It goes without sayin that all state and local folks worked hard to assure safety durin de recent icy weather in our area. Unlike some udder areas in our state an trewout de south, folks in our area had a plan, an they had de know-how to execute dat plan.
Az much az they hated to close I-210 and, at times, I-10, it wuz in the interest uf safety.
De city uf Atlanta chose to ignore slick overpasses an bridges, an az far az we know dar are still folks stranded out dar. An, of course, dar wuz a lot of finger pointin in de Peach State afta de storm az to who wuz at fault.
We would like to point a few fingers here, too, but for a very different reason.
Firs uf all, to Louisiana State Police, in Baton Rouge an here in Lake Charles, for takin action an keepin everyone informed az to what wuz goin on. Also, to de Department uf Transportation an Development for gettin sand an udder materials on de bridges to try to keep dem open az much az possible.
A whole lot uf tanks goes to de Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office an all area city police departments for helpin to keep traffic goin. It took a lotta folks workin togedder in horrible conditions for long hours to tackle dese storms.
An a big attaboy goes out to KPLC TV, which kept us posted on every school an bridge closin so we knew what to expect if for some reason we had to drive in our area. De entire KPLC staff did a great job.
Mardi Gras Boadwalk Will Be In De News Again … Bigtime
Mark your calendar for Feb. 28, folks. Dat’s de las day dat Mardi Gras Boadwalk haz to present to de Lake Charles City Council its plans for de development uf de old Harrah’s Casino property on de lakefront. A spokesman for Mardi Gras Boadwalk tol local media recently dat if de council approves dar plan, den day will proceed an buy de property from de city for $4.4 million an put up dar development, which day say will total $45 million.
I’ll bet you dollars to donuts right now dat on dat final day, or befo, dem Mardi Gras boys are gonna try to get an extension. An if day ever get City Council approval — which I doubt will ever happen — dat $45 million project will have mo phases to it den one uf de electronic speaker systems. Meantime, de city an parish continue to miss out on sales tax revenue caus dar ain’t nuttin happenin. Again, seein what we have seen from udder projects filled wit promises in dis area, de city should demand a performance bond from Mardi Gras Boardwalk as soon az possible. Dis would protect de city in case day decide to back out.
Local Candidates Pickin’ Up Money
Me an my wife, Sedonia, went to de Ron Leleux for Sulphur Mayor fundraiser de udder night. Dar wuz a very large crowd uf Sulphur folks. An, me, I always try to peek in de donation basket, an what I saw didn’t surprise me. Dar wuz lots uf small checks for $50 an $100, an lots uf 20s and 10s in cash. No bigtime donors, jus a buncha good folks who want to see Ron go back in as mayor afta sittin out a term.
Az uf now, dar are four folks runnin for Sulphur mayor in de election dat will be held in early April. Meantime, incumbent city council members Stuart Moss and Dru Ellender have announced plans to seek reelection. An Dr. Ronnie “Kent” Banks haz announced he iz runnin for de District 3 city council seat in Sulphur.
One uf de hardest races to raise money for iz for judge, an also clerk uf court an assessor. But we hear dat Mitch Redd, who iz runnin for Judge Kent Savoie’s seat, had a great turnout for hiz recent fundraiser. Savoie will be runnin for court uf appeals. Dat Judicial subdistrict takes in mos uf South Lake Charles an mos uf West Calcasieu.
De Court uf Appeals district takes in de parishes of south and western Louisiana all de way up to Many. All dem local politicians have learned dar lesson, an are getting dar money in now befo dem statewide candidates come around pickin up money for next year’s races. De race for dat judgeship is in October, as iz de race for Ward 3 Judge.
New Awlins Political Puzzle Haz Lots Uf Pieces
Az we tol you in previous issues, de plan wuz an iz for New Awlins mayor Mitch to get re-elected mayor, an if hiz sista, Senator Mary, gets back in, then Mitch will run for govenor.
