CAPITAL CITY
NEWS
Cell Phones Record Violence in Schools
Coach Miles Goes ‘Over the Edge’
Serious Debate On Proposal To Incorporate Southeast BR
Baton Rouge’s Community Newspaper
®
Students, Teachers Secretly Recorded Cell Phone Videos That Capture Violence in EBR Schools. See Page 2
Thursday, June 13, 2013 • Vol. 22, No. 12 • 16 Pages • Serving Baton Rouge • www.capitalcitynews.us • 225-261-5055
Key Issues: Education, Crime
Only Voters Decide SE Backers Say Issue of Whether to La. Constitution Create Municipality May Not Need
LSU coach Les Miles rappelled off One American Place to promote adoption.
LSU Coach Says It’s Time to Get Serious about Adoption of Kids
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Family Forum says more than 100,000 children are available for adoption in the United States, including many with special needs. Here in Louisiana, more than 500 children could be adopted, and the
Family Forum has set a goal of helping at least 100 of those children to find a family to permanently call their own. LSU coach Les Miles went “over the edge” to get people thinking about adoption. See LES MILES on Page 4
SOUTHEAST — The battle to create a new community school system in the southeast part of East Baton Rouge Parish is about to take on a entirely new dimension. Now supporters of the new district say they are considering launching a drive to incorporate Southeast Baton Rouge into a new municipality. Norman Browning, chairman of Local Schools for Local Children, said there are at least three reasons to form a new municipality: • Facilitate creation of the Southeast school district • Allow Southeast residents to control planning and zoning within the school district, and • Serve as a bulwark against crime in the City of Baton Rouge. Browning said no decision has been made but that the topic will begin to be discussed publicly at a See WILL on Page 16
To Be Amended
SOUTHEAST — Supporters of the proposed Southeast Baton Rouge Community School District said Wednesday the recently-completed legislative session was far more successful than most people realize. Norman Browning, chairman of Local Schools for Local Children, said the passage of SB 199 has placed the new school district in the Louisiana Revised Statutes. “That is done. We passed the legislation through four committee hearings and both houses of the legislature. We don’t have to do that again. Now we can focus on passage of the constitutional amendment, but that’s not our only option.” Browning said See SE BR on Page 16
GOP Nabs ex-General Counsel of Democratic Party
Key Democrats Switch to Republican Party Central’s No. 2 Man, State Senator Say ‘Democrats Left Us’
Photo by Woody Jenkins
BATON ROUGE — Over the past week, three key Democratic officials have announced they are switching to Republican. Two of them are black conservatives. State Sen. Elbert Guillory of Opelousas announced his change of party registration at a national conference of black conservative leaders held in Baton Rouge last week. Guillory became the first black Republican in the Louisiana BLACK, CONSERVATIVE, AND NOW REPUBLICAN — Republican parish official Dr. Trey Thomas (left) and state GOP chairman Roger Villere (center) welcomed two black conservative Democrats, Central Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington (2nd) and Sen. Legislature since Reconstruction. See BLACK on Page 8
Elbert Guillory (4th), to the Republican Party, along with former Louisiana Democratic Party general counsel Randy Piedrahita (5th).
2 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
COMMUNITY PRESS, LLC CAPITAL CITY NEWS Vol. 22 • No. 12
CENTRAL CITY NEWS
& The Leader Vol. 16 • No. 12, No. 346
910 North Foster Drive Post Office Box 1 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Greenwell Springs, LA 70739
Phone (225) 261-5055 • FAX 261-5022 • Entire contents © 2013
Email stories and photos to capitalcitynews@hotmail.com or centralcitynews@hotmail.com Published every other Thursday from January to August and every Thursday from September to December by Community Press, LLC The Leader was founded April 30, 1998, and the Central City News was founde 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. Community Press also publishes the Central Community Directory and other publicatons.
Editor & Publisher Business Manager Graphic Artist Business Specialist
Woody Jenkins Candi Lee Terrie Palmer Jolice Provost
Member, National Newspaper Association & Louisiana Press Association Deadline for news and advertising: 5 p.m. Mondays $40 a year by subscription in advance • $50 a year outside East Baton Rouge
Country Living in the City
ARE YOU CALLED TO ADOPT A CHILD? — The Louisiana Family Forum is trying to help 100 Louisiana children, including many with special needs, find a permanent family to love and care for them. Interested? Go to www.lafamilyforum.org.
Dramatic Videos Secretly Recorded in EBR Schools By Teachers, Students Document Extent of Violence No One Can View This Documentary Without Realizing We Have Problem Woody Jenkins
Editor
BATON ROUGE — Supporters of the proposed Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System have released a dramatic video that documents violence and other illegal activities in public schools such as Woodlawn, Broadmoor, and Tara High Schools.
