Baton Rouge Press Releases

Human Resources Now Accepting Applications for Computer and Engineering Positions

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Mayor-President)

Human Resources is accepting applications for Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst I and II; and Senior Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst; Network Technician I and II; Engineer Intern; Senior Engineer Intern; and Professional Engineers I, II, III and IV.

C-P Teaming up with Rebuilding Together BR for National Rebuild Weekend

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

The City-Parish is joining forces with nonprofit Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge to give 62-year-old Karilyn Morris� 1610 Myrtle Walk home a makeover in observance of National Rebuild Weekend, which begins today.

The City-Parish is providing $2,997.60 in construction supplies for Morris� home through a Community Development Block Grant, and Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge is providing volunteer labor. The improvements include a new roof that is being installed by Roofers Local 317. The volunteer roofers have already started work on Morris� home, and plan to finish the project in early May.

Chris Andrews, who is coordinating the Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge projects this weekend, said Morris was selected from a list of applicants based on need.

�Ms. Morris is a lovely and active 62 year old, and she�s lived in this home all her life � she inherited it from her family,� Andrews said. �But she could have never put a roof on that house herself, and of course more problems result when a roof is leaking and other things are deteriorating.�

Andrews noted that Tom Ferriday from Whitney Bank is serving as captain for the work on Morris� home, which includes other improvements in addition to the new roof.

Just down the street at 1109 Myrtle Walk, another team of Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge volunteers is being led by Jeff Gould of Chase Bank. The home is owned by Janice Folse, and the improvements include new siding, painting, a new kitchen floor and new shelving.

Julie Baxter, who also works with Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, said work on Morris� home is one of nine projects that are being performed today for 2013 National Rebuild Day.

�We�ve been doing this since 2004, and today we will be up to 106 projects that have been remodeled,� Baxter said.

Baxter said that Morris is one of the younger homeowners who have benefitted from the program, noting that many are in their 70s and 80s.

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Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge is a nonprofit organization that offers home repair services to elderly or disabled low-income homeowners. The organization is supported entirely by contributions of labor, material and money, and is dedicated to repairing homes of those who, due to financial hardship, age, and/or disability, cannot do the work themselves.

To be eligible for consideration in the program, residents must:

� Be at least 62 years old or have someone living in the household who is currently receiving Social Security disability;

� Own and live in the home;

� Have the home insured under a homeowner's policy; and

� Meet low income guidelines per the HUD published guidelines for East Baton Rouge Parish. Income is based on the number of persons living in the household.

City-Parish Action Plan 2013 Public Hearing

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

CITY OF BATON ROUGE & PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

& BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN PARISHES

ACTION PLAN 2013

The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge Office of Community Development (OCD) is undertaking the planning process for submission of its Action Plan 2013 to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Action Plan 2013 is the planning and application requirement for four Community Planning and Development formula grant programs. The programs are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA). HOPWA grants are available for the metropolitan area consisting of the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Livingston, Ascension, Iberville, and Pointe Coupee. All other programs are restricted to East Baton Rouge Parish excluding the incorporated areas that are eligible for other funding under the CDBG State and Small Cities program.

The Action Plan 2013 details the projects that the City-Parish will propose to undertake during the fourth year of the five-year Consolidated Plan & Strategy 2010-2014. While program year 2013 funding has not been established at this time, OCD estimates funding to be approximately; CDBG $3,232,928, HOME $1,282,312, HOPWA $2,552,872, and ESG $324,899 based on the past year funding level and excluding the potential effects of the 2013 federal sequester. The purpose of this notice is to announce the time and location of the public hearings for the planning process. There will be four public hearings for the purpose of soliciting public comment on housing and community development needs, presenting proposed activities, and describing the Action Plan 2013, prior to the City-Parish Metropolitan Council authorizing the submission of the Plan.

The public hearings will be held at the following locations:

April 4, 2013 Description of planning process, anticipated funding, programs covered, and solicitation of public comment on housing and community development needs. The Hearing will be held at the Plank Road Civic Center, 4523 Plank Road, Baton Rouge, Room 4, Baton Rouge La 70805. Public Hearing starts at 6:30pm or immediately following the Citizens Advisory Council for Community Development (CAC) meeting.

May 2, 2013 Provide information on the Pre-Applications process for funding, Question and Answer session. The Hearing will be held at the Eden Park Branch Library, 5131 Greenwell Springs Rd., Baton Rouge, La 70806 and begin at 6:30pm or immediately following the Citizens Advisory Council for Community Development (CAC) meeting.

June 6, 2013 Provide updates on the Action Plan document, Question and answer session. The Hearing will be held at the Carver Branch Library, 720 Terrace St., Baton Rouge, La 70802 and begin at 6:30pm or immediately following the Citizens Advisory Council for Community Development (CAC) meeting.

The fourth and final hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled City-Parish Metropolitan Council Meeting at the City-Parish Governmental Building, 222 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge, 3rd Floor Council Chamber on July 24, 2013 at 4:00 pm - Metro Council hearing and final deadline for public comment.

Additional information can be accessed from the Office of Community Development website at www.brgov.com/dept/ocd. Written comments on the Action Plan 2013 may also be submitted to the Office of Community Development, P.O. Box 1471, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1471 or emailed to ocd@brgov.com. Persons requiring special assistance or accommodations at the public hearings should contact Mary Brown or Gladys Williams at (225) 389-3039 (voice) or (225) 389-3082 (TDD) at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

DPW Reorganization Recommendations Proposed

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Recommended Organizational Structure Promotes Efficiency, Accountability, and Opportunity

A committee organized to advise and shape a process designed to provide recommendations for the reorganization of the Department of Public Works received an initial report today detailing a proposed new organizational structure for City-Parish public works functions.

