State to take over eight failing EBR schools

The state plans to take over eight poor-performing East Baton Rouge Parish schools and serve in a supervisory role over four more. Paul Pastorek, state education superintendent, announced today that he's recommending Banks Elementary, Capitol Elementary, Capitol Middle, Crestworth Middle, Dalton Elementary, Kenilworth Middle, Lanier Elementary and Park Elementary be put in the Recovery School District. The 12 EBR schools eligible for state takeover and placement in the RSD, some of which have been failing for as long as a decade, have about 6,000 students total. Statewide, roughly 15,000 students in 33 schools are eligible to go into the district. Pastorek said this morning the department didn't have the capacity to take on every school for placement. "This has been a challenging process," he says. "I wish there was a perfect world solution for this. There is not a perfect world solution." For the full version of this story, click here.—Steve Clark

Two Cents: Pastorek stands tall for EBR children

The recommendation by State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek to have the state takeover eight of East Baton Rouge's 12 failing schools was a bold one—and the right one. Today, he is the cavalry, riding in on a white horse to save the children of failing schools. I hope BESE will have the courage to join the charge and support his decision. While I might have preferred all 12, the other four will be under a memorandum of understanding for one year, and if the schools fail to measure up they will be automatically turned over to the state. Local Superintendent Charlotte Placide and the EBR Parish School Board did not want the state to take over any schools, which was ridiculous after so many years of failure. Pastorek's move is a dramatic change for the EBR system and long overdue. He's doubling the number of schools the state took over last year. Change and new ideas in public education might finally be gaining momentum in the Capital City—and the community should rally behind it. Send comments to editors@businessreport.com.—Rolfe McCollister

Board appointments up for grabs at first meeting of new Metro Council

The new Metro Council already holds in its hands the fate of some former council members whose board appointments expired Dec. 31. Meeting for the first time Wednesday, the Metro Council will decide whether to keep or replace Wayne Carter on the Baton Rouge Convention & Visitors Bureau, Martha Jane Tassin on the Planning Commission and Planning and Zoning, Charles Kelly on CATS and Joe Greco on the airport board.

BREC has two spots open for a three-year term. Up for reappointment (or replacement) are commissioners John Allphin and Bill Benedetto. Former BREC Recreation Director Bert Neal and former Commissioner Carroll Breeden have thrown their names into the hat to sit on the recreation board. Others vying for the seats include Val Lowery and Larry Selders, who lost a bid for Metro Council in the fall, as well as Jared Loftus, owner of the Tiger District retail store near LSU campus.

Catch the action at 4 p.m. on Government Access Channel Metro 21 (for Cox Cable subscribers) or watch it live online at brgov.com.

Chrysler dealers say sales better, but expect challenging year

Capital Region Chrysler dealers say January sales have improved after experiencing one of the worst sales drops in recent memory in the second half of 2008. They still anticipate a challenging year ahead, however, with at least one dealer having dropped the Chrysler franchise and others planning on smaller inventories, more strategic advertising and heavy promotions.

Harvest Ford Lincoln Mercury in Plaquemine closed its Chrysler franchise last year, Manager Chuck Statham says, adding that lower sales pointed to lessening consumer confidence in the product, which he believes was connected to the automaker's financial instability and federal bailout.

Sales have increased at All Star Dodge in Denham Springs. "We're actually doing pretty well with the incentives that Ford and Chrysler have right now," General Manager Buddy Wells says. "Business is pretty good." Wells says customers with good credit are getting loans, and he anticipates sales this month will equal or better January 2008. "As a dealer group we're financially sound, and I think the majority of Baton Rouge dealers will be here to serve the consumers who buy the cars," he says. "I don't foresee the Baton Rouge auto industry crumbling."

Wayne Pevito, who is manager of the Brian Harris Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership on Airline Highway anticipates sales will improve by mid-year, particularly as the credit crunch eases. He also says President-elect Barack Obama will play a role in an economic comeback. "If he does good, I think we'll do good," Pevito says. Financially troubled Chrysler and GM received a federal bailout earlier this month. Chrysler maintained consumers would not buy its vehicles if the corporation sought bankruptcy protection.—Anna Thibodeaux

Louisiana receives mixed grades on tobacco

Louisiana received three F's and one B on a report card that graded how states were doing in the effort to prevent tobacco-related illnesses. Louisiana got a B for smoke-free air on the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control report, thanks to tough restrictions on smoking in public places. But the state got failing grades for tobacco prevention control and spending, cigarette taxes and smoking cessation coverage. The American Lung Association singled out the smoking cessation plans, noting that Louisiana is one of only six states that don’t offer benefits to state employees who want to kick the habit. Despite the low grades, Louisiana did better than the federal government, which got three F's and a D. See the full report here.

