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Posted on April 30 at 9:16 p.m.

Mickey Skyrihg is the winner in this fiasco, and probably can't wait until his term ends. I can't imagine why anyone would want to be the councilman for this neighborhood, which is obsessed with its own importance and invokes the same power-play everytime someone wants to operate a business nearby. Prior to the Rouzan project, the previous casualty was the owner of the property on Lee Drive and Perkins Road who wanted to build a condo project but the Southdowners wanted another ubiquitous A-1 residence (probably the only classification they can spell). Apparently they have no concern about the economic hardship they cause a landowner. If only they knew what a laughing stock they are to the rest of the community.

On Total recall

Posted on February 3 at 2:14 p.m.

Thanks J.R., for another brilliant disquisition. Don't be discouraged by the soothsayers who scorn your insight into this mighty conundrum. You have cut the Gordian Knot as clean as a butcher on ground hog day. As to the illusion that the banks of "Ole Man River" is hallowed ground and deserves santified disuse, advocates of that illusion have missed the boat. Fear not, history is on your side. If the river bank was returned to the Bayou Goula Indians, the first thing they would do is build a casino, just like all the other indian tribes in Louisiana want to do. And don't forget Mark Twain. He favored the destruction of the Old State Capitol, not because it was ugly but it reminded him of the houses of the rich landgrabbers of medieval suburbia. Mark liked to smoke cigars, cuss, and ride on riverboats. Good grief, even a graduate of our local high schools could figure out that he would rather use the area for a gentleman's pleasures than kids sliding down the leveee on cardboard boxes. And don't forget that before he was a famous writer he visited sixth century England and turned Camelot and Greater London into an entrepreneur's paradise that even Tom Edison would have been proud of. It is true that "Fast Eddie" (or is it "Slick Eddie"?) was bewitched by the card tables and was thrown in jail for not paying his gambling debts. (One strike against your otherwise perfect argument.) But even the ole Kingfish (our greatest hero) was not above a little hanky-panky now and then. I read in a book that he would only drink soda pop instead of beer, but when he got elected he had an affair with a roler skate queen in Chicago. I doubt he would see much difference between chasing a roller skate and trying his luck on a rouette wheel. As for Phyliss Diller, if she doesn't make it to the new casino don't get depressed. There's a whole gang of comedians in town that can take her place. (P.S. If she does come to town, please let me know. Maybe we could get a discount if we bought our tickets together.)

On Let Pinnacle play

Posted on December 13 at 8:26 p.m.

I am impressed with the knowledge and communication skills of the many persons that have commented on the Rouzan project. Some of them even live in Southdowns. By now, it should be ovbious that Mayor Kip Holden is pulling his strings behind the scenes and being the career politician he has become. Isn't it strange that he attended the council meeting to assure passage of the new garbage tax and his ever-increasing budget, yet felt it unnecessary to stay for the Rouzan meeting. This project has been a front psge story for the past two weeks, but apparently Mr. Holden is disinterested or doesn't want to risk offending any voters. Isn't that the difference between being a politician and a leader in public service. A few weeks ago, he said he is going to include two bond issue proposals on the ballot next year when he is up for reelection. That's convenient, as I can vote against all three at the same time. Perhaps it is time to start thinking about someone else for mayor, and surely there are many persons that would make a wonderful candidate. Two names that come to mind are Mark Drennen (former Commissioner of Administration and architect of the beautiful State Capitol complex) and Camm Morton (president of the Commercial Properties Realty Trust of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation). Whoever become available, maybe we could being preparing for the election now, starting with a bumper sticker that reads, "SKIP HOLDEN." Any other suggestions?

On What now?