betty Laurent of Plaquemine.
The bride-elect is a 2007 graduate
of Central Private School. She is
employed as a hair stylist.
Patrick is the son of Pat and
Candiace Gordon of Satsuma. He
is the grandson of Earl Ray Sr.
and Stella “Tottie” McDonald of
Livingston, Debra Womack and
the late Terence Womack of Satsuma. Patrick is a 2009 graduate
of Doyle High School. He is cur-
Mr. and Mrs. Travis Aslin
Bluffs.
Following a honeymoon to
Gatlinburg, Tennesee, the couple
resides in Zachary.
rently employed as a firefighter
with the Baton Rouge Fire Department.
Erica Zumo, Vincent DeNoux
To Wed at Sacred Heart Church
2015 Petite Miss City of Central
Competes for Model of the Year
CENTRAL — 2015 Petite Miss
City of Central, Lily Ruth Hensley, auditioned to model for Baton Rouge Fashion Week and
was one of the few chosen out
of 388 competitors to walk the
runways and compete for Model
of the Year.
Lily Ruth attends Bellingrath
Elementary and loves representing her hometown as Petite Miss
City of Central in many events
throughout the community and
the great state of Louisiana. If
you'd like to see Lily sparkle on
the runways you can get tickets
at BatonRougeFashionWeek.
com
Danielle Pocorello and Patrick Gordon
Erica Zumo and Vincent DeNoux
BATON ROUGE —Erica Elizabeth Zumo of Central, and Vincent
Anthony DeNoux of New Orleans
will marry at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catholic Church at 6:30 in the evening on April 24, 2015.
The bride-elect is the daughter
of Steven Zumo Jr. of Central. She
is the granddaughter of Dorothy
and Raymond Zumo Sr. of Central.
She is a graduate of Central Private
School and is currently studying
nursing at Baton Rouge Community College.
Her fiancé Vincent DeNoux is
the son of Susan and Michael
Barocco and O’Neil and Debra
DeNoux. He is the grandson of
Anthony Colombo and the late
Shirley Colombo, Josie DeNoux,
and O’Neil DeNoux Sr. He is a
graduate of Archibishop Hannan
High School and Louisiana State
University. He is employed by
Cintas where he is a Service Sales
Representative.
Louisiana GOP Urges
Common Core Repeal
BATON ROUGE - Ross Little, Jr.,
Louisiana’s Republican National
Committeeman announced today
that the LAGOP adopted a resolution calling for the Repeal of
Common Core. The resolution
was adopted overwhelmingly on
Saturday, Feb. 21, at the first State
Republican meeting of 2015.
The Resolution was sponsored
by Little of Lafayette and co-sponsored by State Rep. Lenar Whitney
of Houma, both of whom serve
on the Republican National Committee, together with several other
members of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee.
“We’ve been meeting with numerous legislators since September,” said Little, “and we are hopeful that the legislature will repeal
Common Core in the upcoming
legislative session. “
The Republican resolution calls
on legislators, BESE members and
others to promote state and local
control of public schools and to
resist federal intrusion into education policymaking by a full repeal
of the CCSSI. The resolution asks
that the repeal be made “by any and
all means necessary, including action by the Louisiana Legislature,
CENTRAL CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 13
BIRTHS
CENTRAL - Rhett and Courtney
Lormand proudly
announce
the
Lawrence J.
Alonzo
birth of their second son, Cooper Ross. He was born Dec. 17,
2014 at Woman’s Hospital at 7:14
a.m. Cooper weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz.
and was 20 inches long. Cooper
was welcomed home by his big
brother, Colt Browning Lormand,
age 2. Proud grandparents are
Anne and Dave Matlock of Central, George Lormand, Jr., of Hall
Summit, Becky and Sam Walding
of Watson, and great grandparents
Gladys and Ross Ford.
Cooper Ross Lormand
CENTRAL - Derek and Kris-
Roger Villere
Republican State Chairman
the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education, the State
Superintendent of Education, the
Governor, and any other officials.”