This DPW Reorganization Steering Committee, a group representing a wide cross-section of internal and external public works stakeholders comprised of representatives of the Office of the Mayor-President and the Metro Council, Department of Public Works employees and union representatives, industry and trade association representatives, and community stakeholders, reviewed a consulting team�s recommendations that the existing Department of Public Works be decentralized and divided into six new departments with self-contained budget units, clear functional responsibilities, performance metrics, and one director for each new department tasked with overseeing the critical departmental functions and services to which each is assigned.

As presented, these recommendations include the following departments proposed to assume the responsibilities of the existing Department of Public Works:

� The Department of Environmental Services

� The Department of Transportation

� The Department of Maintenance

� The Department of Development

� The Department of Buildings and Grounds

� The Department of Fleet Management

�The proposed restructuring of our existing Department of Public Works is one that we believe makes a great deal of sense for not just the present, but also the future needs of East Baton Rouge Parish,� William Daniel, Chief Administrative Officer and a member of the Reorganization Steering Committee, said. �This is a solution we feel provides our employees with a great deal of opportunity, but also helps promote a culture of accountability and efficiency so that we can better serve the citizens of Baton Rouge.�

�With this reorganization, we look forward to improving our performance and continuing to play the critical role we do in providing necessary services and filling key functions for the citizens of Baton Rouge,� David Guillory, Department of Public Works Director and Reorganization Steering Committee member, said. �These recommendations were very clear that nobody will lose their job as a direct result of this reorganization, and that is a critical piece to this and to our City-Parish employees. This process is intended to increase opportunities for our hard-working employees, not create obstacles or barriers, something that we have emphasized from day one.�

As proposed, the recommendations for reorganization will soon be presented in full to the Metro Council for consideration and approval. A transition plan and phased approach for implementation will also be detailed at that time. Pending Metro Council approval, the recommendations, which outline proposed changes to the existing Plan of Government of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and the City of Baton Rouge which specifies a �single unified Department of Public Works,� would then go before the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish as per the process for instituting changes to the Plan of Government.

Throughout this process, the reorganization team, in conjunction with the Mayor�s Office and appropriate City-Parish departments, will continue its work in moving towards full implementation and transitioning to the proposed new structure by identifying and filling key positions, realigning key public works functions at the division-level, conducting outreach to City-Parish staff and employees, and establishing performance measures throughout workgroups within existing public works functions.

�This is a process that was designed to be evolutionary � not revolutionary � and based on these recommendations, a significant amount of change is recommended for the future of our City-Parish. We believe this to be positive change, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders, including our existing DPW employees, as we begin implementing these recommendations and transitioning to a new and improved structure for City-Parish public works functions,� Daniel said.

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EBR Officials Jointly Targeting Gun Safety

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor-President Melvin �gKip�h Holden, District Attorney Hillar Moore, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Coroner William �gBeau�h Clark, and Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White are jointly issuing this alert together to warn parents, young adults, and teenagers of the danger our community is currently facing from the improper use and mishandling of firearms. It is against federal law for any person under age 21 to possess or handle a handgun except while engaged in adult supervised activity (shooting sports, hunting, etc.). Similar prohibitions are in place for the possession and use of long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, by anyone under age 18.

Since January 1, 2013, Baton Rouge police officers and sheriff's deputies have had to respond to multiple shootings involving minors killed by others mishandling firearms. In these cases, the adult owners of these weapons should expect to face prosecution for negligent homicide or improper supervision of a minor.

Often times these shootings are referred to as accidental shootings. This is not correct. These are not accidents. They are foreseeable injuries and deaths that can occur whenever the adult owners of these firearms leave them unsecured where children and young adults can access them.

To reduce future senseless killings, we are urging parents and other adults in the Baton Rouge Community secure their weapons and provide adult supervision for any shooting activities. Together we can avoid future deaths while we mourn the loss of three minors due to needless shootings in the first month of this New Year:

�� Enrico Green (age 15). Deaundre Williams (age 20) arrested for this death by handgun

�� Travin Varice (age 2). Terrance Varise (age 18) arrested for this death by handgun

�� Marcus Williams (age 17). T.T. a 16 year old juvenile was arrested for this death by handgun

ADULTS

�� Secure all firearms located in your home. Trigger locks, lockable gun boxes, and other devices for securing weapons are readily available at little cost (much less than the cost of the weapon) at sporting good stores and are often provided free by the gun manufacturer at the time of sale.

�� Make certain that an adult supervisor is present to ensure that safe gun handling practices are followed. If your children participate in shooting sports, please contact one of the numerous local organizations to secure proper instruction, including the Civilian Marksmanship Program in our schools, NRA education classes, hunter education courses, concealed weapons classes, law enforcement training programs, and shooting sport foundations.

�� If you see anyone under the age of 21 handling a hand gun without adult supervision, call 911 for an immediate response by law enforcement.

�� If you see anyone under the age of 18 handling a long gun without adult supervision, call 911 for an immediate response by law enforcement.

�� If you see anyone handling a firearm at any time in a unsafe manner, call 911 for an immediate response by law enforcement.

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EBRP UPCOMING BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Applications will be accepted starting January 27 � March 21 at noon, for those persons interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Commission or Capital Area Transit Board for East Baton Rouge Parish. Applicants may apply on-line at www.brgov.com.

Each Metropolitan Councilmember will receive all applications for review. If you are deemed eligible to serve, The Metropolitan Council will consider these appointments at the Metropolitan Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. For further information, contact the Council Administrator-Treasurer�s Office at 225 389-3123.

PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING CENTER ''ONE STOP SHOP'' OFFICIALLY OPENING FOR BUSINESS

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Mayor-President)

Consolidation of Planning Commission, DPW Divisions, and Business Services in One Locale Will Create �One Stop Shop� for Citizens and Businesses Seeking Assistance

A ribbon cutting ceremony and walking tour are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. to officially open the new Public Works and Planning Center, located at 1100 Laurel Street. More than 150 City-Parish employees of various Department of Public Works divisions and the City-Parish Planning Commission will be located in the newly-renovated facility, the former site of the Baton Rouge Junior High School.

