The Baton Rouge Weekly Press Newspaper 09/26/19 by Baton Rouge Weekly Press

LOUISIANA ELECTION 2019 BATON

ROUGE,

LOUISIANA

SERVING BAKER, CENTRAL, AND ZACHARY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 2, 2019

Winnfield Funeral Home to Host Children’s Winter Coat Driv

BATON ROUGE, La. — Winnfield Funeral Home in Baton Rouge is asking Baton Rouge and surrounding communities to donate a new winter coats (unworn) to to children in the Baton Rouge area. Winnfield Funeral Home, 7221 Plank Road, will host the coat drive, Sunday, October 27. Coats for ages 5 to 15 will be distributed from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Hotdogs and candy will also be given to the children who attend. The funeral home is also accepting monetary donations to purchase coats for the children. For mor information, contact Janee Grant or Pierre Cobb at 225357-2675 for more information.

A PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION

‘NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW’

Pelosi Now Backs Impeachment Inquiry Two hundred and eighteen House Democrats and one independent — a majority of the chamber's 435 members — now favor some kind of impeachment action against President Donald Trump, according to latest tally House Democrats reached the milestone a day after Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry into the president following claims that he might have withheld aid to Ukraine to pressure officials there to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son. That nearly all House Democrats support some kind of imSee LAW, on page 2

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announces the House of Representatives will launch a formal inquiry into the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump following a closed House Democratic caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., September 24, 2019.

VOL. 42 • NO.52• FREE

Gov. Edwards, Department of Health Release Louisiana's Opioid Response Plan BATON ROUGE, La — Today, the Louisiana Department of Health released Louisiana’s Opioid Response Plan, the first of its kind for the state. The plan aims to successfully reduce Louisiana’s opioid epidemic by implementing strategies to address the under-reporting of opioid deaths, enhance monitoring of opioid prescriptions and increase access to treatment services. Louisiana saw more than 450 opioid-related deaths in 2018, which points to the need for coordinated and comprehensive action. “While we continue taking a number of positive steps forward in the battle against opioid addiction in Louisiana, we still have much work to do,” said Gov. Edwards. “As a result of more comprehensive data collection, we are better able to understand the challenges of those suffering from this addiction and develop a new, innovative and coordinated state response efforts. Our people are Louisiana’s most valuable resource and the opioid response plan outlines the steps we will take to ensure that we increase

Gov. John Bel Edwards

access to the best standards of care and treatment.” Louisiana has seen a rapid escalation in the opioid prescription rate and the drug overdose rate, prompting the Department to collaborate with partners on the Opioid Response Plan. The Department of Health, through its organizational makeup, is in a unique position to address the opioid epidemic from multiple angles, all under the purview of See PLAN, on page 2

Senate District 15 Candidate, Gary Chambers Speaks At Pastors and Leaders Prayer Breakfast BATON ROUGE, La —Gary Chambers, candidate for Senator, District 15 was the speaker at the Pastors and Leaders Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Metro Councilwoman Chauna Banks. The event, which took place Wednesday morning at DC Eats. a local black owned business that opened a month ago on the corner of Harding Blvd. and Plank Road. Using his experiences as a child growing up in north Baton Rouge as well as Bible verses to explain his zeal for change, Chambers begins with his the tale of his biological mother’s suicide and his biological father’s bout with alcoholism for ten years. Reared by his maternal aunt and her hus-

band, he introduced the couple as his parents. “North Baton Rouge is my home. I was born in this community, raised here, and started my journey here. As a 34 year old, I have dedicated the last several years of my life ringing the alarm on the issues our community faces. Because I grew up here, I remember when you didn’t have to drive miles to go to a decent grocery store. I remember when our community had equal access to healthcare. I could list five or six other I things I remember, but they all lead to one thing, our community has seen better days.’ says Chambers. As publisher of the The Rouge Collection, Chambers has been a

vocal activists to push for equal distribution of government funding, tax incentives, community reinvestment. He has a command presence at council meetings, spoken at the legislature, served on commissions, hosted town halls, assisted in crafting plans for change, protested in the streets, and has even been arrested while speaking up for the rights of people in this community. Economic development has been his priority for the residents that live, work, and play in north Baton Rouge. Gary Chambers told the group that Senate District 15 has a lack of economic, home ownership, and above minimum wage See CHAMBERS, on page 2

From left to right: Ronaldo Hardy, William Bates, Dale Flower (blocked from view), Gary Chambers, Fred Jeff Smith, and Errol K. Domingue

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NCAA'S MESSAGE TO BILL SELF

STATE & LOCAL

RELIGION

BUSINESS

STATE & LOCAL NEWS

Send your news to the news department at the Baton Rouge Weekly Press by emailing it to: brweeklypress@yahoo.com