The resolution commended parents and activists in the state and
across the nation for reclaiming
our heritage of citizen-directed
government, supporting education
choices for academic freedom and
individual excellence in a free market model rather than a “one size
fits all” approach to education that
is being promoted in the CCSSI.
ten McKey proudly announce
the birth of their first child, Avery Rose. She was born at 12:19
a.m. on Jan. 16, 2015 at Woman’s Hospital. Avery weighed
seven pounds 11 ounces and was
19.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Jim and Kathy Tate
of Central and Todd and Karen
McKey of Zachary. Great grandparents are Jim & Pauline Tate of
Baker, the late Howard and Rose
Broussard, Larry and Joyce Bellard of Zachary, and Jack and
Faye McKey of Gloster, MS.
CENTRAL - Kaleb and Heather
Penico Morain of Panama City
Beach, FL are proud to announce
the birth of their second son, Gabriel Maximus Morain. Born on
August 26, 2014 at Sacred Heart
Lawrence
J. Alonzo
of the Emerald
Coast
Hospital
in Miramar, Florida. He waswelcomed home by big brother Gavin.
Proud Grandparents are Dennis
and Nealy Morain of Central and
Dr. Jesse and Roxanne Penico
of Pensacola Beach, FL. Greatgrandparents are Jane Kinchen
of Central Floyd and Clara
Smith of Pensacola Beach, FL.
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Edmund Ellis LeSage
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 9, 2015 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Greenwell
Springs for Edmund Ellis LeSage,
Sr., age 86, who passed away Friday,
Feb. 6, 2015 at 12:49 a.m. at The Carpenter House in Baton Rouge. Interment was in St. Alphonsus Catholic
Cemetery in Greenwell Springs.
The Rev. Michael Moroney, pastor
of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in
Greenwell Springs, officiated at the
services. Mr. LeSage was born Sept.
8, 1928 and was a life-long resident
of Greenwell Springs. He retired as
an operation supervisor from Kaiser
Aluminum. His hobbies included
gardening and woodworking. Mr.
LeSage was a veteran of the military, having served in the U.S. Army
during the Korean Conflict. Survivors include two sons Edmund “Eddie” LeSage and his wife, Brenda, of
Houston, Texas and Ronald “Ron-
nie” LeSage and his wife, Daphne, of
Central; one sister, Florence L. Kelly;
four brothers, Laurence LeSage and
his wife, Ann, Marvin LeSage, Donald LeSage and his wife, Gloria, and
Claude LeSage and his wife, Delores; one granddaughter, Morgan L.
Melancon and her husband, Charles;
three grandsons, Ron LeSage and his
wife, Jodi, John LeSage and his wife,
Michelle, and Corey LeSage and his
wife, Rachel; and four
great
Theresa
andgrandL.J. Alonzo
children, Marlee, Gavin, and Tripp
LeSage, and Jayden Rose Melancon.
He was preceded in death by his wife
of 58 years, Marlene Doran LeSage,
his parents, John R. LeSage and Ida
Morgan LeSage, two brothers, Harold LeSage and Cyril LeSage, and
one grandson, Jason Douglas LeSage. Pallbearers were Carl Cobb, Jeff
Cobb, Corey LeSage, John LeSage,
Ron LeSage and Charles Melancon.
Honorary pallbearers will be Edmund’s godson, Richard Cobb and
life-long friend, Mr. Joseph DiGirolamo.In lieu of flowers memorial
donations are encouraged in Edmund
LeSage, Sr.’s name to St. Alphonsus
Building Fund, 14040 Greenwell
Springs Road, Greenwell Springs, LA
70739. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.melanconfuneralhome.net.Melancon Funeral Home
of Carencro, 4615 North University
Avenue, (337) 896-6366, is in charge
of arrangements.
Lost Cat
7 year old black & white
male cat. Home on Devall
Rd. Possible siting on Bon
Dickey. Call 225-954-1821
14 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Family Pays Tribute to Lawrence J. Alonzo
Lawrence J. Alonzo
Aug. 19, 1924 - Jan. 9, 2015
Dad’s Dash. Because it is the dash
in the middle of being born and the day
that we die that matters the most. And
our Dad’s Dash was extraordinary!