The former Baton Rouge Junior High School building was constructed in the early 1920s and opened to students in 1923. At some point in presumably the 1960s, the City of Baton Rouge assumed control of the facility and renovated it for use as a temporary courthouse. Over the years, elements of the building, which has maintained a spot on the National Register of Historical Places since 1984, fell into a state of disrepair, especially the basement which has been subject to flooding, at points even holding four-to-five feet of water.

The building has undergone a major renovation, which includes more than $1.7 million in federally-funded energy efficiency upgrades. The energy efficiency improvements included in the renovation help the facility meet the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings, which will make it the first LEED-certified municipal building in East Baton Rouge Parish, one of the most energy-efficient buildings in Baton Rouge, and a model for energy efficiency in municipal buildings.

The consolidation of these City-Parish service departments into one building along with a physically co-located �One Stop Shop� for permitting and development needs was designed to improve city efficiencies and the providing of services to businesses and citizens dealing with development, planning and permitting issues.

�We are proud to share this good news with the community and very excited to see this project come to fruition. We believe it will be widely accepted by the engineers, architects, developers and citizens who do business with the city. We wanted to make it easier for the development community to conduct their business with the city as efficiently as possible, and the relocation of the Planning Commission staff alongside various Public Works divisions will do just that,� William Daniel, Chief Administrative Officer for the City-Parish and former director of the Department of Public Works, said.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting led by Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden, City-Parish officials will conduct a guided walking tour of the new facility, highlighting the energy-efficient elements of the design improvements and providing information how the departments and divisions will work together in this new �One Stop Shop� environment.

The walking tour will be conducted by the following City-Parish officials:

� Troy Bunch - Director of Planning Commission

� Carey Chauvin - Chief Building Official

� Jim Frey - Special Project Architect

� Jim Ferguson - Chief Construction Engineer

� Gretta Meche - Service Fee Business Manager

CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS, DEVELOPERS AND PLANNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WALKING TOUR TO LEARN HOW THIS NEW CONFIGURATION WILL HELP THOSE SEEKING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY-PARISH

East Baton Rouge receives $1.5-million federal grant for BRAVE project

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Grant to implement group violence reduction strategies over 3-year period

Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden announced Wednesday that the city-parish has been awarded a $1.5-million federal grant for the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination (BRAVE) Project.

The grant will implement group violence reduction strategies that target juvenile offenders over a three-year period.

The grant will provide up to $500,000 per year for the following activities:

� Violent crime research and data analysis tools from LSU to help identify criminal suspects and groups that should be targeted by the BRAVE project

� Caseworkers and resources to provide substance abuse, mentoring, and job training to 25 youths each year who choose to leave crime behind through the BRAVE project

� Support staff for BRAVE Director Anny to maintain grant records, and conduct media and community outreach.

The project was launched in May with $150,000 in city-parish funding that was used primarily to pay for the services of BRAVE Director Herbert �Tweety� Anny

and consultant Jim Fealy, who provided technical assistance for the violence reduction program.

Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden�s Office and the City-Parish Finance are the fiscal agents for the grant. Partner organizations are District Attorney Hillar Moore�s Office, East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux�s Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana State University, City-Parish Department of Juvenile Services, Jim Fealy, Healing Place Church/Dream Center, Capital Area Human Service District, Baton Rouge Working Interfaith Network (Alvin Herring), Hope Ministries and the Department of Corrections.

BRAVE is targeting known violent and drug-trade offenders in criminal hotspots, beginning with zip code 70805 in North Baton Rouge.

Project BRAVE has been designed to reduce and eliminate violent crime committed by 190 juveniles in zip code 70805, a small criminal �hot spot� that has 13.5 percent of Baton Rouge's population, but accounts for 25 percent of the city's total police calls, 30 percent of its homicides, and 40 percent of its gun assaults.

The National Network of Safe Communities� Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) model will be implemented under the support of the Mayor and District Attorney to target youth ages 14-17 in the 70805 zip code, which has a violent crime rate of 25 times the national average.

Project BRAVE seeks to:

� Change community norms towards gang and group violence

� Provide alternatives to criminal offending by the targeted group, and

� Alter the perception of youth regarding risks and sanctions associated with violent offending

The GVRS model is a multifaceted, community-oriented approach used to deter youth from violent crime by limiting opportunities to commit crime and increasing alternatives to violent behavior. The approach will be focused on targeting a small number of chronic offenders responsible for the majority of crime to have these offenders believe that the costs of committing crime outweighs the benefits. By tailoring and focusing an array of evidence-based methods aimed at addressing the conditions that are the root of crime, the community can significantly reduce the crime rate.

Mayor Holden said that the BRAVE project is utilizing the same GVRS that has been successfully used by Operation Ceasefire programs in cities like Boston and Los Angeles.

BRAVE officials will call in violent criminal and drug-trade suspects into meetings with faith-based and community organizations, who then confront the suspects with their criminal behavior and the collective knowledge of their activities. The suspects are advised of the consequences of continuing in their criminal behavior, including severe prosecution and tough sentences. They are also advised about opportunities to abandon their criminal lifestyle through substance abuse treatment, job preparation, GED training, and employment.

In recent months, BRAVE project organizers have met with many different organizations across Baton Rouge in their attempt to focus on zip code 70805. As a result, the BRAVE project now has support not only from law enforcement and local government, but also from the faith-based community, business and industry, social service and non-profit organizations, and the academic, educational, and recreation community.

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Mayor Holden Announces Changes in Administration

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden announced today that John Carpenter is resigning from the Mayor�s Office to pursue other interests and he will appoint Public Works Director William Daniel as Chief Administrative Officer.