INDEX State & Local...................... 2 - 5

NOISE RESTRICTIONS This isn’t a theory anymore. It’s not an empty threat from a U.S. Attorney or a grandiose promise from some stuffed shirt in Indianapolis. ...See Page 8

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Baton Rouge’s metro council approved an ordinance to make restrictions about noise levels a bit tighter.... See Page 3

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY

Words are but a small part of parental communication. Now let's look at two types of messages we should purposefully model for our kids...See Page 4

PRACTICAL BUSINESS SKILLS

Religion....................................6 Business....................................7 Classifieds.................................7 Sports.......................................8

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Vereta Tanner Lee Running for BESE District 8

Amedisys Going After 2,000 Home Health Targets in Mom-and-Pop Lan Similar to its peers, Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) is biding its time until it ramps up on M&A activity and goes after the droves of mom-and-pop agencies likely to struggle with the perfect storm of industry-shaping regulatory changes looming in the not-sodistant future. And in some ways, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based home health, personal care and hospice giant is like a kid counting down the days until Christmas to open its presents. In fact, the company even has a wish list of home health targets, according to CEO and President Paul Kusserow. “We’re going after 2,000 targets,” Kusserow said Thursday at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) fall conference in Chicago. “There will be a land rush on these momand-pops.” The Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), a potential phase out of Requests for Anticipated Payments (RAPs) and changes to rural add-on payments are among the key drivers of that land rush, which is likely to kick off in earnest within the first few months of 2020. Depending on how PDGM ultimately looks and what happens with RAPS, some home health agencies could see cash flow

Plan from page 1 a single state agency, but with acute awareness of the need to collaborate across agency lines and systems and branches of government. Louisiana’s Opioid Response Plan describes in detail the initiatives, campaigns and strategic activ-

My name is Vereta Tanner Lee and I am running for Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), District 8. I have lived in District 8 all of my life. I was educated in the public schools in St. Helena Parish. I am a lifelong educator with four decades of experience teaching and mentoring elementary and middle school children. I served on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for 12 years. I am currently the Supervisor of Student Support Services for the City of Baker School System. I am an advocate for Public Education and will continue to work hard to serve the parents, teachers and students of the educational system of District 8. I am asking for your vote and prayers on October 12, 2019 for a chance to work for a great education for All Children in the

Law from page 1 losses as high as 26% moving from December to January — and up to 43% from January to February. The most recently proposed version of PDGM includes assumption-based behavioral adjustments that could pose a more than 8% Medicare payment cuts to agencies next year. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is trying to get rid of RAPs — or home health pre-payments — because of fraud concerns. Currently, many small home health businesses depend on RAPs to pay their employees and keep the lights

on while waiting on full episodic reimbursement from CMS. “CMS is going … after elements of the home business to change it, moving fundamentally from a per-visit type of reimbursement to a [value-based] reimbursement,” Kusserow said. “The effects of some of the things [CMS is] going to do are extraordinary, in the sense that it will push a lot of mom-and-pop home health agencies out of business.” “If you want to go for it, you can do [deals] on the cheap probably in February or March of next year,” he added.

ities currently underway to reduce opioid abuse in Louisiana, as well as those planned, along with the laws, regulations, policies and guidelines that support and define this mission. The plan also incorporates feedback from expert recommendations and public comments. “This ambitious plan takes aim at a devastating public health

epidemic that touches every corner of our communities, destroys lives and tears families apart,” said Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Department of Health. “Through this plan, the Department of Health is committing anew its resources, data, wisdom and partnerships toward reducing the burgeoning opioid crisis in Louisiana.” The plan’s response is built See PLAN, on page 3

peachment action represents a significant development in the chamber's push forward with official impeachment proceedings. But that doesn't mean they will all vote to impeach the president. Some House Democrats, as well as Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., have asked for an impeachment inquiry to examine any evidence of wrongdoing, while others have favored the House Judiciary Committee investigation. Still others have called for drafting articles of impeachment against Trump. The different terms the lawmakers are using to discuss the issue make it unclear how they will vote if articles of impeachment were to go before the full House. The Democratic holdouts, meanwhile, include several of those in competitive districts — some who flipped seats last year. Until recently, less than half of the 235-member Democratic Caucus said they favored taking impeachment action against the president, and Pelosi had tamped down efforts to launch a formal

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Democrat Dalton Honore is a lifelong resident of Scotlandville and a graduate of Southern University. He is a member of the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and the Scotlandville High School Hall of Fame. As a full-time legislator, Dalton will work to create jobs and economic opportunities, enact laws to keep our community safe from violent crime and make sure Southern University is represented in legislature.