The film is a compilation of videos secretly recorded by public school teachers and students, as well as local TV news reports. Most of the videos were recorded in May 2013. The teachers risked their jobs by recording the incidents and releasing the videos to the public. Video clips include • The beating of a child on an East Baton Rouge Parish school bus. A parent was outraged by a video of the incident which showed her child being beaten senseless for minutes with no assistance. The bus failed to stop, and the incident was not reported to law enforcement as required by law. The parent said, “I am furious and concerned that students are not safe in the school system. This has to stop
and now.” The East Baton Rouge Parish school system responded that it was an isolated incident. • A roaring brawl at Woodlawn High School featuring a muscular student stripped to the waist who was menacing scores of other students on the school grounds. • Multiple fights going on in the Belaire High School gym with screaming and fists swinging. • A school bus driver who raped a Woodlawn High School special needs student. • A beating in the halls of Woodlawn High School. • A five-year-old child left abandoned on a parish school bus for two hours. His mother said it was no accident • A brawl at Tara High School, as students watched and a teacher tried to intervene. • The rape of a 14-year-old by an 18-year-old special needs student in the school auditorium. • The Broadmoor High lunchroom engulfed in violence and fighting. • Attacks in the hallway at Broadmoor High as a student was pounded in the head. • An attack on a student at Woodlawn High School. • Another attack at Woodlawn High School as a teacher unsuccessfully tried to intervene. • A violent altercation at South
Discover Your New
East Middle School that could not be contained by a Sheriff’s deputy who had to call for more units. The incident involved a number of students and school staff. Multiple units were required to get control of the situation. Eight middle school students were detained and handWoody Jenkins cuffed. On May 3, 2013, there were six separate fights reported at Woodlawn High. On May 13, 2013, a fight at South East Middle led to the report of a student with a gun. The video says that for many of the students attending public schools in East Baton Rouge Parish, this is the reality. In an interview last week, a school employee reported that many of the students at Woodlawn High are bused into Southeast Baton Rouge from failing schools taken over by the Recovery School District. It is no wonder that the people of Southeast Baton Rouge want their own school system. The East Baton Rouge Parish school system is out of control and cannot maintain order in the schools. To watch the video, go to www. vimeo.com/67358394
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Tells Secrets to Building Great School System
Supt. Mike Faulk Meets the Press Central’s School Superintendent Addresses MFP, 2013 Legislature
EDITOR’S NOTE: Central schools Supt. Mike Faulk spoke to the Baton Rouge Press Club just before the end of the legislative session. Faulk began as the first employee of the Central Community School System in 2007 and hired 400 employees. The Central system is now the No. 2-ranked of the state’s 69 school systems, despite having 58 percent of its student population on the free or reduced lunch program. Faulk is president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and was recently named Louisiana’s Superintendent of the Year.
BATON ROUGE — Here are some of the questions and answers from Supt. Mike Faulk’s appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club: Question: What are the secrets to putting together an outstanding school system? Faulk: Our success has been based on four things: 1) High quality teaching staff, 2) A manageable pupil-teacher ratio, which started at 20:1 and is now 22:1, 3) Making resources available to teachers in the classroom, and 4) Having meaningful professional development during the summer but not by pulling them out of the classroom. Question: What about the breakaway school district in Southeast Baton Rouge? Faulk: Local communities should have the choice to control the quality of their schools. You need committed people in leadership capacities. Question: What about the finances of the new school district? Faulk: A lot of people questioned the fiscal capacity of the new Central school district. But we’ve managed our resources. We have a budget of $36 million and
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CENTRAL SCHOOLS SUPT. MIKE FAULK addressed members of the Baton Rouge Press Club on the recent legislative session and a broad range of education issues.
a surplus on hand of $10 million. [Editor’s Note: Central has no industry or major tax base. It is primarily a residential community.] Question: Are small school districts better? Faulk: If a district is too big, it’s hard to manage. Question: Would a new district impact the MFP negatively? Faulk: If you have more and more districts, the way the MFP is structured, it could negatively impact some districts. Question: Should the MFP be restructured? Faulk: We should examine the factors that go into the MFP formula, such as net assessed valuation and sales taxes. But be careful what you ask for, because you might get it. Question: Are you against vouchers and school choice? Faulk: Vouchers and school choice should be funded outside the MFP, but we recognize the need to provide school choice. For example, some school districts, such as ours in Central, are starting virtual schools.
Question: What about teacher certification, is it important? Faulk: When I was superintendent in Morehouse Parish, we had a shortage of certified teachers, and we hired teachers working toward certification. They had three years to qualify. But today in Central, we find no shortage of fully certified teachers. If you have a quality program with proven results, you look for quality. I have had experience with some teachers with alternative certificates who worked out well.
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Question: How do the superintendents relate to State Supt. John White? Faulk: When John White was appointed, we reached out to him, and he reached out to us. But we feel he could reach out more. There is a difference between listening and hearing. We want to be heard. Question: What about having two diplomas? Faulk: We actually have three or four types of diplomas now, and it is true that not everyone needs to go to college. We need to give students what they can use, and we need to do more career preparation. Question: What important education issues are we not hearing about? Faulk: Retirement. Unfunded accrued liabilities will creep up its ugly head and devastate school systems and all state agencies. In some governmental bodies, it is up 15 to 27 percent. When you consider that 82 percent of our costs are personnel, you see that you have to do something. I expect that we will hit a brick wall, and it will be devastating. Question: What about legacy costs [for retirees’ health insurance]? Faulk: It encourages privatization. In Central, we privatized from the beginning, in order to minimize future legacy costs.