Daniel has served in Mayor Holden�s administration as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and Director of the Department of Public Works. Previously, he was a partner in C-K Associates, an environmental engineering firm and served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Daniel graduated from LSU with a Bachelor�s and Master�s degree in Petroleum Engineering and a Master�s Degree in Environmental Studies. He also earned a Master�s of Business Administration from the University of Tulsa.

These changes are effective August 3, 2012.

Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards Hosts Visit with President & CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Bl

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Karyne Jones is the president and chief executive officer of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. (http://www.ncba-aged.org/). She is on schedule for a short visit to Baton Rouge on Wednesday, July 11, 2011. Ms. Jones itinerary while in the City will include meeting with small groups of seniors at the Delmont Service Center, the Director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging, a stop by the Visit Baton Rouge office and tour of the newly opened Hooper Springs Senior Living Community prior to departure.

NCBA is the only national organization solely devoted to making minority aging services a national priority. Karyne leads NCBA in its efforts to deliver fair and affordable housing, employment services, and healthcare intervention programs for low income African Americans and other minority seniors. She also targets new business, partnerships and other opportunities to ensure organization's commitment toward minority aging.

Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards was recently elected to the Board of the NCBA's Housing Management Corporation for a three year term thru 2015. "What an honor to visit with a nationally recognized leader on matters pertaining to the minority aging process and dialogue about issues important to this segment of our society. We look forward to working with Ms. Jones and the NCBA to bring important awareness to public policy issues that help our senior citizens age gracefully and well," stated Councilwoman Edwards.

GREENWELL SPRINGS AIRLINE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

The Greenwell Springs Airline Economic Development District is hosting a ribbon cutting for Zion City Neighborhood Association and the SE Mackey center to celebrate their fa�ade improvements. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the SE Mackey Center located at 6534 Ford Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70811 at 9:00 a.m.

The Zion City Neighborhood Association and the SE Mackey Center were both recipients of the GSAEDD fa�ade improvement grant. The purpose of the grant was to improve the appearance of buildings and neighborhoods located within the district. The GSAEDD boundaries which are: The intersection of South Choctaw Drive and Scenic Highway, north along Scenic Highway to its intersection with Harding Boulevard, then east along Harding Boulevard to its intersection with Plank Road and Hooper Road, continue east along Hooper Road to its intersection with Mickens Road, then southeast along Mickens Road to its intersection with Joor Road, then south on Joor Road to its intersection with Greenwell Springs Road, then northeast on Greenwell Springs Road to its intersection with North Flannery Road, then south on North Flannery Road to its intersection with South Choctaw Drive, then west along South Choctaw Drive to the point of beginning.

GSAEDD has awarded a total of 5 neighborhood associations� grants. The recipients are Zion City, Banks/Scotlandville, Monticello, Park Forest, and Park Forest East. They have also awarded a total of eight business fa�ade grants to: SE Mackey Center, Dunn Enterprises, California Flooring, Fountain of Life, VIP Daiquiri Caf�, Rose of Sharon Day Care, Gulf Coast Revitalization and No Doubt Hair/Art Gallery. �We are pleased to be able to offer grants to help businesses improve their look which in turn increases their visibility and profitability�, says executive director Courtney Hunt DeVaull.

The Greenwell Springs-Airline Economic Development District (GSAEDD) was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 2007, Act R.S. 33:27240.67 with the primary objective and purpose of providing substantial economic activity and employment opportunities within the North Baton Rouge Community. The mission of the GSAEDD is to develop an independent, self-sustaining economy in the North Baton Rouge area.

For more information about the tour or to reserve your seat, please contact Courtney Hunt DeVaull at 225-288-0594.

Contact: Courtney Hunt DeVaull Call: (225) 288-0594

Email: cdevaull@gmail.com

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New EBR Truancy Center on course to open this fall

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

A long-awaited truancy center to help boost school attendance and reduce juvenile crime in East Baton Rouge Parish is on schedule to open its doors this fall.

The project recently cleared its final major hurdle when Gov. Bobby Jindal signed off on a three-year, no-cost lease that will allow the new Family and Youth Service Center of East Baton Rouge to use the former site of the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired on Government Street.

The truancy center project actually began in 2008, when Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden, District Attorney Hillar Moore, former School Board Superintendent John Dilworth, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and former Chief of Police Jeff LeDuff began working together to address the correlation between high drop-out rates and juvenile crime.

These founding partners worked together with other members of the community in three community-wide workshops that resulted in the goal of �one-stop� location where children and families could access the resources they need to improve attendance.

�When we first started on this journey, it was very clear statistics showed a correlation between high truancy rates and crime,� Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden said. �We came together a number of years ago and began to deal with this pressing issue. A one stop truancy center emerged as the primary tool. With the help of the Governor�s office the truancy center is about to become a reality. It is a phase in a long process that together we feel we can make our neighborhoods safer.�

The partners also looked at a number of local properties for the new truancy center before settling on the former School for the Visually Impaired as the optimum location. The school operated at the location from 1898 until 2009, when it was relocated onto the property of the Louisiana School for the Deaf on Brightside Lane.

�The Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired property is a great location for our partners to use to fight truancy and ensure local resources are leveraged together to prevent unexcused absences from school and reduce juvenile delinquency,� Gov. Bobby Jindal said. �We look forward to the official opening of the truancy prevention center later this year.�

The founding partners have provided the following resources to fund operations on the new truancy center:

� The state has provided a three-year lease of the property to the East Baton Rouge School Board without compensation

� The East Baton Rouge School Board has committed $100,000 in annual operating funds for a three-year period.

� The Mayor-President on behalf of the City-Parish has committed $100,000 in annual operating funds for a 3 year period.

� The Sheriff of East Baton Rouge has committed $100,000 in annual operating funds for a three year period.