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Dalton Honore was the first African American Deputy Sheriff in East Baton Rouge Parish. He spent over 12 years with the sheriff’s office rising to the rank of Captain and Sub-Station Commander. Dalton will work in legislature to enact common sense laws to make our neighborhoods safe from drug dealers and violent criminals.

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Vereta Tanner Lee state of Louisiana. Thank you, Vereta Tanner Lee #51 BESE District 8 www.brvotes.org/candidate/ vereta-tanner-lee/ impeachment push, dismissing it as too divisive. But the number of Democrats backing formal impeachment measures spiked in the weeks after special counsel Robert Mueller's July testimony to the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees about his probe into Trump and Russia, and it snowballed in the past several days amid revelations about a phone call Trump held in July with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in which they discussed the Bidens. On the call, Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and his son, Hunter, who had business dealings in Ukraine. Just days before the conversation, Trump had instructed his chief of staff to place a hold on about $400 million in military aid to the country, which is involved in a continuing military conflict with Russia, which The Washington Post and other news outlets reported earlier this week and NBC News confirmed.

Chambers from page 1 job opportunities and that status has contributed to high crime. Over several years, Chambers has strategized and advanced for development and applying resources to the right projects that will position Senate District 15 to compete in this market. During his speech, the Deante District 15 candidate, envisions north Baton Rouge to be an urban renaissance in the Deep South. As a founding commissioner of North Baton Rouge NOW and a Board member of the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, Chambers is ready to lead Senate District 15. Pastors Fred Jeff Smith, Will Bates, Dale Flowers, Ronaldo Hardy, Errol K. Domingue assembled around the candidate and prayed over him. “I’m always so grateful when people of different religions and backgrounds come together to pray.” Councilwoman Banks said. “It was a very wonderful way to start the day.”

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www.brweeklypress.com • Thursday, September 6-October 2, 2019 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

Dalton Honore Announces Metro Council Approves Ordinance to Tighten Noise Restrictions Candidacy for State Representative for District 63 On August 6th, 2019, I officially announced my candidacy for State Representative for District 63. Previously serving approximate six years in that position, I have thorough experience of how the legislative branch of government operates. District 63 consist of the northern part of East Baton Rouge Parish, Baker, Scotlandville, and parts of Zachary. During my tenure, I served on the Transportation Committee, Criminal Justice Committee, Municipal and Parochial Affairs Committee, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. I am a Democrat, but I have the proven ability to work with both Independent and Republican legislators to get needed projects completed. While serving along with others I worked to secure funding for many Southern University projects, the realignment of US 61 and LA 964 bridges, along with US 61 north of Blount Rd to the US 61 and LA 964 splits for safer driving to the northern end of the East Baton Rouge Parish. This district has many industrial and chemical plants located within its boundaries, thus giving us a greater chance to grow our economy and bring to this area other nonpolluting facilities. Education has and always will be the pinnacle for progress to the area I reside and

Plan from page 2 upon five pillars — surveillance, prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery — allowing the Department to address not only health, but also the social and economic consequences associated with opioid misuse and addiction. “By approaching the opioid crisis with the five pillars, we can address this epidemic at all levels: socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. We’re also setting

Dalton Honore will represent. After graduating from Southern University A&M College, I went on to a dedicated 30 plus years in law enforcement, and managing a family business before retirement. I have a clear understanding of what an education’s importance to a community. I have stressed its importance to my family and will continue to do so for yours. I know the stresses of raising a family and the means to meet the demands of a budget for a family and community. I am devoting myself as a full-time representative of district 63 with your support and vote. Please vote #80 on your ballots and help me provide you the service and needs of the district as your full time representative. people up with a continuum of care that supports a lifetime of recovery,” Gee said. “With widespread public education, aggressive prevention campaigns, recovery support services, quality treatment services and a robust network of partnerships working together, we have the tools to eradicate opioid misuse in Louisiana.” Read the full plan here. About the Louisiana Department of Health The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and pro-

BATON ROUGE, La. — On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Baton Rouge’s metro council approved an ordinance to make restrictions about noise levels a bit tighter. Previously, the noise ordinance stated: “The playing of any radio, phonograph, tape, compact disc, musical instrument or any other machine or device capable of producing or reproducing sound, from a vehicle in such a manner, or with such volume, as to disturb the peace, quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any dwelling, apartment, hotel, or other type of residence; of persons in any other vehicle; or of persons in any public place.” The proposal, which was put forth by Councilwoman Erika Green, puts a specific decibel level on how loud your music can be before you are considered to be disturbing the peace. Green’s proposal restricts noise “from a vehicle, on a public street, highway or public park” to 85 decibels, measurable from 25 feet away. If you are found violating the proposed ordinance, you can be fined up to $200 and lose your driver’s license for up to 30 days on your first offense. That penalty goes up for each offense. Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Deputy Jonny Dunnam says this will make enforcing noise violations far easier. "That’s one of the reasons for the ordinance, to make it simpler, there to be some guidelines for the noise and having that decibel meter will make it a little easier

