BusinessReport.com

On Pinnacle, blue laws

To the editor:

With the recent announcement by steelmaker ThyssenKrupp that it chose Alabama over Louisiana, the plaintive cry arose from Baton Rouge: “We’re No. 2!” Attempting a positive spin, Gov. Blanco said it was a “tremendous honor” to be a finalist, and added in a press release: “Our success with this project demonstrates Louisiana has established a stronghold in the global economy and can successfully compete for world-class projects.” Excuse me, but would someone please point out the nature of our “success”? We lost.

Undoubtedly there will be a great deal of finger-pointing and second-guessing about this matter. I’d rather concentrate on a facet of this deal that has been completely ignored. The unanswered—and unasked—question is: Why did this German company choose to invest on foreign shores rather than in its own backyard? Could it have something to do with Germany’s excessive tax burden on businesses? Could it have something to do with the oppressive regulations of the European Union, of which Germany is a leading member? Could it have something to do with Germany’s deteriorating infrastructure after years of low economic growth?

We had better wake up to the prospect that after taking a long look at Louisiana, ThyssenKrupp executives saw too many things that reminded them of their native Germany.

Robert F. Hebert, Ph.D.

Lafayette

To the editor:

JR, I think your comments on the Metro Council meeting this week and on my position in particular were on the mark and deserve a response.

First, I will have to let St. George Fire District Chief Gerry Tarleton speak for himself. I did not draw him into this issue. To my knowledge, he and his Fire Department became concerned as early as last fall when Pinnacle first began making known its intentions and purchased some 35 acres at the foot of Bluebonnet Boulevard. I hope you will contact him because I believe that the concerns and figures he presented were developed some time ago and certainly were not developed specifically for the Wednesday meeting.

With regard to developments that I have “approved” along the Nicholson–River Road corridor: I certainly support quality development, residential, commercial (where appropriate) and, of course, mixed-use. Mike Wampold’s project is large and diverse. I don’t remember the specific numbers involved but through meetings with the Bluebonnet Highlands neighborhoods, Nicholson Estates (very few persons came) and with the Metro 3 Advisory Committee, it was determined that the PUD or TND-style project was a very good fit for that very large and valuable piece of property. If Chief Tarleton had any concerns about this development, I do not know. He did not voice them, to my knowledge, at the time.

Nevertheless, I acknowledge that your point is a valid one with regard to questions about roads, fire and police protection in that area. Development is proceeding at a fast pace along Nicholson—Bluebonnet—and Burbank and that pace is going to exceed the pace at which we can expect the Green Light Plans to improve Burbank and Nicholson to happen. This is, I suspect, the kind of “sprawl” of which you speak.

As of our meeting May 9, Pinnacle had not even taken step one (no approval by the Gaming Commission). They did, however, miss the Bond Commission deadline to get on their agenda for the May 17 meeting of that commission. So their attorneys scurried over to the Bond Commission and got “approval” to be on the Bond Commission’s agenda for May 17th PROVIDED the Metro Council made application to the Bond Commission to call a special election on July 21st.

I do get a little worked up about the manner in which Pinnacle has operated so far in Baton Rouge and this is just one example of why I oppose their coming to the River Road location.

I hope this lengthy response shows that I respect your right to your opinions although I don’t always agree with how you characterize my actions on the Metro Council (“King Culbertson”—really!).

Pat Culbertson

Metro Councilman, District 3

To the editor:

You posed the question of how is Pinnacle different from a tire or steel manufacturer—implying they are equal. I am not of a fan of government handouts, particularly when companies here are given nothing—mainly small business which provides the bulk of employment. But at least a steel manufacturer does not suck money out of the local economy. Pinnacle would only be “stealing” dollars from other local companies—the vast majority of gamblers at Pinnacle will be local or at least state residences—not people from out of state bringing “new” money into the area.

Leonard Coco

Baton Rouge

To the editor:

My wife and I thank you for asking the questions that have been floating around our social circle. Amongst our friends (25- to 35-year-old Mid City residents), the consensus is this:

1. The sale of wine/liquor on Sunday is LONG overdue.

2. Do not turn away a large investment in Baton Rouge, regardless of your stand on the business. Other corporations are paying attention.

Thanks for shedding light on the contradictions of our self-appointed “King of all that’s good for the La. economy,” Mr. Culbertson. Well done!

Mike Linton

Baton Rouge

To the editor:

I believe the older generation of this city needs to realize that the city is going to grow whether they like it or not. They should embrace the change instead of fighting it every step of the way, this certainly applies to our horrible, insufficient and leadership-less Metro Council.

Clint M. Grow

Baton Rouge

Downtown entertainment

To the editor:

I’m not sure what anyone else really wants downtown Baton Rouge to morph into. I like the idea of an arts and entertainment district, but my preference would be something more akin to Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans that comes alive after the workday. I surely do not want to see downtown drenched in a Bourbon Street atmosphere with loud music on the street and public drunken behavior beginning late afternoon.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that the recently opened “Cajun theme” bar on Third Street may be destined to become the touchstone that could very well galvanize the naysayers and halt the entertainment district in its tracks.

Just say “no” to a Bourbon Street atmosphere on our downtown.

Gary Wheat

Baton Rouge