� The District Attorney of East Baton Rouge has committed $100,000 in annual operating funds for a 3 year period.

� The Wilson Foundation has committed $100,000 in technology funds for the first year of operations

District Attorney Hillar Moore said a lot of work remains ahead for the partners as they work together to address a situation that has arisen over time and cannot be solved overnight.

�We have committed to continue this work together for our kids,� Moore said. �It is their needs that will continue to guide our path forward.�

Sheriff Sid Gautreaux agreed that the new truancy center will play an important role in helping students stay in school and out of trouble.

�I am proud to be part of the this innovative partnership between private entities, the District Attorney, the School Board, the City- Parish and the State of Louisiana; all working together to address the needs of academically at-risk children and their families in East Baton Rouge Parish by delivering coordinated and timely services resulting in a safer and better Baton Rouge,� Gautreaux said.

The lead occupant on the nine-acre Government Street site will be the Truancy Assessment and Service Center, a state funded organization that has pioneered a successful intervention model to reduce truancy across the state, including in the parish of East Baton Rouge. During the last 13 years, this small organization has improved attendance in approximately 80 percent of the cases referred to them.

Their intervention model responds to incidents of truancy by assessing and intervening in the underlying causes of truancy that can include economic, health, and educational disabilities. This model can now be replicated across our entire parish. To assist in this effort, the new Family and Youth Services Center invites all organization currently attempting to provide services to reduce truancy to co-locate in a �neighborhood place� at this one property so that children and their families only have to make �one stop.�

Already committed to participate at this location are the Mayor�s Office of juvenile Services, the District Attorney�s Juvenile and Truancy coordinator, the Sheriff�s and Chief�s School-Drug task forces, the School Board�s Children Welfare and Attendance Unit, the state Office of Children Services and the Capital Area Health Services District. Discussions are also currently underway with numerous non-profit groups.

The new truancy center was also applauded by Interim East Baton Rouge School Superintendent Carlos Sam.

"We are very pleased to be a part of what we regard as a model collaborative that will enable this community to more effectively combat truancy and meet truant students at their point of need," Sam said.

All those who seek to work together to reduce the high rate of drop-out and truancy in our community are welcome to join us in this partnership so that everything and everyone is in place to make a difference with the beginning of the school year this fall.

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Businesses can offer services, discounts through �By Baton Rouge�

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Baton Rouge area businesses have a new high-tech tool to offer their goods and services to the area�s growing film and television industry. The new �By Baton Rouge� program features an app that producers can use on their iPhones or ipads to find local vendors for their projects.

Last year, the film and television industry spent an estimated $200 million in the Baton Rouge area, and the new �By Baton Rouge� app will allow local businesses to try and land a piece of that action.

�Whether your business is a restaurant, a bar, a hair salon, a plant nursery, a baby nursery, a lumber yard or an office supplies outlet, this new app will allow you to offer your goods and services directly to the film and movie industry,� Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden said in unveiling the new app today.

Mayor Holden noted that the new app will even allow local businesses to sweeten the deals for the film and television productions by offering discounts or even complimentary services.

�Through this new app, prospective vendors can offer a percentage off their entire purchase or a complimentary service. Like any other business, film and television productions are always looking for vendors who will positively impact their bottom line,� the Mayor added.

The application was developed by and is offered through Reel-Scout Inc., a company that has gained a reputation for its work with film offices across the country. Reel-Scout also offers the only nationwide location library for the film and television industry. Since 2004, Reel-Scout�s software has been used by film offices to market their city, region, or state�s locations to film and television productions across the world. Through the Reel-Scout service, film and television productions can search for on-line photos of possible shooting locations in different states to help find suitable places to film their projects. Over the last eight years, Reel-Scout�s client list has expanded from a single film office to more than 70 film offices today.

With �By Baton Rouge,� Reel-Scout is expanding the program from prospective locations to possible vendors and businesses that offer services needed by film productions.

To register for �By Baton Rouge,� simply go to www.filmbatonrouge.com and click on �Vendor Discounts� along the right side of the screen. You will go to a site where you can sign up to display your goods and services, and even set discounts.

The program will provide participants with �By Baton Rouge� decals for their storefront entrance to help identify those businesses as film and television friendly.

All qualified film and television productions will receive �By Baton Rouge� vendor discount cards that will list the name of the production, along with beginning and ending dates. The card will expire at the ending date in order to prevent any misuse of the program.

The new �By Baton Rouge� app will be available at no cost to all film and television productions to search not only for vendors and shooting locations, but also for crew members.

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City-Parish Launches ConserveBR Energy Efficiency Outreach Program

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor Holden Challenges Citizens and Businesses to Start It, Save It, Own It

Baton Rouge, LA � Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden officially kicked off the ConserveBR energy efficiency outreach program at a press conference held today at the Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company plant located at 9696 Plank Road, Baton Rouge, LA. The Coca-Cola production and distribution facility, constructed largely with recycled materials and designed to incorporate energy conservation measures in its daily operations, opened in April 2009 and became the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in the United States to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

At the press conference, Holden announced plans for widespread energy efficiency outreach to be conducted through in-person meetings, website tools and resources, citizen dialogues via social media, and by challenging citizens to become a part of the initiative through the ConserveBR Energy Ambassador Program.

�Today is an important day for us all as citizens of Baton Rouge, and for this great place that we all call home,� said Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden. �ConserveBR is about taking a stand, and it�s about making a change. Without each of our citizens working together to conserve our precious natural resources, save energy, and utilize more efficient technologies, we cannot positively affect the future our children and grandchildren deserve. This is about taking tomorrow�s future and putting it in our hands today.�

�We designed our new plant with environmental sustainability in mind, and it is a corporate responsibility that we take very seriously. We congratulate the Mayor on his administration's commitment to the environment through ConserveBR and we encourage Baton Rouge citizens and corporations to get involved,� said Baton Rouge Coca-Cola President, Darian Chustz.