4 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
Les Miles Joins with Family Forum
Coach Les Miles
Gene Mills, Coach Les Miles, Christine Guttery, and Col. Mike Edmonson
Gene Mills and Coach Les Miles rappelling off One American Place
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Coach Les Miles getting ready to rappell
That’s a long way down!
The Louisiana Family Forum wants to help find families for 100 children
CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013 5
to Promote Awareness of Adoption
Todd Goudin (center) going over the edge of One American Place. Celebrities and ordinary citizens alike showed up to bring attention to adoption.
Going ‘Over the Edge’ for Adoption BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Family Forum and LSU head coach Les Miles went “Over the Edge” for adoption last week. Their goal was to bring attention to the need to reduce red tape in the adoption process and help find permanent families for 100 Louisiana children. In order to get the discussion going, the pro-family group and Coach Miles organized a dream
event for the news media — Coach Miles and more than 50 other celebrities and ordinary citizens rappelling off One American Place, the tallest building in downtown Baton Rouge. Participants said it was an amazing — and relatively safe — experience. For more information on what you can do to promote adoption, go to www.lafamilyforum.org.
Lauren Ventrella (left) of Central helped bring awareness about adoption
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6 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
Central Rallies to Aid Victims of Tornado
Cooking chairman Louis DeJohn
Gov. Bobby Jindal
Gov. Bobby Jindal and Coach Skip Bertman were on hand to present a check to Kathy Knowles of Moore, Okla.
Gov. Bobby Jindal with the Blue Star Moms
Gov. Jindal Praises Central’s Giving Spirit CENTRAL — Gov. Bobby Jindal attended Cooking in Central Saturday and praised the Central community for its efforts to aid victims of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.
Jindal said Central is an example of America at its best. An emotional Moore elementary school principal Kathy Knowles said Central’s gesture was part of the healing process.
Volunteer Host Families Needed Volunteer host family for high school age student attending Central High School for the 2013-2014 school year. These students enjoy singing, music, dance, sports, and piano; has own spending money and insurance. Would like to share culture and traditions. Contact Sonya Aydell at 225-603-6147 or saydell@icesusa.org or www.icesusa.org
CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013 7
in Moore, Oklahoma, with $50,000 Cash
Families enjoyed Cooking in Central. A representative of Moore, Okla. spoke to the crowd. Daniel Newman won first place in the jambalaya competition.
Jeff Burnett, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Dan McNamara, and Coach Skip Bertman
Excitement when winner of $10,000 raffle was announced
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Black Conservatives from Across Am
Sen. Elbert Guillory and film producer C.L. Bryant
Congressional candidate Dwain Bailey Continued from Page 1
Guillory’s announcement came at the At Large Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Constitution Avenue off I-10 in Baton Rouge. The term “at large” was used to describe a slave who had escaped from the plantation before the Civil War. Conference organizers said the new plantation is government entitlements, which are keeping black people in bondage. But Sen. Guillory said, “We black conservatives are ‘at large’ because
K. Carl Smith
GOP chairman Roger Villere, Rep. Lenar Whitney, Star Parker, and C.L. Bryant
Dr. Charles Thomas and guest
we reject the bondage of the new plantation based on entitlements.” One of those attending the AtLarge Conference was City of Central Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington, who like Guillory was a conservative black Democrat. Washington said that listening to the speakers at the conference and seeing the courage they had to speak the truth was what inspired him to join the Republican Party. “I can no longer affiliate myself with the Democratic Party and the
Conference guest
Deneen Borelli of Fox News
things they stand for,” he said. Washington was a main speaker at Tuesday’s Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon at Café Américain on Jefferson Highway. He told his life story — how he was born at New Orleans Charity Hospital, one of 12 children raised in poverty, how he attended segregated schools, and was on the first bus of black children who integrated East Ascension High School. His father and other black parents rode behind the school bus
Adonica Duggan
Dr. Timothy Jo
with shotguns in their pickup trucks. When the bus pulled in front of the school, the parents weren’t allowed to enter the school property. An angry crowd of white students was pounding on the bus and shouting racial slurs. When Washington exited the bus, he was pushed and shoved. Frightened, he got back on the bus. “But I realized then,” he said, “that you have to get off the bus, and I did!” Washington made it into East Ascension High School,
CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013 9
merica Rally at At-Large Conference
Star Parker
ohnson and guest
became successful, and was chosen to represent the school at Boys State. He went on to Southern University and earned his degree. “You have to be willing to get off the bus!” he told the Republicans at the Reagan luncheon. When he was a child, some of the other black boys pointed at the industrial plant near their home and said they wanted to work in that plant when they grew up. But Washington told them, “I want to run that plant!” And eventually he
Sen. Gerald Long and Sen. Elbert Guillory
Eric Lewis of Baton Rouge
did. Then after a company buyout, Washington decided to start a business, Red Stick Cleaners, in Central. When Central incorporated, he was appointed to the Central City Council. When elections were held, he led the field of 12 candidates with more than 65 percent of the vote. Not bad, considering more than 90 percent of the voters were white. The City Council named Washington the mayor pro-tem, a post he still holds. “I’m not a Democrat,” he told the Republicans, “and you
Baton Rouge Republican leader Harold Williams