Well, de first part uf de game plan wuz well executed, when Mitch won hiz bid for reelection by beatin former civil judge Michael Begneris. Landrieu carried all sections of de city, showing no signs of weakness.
Meantime, former mayor Ray Nagin iz on trial for takin bribes an a whole buncha udder charges while in office. Already three or four contractors have testified dat day paid Nagin cash an paid money to hiz campaign fund in order to get some real good city contracts.
Nagin, who became like a rock star afta hurricane Katrina, haz maintained hiz innocence.
Az a side note, former Orleans Parish sherriff an former attorney general Charles Foti haz made de runoff for sherrif of Orleans Parish against de incumbent. Marvin Goosman. Fiesty Foti, az some call him, wuz behind Goosman in de first round, but ya gotta figure he iz gonna have hiz troops out campainin in de second round uf de election. New Awlins politics — dar ain’t nuttin like it.
Diaper Dave Iz In De Race
Republican Senator David Vitter sez he will be runnin for governor in 2015. Early polls show him leadin among likely voters. Early reports also show him among de leaders in fundraisin. You can bet dat by de time de race comes around next year, dar will be a larger field dan in de Kentucky Derby. Lots uf fundraisin gonna go on in dis one.
Now, it’s well known dat Jindal an Vitter don’t really care for each udder. An congressman Charles Boustany will certainly remember dat Vitter supported Jeff Landry in de las congressional race, when Landry ran against Boustany. So dat’s two pretty big strikes against Vitter already.
But politicians have been known to have sit-downs and make nice. Me, I would tink dat both Jindal an Boustany would be a little tough wit Vitter should day have a sit-down. Now, notice, folks, we are talkin about three Republicans here. Who would have thunk about such a battle among Republcians even 10 years ago?
Athletes Make Good Visitors
De American Press had a great article recently about all de state high school championships dat have been held, and will be held over de next few months, in our area.
It all started about 10 years ago, wit de Fast Pitch 56 girls state championship tournament at Frash Park. From dat, it grew to include de state championship swim meet at de SPAR complex, also in Sulphur. Den baseball wuz added ova de las two years, but only certain classes (New Awlins politics played in dat one), an also, las year, some state basketball championships.
Dis year we will have all classes uf basketball — both boys and girls — and all classes uf baseball.
Az we have sed before, dis brings moms, dads, grandparents, relatives, and girlfriends and boyfriends to our area, an dese people spend money on food, lodgin an gaz, an dat means bigtime tax money for our area.
How do we get all dem events to our area? Simple answer: de hard work uf de Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau. De bureau finds out where de selection committees are meeting. Day pitch dem with good presentations, an day get dem. Havin first-class facilities helps, too.
De big event comin up iz de Marsh Madness. All seven classes uf girls and boys basketball will be played at Burton Coliseum.
De bureau needs volunteers to make dis happen. Call 436-9588, or go to vistlakecharles.org/volunteer to find out more.
Dis iz our chance to show de whole state jus how much we appreciate dar comin to Southwest Louisiana.
Deep Taughts While Watchin College Hoops On ESPN
10) Who iz gonna come out on top in de college football recruitin wars?
9) Iz anybody gonna run against our district attorney, John DeRosier?
8) Will our JC Penney store survive de cuts?
7) What’s wit de outrageous prices on aluminum bats — some az much as $500?
6) Will de Jimmy Fallon show be az good az Jay Leno?
5) Will we be seein Jay entertain at de local casinos soon?
4) Why didn’t T-Claude listen when I told him to bet Seattle in de Super Bowl?
3) Why I gotta pay taxes an de NFL doesn’t, when commissioner Goodell makes $29 million a year?
2) Are we finished wit de icy weather for de year?
1) Why not cut out school boad members instead uf cuttin out schools?
Final Shot
Lefty sez he watched so much uf de History Channel durin de icy weather dat he is considerin goin to McNeese an majorin in history. I asked him if he had a high school education, an he snapped back, “Why you always gotta be so negative?!” I think I know de answer to my question.
Til next time, lache pas la patate.
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