The ConserveBR program, targeted toward both City-Parish employees and Baton Rouge citizens, is designed to emphasize the immediate need to have all citizens, businesses, and City-Parish employees do their small part to help ensure a sustainable Baton Rouge for the present and future.

As part of the effort, the City-Parish has launched a new website (www.ConserveBR.com) to serve as a resource for citizens interested in learning how to conserve or be more efficient with energy, and to engage those same citizens in an ongoing dialogue of commitments to conservation and environmental sustainability throughout Baton Rouge.

�Whether it�s installing a programmable thermostat in your house, which can save both money and precious resources, or it�s turning off lights and copiers when you leave your office each day, these are easy things each of us can do to make a real impact in terms of both saving money and preserving our local environment,� continued Holden. �In fact, many of these techniques or different ways of doing things are too easy not to do � and it�s incumbent upon each of us to change our behavior, and to make it happen. I challenge all of our citizens to join this effort and become a part of our ConserveBR Energy Ambassador team.�

The ConserveBR Energy Ambassador program, defined by the ConserveBR slogan (�Start It. Save It. Own It.�), involves citizens signing up to be a �Starter,� a �Saver,� or an �Owner� through an electronic form located at the ConserveBR website or via enrollment cards printed on 100 percent recycled paper as they each make a commitment to �Start�, �Save�, or �Own�.

Commitments to join the program may range from basic energy savings measures (�Starters�), to more comprehensive approaches typically implemented by an office manager or business owner (�Savers�), to energy efficiency advocates, or other partners who will spread the message of the ConserveBR program to others (�Owners�). Additional information on the ConserveBR Energy Ambassador program, including ways to �Start�, �Save�, and �Own�, is accessible on the ConserveBR website.

Mayor Holden also announced plans to develop a comprehensive and interactive web-based conversation about energy efficiency and conservation in the Baton Rouge area via popular social media platforms Facebook (www.facebook.com/conservebr) and Twitter (@ConserveBR).

�Our team is committed to providing the people of Baton Rouge with the information they require and the motivation they need to make a change and to be more efficient with their energy usage,� said Holden. �For anyone in need of additional information on how to start saving, or for those interested in learning more about what the City-Parish and our partners are doing to conserve Baton Rouge, I urge you to join the conversation today by finding us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.�

ConserveBR, an outreach program fully funded by an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) awarded to the City-Parish by the United States Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is part of a larger energy efficiency and conservation effort led by the City-Parish to implement various projects and initiatives. Each of these efforts are designed to maximize sustainable development and promote both energy efficiency and conservation as East Baton Rouge Parish continues to show positive population growth at a rate six-times that of the rest of the state of Louisiana.

Other ongoing programs, funded by the same U.S. Department of Energy grant, include the following:

� The installation of LED lighting in governmental facilities, including the governmental building (City Hall), to replace light fixtures dating back to 1975 and provide increased lighting efficiency, resulting in approximately 90 percent savings over standard bulbs and fixtures in a twelve-story building with over 205,000 square feet of occupied tenant base;

� The remodeling of the old Baton Rouge Junior High complex, which will serve as a new governmental facility for City-Parish employees and includes designs and retrofits to reduce energy usage and costs, enhance indoor environmental quality, provide an Energy Management System (EMS) to support sustainable and effective operations, and serve as a model of historic preservation and building rehabilitation for other community sectors; and

� The development of a Sustainability Master Plan, which will specifically address a vision for energy efficiency and conservation and detail the activities, along with specific goals and outcomes, needed to provide multi-sector leadership at the City-Parish level for addressing and maximizing environmental sustainability.

�We understand that true change happens when we lead by example,� said William Daniel, Acting Director of the Department of Public Works. �As Mayor Holden asks all of us as citizens to do better with our collective energy usage, we�re committed to working internally at the City-Parish through infrastructure improvements and workforce training as we lay the groundwork for a more effective, efficient, and empowered local government while we work to create a sustainable Baton Rouge for current and future generations.�

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Through the ConserveBR program, the City-Parish is committed to working with the citizens of Baton Rouge to develop a sustainable place that our children and grandchildren can forever call home. To do this, we must change the way we consume our precious resources and start acting more efficiently with our energy usage, save the Baton Rouge environment for the present and future, and own any action (large or small) that can help accomplish these goals. It�s our Baton Rouge, and now is the time � together, we must ConserveBR.

Start It. Save It. Own It.

For more information on the ConserveBR program, please visit our website at www.ConserveBR.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConserveBR, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ConserveBR.

Mayor Holden Encourages Capital Region Citizens and Businesses to Learn Facts on Baton Rouge Loop

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Misinformation Campaigns Stand to Prevent Relief from Traffic Congestion

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden, who serves as Chairman of the Capital Area Expressway Authority, is encouraging citizens and businesses in the Capital Region to take time to learn the facts about the Baton Rouge Loop project in light of increasing traffic congestion in the Capital Region.

�We have seen our current interstate system completely shut down several times this week due to accidents, while daily traffic demands are paralyzing a system that is tremendously over-burdened,� Holden said. �At the same time, we are receiving complaints from frustrated citizens in some of the most congested areas that misinformation campaigns by some opponents are confusing citizens about what the Baton Rouge Loop would accomplish for the region.�

�We understand the legitimate concerns of citizens when any major public works project is considered and we try to address those concerns while keeping in mind what is best for the great majority of the people,� Holden said. �Differences of opinion can be worked through, but it is unfortunate that some Loop opponents are resorting to misinformation.�

Holden said opponents have alleged several far-fetched ideas, including:

� The Loop project would take as much as a half-mile wide corridor, or over 2600 feet. Fact: It is expected to be only around 400 feet wide.