can be sure I believe in the right to keep and bear arms and our other constitutional liberties.” To a cheering, standing ovation, Washington was welcomed to the Republican Party by state GOP chairman Roger Villere. Washington is now the highest ranking black Republican city official in Louisiana. Also on hand to announce his change of registration was prominent Baton Rouge attorney Randy Piedrahita, a partner in the firm of Dué, Price, Guidry, Piedrahita
Barbara Thomas
& Andrews. Piedrahita formerly served as General Counsel of the Louisiana Democratic Party. But Piedrahita said he had always felt he was a conservative and in recent years the Democratic Party had moved so far away from his beliefs that he could not stay there any longer. He too said the right to keep and bears arms is one of his most important issues. For more on the At Large Conference, go to www.atlargeconference.com
U.S. Senate candidate from Mississippi
10 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
What’s Happening Around Capital City
BATON ROUGE — Events coming up in and around the capital city: Saturday, June 15 Lights, Camera, Action! • 10 a.m. Award-winning actor, Jerry Leggio, will cover the history of motion pictures in Louisiana at the Bluebonnet Library. The program is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Baton Rouge Genealogical and Historical Society. For information, visit www.batonrougegenealogy.org or call Mary McKeough at 924-8921. Saturday, June 15 Celebration • 1 to 5 p.m. A Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Gus Young Park, 4200 Gus Young Ave. Come join the celebration with great food, festivities, music, and fun. For information, contact Twahna Harris at 389-3182 or Cheryl Ford at 389-7805. Saturday, June 15 Dance • 7 to 10 p.m. A dance, featuring Elvis tribute artist Jay Dupuis and Band, will be held at Kristenwood, 14025 Greenwell Springs Road. Dance is open to anyone 21 years or older. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at St. Alphonsus Parish Office, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road. June 17 through 19 Todd McClure Youth Football Camp • 6 to 8 p.m. Coach Sid Edwards and Central High will host the 3rd Annual Todd McClure Youth Football Camp. Cost is $20 for ages 5 to incoming freshmen. Pre-register online at centralyouthfootball.net.
June 17 through 20 Volleyball Camp Michelle LeBouef will host two sessions of Volleyball Camps. Session 1: June 17 through 20, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Cost is $100 and is open to all incoming 5th through 8th graders. Session 2: July 15 through 17, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Cost is $75 and is open to all incoming 2nd through 5th graders. Registration deadline is May 31. For information, contact Michele LeBouef at mlebouef@centralcss.org. June 17 through 21 Sports Fitness Camp for Girls The 2nd Annual Central Middle School Sports Fitness Camp for Girls will be held at the Central Middle School gym. Cost is $75 and includes camp shirt. 9 a.m. to 12 noon — in-
DANELL BRICE, a 30-year resident of Central, graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Danell has been a registered nurse for 18 years and returned to school after raising her two children, Adam and Aubrey Brice, both of Central. She will continue her graduate nursing studies in the family nurse practitioner program. Danell is shown with her mother, Carol Dodge.
coming 2nd through 5th grade and 1 to 4 p.m. — incoming 5th through 8th grade. For information, contact Monica McClure at mmcclure@centralcss.org or Nicole Aucoin at naucoin@centralcss.org. Tuesday, June 18 Central Bloomers Garden Club • 6:30 p.m. The Central Bloomers Garden Club is honored to have Bob Souvestre present “Summer Color in the Landscape, Plants Need a Vacation Too!” at the Central Library on Joor Road. The public is invited to attend. For information, contact Jan Cobb at 261-9208 or 405-0831. Tuesday, June 18 Central Community Alliance Meeting • 7 p.m. The Central Community Alliance will hold a Louisiana Legislative Update in the DEMCO meeting room, 16262 Wax Road. Senators Dale Erdey and Bodi White and Representatives Valarie Hodges and Barry Ivey will be the featured speakers. June 20 and 21 Hot Summer Nights & Cool Jazz The popular “Hot Summer Nights & Cool Jazz” concert series returns to the LSU School of Music Recital Hall. General admission tickets are $20; LSU faculty, staff, and senior tickets are $15; and LSU students tickets are $10, with student I.D. Tickets are available for purchase on-
CENTRAL HIGH BASEBALL CAMP was held May 28 through 30 at the high school baseball field. The players were broken into groups and give instruction on all phases of baseball. Each day, a live game was played and special prizes were given by coaches at the end of camp. Six coaches and former and current players helped with the camp. They were Coach Mike Forbes, Coach Hunter Decell, Mark Taylor, Micah Jones, Travis Stevens, and Kevin “Bubba” Dunn. line at www.music.lsu.edu or by calling 578-6941. Saturday, June 22 Bayou All Stars Football & Cheerleader Camp • 8 a.m. The 11th Annual Bayou All Stars Football and Cheerleader Camp will be held at Southern University Lab School. The camp is for boys and girls ages 9 through 18. The camp is free and t-shirts and refreshments will be provided. For information, visit www.sulabschool.org, email w99wayz2win@yahoo.com, or Council District 2 office at 389-8331. Saturday, June 22 Right to Life Breakfast 9 a.m. to 11:30.m. Sen. David Vitter will be the main
BLAKELI ENTREMONT signs a letter of intent to attend Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. in the fall of 2013 where she will be majoring in pre-medicine. Blakeli received an academic scholarship and will be playing softball at Millsaps. She is an honors graduate of the Class of 2013 from Parkview Baptist. Blakeli maintained an overall 3.95 GPA and is a member of the Beta Club, National Honors Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the 2013 softball season, she was named 1st Team All-District pitcher, District MVP, and 1st Team All-Metro pitcher. She was chosen as a 2013 WAFB High School Sports Scholar. Blakeli is the daughter of Church and Tonya Entremont of Central and the granddaughter of Joe and Roseann Dileo of Central and Chuck and Phyllis Entremont of Pride.
CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013 11
‘Politics with a Punch’ Comes to BR
Photos by Catherine Wheeler
speaker at this annual pro-life event. St. Thomas More, 11441 Goodwood. $35 a person or $240 a table. Call Julie at 749-8260 for reservations. Door prizes and more! Saturday, June 22 “Once Upon a Bayou” Art Show The Rural Life Museum is holding an exhibit, “Once Upon a Bayou,” a retrospect show for world-renowned Louisiana artist Chestee Harrington. For information, contact Elizabeth McInnis at ebenne4@lsu.edu. Sunday, June 23 Vacation Bible School Kickoff Backyard Bash • 5 to 7 p.m. A Vacation Bible School Kickoff Backyard Bash will be held at Indian Mound Baptist Church, 16755 Liberty Road. Vacation Bible School is June 24 through 28, 6 to 8:30 p.m. for kids ages 4 through 11. For information or to register, call 261-8271. June 24 through 27 Wildcat Softball Camp Central High School will host a Softball Camp. Cost is $60 for ages 7 through 12. For information, contact Michelle Efferson at mefferson@ centralcss.org. Thursday, June 27 Heritage Lecture Series • 6 p.m. Rod Dreher, American writer and editor, LSU graduate, and resident of St. Francisville, will join Foundation for Historical Louisiana members and guests as the featured speaker in its Heritage Lecture series at the Old Governor’s Mansion. The lecture is free for FHL members and $10 for guests. For information call 387-2464 or visit www.fhl.org. Saturday, June 29 Color In Motion 5K A Color In Motion 5K will be held at the Central Intermediate School, 12636 Sullivan Road. Proceeds will help build a community bike/walk path. Use special promo codes: Early 1 – 20 percent off till May 24 and Early 2 – 10 percent off till June 14. Visit ColorInMotion5K.com. July 8 through 11 Central Basketball Elite Camp The camp is offered to a limited number of players between the ages of 12 and 14. This camp is for experienced players who want to improve their skills for the next level and prepare for the upcoming season. Players will be videoed and their progress will be reviewed prior to each day’s workout and they will receive daily
POLITICS WITH A PUNCH held its first regular dinner at Lobby Café downtown last Thursday. A panel discussed state and national politics with a humorous touch. Speakers included (left to right) political consultant Roy Fletcher, pollster Bernie Pinsonat, state Republican Party chairman Roger Villere, The Dead Pelican editor Chad Rogers, newspaper editor Woody Jenkins, and Bayou Buzz editor Steve Sabludowsky. For more information on the forum, contact Elizabeth Dent at lizdent@bellsouth.net.
BOXING GLOVES were only symbolic for Bayou Buzz editor Steve Sabludowsky (left) and Politics with a Punch host Jeff Crouere. At right, Republican Party official Liz Dent, EBR Republican Women’s president Peggy Vidrine, and Tiger Bucks’ Carol Thomas.
feedback on their performance and progress. For information contact Coach Ron Lewis at rlewis@centralcss.org or 261-2780. July 8 through 12 Masterpiece Kids Summer Arts Camp • 9 a.m. to 12 noon First Baptist Church Baton Rouge, 529 Convention Street, will host a Masterpiece Summer Arts Camp. The cost is $10 per child, which includes all art supplies and a t-shirt. For information, call 343-0397, email info@ fbcbr.com, or visit www.fbcbr.com.
We’re DEMCO, but to our members we’re known as
. Class Reunions , Saturday, June 15 Bellingrath Reunion There will be a Bellingrath Reunion at the new Middle School cafeteria from 4 to 8 p.m. It will be for faculty, staff, students, parents, and grandparents who were involved with Bellingrath from 1966 to 2000. Only adults are invited. Go to www. Bellingrathreunion.webs.com to reg-
ister and get more information. Saturday, August 17 Istrouma Class of ’73 Reunion Istrouma High Class of ’73 will have a reunion at Kristenwood, 14025 Greenwell Springs. Contact Rhona C. Watson, 654-7716 or rcw51055@aol.com or Debbie or Danny Wellman, 261-8358 or dwell96@bellsouth.net.
Our People - Your Power
Preparing for hurricane season is a way of life for all of us in Louisiana. Let us help you prepare this storm season by visiting DEMCO.org where you can download important safety tips, learn what to do if you lose power, view real time outage information, and stay updated on ensuing storms with live hurricane tracking.
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12 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
Milestones Births • Engagements • Weddings • Deaths Anniversaries • Reunions
WITTY, CAPONE
Jennifer Witty and Chris Capone announce their engagement and will wed July 13.