for the officers to get that decibel reading,” Dunnam said. BRPD officers will be equipped with decibel meters to get an accurate reading on how loud a noise is. Dunnam says the department will need to purchase about 500 meters for every officer to have one. He says the department is working to receive funds

from metro council to cover the costs. "It's a quality of life issue that we receive a lot of calls on and we just want to tighten up the law a little bit to make sure it's a little easily enforceable,” he said. Not everyone was happy about the proposal though. Mike Rusk owns Mike’s

Audio on Airline Highway. He says restricting noise to 85 decibels means nearly everyone is breaking the law. "Eighty-five decibels is equal to say a bicycle horn or a garbage disposal running in the background of your house,” Rusk said. He says ultimately, it will be bad for his business.

mote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state residents. The Louisiana Department of Health includes the Office of Public Health, Office of Aging & Adult Services, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.ldh.la.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our blog.

templeforlouisiana.com

New Leadership, Real Experience, Insuring Louisiana's Future!

STATE SENATE • DISTRICT 15 ELECTION DAY 10.12.19 EARLY VOTING BEGINS SEPT. 28-OCT.5, 2019

TIM IS COMMITTED TO H LOWERING AUTO RATES

ON OCTOBER 12TH VOTE TO EW-ELECT

H ATTRACTING MORE

INSURANCE COMPANIES TO LOUISIANA

SENATOR REGINA ASHFORD BARROW STATE SENATE DISTRICT 16

H BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH CONSUMERS AND AGENTS

H MORE TRANSPARENCY

Proven Track Record:

H PROMOTING

n Senator Barrow has been an avid community leader for over three decades and has authored major legislation to tackle the issues that face Louisiana's residents.

n Was instrumental in securing funding that brought a desperately needed emergency room to the LSU Health Systems Urgent Care Clinic on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge.

n Remained committed to education, Medicaid Expansion, access to healthcare, and extending foster care children to age 21.

n Worked across party lines to obtain funding that will construct the new Mississippi River Bridge to alleviate traffic on Interstate 110 in the capitol city.

WITHIN THE OFFICE

LEGISLATION THAT POSITIVELY IMPACTS LOUISIANA

H SIMPLIFYING

REGULATORY PROCESS

PAID FOR BY THE TEMPLE CAMPAIGN

n Successfully secured over 1.2 million dollars for Baton Rouge Recreation & Parks {BREC}, funding for the Baton Rouge Airport, and other projects within the district. n Effectively secured the funding base for the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District {BRNEDD).

n Served on important Senate Committees: Select Committee on Women and Children {Chair), Health & Welfare {Vice-Chair), Select Committee on Veterans Affairs, Finance, Labor, and Criminal Justice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 225.359.9586 reginaabarroe@att.net

www.brweeklypress.com • Thursday, September 6-October 2, 2019 • The Weekly Press • Page 4

CANDIDATES & AMENDMENTS GOVERNOR'S RACE

“Eddie” Rispone (R)

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham (R)

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D, Incumbent)

Patrick “Live Wire” Landry (R)

EBR Coroner “Beau” Clark (R, Incumbent); Rani Whitfield (D);

SENATE: 6th District n Mack “Bodi” White (R, Incumbent) n Rufus Craig (L)

• William “Billy” Nungesser (R, Incumbent);

• Willie Jones (D);

Secretary of State n Kyle Ardoin (R, Incumbent) n Gwen” Collins-Greenup (D) n Amanda “Jennings” Smith (R) n Thomas J. Kennedy III (R) Attorney General n Jeff” Landry (R, Incumbent) n Ike Jackson (D) Treasurer n Derrick Edwards (D); n John M. Schroder (R); n Teresa Kenny (No party); Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry n Mike Strain (R, Incumbent); n Peter Williams (D); n Marguerite Green (D); n Bradley Zaunbrecher (R); n Charlie Greer (D); Commissioner of Insurance n “Tim” Temple (R); n James J. “Jim” Donelon (R, Incumbent); Parishwide Races: n EBR Sheriff—Mark Milligan (D); n “Sid” J. Gautreaux III (R, Incumbent); n Charles “Carlos” Jean Jr. (D); EBR Clerk of Court n Doug Welborn (R, Incumbent); n Donna Collins Lewis (D); EBR Assessor n Brian Wilson (R, Incumbent); n Jonathan Holloway Sr. (D);