He was five years old, the youngest of 10 children, when his father died
and his mother, his grandmother, he
and some of his siblings moved in with
his oldest sister, Nellie, into their little
home on Chippewa Street, along with
her husband and her two children.
Being the youngest, Dad often told
us how everyone spoiled him and what
a temper he had. Yet, at age 7, he began
working after school and during the
summer, and he brought every penny
home to his mother. She gave him a
small allowance from what he earned.
He was a child of the Depression,
and it was during those years that he
learned the value of a dollar. He didn’t
waste his money. He learned how to
live off of little and to value what he
had. He could fix anything and loved
to tinker with engines, especially his
Snapper lawnmower. He took care of
all his tools and his car and little red
truck.
Daddy graduated from Istrouma
Theresa and L.J. Alonzo • Lawrence J. Alonzo • Kissing great granddaughter Larissa
High School in 1941, and joined the
Navy when WWII broke out. He was
a 2nd class Petty Officer on the Ticonderoga aircraft carrier. He learned
how to swim, when they threw him off
the ship. They called him “Little Bit”
because he weighed 130 pounds soaking wet. He was stationed in Australia
when his unit was ordered to move out
to the Phillipines. He was left behind
because he had to have his tonsils removed. When he recovered, he was assigned to bring two sailors to meet their
unit in the Phillipines. He wrote about
this adventure in great detail. He traveled thousands of miles across the vast
Pacific Ocean on a freighter with these
two sailors carrying all of his records
and the two sailors. The ship dropped
him off on a small island and somehow he got a small boat to take them
to another island. No one in the entire
Navy knew of his mission, except the
warrant officer and him. He told us he
never doubted that he would reconnect
with his old unit. Many weeks later, his
commanding officer were surprised to
see “Little Bit” and his two comrades.
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Where you’re not a number, you’re a friend!
Fast Convenient Service • 13565 Hooper Road
262-6200
Before cell phones and computers, he
managed to find his unit. He was only
19 years old!
Daddy met our mother in 1946, after the War, when he was introduced to
her by her best friend, Nat Couvillion.
Mom’s parents weren’t too sure of this
Baton Rouge boy wanting to marry
their daughter. When it didn’t appear
that they would accept him, he respectfully told them, Mr. and Mrs. Lemoine,
“I love your daughter and she loves
me and I am going to marry her.” Six
months later, they were married and he
became another son to them.
He was direct like that. One never
had to doubt how he felt or what he
believed. All who knew him knew that
about him. His word was his bond. His
Alonzo name was the most important
fact about him. He often told us, “Never disgrace the Alonzo family name.
Stand up for what you believe, do the
job, get it done. Nothing is impossible
if you believe it.” He had an incredible
work ethic. He never left a job undone
and expected that of others too. He
walked what he talked. We knew we
could trust Dad, and others knew that
about him too.
Dad began working at Stauffer
Chemical plant and quickly realized
that with his growing family he had to
further his education in order to move
up in the company. He began taking
correspondence courses and going
to school at night, made a lab in our
outside work room, and studied after work. Six years later, he earned a
chemical engineer associates degree.
He was made head of production. He
retired during his 60’s but the plant
quickly unretired him, and he worked
for many years charting the plant on
a computer program and serving as a
consultant. He mentored many younger men along the way. Some of you are
here today.
Daddy once told us that the best way
to love your children is to love their
mother, and daddy did that so well. Our
mother was the love of his life, and my
brothers and I experienced the security
of that love always.
Daddy had a deep faith and prayed
on his knees every night, read his Bible, studied God’s Word, and encouraged us all to do the same. As the years
passed and his family grew, his prayer
list grew. He prayed for us all and
would often go to sleep praying.
He marked on his calendar every
birthday of children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren, special nieces and
nephews, and other family. He loved
birthdays, and sharing holidays with
family.
Daddy believed in family. That’s the
way he was reared. Family helps family. We were always encouraged to be
there for one another.