Jennifer Witty, Chris Capone To Wed July 13
CENTRAL — Jennifer Witty and Christopher Capone will marry on July 13, 2013. The bride-elect is the daughter of Frank and Mary Ann Witty of Central. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. N.W. Witty and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stoch. Jennifer is a graduate of Redemptorist High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. Her fiancé is the son of Brian and Molly Capone of Zachary. He is the grandson of Lawrence Capone of Slaughter, Shirley Capone of Mandeville, Roseanne Scruggs of Triangle, Va., and the late Thomas Scruggs.
BORRUANO, ASHFORD
Alise Borruano and Darrell Ashford will exchange vows Aug. 3 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Alise Borruano and Darrell Ashford to Wed Aug. 3 at St. John the Evangelist
Jennifer Witty and Christospher Capone
Christopher is a graduate of Zachary High School and University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Following a honeymoon in the Caribbean, the couple will reside in Denham Springs.
PLAQUEMINE — Alise Borruano of Plaquemine and Darrell Ashford, Jr. of Central will marry in a 1 p.m. ceremony on Aug. 3, 2013, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plaquemine. The bride-elect is the daughter of Susie and Angelo Borruano, Jr. of Plaquemine. She is the granddaughter of the late Angelina and Joseph Palazzo of Plaquemine, Merle and Angelo Borruano, Sr. of Brusly, and the late Dorothy Clement Borruano of Brusly. Alise is a graduate of Louisiana State University. She is pursing a master’s degree in counselor education at the University of New Orleans. Her fiancé is the son of Darlene and Darrell Ashford, Sr. of Central. He is the grandson of Syble Ashford and the late Harold Jean Ashford of Central and Silas Romero, Jr. of Central.
Alise Borruano and Darrell Ashford
He is a graduate of Central High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. He is employed in accounts receivables at Amedisys Home Health and Hospice in Baton Rouge.
Cavalier, Modica Exchange Vows At Live Oak in St. Francisville Holly Thompson, Scott Sanchez Wed
Mr. and Mrs. Jared Modica
ST. FRANCISVILLE — Lacy Lynn Cavalier of Zachary and Jared Colt Modica of Covington were married in a 5 p.m. ceremony March 23, 2013, at Live Oak Plantation at St. Francisville. Ron Lowery officiated. The bride is the daughter of Kim and Warren Cavalier, Jr. of Zach-
ary. She is the granddaughter of Vergie and Harold Booty of Zachary and Lettie and Warren Cavalier, Sr. of Pierre Part. The groom is the son of Joe and Chloe Modica of Covington. He is the grandson of A.J. Modica and Rose Modica of Covington and Richard Mouton, Margaret Mouton, and Rita Mouton of Abbeville. The bride was attended by her maid of honor, Lauren Holcombe and her matron of honor, Staci Rogillio. Bridesmaids were Jennifer Morgan, Callie Beauchamp, and Lauren Bertucci. Junior bridesmaid was Haylie Mouton Flower girl was Mattie Owens. The groom was attended by his best man, Justin Modica. Groomsmen were Elvin Modica, C.J. Holcombe, Blake Mouton, and Tyler Mouton. Ushers were Scotty Owens and Cletus Bruhl. Ring bearer was Landon Modica. A reception took place at Live Oak Plantation. After a wedding trip to the Dominican Republic the couple will reside in Covington.
March 2 at Greenwell Springs Church
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Sanchez
CENTRAL — Holly Ann Thompson and Scott Joseph Sanchez, both of Baton Rouge, were married in a 6 p.m. ceremony March 2, 2013, at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. Rev. Dennis Terry officiated. The bride is the daughter of Tim and Connie Thompson of Greenwell Springs. She is the granddaughter of Ann Lewis Blanton, the late Norman Lewis, the late Josephine Stassi Walker, and the late
Pershing Thompson. The groom is the son of Randy and Tracey Sanchez of Denham Springs. He is the grandson of the late Stanley and Ethel Hull Ponson, the late Alex and Ruth Sanchez, and Audrey Bell. The bride was attended by her maid of honor, Lauren Thompson and her matron of honor, Danielle Wagley. Bridesmaids were Layne Dufour, Brandyn Landry, Hayley Sanchez, Erin Schweinefus, and Nicol Wicker. Junior bridesmaids were Lindyn Landry and Whitney Schweinefus. Flower girl was Sophie Wagley. The groom was attended by his best men, Brian Allen and Wes Eaton. Groomsmen were Justin Becnel, Whitaker Bell, Kyle Hebert, Yancey Landry, and Justin Oufnac. Ushers were Chris Bossier, Dustin Eaton, and Matthew Richard. Ring bearers were Gavin Landry and Aiden Schweinefus. Readers were Jeannie Bruce and Tanna McClure. Soloist were Jamie Smith. Greeters were Bella Haydu and Madison Malejko. A reception took place at Boudreaux’s. The couple will reside in Walker.