13th District n Edith Carlin (R) n Deven W. Cavalier (R) n J. Rogers Pope (R) 14th District n Patricia “Pat” Smith (D) n Cleo Fields (D) 15th District n Regina Ashford Barrow (D, Incumbent); n Gary Chambers (D); 16th District n “Steve” Carter (R); n Bob Bell (R); n Everette Beaudean (L); n Beverly Brooks Thompson(D); n Franklin Foil (R); 17th District n Rick Ward (R-Incumbent);

House of Representatives:

• Oscar “Omar” Dantzler (D)

• Gary Landrieu (I)

64th District n Valarie Hope Hodges (R); 65th District n Barry Ivey (R, Incumbent);

66th District n Rick Edmonds (R, Incumbent); n Morgan Lamandre (D); n David Smith (L); 67th District n Jocita Williams (R); n Sonya E. Hall (D); n Leah Cullins (D); n Larry Selders (D); 68th District n Laurie White Adams (R); n Joshua “Fini” Hajiakbarifini (D); n Scott McKnight (R); n Taryn C. Branson (D); n Tommy Dewey (R); 69th District n Ryan Chase Lee (L); n Paula Davis (R, Incumbent); 70th District n Mallory Mayeux (L); n Ricky Sheldon (R); n Michael DiResto (R); n Belinda Davis (D); n Barbara Reich Freiberg (R); 101st District Edward “Ted” James II (D);

29th District n Edmond Jordan (D, Incumbent);

AMENDMENT 61st District n Denise Marcelle (D, Incumbent); n Amy Pollard (D); 62nd District n Bradley Behrnes (R); n “Johnny” Arceneaux (R); n Derald Spears Sr. (No party); n Roy Daryl Adams (I); 63rd District n Barbara W. Carpenter (D, Incumbent); n Dalton Honore (D);

Louisiana Amendment 1, Property Tax Exemption for Stored Materials Routed for Outer Continental Shelf Amendment n A "yes" vote supports extending an ad valorem tax exemption to property being stored in Louisiana but destined for the Outer Continental Shelf. n A "no" vote opposes extending this ad valorem tax exemption to property stored in Louisiana but destined for the Outer Continental Shelf, thereby leaving the exemption for property in transit to another state or for export outside of the U.S. but not applying it to property routed for the Outer Continental Shelf. Louisiana Amendment 2, Education Excellence Fund Uses Amendment n A "yes" vote supports allowing for appropriations from the Education Excellence Fund (EEF) to the Louisiana Educational Television Authority (LETA), Thrive Academy, and laboratory schools operated by public colleges. n A "no" vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thus preventing appropriations from the EEF to the LETA, Thrive Academy, and laboratory schools operated by public colleges. Louisiana Amendment 3, Board of Tax Appeals Jurisdiction Amendment n A "yes" vote supports this amendment to do the following: * allow the legislature through a twothirds vote to give the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals jurisdiction over the constitutionality of taxes, fees, and related matters; * require prompt recovery by taxpayers of any unconstitutional tax paid; * establish authority for the board in the state constitution, subject to changes made by laws passed by a two-thirds vote in the legislature; * state in the constitution that the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals has jurisdiction over any disputes concerning state and local taxes, fees, or other claims against the state. A "no" vote opposes this amendment to add constitutional provisions concerning the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals, thereby leaving in place the board's existing authority over certain state and local tax disputes according to statute.

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Louisiana Amendment 4, New Orleans Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption Amendment See RACE, on page 7

www.brweeklypress.com • Thursday, September 6-October 2, 2019 • The Weekly Press • Page 5

Kwentua Brings Experience Seat Check Saturday And Vision To Quest For Juvenile Court Judge My name is Rica Harris Kwentua, a candidate for East Baton East Rouge Parish Juvenile Court Judge, Section 2, Division B. It is an honor to serve the children and families of East Baton Rouge Parish. Bringing 25 years experience to this position has birthed vision for the future of Juvenile Court. I invested twelve years protecting abused and neglected kids as Regional Attorney with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. Prior to DCFS, I worked 13 years in Juvenile Court, representing parents and kids in Child in Need of Care cases. The experience of sitting as Judge Pro-Tempore gave insight on understanding the full family dynamic. I am an ordained minister, previously serving as Youth Minister and Youth Coordinator in my church Faith Chapel and ACFBaton Rouge Chapter. Also, a cofounder of the Gardere Initiative, a 13-year old non-profit serving the residents of that area with various programs gave additional leadership experience. The vision for Juvenile Court follows: First, Juvenile Court should present hope to children and preserve hope for families. I will create an environment of support for kids which assures them they are valuable, will be kept safe and can succeed. Parents will treated with dignity and respect as they rebuild their homes. Second, I will pursue courtcommunity collaborations which develop resources for children. Schools, churches, businesses and social organizations bring their strengths to provide what children may be lacking in the home setting. Each entity will sow to reap a better community. For example, mentoring, reading assistance, sports teams, therapeutic help, all undergird a child’s development. Third, when a delinquent act is committed, justice will be administered. The Court will consider age,