Local construction company goes to employee ownership

Pala Group, a local construction company, has converted itself into an employee-owned business. Pala officials say the transfer of ownership was the best way to get the company's 400-plus employees motivated about improving the firm. Jorge Tarajano, Pala chairman and CEO, says senior management remains unchanged, but an outside member will be added to the board of directors. While large companies such as Procter & Gamble, Sherwin-Williams and Publix Super Markets are owned by employees, Pala says it's one of the few construction firms on the Gulf Coast to fall under the category.

Freezing temperatures to impact Capital Region this week

Some of the coldest weather of the season will affect the Capital Region this week, with temperatures at or below freezing expected each night into Saturday morning. The National Weather Service’s Baton Rouge-New Orleans forecast office says the first of several Arctic air masses will move across South Louisiana today with brisk north winds and temperatures in the upper 20s expected tonight and lower 30s Wednesday night. The second front will reinforce the cold air, producing highs in the upper 40s Thursday and Friday and lows in the mid 20s Thursday night and upper 20s Friday night. Because of the prolonged period of below-freezing temperatures, the National Weather Service issued a special statement encouraging residents to protect sensitive plants and vegetation, shelter outdoor pets and protect any exposed pipes that could freeze. No precipitation is expected during the period. Click here for the local NWS Web site.

John Maginnis: La. ready for Obama plan

President-elect Barack Obama is preparing a massive government-spending program in order to stave off a full-scale depression, LaPolitics' John Maginnis says. State officials are already working on ways to get their cut of the $775 billion (and growing) project. "Whatever is in the stimulus package also might be all that Louisiana stands to get for the balance of this administration and this Congress, given its 39% voter support for the new president and its 6-1 Republican split in the House delegation," Maginnis writes. Read the full column here.

(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)

Real Estate Weekly: EBR permits decrease in 2008

Real Estate Weekly is out with news on a big plunge in residential and commercial building permits in East Baton Rouge Parish in 2008. What led to the 38% drop? What were some of the big items to come in last year? Also, news about a paper company expanding its local presence, new officers with the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, a new executive with Burns & Co. and the latest columns from Brian Andrews and Tom Cook. To read the newsletter, click here.

News roundup: Bernanke says Obama stimulus would lift economy ... BESE panel votes on La. school science guidelines ... Australia offers up 'best job'

Fed Chairman cautions more steps need to be taken to make sure recovery lasts: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said today the stimulus package being crafted by President-elect Barack Obama and Congress could provide a "significant boost" to the sinking economy. But he warned that such a recovery wouldn’t last unless other steps are taken to stabilize the shaky financial system. Although Bernanke has previously endorsed the notion for a fresh round of government stimulus to lift the country out of a recession, it marked the first time the Fed chief has referenced the roughly $800 billion recovery plan now being worked on by Obama, who takes office next week. Obama envisions a blend of tax cuts and increased government spending, including on big public works projects, to make up the stimulus plan. Bernanke, who didn't weigh in on the details of the evolving package, made clear that such a recovery plan was needed as part of a broader, multi-pronged government response to combat the worst financial crisis to hit the United States and the global economy since the 1930s.

Board drops creationism, intelligent design ban, but won't promote religion: Supporters of teaching alternatives to evolution in Louisiana public school science classes convinced a state education panel today to forego a specific ban on the teaching of scientific creationism and intelligent design, two theories that have already been struck down by federal courts. But the science guidelines adopted by a panel of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education still include language that bans promotion of any religious doctrine and requiring that information presented by teachers be "scientifically sound and supported by empirical evidence." Today's 10-0 vote on the guidelines follows last year's passage of legislation that backers said will encourage "critical thinking" about scientific topics, including evolution, human cloning and global warming. The law maintains a requirement that teachers in Louisiana public schools use state-approved science textbooks, but allows local teachers and school districts to then use supplemental material on the subject.

Lounge in paradise: Position: Island caretaker. Duties: Lazing around Australia's Great Barrier Reef for six months. Salary: 150,000 Australian dollars ($100,000). Unemployed, take heart—the aforementioned job ad is for real. Billing it the "Best Job in the World," the tourism department in Australia's Queensland state today said it was seeking one lucky person to spend half a year relaxing on Hamilton Island, part of the country's Whitsunday Islands, while promoting the island on a blog. The move is part of a $1.7 million campaign to boost tourism in the state. In exchange for the plush salary, free accommodation in an oceanfront villa and airfare from the winner's home country, the "employee" will be required to stroll the island's white sand beaches, snorkel, maybe take a dip in the pool—and post photos and videos of his or her experiences on a weekly blog. "It'll be huge," Tourism Whitsundays chief executive Peter O'Reilly said, adding he expected thousands will apply. Applications are open until Feb. 22 and 11 finalists will be flown to Hamilton Island in May for the final selection process. The job begins on July 1. For information, click here.