Local Couple Celebrates 50th Anniversary
PUNTA CANTA — Anthony and Amelia Pecoraro of Pride celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a second honeymoon to Punta Canta. They celebrated with a small family dinner at Mansur’s given by their children and spouses, Wayne Pecoraro, Annette and David Chauvin, Barbara and Brian Lively, and Vicki and Craig Taylor. They have eight grandchildren, Hayden and Justin Chauvin, Jeremy and Brittany Lively, Chase Broussard, Lauren Taylor, and Christian and Cameron Pecoraro. They were married June 15, 1963, at St. Alphonsus Church. She is the former Amelia Parr.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pecoraro
Ashley Nelson and Carl Tingle Marry May 4 at Ashley Manor
BATON ROUGE — Ashley Nelson and Carl Tingle were married May 4, 2013, at Ashley Manor in Baton Rouge. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Jay Coleman of Journey Church in Central. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Nelson of Greenwell Springs. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Everett Mayeaux and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Nelson. She is a teacher in the Central Community School System. She was attended by her maid of honor, Danielle Wolfe. Bridesmaids were Kayla Nelson, Stacy Hooge, Lori Karr, Bailey Karr, and Hope Carline. The junior bridesmaid was Hayleigh Bercegeay. The flower girls were Saige and Stella Wolfe. The groom is the son of Diane Tingle of Baker and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Anthony Tingle of Zachary. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tingle, Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Rogers. He is employed by Canadian National Railroad. He was attended by his best man, Dustin Tingle. His groomsmen were Trez Simmons, Jared Colby Simmons, Derek Acaldo, Jerret Featherston, Brian Nelson,
Mrs. Carl Tingle
and junior groomsman was Hunter Tingle. The ring bearers were Brody LeBourgeois and Jacob Tingle. The ushers were Michael Reynerson and Alan Reynerson. Following the outdoor ceremony, a reception was held at Ashley Manor in the reception hall. The couple honeymooned at Sandales Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The will reside in Denham Springs.
. Births , Parker David Badeaux
JD and Katalynn (Creel) Badeaux of Central are proud to announce the birth of their son, Parker David. He was welcomed home by big brother, Noah James. Parker was born March 28, 2013, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center on Bluebonnet. He weighed eight pounds, five ounces, and was 19.75 inches long. Proud grandparents are Ricky and Becky Creel of Central, Paul and Tracie Greely of Central, and John and Sharon Badeaux of Denham Springs. Great-grandparents are James and Linda Davies of Central and Joan Bourgeois of Central.
CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013 13
. Deaths , Ella Louise Blanchard
“A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find! Her husband depends on her, and she never lets him down. She is good to him every day of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-12 Louise, beloved wife of Vernon Blanchard, Jr., went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 28, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with heart disease. She was born March 2, 1934, and lived her entire life in Baton Rouge. Her sons, Doug (Orlinda), Randy, and Larry (Penny) and daughters, Barbara Blanchard and Sandy Ladner (Ned), rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 17:6 “Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents.” Her grandchildren, Tori Berthelot (Jared), Randy Blanchard, Jr. (Jessica), Sarah Lovell (Curtis), Travis Ladner, Brent Blanchard (Roci), Chris Blanchard, Anna Mentzer (Jordan), Rebekah Blanchard, Todd Ladner, Brady Blanchard Blanchard, Lynley Blanchard (fiancé Josh Rhodes), Jenna Zimmer, and her great-grandchildren, Katy Simmons, Alyssa, Caden, Tanner and Harley Lovell, Hadley Ladner, Lawson, Elizabeth, Easton, Randy (BB) Blanchard, III, and Myles Berthelot were her greatest joy. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Jane “Cookie” Wink, brother, William Douglas “Boo” Gaudin, and a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Louise Gaudin; daughter-inlaw, Aimee Blanchard; great-grandson Bradley Lovell; sisters, Barbara Ann Westmoreland and Claire Adele (Whistle) Berthelot, and brothers, Leonard and James Douglas (Chipper) Gaudin.
Pallbearers were her grandsons. Visitation was held on Thursday, May 30 at Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge. Visitation resumedat St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Friday, May 31 until Mass of Christian Burial was conducted by Father Jack Nutter. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Proverbs 31: 30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” A special thanks to Dr. Andrew Rees, Dr. William Moore, Dr. Michael J. Castine III, and the staff of Louisiana Hospice and the Butterfly Wing for the loving and compassionate care they provided during her illness. There’s magic in a Mother’s touch, and sunshine in her smile. There’s love in everything she does to make our lives worthwhile. We can find both hope and courage just by looking in her eyes. Her laughter is a source of joy; her works are warm and wise. There is a kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace, and we see the light of heaven shining from a Mother’s face. (Anonymous)
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Bo David Kleinpeter Brock Robert Kleinpeter
Robbie and Dena Kleinpeter of Central are proud to announce the birth of their twin sons, Bo and Brock. They were welcomed home by big sister, Mikayla. Bo David was born March 29, 2013, at 3:14 p.m. at Woman’s Hospital. He weighed six pounds, one ounce, and was 19.5 inches long. Brock Robert Kleinpeter was born at 3:22 p.m. He weighed six pounds,
12.5 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Ronnie and Donna Davis of Central, Tracy Lea of Watson, and Bobby and Crystal Kleinpeter of Ethel. Great-grandparents are Euna Bennet of Central, Harold and Bennie Davis of Baker, and Robert and Lynette Kleinpeter of Ethel. Great great-grandparents are Oma Davis Baker of Nolan LeBlanc of Port Allen.