BATON ROUGE, La – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome officially kicked off the MOVEBR Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements program today, with a look ahead at more than 70 projects that will build new roads and sidewalks, improve existing corridors and manage traffic signals. “This program will address long overdue congestion issues throughout our City-Parish while making our streets safer and more pedestrian friendly,” Mayor Broome said. “We are building for the future to ensure our local economy stays strong and all residents have quality of life.” The MOVEBR program, the City-Parish’s largest infrastructure initiative in its history, will invest $1 billion to help reduce traffic congestion, build sidewalks, and manage traffic signals. All funds collected by the ½ cent sales tax are dedicated to the projects approved by voters. Broome said the program team, led by Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Kelvin Hill and Director of Transportation and Drainage Fred Raiford, has been working since July, with broad outreach to local advocacy groups through Prioritization and Design workgroups, to get the program ready to launch. She pointed to the following items residents can expect to see:

Rica Harris Kwentua maturity, education, mental health and family background. Juvenile Justice Reform will be a focus of my term, because when detention is necessary, rehabilitative support prepares a youth for a productive adult life. Fourth and last, early intervention is paramount for children. When a child enters the Juvenile Court process, the conditions which brought him/her to the attention of the court are often contributors to future delinquent acts. The goal is diversion by creating a foundation for the child, including literacy assistance, therapeutic help and mentoring. My late husband Victor N. Kwentua and I are the parents of four wonderful adult children. I am a graduate of Louisiana State University, Southern University Law Center and Baton Rouge High Magnet. It is a my hope to continue public service as your Juvenile Court Judge. Please vote Rica Harris Kwentua #109 on the ballot. Check our website www.kwentuaforjudge.com and our facebook page: Committee to Elect Rica Harris Kwentua for more information. https://www.brvotes.org/ candidate/rica-harris-kwentua/

Photo by: The Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force

“Sonic Drive-In general manager Jenn Washington, along with Justice Robinson and Destyn Maple, take part in Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 21 in Baton Rouge. The statewide event, organized by the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force and University Medical Center New Orleans, offers public education on child car

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seats and inspections to ensure seats are properly installed. The program also donates and installs child safety seats for families in need through money raised by Kergan Bros. Sonic Drive-Ins and participating restaurants’ sales of the Sonic Tot Calendar. Since 2016, $223,000 has been raised to purchase 2,300 car seats.”

• A new website: Launched today, movebr.brla.gov, allows residents to sign up to receive updates, follow the progress of the program and link to updated information on social media. MOVEBR program information will be shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @movebrla. The See PROGRAM, on page 7

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Weekly Press • September 26-October 2, 2019 • www.brweeklypress.com

RELIGION

Tyscot Records, Anthony Brown & group therAPy Earn R.I.A.A. Gold Record Certification For #1 Radio Smash, “Worth” Baltimore, MD: A few days ago, Anthony Brown, returned to his alma mater, Morgan State University, on the anniversary of Anthony Brown & group therAPy’s first Billboard No. 1 hit, “Worth,” which topped the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart for the first of 24 weeks on September 19, 2015. Brown’s former piano professor, Dr. Eric Conway, Chairperson of

the Fine Arts Department, was on hand to welcome him back to the institution that polished his natural musical gifts. Also, on hand to celebrate him were gospel stars, Maurette Brown Clark, and Stephen Hurd, who read a special letter of congratulations from the Mayor of Baltimore, Bernard C. Young. As Brown was closing his remarks, Tyscot Records President,

Bryant Scott, strolled on stage and surprised him with a large R.I.A.A. certified gold record plaque signifying over 500,000 units sold for the digital single of “Worth.” Brown was genuinely caught off guard and overcome with emotion as he called his parents to the stage to accept the award with him. “We hope that it will be the first of many for you,” Scott said. Out of the hundreds of

Left to right: Dr. Eric Conway (Morgan State University), Bryant Scott (Tyscot Records President), Brown’s mother Jacqueline Brown, Anthony Brown, and Brown’s father Bishop Heber M. Brown II.

