Baton Rouge News from Around the Parish

Greenwell Springs Repetitive Flood Loss Area Analysis Neighborhood Meeting

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

Neighborhood Meeting

11300 Greenwell Springs

July 9, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

To review and discuss your neighborhood area analysis and its findings, completed by UNO-CHART, including flood protection alternatives for your neighborhood.

The meeting will be held at Greenwell Springs Road Branch Regional Library (11300 Greenwell Springs, Baton Rouge LA 70814) on July 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m.

Mayor: Check on Neighbors during Extreme Heat

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

Mayor Melvin �Kip� Holden is urging East Baton Rouge residents to check on their neighbors as high temperatures approach 100 degrees today in South Louisiana.

Mayor Holden said it�s particularly important to check on the elderly and the infirmed as the heat continues. The National Weather Service has forecast a high of 99 today, with afternoon heat indices expected to range from 105 to 110 degrees.

The Mayor said that with the continuing pattern of daily excessive heat, it�s critical to make sure the elderly have plenty of water. If they don�t have air conditioning, they should have fans in use, he said

If anyone becomes aware of a neighbor that is in need, they should call the Office of Neighborhoods for assistance at 389-7871.

The National Weather Service is looking for the extreme heat to continue Thursday with a high temperature of 97 degree and a heat index of 106 in the afternoon. High temperatures Friday through Sunday are forecast in the mid 90s, with afternoon heat indices expected to be 105 or greater.

In a heat advisory issued Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said that excessive heat claims an average of 175 American lives each year.

Mayor Holden Signs Sister City Pact with Turkish City

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

During a weeklong trip to Turkey to promote economic development, Mayor Melvin �Kip� Holden signed a sister city agreement Monday with he Deputy Mayor of Malatya, a city of about 400,000. �A lot of people passed up on this area, but we�ve already established a great number of contacts � we had businessmen lining up yesterday to give us their cards,� Mayor Holden said in a telephone interview from Turkey Tuesday morning.

The intent of the sister city agreement is to promote bilateral development by Baton Rouge and Malatya by holding investment conferences, technical exchanges, trade fairs and ongoing business talks and negotiations. The pact also calls for the two cities to exchange information in the fields of local government, culture, tourism, perseveration of cultural heritage, urban planning, transportation, education, sports and environmental protection. The two cities will also swap experts and staff to promote each other�s development, and to support each other in international forums and scientific conference, seminars and research opportunities.

Malatya produces about 65 percent of the world�s dried apricots, and has a thriving textile industry. Mayor Holden said Tuesday that Turkish officials had asked for his help in establishing a new apricot distributorship in the U.S.

Mayor Holden said a number of businessmen in Malatya asked him why he was interested in developing a partnership with their region. �I told them that when we go out to recruit industry, we don�t just go to the huge cities, but to smaller cities that may offer opportunity as well,� Mayor Holden said.

Mayor Holden said he was impressed with the range of areas that Malatya officials wanted to include in the agreement. Among other things, the �sister city� agreement calls for Baton Rouge and Malatya to use fairs, festivals and exhibitions to promote each other in the fields of trade, investment, literature, music and films to city residents.

Mayor Holden and Malatya Deputy Mayor Ertan Mumcu signed the pact in front of about 100 business leaders at the Malatya Chamber of Commerce.

The event not only made the front page of the Malatya daily newspaper Tuesday, but was also featured prominently on the city�s television news.

The sister city agreement, signed in both English and Turkish, takes effect immediately.

In a later meeting, the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources expressed a strong interest to visit Baton Rouge to see local gas and oil operations, Mayor Holden said. he noted that Exxon-Mobil has a major operation in the Black Sea area of Turkey.

Traveling with Mayor Holden in Turkey is Assistant Chief Administrative Officer James Llorens, LSU Manship Chair and Professor of Mass Communications Robert Mann and Bilal Halciogullari, doctoral student at Southern University at Baton Rouge, who is serving as interpreter.

Today, Mayor Holden is slated to travel to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, to meet with members of the Turkish Parliament and the Prime Minister. The Mayor also plans to meet with officials from the lucrative Turkish film industry this week to discuss possible film-related opportunities in the Baton Rouge area.

Mayor Holden's Healthy City Initiative

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CST

Mayor Holden's Healthy City Initiative

http://healthybr.com

Roadside/Parking Lot Sale of Animals Prohibited

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 CST

A Title 14 Amendment of the EBR Parish Code of Ordinances, now in effect bans the selling, exchanging, bartering, trading, leasing, renting, give away or displaying of any live animals on any roads, public right-of-ways, parkways, medians, parks, flea markets or commercial or rental properties in the entire parish.