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Colt Browning Lormand
Rhett and Courtney (Ford) Lormand of Central are proud to announce the birth of their son Colt Browning. Colt was born March 25, 2013, at Woman’s Hospital at 6:52 p.m. He weighed seven pounds, 12 ounces, and 20.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Dave and Anne Matlock of Central, George Lormand of Hall Summit, and Sam and Becky Walding of Denham Springs. Great-grandparents are Shirley Browning of Central, Anna Lormand of Lafayette, Ross and Gladys Ford of Lecompte, and Louise Bankston of New Orleans.
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14 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
A Tale of Two Cities: Hammond vs. Central Widely Different Concepts of What Constitutes a City Woody Jenkins
Editor
SOUTHEAST — As the residents of Southeast Baton Rouge weigh the pros and cons of incorporation, it is important to note that the concept of what constitutes a “municipality” or a “city” can mean very different things, depending on how and when it is created. Two municipalities of similar size in the Florida Parishes of Louisiana illustrate how extreme those differences can be. One was created in the 19th century and the other in the 21st century. One is a traditional city like most of the rest in Louisiana. The other is completely privatized, meaning that the day-to-day functions of government are contracted
Proposed Southeast BR School District in SB 199, Which Passed Legislature out to a private company. The City of Hammond, population 20,000, is a well-run and attractive city 40 miles east of Baton Rouge. It has a city budget of more
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27,000, was incorporated in 2005. It has revenue of about $6.3 million and runs a surplus of more than $1 million a year. It has $6 million in the bank. The city has three employees and is completely privatized. It contracts with a nonprofit organization, IBTS, to provide virtually all city services. Hammond has its own police and fire department. Central was already served by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office and the Central Fire District, both of which have their own taxing districts. After Central was incorporated, they continued to provide the same services as before. The City of Central primarily provides planning and zoning functions, issues permits, and maintains streets in residential subdivisions. Hammond has its own Plan of Government. Central operates under the Lawrason Act, which applies to all Louisiana municipalities that have not adopted their own Plan of Government. The City of Central has not raised taxes or imposed new taxes.
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CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013 15
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Will Southeast BR Incorporate? 16 CITY NEWS Thursday, June 13, 2013
Continued from Page 1
community-wide meeting his organization is sponsoring at 7 p.m. tonight at Woodlawn Baptist Church. In some respects, forming a new municipality is easier than creating a new school system. Creating a new city does not require a vote of the Louisiana Legislature, the Metro Council, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, or any other group of elected officials. Rather, it requires a petition signed by at least 25 percent of the registered voters in the proposed city and a vote of the people. During the recent session of the Louisiana Legislature, Sen. Bodi White (R-Central) passed SB 199 to create the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System and place it in the Louisiana Revised Statutes. However, the House refused to pass SB 73, a constitutional amendment to place the Southeast district in the state constitution.
At a news conference at the bills were not tied together. In the close of the legislative session, past, the statute said it was continWhite pointed out that the two gent on the passage of a specific
constitutional amendment. As a result, White said the statute is on the books and will not have to be reenacted. The proposed school district is a wedge bounded on the north by I-12 and on the west by I-10, but Browning said those would not necessarily be the boundaries of a new municipality. Browning said his group will only move forward with incorporation if their questions are answered and if people in the Southeast support the concept after it has fully investigated and debated. The City of Central is the most recent example of incorporation. Founded in 2005, it is a city of 27,000. It has a budget of $6.3 million and runs an annual surplus of over $1 million. The city is fully privatized and has only three city employees. The separate Central Community School System is now ranked No. 2 among 69 school systems in the state.
only “parish” school boards. Art. VIII, Section 13(D)(1) provides that school systems in the “Central community,” the “Zachary community,” and the municipalities of Baker, Monroe, and Bogalusa shall all be treated as “parishes.” Browning said Art. VIII, Section 13(B) says that each “parish school system” and each “city school system” gets to participate in the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) and Section 13 (C) says that each “parish school board” and each “city school board” has the author-
to form a city school board and a city school system without having to pass an amendment to the state constitution. Browning said that the Southeast school district movement also has the option of re-introducing the constitutional amendment in the 2014 legislative session. He said, “The constitutional amendment that we proposed was not supposed to be on the ballot until October 2014. So we could still meet our original timetable, if we decide to take that approach.”
SOUTHEAST SCHOOL supporters at the legislature included (left to right) Lionel Rainey III, Stacy Hudson, and Dwight Hudson. They lobbied for SB 73 and SB 199.
SE BR School Backers Reevaluating Their Options Continued from Page 1
there is a never-before-used provision of the Louisiana Constitution that would allow the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System to exist as a “city school system.” Browning said a reading of Article VIII Section 13 of the state constitution makes it clear that there can be two types of school boards — parish school boards and city school boards. However, Louisiana does not currently have any “city” school boards. The state has
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ity to levy school taxes. Browning said that the boundaries of the Zachary Community School System go far beyond the City of Zachary, and the boundaries of the Central Community School Board also go beyond the City of Central. He said supporters of the proposed Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System believe that incorporation of Southeast Baton Rouge as a separate municipality would give them the option to use the statute already passed
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