THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE&
THURSDAY JANUARY 1, 2015
P R O U D LY O W N E D I N L O U I S I A N A
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THEADVOCATE.COM
1st Year, No. 12
School district retirees honored
Stacy Gill
BY STACY GILL
AROUND ZACAHARY
sgill@theadvocate.com SGILL@ THEADVOCATE.COM
Post-Santa syndrome settles in I don’t know about you, but after the holidays, I go into a deep, blue funk of sorts. It’s sort of like a holiday hangover. Not a true hangover, mind you, caused from imbibing too many spirits, but a holiday emotional zapper that leaves you listless, empty of anticipation and longing for the next festive event to plan, decorate and shop for. There are no more Christmas commercials jingling bells in the background and no songs about Santa shimmying down the chimney to get you in the holiday spirit. Even the mistletoe has died. No, what we’re left with is facing another year’s worth of resolutions we know we won’t keep. Perhaps it’s because the anticipation and hurry and flurry of the holidays are over. Sort of like post-vacation blues, which really exists. I know I’m not the only one who suffers from postSanta syndrome. There’s a lull at the beginning of a new year, and it’s a while before the next festive holiday event comes around. I’d like to know how you beat PSS, or post-Santa syndrome, by sending your beat-the-holiday-blues tips to me so I can share with our readers. Email me at sgill@theadvocate.com.
Leadership North
Leadership North is the leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region. The Zachary Chamber of Commerce hosts the program with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and LSU Agricultural Center. Participation in the program is open to anyone living or working in Baton Rouge, Baker, Central or Zachary and communities in East and West Feliciana and Pointe Coupee parishes äSee GILL, page 6G
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The Zachary Community School Board honored several district retirees at its Dec. 16 meeting. Combined, the retirees worked more than 120 years in education. Superintendent Scott Devillier said he was happy for the district employees but sad to see them go. “It’s a bittersweet time,” Devillier said. Receiving plaques from School Board members were Cynthia Myers, principal; Cornell Smart, janitor; and Mamie Thornton, food service technician. Retiree Deborah Haynes, a counselor, was unable to attend the meeting. Myers retired Dec. 19 as principal from Zachary Early Learning Center. She was named head of the prekindergarten school when it first opened in 2010. Myers began her career in the Zachary school district as assistant principal at Northwestern Elementary School when it housed the pre-kindergarten students. Devillier first announced Myers’ retirement in November at a pep rally celebrating the district’s 10 years with a No. 1 school rating. “Mrs. Myers was a wonderful administrator who loved children. I wish my friend a happy retirement. The ZCSB family will miss her,” Devillier said. Several Zachary Early Learning teachers were in attendance to witness Myers’ recognition along with the school’s Assistant Principal Angela Cassard. Martha Davis, principal of Northwestern Elementary, will remain in her position but also oversee the pre-K center in a dualprincipal role. Myers received a commemorative plaque for her äSee RETIREES, page 2G
Advocate staff photo by STACY GILL
Zachary Early Learning Center Principal Cynthia Myers, left, has retired from the Zachary Community School District. Myers is honored Dec. 16 by the School Board and member Sharon Samuel for her years at the pre-kindergarten and for serving as assistant principal at Northwestern Elementary School. Myers’ retirement was effective Dec. 19.
Cornell Smart, left, a janitor at Copper Mill Elementary Mamie Thornton, left, receives an honor from Kenneth Mackie School, thanks Zachary School Board member Gaynell and the Zachary Community School Board on Dec. 16 for her Young for a plaque he received Dec. 16 recognizing his 11 years as a food service technician at Zachary High School. years of service in the Zachary school district.
Director looks at city’s economic future BY STACY GILL
sgill@theadvocate.com Kate MacArthur serves in a dual capacity as both economic development director for the city of Zachary and the Zachary Chamber of Commerce. MacArthur’s job for both entities — to recruit and retain commercial, industrial and retail businesses into the Zachary area — has been a busy one since she took on the positions in 2012. Besides attracting new commerce, MacArthur places an emphasis on workforce de-
velopment and cultivating development-ready sites such as industrial, professional headquarters, and research and development sites. The future, she says, is built on creating new capital investment and good-paying jobs for Zachary residents. “When you look at the population from 1980 to 2014, Zachary is one of the fastest-growing cities in Louisiana, so we need to have someone steering growth and attracting the businesses we want and need, though the two don’t always go hand in hand,” said MacArthur.
In 2014, more than 40 people inquired about opening a business in Zachary, though it may take up to three years from the first inquiry to the time a business opens. MacArthur’s focus is a balancing act of promoting more commercial growth and supporting the growth of more rooftops. Retail and service businesses are examining rooftop and traffic counts when evaluating their next location. Expanding existing businesses and attracting new ones are the smart way to stimulate economic growth, not by build-
ing more neighborhoods. Otherwise, a strain is put upon infrastructure, MacArthur said. “Fortunately, over the last few years, Zachary has done well with expanding roads and utilities by envisioning the city’s future needs, as infrastructure is vital to the attraction of businesses and residents,” MacArthur said. “It’s a double-edged sword, but the Advocate staff photo by STACY GILL key is determining what businesses are demanding versus Kate MacArthur provids an what the city and residents are update on businesses, the lowilling to give in return. I have cal economy and what’s coming in 2015 at a December äSee ECONOMIC, page 6G Zachary Rotary club meeting.
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