Probably the best way to show the
character of the man our father was is
to hear some of his own words to us in
a letter he wrote for us to read after he
was gone:
“Family has a high priority. Helping one
another in need never ends until that need is
satisfied and no longer a problem. This is to be
whether it is directly in your family or the family of your siblings. Family “virtue”, not ‘value’ is the governing factor. So often “value” is
used as the acceptable term. Value is a number
agreed as being acceptable, while virtue is doing what is morally right.
“Your mother and I want you to know that
we love you very much. We have been blessed
by God to see how well all of you have enriched
our lives. You are our greatest treasure. We have
lived to see grandchildren grow up and start careers in their lives. They share these moments
with us. Some have married and blessed us with
great grandchildren. All of this is the treasured
legacy that we leave you to share with one another. Keep this growing in your heart and follow the tradition by always being aware and
united together with each other. Nothing would
please us more than knowing that the seed we
planted in your hearts to care and love one another grows and continues to grow always and
always, forever and ever.“
Daddy once told us that he didn’t
think he could be a good daddy because he never had one. But Daddy,
you were the perfect dad for me, Denny, Robin and Kevin. God blessed us
with you and mom to be our parents.
Rest well, Daddy. We will see you
again.
We love you, Daddy… always and
always, forever and forever….
— Submitted by
Roxanne Alonzo Atkinson
CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015 15
Pro Bass Challenge Fishing Tournment Mar. 28-29
BATON ROUGE - Fifty professional
anglers and 50 TV talented amateurs are expected to compete in
the Pro Bass Challenge Fishing
Tournament March 28-29.
Jones Creek Cafe owner George
Shaheen has taken a leading role in
organizing the tournament.
The winning pro will receive
$10,000, while the leading amateur
will win $2,500. Pros and amateurs will team up and fish in the
Atchafalaya.
The event starts at 11 a.m. each
day at Albertson’s, while the fishing is going on in the Atchafalaya.
The weigh-in will be at 4 p.m.
each day.
The event, which will be free
to the public, will include music,
food, and crafts. Louisiana Fish
Fry, the Louisiana Lottery, and
Community Coffee are among the
sponsors, who are combining to
make it a fun event.
Pelican Sports TV will broadcast
the weigh-in live each day. Their
fish in the back of the boat with a www.probasschallenge.com or call
or email George Shaheen at gshaprofesional angler.
For more information, go to heen@bellsouth.net or 939-7369.
Republican Women Offering
Scholarship to Central Grad
show featuring the Pro Bass Challenge will air throughout the month.
The LSU Fishing Team will participate in the tournament and will
BATON ROUGE - The Republican
Women of Central are investing
in the education of female high
school graduates from the City of
Central with the second college
scholarship to be awarded in May
2015. The amount of scholarship
awarded will change year to year
and is funded through donations
to RWC for the purpose of literacy
and education. The 2015 College
Scholarship is $1,000.
Requirements and Eligibility:
Applicants must be a Female students completing their high school
academic requirements whose pri-
mary residence is in the City of
Central. She must submit an application, available at school guidance
offices, completed to
Republican Women of Central,
Box 78037, Central, LA 70837.
Entries must be postmarked no
later than Friday, April 10, 2015.
The RWC Executive Committee will make the decision based on
academics, community service and
volunteerism, political awareness,
and overall responses on this application. Public, private, parochial
and home school students are eligible.
Two Numbers That Should
Terrify the Two Major Parties
Of all the numbers in the Louisiana Secretary of State database,
there is one number that should terrify the Republicans and another
number that should terrify the Democrats.
For Republicans, the number is
21,851.
That is the number of black Republicans in Louisiana!
For all the minority outreach that
the Republicans have done, 21,851
is the tiny number of black voters
they have attracted.
There are 901,621 black voters
in Louisiana. Yet, only 2.4 percent
have registered as Republicans. For
the Republican Party, something
isn’t working!
Are Republicans such poor salesmen that they can’t market their
ideas to blacks?
How many blacks are Christians?
How many are veterans?
How many own businesses?
How many own guns?
How many are policemen and
firemen?
From among these potential allies, the Republicans can only find
21,851 willing to join in?