� Private property will be confiscated without fair compensation. This is false; the Louisiana Constitution requires that property owners receive just compensation.

� With high walls and a wide corridor, the project will create a �Great Wall of China� in Central. This is false. There will be no high walls and no wide corridor � this is a 4-lane road as are many of the other proposed routes through Central.

� The Loop will not help traffic congestion. This is false. The Loop will save millions of hours for people stuck in congestion.

� The people are against the Loop. This is false. Every public opinion survey taken indicates a strong majority in favor of the project, including polls taken by some opponent groups.

�These stories would be laughable if they weren�t so damaging to any efforts to address traffic congestion in and around Baton Rouge,� Holden said.

�Our traffic congestion chokes off economic development for the Capitol Region and adversely affects quality of life,� said Holden. �Opponents do not offer any positive solutions, only a hope that we can live with the status quo. But every day I hear from citizens who live or work in our area and want some relief from traffic.�

Holden pointed out that the North Bypass portion of the Baton Rouge Loop has been in the State�s Master Plan for many years, and traffic studies show that segment of the Loop could be built and paid for by toll revenues.

�I�m also encouraged by local city councils who are taking a cautious look at this project before taking positions,� Holden said. �I hope we can work together as a region to find a route that can be built to serve the needs of the local communities.�

Public hearings are scheduled to be held next week in each of the five parishes that would be impacted by the proposed Loop project. Holden said the hearings are part of a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement required by the Federal Highway Administration and are an opportunity for local residents to provide written or recorded comments on the project.

The public hearings are to get citizens input on the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement that is currently available for viewing at www.brloop.com . Printed copies are also available at area public libraries.

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Bat Found Positive For Rabies

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

The East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control & Rescue Center is reminding all Dog, Cat & Ferret owners to ensure that their pets are vaccinated against rabies by a licensed Veterinarian and are registered and tagged, after a bat was found to be positive for rabies in the Town of Central, in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The ACRC was contacted by the local branch of the State Office of Public Health today. Dr. Gary Balsamo, the State Public Health Veterinarian has had contact with Hilton M. Cole, the Director of the EBRP ACRC.

The bat was observed on the ground by a citizen on Oct. 6th. The bat was found disoriented in a yard during the day and was picked up by a resident. The resident was fortunately wearing gloves. The resident then called the ACRC who advised them to call the OPH. OPH sent a sanitarian out and testing was conducted. The test results came back positive for Rabies, a fatal disease.

Cole said that pet owners must ensure that all their dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated initially at three (3) months of age and then either annually or triennially thereafter. Only a licensed Veterinarian may vaccinate a dog against rabies. Owners are required to place the rabies vaccination tags on their pet�s neck. Cole recommends that people should avoid wildlife, not pick up injured wild animals, obey the parish animal control ordinances, and visit their Veterinarian for all vaccinations annually. Strays or animals acting strangely should also be reported.

Dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies to form a barrier between humans and wildlife. The wild animals are the reservoir for rabies.

$150,000 grant awarded for affordable housing in EBR

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Money will help15 families acquire homes through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is awarding a $150,000 grant to help 15 low-income families purchase homes through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge.

The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant, provided through Whitney Bank, is part of $11 million that is being awarded this year to a total of 53 affordable housing projects in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas�s five-state district, which includes Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and New Mexico. In all, these projects will result in the creation or rehabilitation of 1,653 housing units for deserving families.

Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden, who helped Habitat for Humanity secure the grant, said the money will change the lives of 15 East Baton Rouge families by making them homeowners.

�Home ownership has always been an important part of the American Dream, and this grant will help 15 East Baton Rouge families achieve that dream,� Mayor Holden said.

Lynn Clark, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, said the grant money will be used for down payments that will make mortgage payments more affordable for the 15 benefitting families.

�We are very grateful to Whitney Bank and Mayor Holden for partnering with Habitat to secure this down payment assistance for 15 very low income families,� Clark said. �This grant highlights both Mayor Holden and Whitney Bank�s commitment to making decent, affordable housing a reality for low income families.�

According to Michael Lambert, government and industry liaison for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas� corporation communications, the bank has awarded more than $214 million in AHP grants since the project was created in 1990 to help approximately 40,000 families obtain safe, affordable and quality housing.

Each year, 10 percent of the Federal Home Bank of Dallas� profits are set aside for AHP grants, which are used to purchase, construct or rehabilitate single-family, transitional, and multi-family project for very low- to moderate-income families. It is one of 12 district banks in the FHLB System created by Congress in 1932.

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EAST BATON ROUGE FEATURED IN BEST-PRACTICES DVD

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Emergency Management Institute in Maryland Highlights First Responders

BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Parish has been recognized as a place of �best-practices� for emergency management and featured in a training program by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). The video, Emergency Management, Involving the Whole Community, features how local elected officials in Baton Rouge prepare their community and aid in the development of emergency preparedness and response programs. The ultimate goal is to show how a successful community�s program is transferrable to other communities. EMI intends to use the video as a base for an independent study course which will be available, free of charge, to the public in the near future.

The filming prominently features the Emergency Operations Center for the City-Parish. EMI collected tips, achievements, and stories through interviews with senior administrators and vital members from the private sector. Among those interviewed are Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden, public safety departments, and representatives from the medical, energy, and business communities, as well.

EMI, based in Emmitsburg, Maryland, was established in 1951 and is the official national training site for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Department of Homeland Security. EMI serves as the national focal point for the development and delivery of emergency management training.

East Baton Rouge Parish has always strived for excellence in emergency management. Recognition by EMI is validation that the City-Parish administration and first responders are continuing to meet a higher standard in fulfilling the mission to provide the best service to citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish while serving as a model for the rest of the nation.

To view the video, click on the following link below.