The EBR Parish Metro Council unanimously approved this amendment.

Some of the problems with selling and giving away animals from roadsides and parking lots are that animals are often sick, the results of "puppy mill" breeding or are purchased "impulsively", resulting in abandonment. Animals are not disposable commodities: thought and planning should go into bringing an animal into a home.

Possible violations should first be reported to the EBR Parish Animal Control Center: 774-7700. Alternate reporting numbers are: EBR Parish Sheriff's Office: 389-5000; Baton Rouge Police Dept.: 389-2000; Baker Police Dept.: 775-6000.

East Baton Rouge Flood Awareness Facts

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CST

East Baton Rouge Flood Awareness Facts

http://brgov.com/dept/dpw/drainage.htm

FEMA 2008 EBRP Flood Maps

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 CST

FEMA 2008 EBRP Flood Maps

http://brgov.com/dept/dpw/EBRPfloodmaps.htm

Request building inspections online

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CST

Request building inspections online

https://brgov.com/apps/insprequest

A Reminder to Check Batteries in Smoke Detectors when Changing Clocks

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CST

As everyone will change their clocks this weekend, the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and Baton Rouge Fire Department reminds you to also check the batteries in smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Simply testing detectors when changing clocks and watches will help when disaster strikes.

Replace old batteries with new, high-quality batteries to keep smoke alarms protecting you all year long. �It�s important to test your smoke alarms at least once a month,� stated Howard Ward with the Baton Rouge Fire Department. �Testing the alarm is easy; simply push the test button until the alarm sounds,� and he said, �It�s a fact��.�SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES�

�It�s important for everyone to understand that these simple devices can save lives when properly checked and maintained,� said Kendall Hebert, public relations director for the Red Cross. �American Red Cross staff and volunteers are one of the first on the scene in single-family home and apartment fires and work closely with area fire departments.�

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.

The Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the following 10 parishes: Ascension, East & West Baton Rouge, East & West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena and St. James.

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Photo Enforcement of Red Lights to Improve Safety on the Streets

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST

Photo Enforcement of Red Lights to Improve Safety on the Streets

http://brgov.com/RedLight/press.htm

BRFD's Groundbreaking Ceremony for new Scotlandville Fire Station #16

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST

BRFD's Groundbreaking Ceremony for new Scotlandville Fire Station #16

http://brgov.com/dept/fire/press.htm

EMS Announces Free Citizen's CPR

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST

EBRP EMS announces citizen's CPR for the citizens of our community, FREE OF CHARGE, on the third Thursday of every month, 6-9pm. CPR doubles a person's chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

For further information, please contact 389-5155.

Residential Solid Waste User Fee Assistance Program

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CST

Residential Solid Waste User Fee Assistance Program

http://www.brgov.com/dept/finance/Residential Solid Waste User Assistance.htm

Pastime Restaurant and Lounge designated as Baton Rouge�s First Local Historic Landmark

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 CST

The East Baton Rouge Parish Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to announce the designation of Pastime Restaurant and Lounge as a Local Historic Landmark by the Metropolitan Council. Pastime meets the criteria for selection as a local landmark as a site or place of natural interest that is continuing to contribute to the cultural or historical development and heritage City-Parish, state, or region.

In addition to the honor and prestige of being recognized as a local historic landmark, local designation also provides protection. Local historic landmark designation is the most effective form of protection to maintain the historic character of a property.

The City-Parish Planning Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in our community through comprehensive land use planning and development. The Horizon Plan, adopted in 1992 as the 20-year Comprehensive Land Use and Development Plan, calls for the City-Parish to identify historically significant elements, structures, and locations in the community, and incorporate methods for preservation of these elements, structures, and locations.

For more information on Historic Preservation, please contact the City-Parish Planning Commission at 225/389-3144 or visit the Historic Preservation Commission website at http://www.brgov.com/dept/planning/historic/historic.htm

Baton Rouge Police Department K-9 Division Honored by AKC

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 CST

Baton Rouge Police Department K-9 Division Honored by AKC

http://brgov.com/dept/brpd/K9.htm

Baton Rouge Loop Information

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 CST

Baton Rouge Loop Information

http://www.brloop.com

CONNECT-CTY, New City-Parish-to-Resident Emergency Notification System

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 CST

East Baton Rouge Parish is pleased to announce the launch of the Connect-CTY� service, our new city-parish-to-resident notification system. With this service, City-Parish leaders can send personalized voice messages to residents and businesses within minutes with specific information about time-sensitive or common-interest issues such as emergencies and local community matters. The Connect-CTY service will be used to supplement our current communication plans and augment public safety/first responder services.