That’s amazing!
On the other hand, the Democrats
have an even more embarrassing
number to worry about.
It’s a number that is so devastating that they may lose their ability to elect anyone statewide in the
foreseeable future and they may become a permanent minority.
That number is 170,717.
That is the number of black voters who have turned their backs on
the Democratic Party and registered
as Independents or other parties!
They couldn’t go so far as to
register Republican. Perhaps they
don’t feel welcome.
But they definitely asserted their
“independence” in more ways than
one: 170,717 of them said “no” to
the Democratic Party. Without
them, one thing is certain: Democrats cannot win statewide.
So the Democrats have two big
problems in Louisiana: The lack of
talented candidates to run for statewide office and a rebellion within
their ranks — the mass defection
of 170,717 voters who said to the
Democrats: “Count me out!”
Fall of Democrats and Rise of Independents
Continued from Page 4
Today, most ambitious whites
who want to get into politics register as Republicans. Most ambitious
blacks who want to get into politics
register as Democrats.
Black Democrats seldom run for
statewide office in Louisiana, and
almost no serious candidates have
emerged.
Today white Democrats also seldom run for statewide office. But
why?
Again, the answer is lack of talent. In other words, Democrats
just don’t have a large pool of talented, amibitious white candidates
to choose from.
Basically, the flawed ideology
of the radical left, which has taken
over the Democratic Party, has driven away the attractive young moderate to conservative leaders who
could bring their party to victory.
Can Democrats be elected statewide in Louisiana today? Of course
they can! The numbers still work
for them. If they can find and fund
the right candidate, he can win, and
he can do it with the same formula
as before: Unite black voters and
win one-third of white voters.
But... the formula is changing!
While Democrats can still win in
Louisiana statewide, that may be
changing permanently, because of
The Rise of Independents.
It has happened without fanfare
or public attention. It has happened
without millions of dollars being
spent on political consultants, petition drives, or lobbyists.
The electorate in Louisiana has
been changing, and the change is
vast and dramatic.
It is not a demographic change.
Black voters are a somewhat larger
percentage of the voting population, but their low turnout numbers
erase their registration increases.
The change is this: Hundreds of
thousands of people are leaving the
two major parties and registrating
as “No Party” or Independents. A
few are registering with third parties.
The numbers are massive. Today,
734,734 Louisianians have registered as “No Party” or with other
parties. That compares to the Republican Party, which supposedly
“controls” the state. There are only
805,533 registered Republicans in
the state, which includes 753,157
white Republicans.
It is clear that Independent or
“No Party” voters in the state have
the ability to swing most any election.
Woody Jenkins is editor of the Central City
News and Capital City News. He also
serves as Republican Party chairman for
East Baton Rouge Parish.
MASON SULLIVAN KILLS FIRST DEER — 6-year-old Mason Sullivan (left) killed his first deer, a 178-pound 8-point, January 3 while hunting with his dad, Robin Sullivan
in Claiborne County, MS. MAEGAN SHOWS KILLS FIRST DEER —Maegan Shows (center), a sophomore at Central High School, killed her first buck hunting with her dad,
Skip Shows. She shot the trophy size buck in January 2015 in West Feliciana. He was a nice eight point weighing 180 pounds. REECE TILLMAN KILLS FIRST DEER — At
5-year-old Reece Tillman (right) killed his first deer. The deer weighed 160-pounds and was a 3-point.
16 CITY NEWS Thursday, March 5, 2015
Billy Nungesser Campaigning in BR
Billy Nungesser campaigning for Lt. Governor. Also, Deborah Todd; Alvin and Judy Singletary with daughters Kelly Singletary and Kim Powers of Community Press, LLC.
(Left to right) Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser, Republican parish chairman Woody Jenkins, Jolice Provost of Community Press, LLC, at Ronald Reagan Luncheon.
Billy Nungesser Calls for Repeal of Income Tax
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BATON ROUGE - Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser campaigned at the Ronald Reagan
Newsmaker Luncheon and called
for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax, while also repealing various tax exemptions and deductions
to make it possible.
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