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gold and platinum certifications this year, only four have gone to gospel acts. “My mother [always said] to me, whenever I write songs, write songs that meet people where they live,” Brown told reporters afterwards. “I never forgot that. From the moment that God started to give me songs, I always tried to do was present them in a way that would meet people where they lived... So, it’s never been about trying to go after success, or get up the charts or any of those things. I just knew that if I wrote a song that resonated with people that it would go wherever it needed to... So, this [gold record] is evidence of that. It’s never been a chase after success. It’s been a chase of trying to write music that would touch people where they’re at. That’s all I’ve ever tried to do.” Ironically, Anthony Brown & group therAPy’s current radio single, “Blessings on Blessings,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart on this anniversary week. It’s the lead single from the act’s forthcoming album, Second Wind (Key of A/ Tyscot/ FairTrade), which will release October 18th. Listen/Download Link: https:// smarturl.it/2econdWindReady

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www.brweeklypress.com • Thursday, September 6-October 2, 2019 • The Weekly Press • Page 7

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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BUSINESS

Visa Launches Practical Business Skills

Email: cjw7@att.net www.cjwdistributors.com 2303 West Highmeadow Ct. Baton Rouge, LA 70816 Ph: 225-292-0305 Cell: 225-405-3427 Fax: 225-292-0307 Toll Free: 800-240-9507

Small businesses, it is often said, form the backbone of the American economy, and by the numbers that is a hard statement to argue with. Of the 28 or so million firms in the United States, 99 percent are classified as small businesses and roughly 58.9 million people — 47.5 percent of the American labor force — are employed by a small to medium-size business (SMB). But for all their importance, building a successful small business is a remarkably difficult undertaking, and the attrition rate is high. About 20 percent of SMBs fail within their first year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, and about 50 percent fail within five years. Those odds can be quite daunting. Which is why, Visa Senior Director of Social Impact Hugh Norton told PYMNTS, Visa is hoping to boost those odds of success starting today — with the launch of Practical Business Skills, Visa’s first-ever one-stop educational portal for small business owners. “We’ve had a successful consumer education program at Visa

and we wanted to build off of that with a business skills program focused on helping growth-minded entrepreneurs start, manage and expand their companies over time,” he said. “And the end of the day we want to help more businesses that can grow, thrive and become more resilient.” The Practical Business Skills rollout is happening concurrently today (Sept. 24) with a She’s Next, Empowered by Visa event in Washington, D.C. — and the pairing is not coincidental, according to Visa. The two programs serve a single goal from different angles: making the world of entrepreneurship a more expansive and inclusive place by putting the right tools in the right hands to help SMBs flourish. Practical Solutions For Every Small Business What most small business owners don’t know on the start of their first day, but know quite well by the end of it, according to Norton, is that running a small business is a remarkably complicated endeavor from end to end, and in a lot of

ways they never anticipated before starting up. What Visa learned from talking to scores of SMB owners while designing Practical Business Solutions was that most entrepreneurs really encounter all of that complexity totally blind with no education or preparation for it. And while there is something to be said for learning on the job and education by experience, the goal was to design a smoother path for SMBs that offered an easy guide through the universal and common issues they all face. “We really tried to come up with a wide base of knowledge — so overall it offers a total of 47 different educational modules that are then broken down into three main categories: starting, maintaining or growing a business,” Norton said. On top of those modules, he said, the site also offers up a series of additional general purpose tools including form templates and wizards to help fill them out, business plan tutorials, a profit and loss calculator, startup cost estimators and instructions on how to do a break-even analysis. The challenge when designing for a segment as diverse as SMBs, he noted, is to find those really universal pain points

that all such businesses share — and start building to relieve them. “Whether you are making jam at your kitchen table and selling it online, or running a small grocery store, you are going to need a budget and a business plan,” he said. “So we approached it from that kind of universal standpoint.” And while the site aims to have something for every small business owner at every phase of their ownership journey, Norton did note that as of now, the main focus of the materials is for firms in their first few years of operations. But, he said, Practical Business solutions is also designed, at base, to be a dynamic program with content that is expanding over time, in response to SMB needs. “I think that as we grow the program over time with the content we will plan on focusing on greater specifics and on diving into topic areas that are more relevant for particular types of business owners,” Norton said. Because the challenges for business owners are myriad, even under ideal conditions, and often the difference between success and failure is knowing how best to navigate challenges.

Race from page 4 n A "yes" vote supports allowing New Orleans, Louisiana, to exempt properties with no more than 15 residential units from taxes for the purpose of, according to the amendment, promoting and

encouraging affordable housing. n A "no" vote opposes this amendment to allow New Orleans, Louisiana, to exempt properties with no more than 15 residential units from taxes.