Please accept our invitation to participate in this great service. We know that your personal information is important, and rest assured that we will not share it with anyone. If you have NOT already received a test phone call from us, or you would like to provide additional contact information, click the Connect-CTY image to sign up.

CITY OF BATON ROUGE- PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE RECEIVES AWARD

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 CST

In a recent press release from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, the City of Baton Rouge/ Parish of East Baton Rouge was announced to be the recipient of the GFOA�s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 16th year. This award represents a significant achievement by the city and reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting.

To receive this award, the Finance Department for the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge had to meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines highlight how well the budget meets four requirements: to serve as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. In order to receive the award the department must be rated �proficient� in all of the above categories and we are proud to announce that the Finance Department for the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge has done so. According to the press release, �[A]ward recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.�

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Crime Prevention Seminars

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 CST

Law enforcement agencies are offering seminars to educate citizens on how to prevent and clean up crime in their neighborhoods. The next seminars are:

July 17 - Monte Sano BREC Park 3pm to 6pm

August 6 - Reggie Brown Jr. Park 3pm to 6pm

August 10 - Southern University Freshman Common Area 2pm to 6pm

August 13 - Southern University Front of Union Building 2pm to 6pm

BATON ROUGE NEIGHBORHOOD WINS TREE PRESERVATION GRANT

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 CST

Partnership between EBR Tree & Landscape Commission, DPW and the Broadmoor Residents� Association Nets Monetary Grant from Entergy

The Entergy Corporation recently awarded a grant of $3,890 to the Broadmoor Residents� Association Beautification Team to support a year-long EBR Tree & Landscape Commission program called "Adopt-an-Oak". This program, which will include mulching existing trees and planting new trees, strives to create a direct link between neighborhood trees and the human or cultural community therein. Broadmoor residents are invited to 'adopt' any number of live oaks that grow along Goodwood Boulevard between Airline Highway and Sharp Road. Adopters name their tree(s) and maintain their tree(s) with mulch as well as irrigating these trees during dry weather.

The ultimate purpose of the "Adopt-an-Oak" program is to encourage the protection of important neighborhood trees. Through the process of educating the neighborhood residents, it teaches the methodologies of tree preservation in order to create and insure a future tree legacy for the neighborhood region and also builds upon past efforts of neighborhood tree preservation. The EBR Tree & Landscape Commission will host four educational seminars on tree care topics at Broadmoor Baptist Church which is located on Goodwood Boulevard.

The Broadmoor �Adopt-an-Oak� seminar series will include:

1.Trees & Wind: Hurricanes in the Urban Forest � July 17, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive, 225-924-6269, Activity Building, Room 3

2.How to Hire a Professional Arborist � September 18, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive, 225-924-6269, Activity Building, Room 3

3.Avoiding Tree/Utility Conflicts � October 16, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive, 225-924-6269, Activity Building, Room 3

4.Tree Selection and Installation � November 13, 2007, 6:30 p.m., Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive, 225-924-6269, Adult Building, Room 101

Comprised of civic and non-profit leaders from across East Baton Rouge Parish, The EBR Tree & Landscape Commission�s mission is to serve the public by advising the Mayor-President, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Metropolitan Council on urban forestry and landscape concerns for city and parish-owned public property, and commercial properties over a certain minimum size. Mr. Steve Shurtz, urban forester with the Operations Division of Department of Public Works, arborist and registered landscape architect, serves as liaison between the city and the Commission. Ms. Peggy Davis, landscape architect, longtime green activist and Executive Director of the LSU Hilltop Arboretum, serves as Commission Chair.

The Broadmoor Residents� Association is a not for profit group representing some 2,000 diverse households in one of Baton Rouge�s most historically unique neighborhoods. Members of the Association�s Beautification Team are more commonly known as �Broadmoor�s Green Team�. The Green Team serves to promote preservation, conservation and responsibility with the intent to empower neighborhood residents with knowledge to maintain their local natural resources. Dr. Hallie Dozier, assistant professor of Forestry at LSU and Tree & Landscape Commissioner serves with several other residents on the Green Team.

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For more information about the EBR Tree & Landscape Commission "Adopt-an-Oak" program or its accompanying seminar series being held in Broadmoor, please call (225) 926-9829, send an e-mail to broadmoor@broadmoor-br.org or visit http://broadmoor-br.org/