Mayor Holden, officials unveil plan to fund CATS� budget shortfall

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor-President Melvin L. �Kip� Holden today joined officials from the state Office of Community Development and the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority in unveiling details of his plan to fund the the Capital Area Transit System�s projected $1.29-million budget deficit this year.

Without the funding arranged by Holden, CATS would have been forced to terminate bus service in October. In January, CATS officials and the CATS board had proposed cuts in the bus service to eliminate the deficit, but those changes were rejected by the Metro Council.

�We have secured the funding needed to prevent the anticipated shut-down of public transit services this year,� said Mayor Holden, �but we must continue to work to secure a permanent funding model to serve East Baton Rouge Parish.

�I have pursued local, state and federal resources since the Metro Council did not approve the CATS administration�s plan and it became obvious they were running out of options to keep the buses rolling. I am very appreciative that the state Office of Community Development and the East Baton Rouge Parish Mortgage Finance Authority worked with us to help CATS address their shortfall. Successful cities have successful public transit systems and it�s critical that we provide service for working people, senior citizens and riders who simply prefer to use public transit.�

CATS Chief Executive Officer Brian Marshall noted that Mayor Holden has no legal responsibility for CATS, but helped find the money to keep the bus system in operation as part of his commitment to good quality of life for all citizens in the parish.

�If the funding had not come through, thousands of citizens in the parish would not have been able to go to work, school, or the hospital� Marshall said. �In addition, 150 CATS employees would be unemployed.�

Pat Forbes, executive director of the state Office of Community Development, announced at today�s press conference that CATS will receive $500,000 from his office�s Disaster Recovery Unit to help keep the CATS buses rolling through the end of the year. Forbes said the funds are from OCD�s Local Government Infrastructure program, which uses Community Development Block Grant dollars provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help local municipalities recover from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Plans call for $382,006 of the funding provided by the OCD�s Disaster Recovery Unit to be used for fuel, with the remainder earmarked to lease transit vehicles

�Baton Rouge is now home to many Katrina evacuees who rely on the buses to access their jobs and other basic services,� Forbes said. �We are pleased to join together with East Baton Rouge Parish, CATS and the EBR Mortgage Finance Authority to ensure that the city�s public transportation system continues to operate for all of its residents.�

Last week, CATS� governing board accepted a $500,000 grant from the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority, whose primary function is provide affordable housing and to help fund economic development projects. The money from the EBRMFA will be considered a loan in the event that CATS start receiving a dedicated revenue source, and would have to be paid off in seven years.

"The MFA Board is very pleased to be able to assist CATS in this time of financial emergency, said Astrid Clements, chairwoman of the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority. �We believe our funds will help to insure that many of our citizens will have transportation to get to their jobs and thereby maintain housing and other necessities for their families.

�Because this is a one-time funding from the MFA, our Board strongly endorses all efforts to secure a new and adequate source of permanent funding for CATS,� Clements added.� The MFA Board also thanks Mayor Holden for his leadership on this very important initiative."

The combined $1 million from both grants will be used as a local match to obtain for federal grants that will provide additional money to erase CATS deficit for the remainder of 2011, according to CATS Chief Financial Officer Gary Owens.

Owens said the grants are aimed at low-income and disabled workers who are reliant on public transit, and will require CATS to extend the Goodwood Boulevard and the Harding Boulevard route to serve more disabled and low-income riders.

Owens said CATS had initially projected its budget deficit at $1.29 million, but later revised it upward to $1.5 million due to rising fuel costs. However, in recent weeks, fuel prices have declined, prompting CATS officials to revert their projected shortfall back to the original $1.29 million.

In an effort to come up with a long-term solution for CATS, Holden appointed a Blue Ribbon Commission on Transit earlier this year that is proposing a package of new taxes and route expansions aimed at increasing bus ridership. The proposed package is tentatively slated to go before East Baton Rouge voters in the fall of 2012.

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Mayor Holden taps Gwendolyn Hamilton for top-level post

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CST

(from the office of: Public Info)

Mayor-President Melvin �Kip� Holden has appointed Gwendolyn Hamilton, a former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services, as an assistant chief administrator in his office.

�We are happy to have someone of Gwen�s caliber, not only for her extensive work experience, but also for her community relationships,� Holden said Tuesday.

A veteran administrator, Hamilton�s experience also includes a five-year stint in the Governor�s Office under former Gov. Mike Foster.

Hamilton comes to the City-Parish from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, where she served as senior vice president of education reform since October 2008.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Hamilton worked for nearly four years as the senior director for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation/Plan Baton Rouge, where she was responsible for coordinating and developing the revitalization of Old South Baton Rouge. She also acted as the Foundation�s liaison to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

From November 2001 to January 2004, Hamilton served as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services under former Gov. Foster. As DSS Secretary, she was responsible for more than 5,000 employees and a $978.5-million budget. Hamilton also served as Acting DSS Secretary from June 1999 to October 1999.

From October 1996 to October 2001, she served in the Governor�s Office, initially as a deputy education policy advisory and later as executive director for the Children Cabinet, where she assisted with the development and coordination of policy, resources and services for children and families.

From September 1991 to October 1996, Hamilton worked as vice president of corporate affairs for the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, where she assisted in formulating and administering the corporation�s policies and procedures, and coordinated the activities of the Human Resources and Public Relations departments.

Prior to that, Hamilton worked as office administrator for the law firm of Blache, Perkins & Koch from 1985 to 1991, and for the Social Security Administration in Baton Rouge from 1973 until 1984.

A native of Baton Rouge, Hamilton holds a bachelor�s of science degree from Southern University.

In addition to her considerable experience as an administrator, Hamilton also previously served as a board chair for the Louisiana Housing Finance Authority and board member of the Louisiana State Board of Ethics.

Hamilton started work in the Mayor�s Office last Wednesday.

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