Program from page 5 website will develop into the primary resource for program information, with project maps linked to the City-Parish GIS platform and a tracker to view the status of projects. • Project Prioritization: Following meetings with stakeholders that began in late August, project prioritization will be announced in mid-October. • Small Business Outreach: Local small business owners, including minority, women and veteran-owned businesses, will be provided information on opportunities to conduct business

with the MOVEBR program. The first MOVEBR Small Business Outreach Workshop will be held October 3rd at Delmont Gardens Library from 5:30 – 7 pm. • Complete Streets Coordination: Working with stakeholder groups that advocate for green infrastructure, ADA compliance, and greater mobility, the MOVEBR team is establishing guidelines and standards for projects to incorporate best practices. On August 28, the Metro Council approved an initial bond sale of up to $200 million to kickstart construction on the MOVEBR projects.

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Weekly Press • September 26-October 2, 2019 • www.brweeklypress.com

SPORTS Opinion: NCAA's Message to Bill Self: You're A Cheater And We Want You Out of College Basketball This isn’t a theory anymore. It’s not an empty threat from a U.S. Attorney or a grandiose promise from some stuffed shirt in Indianapolis. Two years after an FBI investigation cracked the door open on how college basketball really works and tons of skepticism about whether the NCAA would truly go after the sport's big names, the first

real hammer dropped Monday. In no uncertain terms, they have called Kansas coach Bill Self a cheater. The Notice of Allegations that was sent to Kansas isn’t a 20-page document as much as it is a showdown. Kansas and Self are going to fight it, of course, because there’s really no other choice. They’re going to put the NCAA’s credibility on

Harper Wins HBCU National Player Of The Week

LORMAN, seconds left. He also Miss. – Making his completed a 14-yard first-ever start at pass to senior Chris quarterback, junior Blair on 4th-and-4 Felix Harper from to compete the drive the Alcorn State going. University football Harper, who program rose to the was also the SWAC occasion and was Offensive Player of named HBCU Nathe Week winner on tional Player of the Monday, helped the Week, announced Braves finish sixFelix Harper by BOXTOROW. for-six in red zone Harper, from scoring. Alcorn is Fairburn, Georgia, completed one of 15 teams in the country 25-of-37 passes for 280 yards to score on every red zone opwith two touchdowns and no in- portunity this season. terceptions. He also rushed for Harper's 280 passing yards another 18 yards and a touchdown and 25 completions were both to lead the Braves to a 45-41 vic- career-highs. His previous bests tory over Prairie View A&M in were 132 yards and 13 complethe team's conference opener. tions set the previous week at Alcorn trailed 41-38 with McNeese. 5:20 remaining at its own 35Alcorn will remain at home yard line when Harper quarter- this weekend when it hosts Misbacked the Braves down the field sissippi Valley State at 6 p.m. and threw the game-winner to at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem sophomore Tim McNair with 40 Stadium.

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self. trial in the court of public opinion and say there’s no real evidence linking their Hall of Fame coach to the underground machinations of an Adidas bagman who was using cash to recruit basketball players to Kansas. But make no mistake about what is happening right now: The NCAA wants Self out of college basketball, and it is firing directly at him with all the power it's got. Had NCAA investigators chosen to go after Self merely for looking the other way or not properly monitoring his program, he could feel a little more secure about his future in college basketball. Plenty

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of coaches have been popped on that technicality, served their time in the penalty box and returned to normal operation. But the allegations against Self go much further, implicating him both directly and tacitly in the corruption that was carried out by T.J. Gassnola, a “consultant” in the Adidas grassroots basketball system who admitted in federal court that he made payments to the families of

several high-profile recruits, including two who ended up at Kansas. The bottom line to all of it is this: Over and over in the Notice of Allegations, the NCAA accuses Self and Kansas assistant Kurtis Townsend of not only knowing that Gassnola and others at Adidas were working to recruit players to Kansas but that they welcomed the help and, in some cases, actively encouraged it.

The technical sticking point Kansas will dispute is the NCAA classifying Adidas and consultants like Gassnola as Kansas boosters, which automatically turns interactions that might have seemed normal into violations. But ultimately, text messages between Self, Townsend and Gassnola that were entered into evidence in the federal trial could doom him. In August of 2017, shortly after Kansas and Adidas agreed to an extension of their apparel contract, Gassnola texted the following to Self: “In my mind it’s KU bill self. Everyone else fall into line , to (expletive) bad, that’s what’s right for adidas Basketball. And I know Iam RIGHT. The more you win, have lottery pics. And you happy That’s how it should work in my mind.” Self responded: “That’s how ur (sic) works. At unc and Duke” Gassnola: “Kentucky as well” Gassnola: “I promise you. I got this , I have never let you down Except (Dyondre) lol" The “Dyondre” he was talking about, of course, is DeAndre Ayton, who ended up at Arizona but had also been on Gassnola’s payroll. If those text messages don’t paint a pretty clear picture of Gassnola as a Kansas booster — by whatever definition you want to use — then he was sure putting up a good front.