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Posted on August 14 at 1:05 p.m.

It's looking more and more like Byron Sharper and Wayne Carter are indeed the ones behind the smear letter campaign targeting Mayor Holden. Sadly, I'll be surprised if Sharper isn't re-elected to the Metro Council, but I'm hoping the voters in his district come to their senses. And God help Baton Rouge if it ends up with a mayor named "Spider".

I agree 100% with LiberatedTiger in that members of the group making these trips to other cities ought to report to the public on what they found, and how what they learned can help build a better Baton Rouge.

On The truth about Sharper

Posted on August 12 at 12:37 p.m.

Kudos to the BR Chamber for picking Richmond as the destination for this year's canvas trip. Past cities such as Austin, Nashville, and Portland may have at one time resembled Baton Rouge, but all have long since left Louisiana's capital city in the dust in terms of economic development and quality of life. Richmond most closely mirrors Baton Rouge's population demographic of all of the previous cities visited. They struggle with many of same issues that Baton Rouge does on a daily basis and have made tremendous headway in the past few years. I sincerely wish Mr. Melara and company an enjoyable and productive trip. This may be their best opportunity yet to bring home some ideas that civic leaders will actually act on. If not, then perhaps we should cease visiting more progressive cities under the pretense of learning from them, if we never use their experiences to our benefit.

On The truth about Sharper

Posted on August 6 at 12:48 p.m.

I think that finding a free parking lot downtown is pretty scarce in most cities. I live in Austin and there are no free lots downtown that I know of other than those that waive charges for special events like the farmer's market. I have to park on the street (free after hours and on weekends) or in one of the many surface lots or garages that charge anywhere from $5/hour to $10/hour depending on the day of the week and what's going on downtown.

On Eight is enough

Posted on July 31 at 1:25 p.m.

I like Mayor Holden's thinking on this, although I'm not sure the "all or nothing" approach was the best way to go about it. I guess we will have to wait and see what the voters decide. I agree that Baton Rouge is much better off now than when Mayor Holden first took office. As far as Lori Burgess is concerned, her being term-limited is the best thing that's happened to the Metro Council in a long time. That group needs a total overhaul and it looks like we're finally going to get it. The new group can't possibly be any worse than the current cast of clowns.

On A not-so-happy ending

Posted on July 30 at 8:33 a.m.

Ron Johnson was recruited to run because certain individuals don't think that Mayor Holden is kissing up enough to the black community. Why should he? He was elected to represent the city/parish as a whole, and Johnson needs to take a look at the most recent census figures for the city. Baton Rouge itself is majority black now, so the whole it hurts the "minority" community arguement doesn't wash. Kip Holden has been the best mayor Baton Rouge has had in ages. He has his faults but I believe that he honestly wants what's best for everybody, not just a select group. He's right in that if Baton Rouge wants to realize its true potential as the next great American city, then the citizens are going to have to pony up a bit and live through the growing pains. The potential is there for something wonderful if more people would start thinking just a tiny bit outside the box.

On A not-so-happy ending

Posted on July 30 at 8:21 a.m.

Pmccarron has a very good point. People who live in the outer suburbs are less likely to want to come downtown. However, cities like Louisville, KY have a similar situation and they have a thriving downtown. One of the things I didn't see discussed in the plan is more open greenspace. I hope that will be a priority as well.

On Eight is enough

Posted on July 1 at 2:25 p.m.

Good luck Brett! If I were still living in Baton Rouge, you'd get my vote. The city desperately needs some progressive thinkers on the Metro Council.

On Metro Council candidates

Posted on June 17 at 2:02 p.m.

Jindal talks about standing by his pledge to allow legislators to govern themselves, but what about the pledge he made to the people of Louisiana? It's just more business as usual at the capital. Jindal should veto the bill and if the legislature tries to overturn it, then they will have to deal with the fallout. The governor is hoping that the citizens will do his dirty work for him and vote these self-serving clowns out of office when they are up for re-election. Sadly, given the state's political track record, the liklihood of that happening isn't too promising.

On Pay raise redux: Did Jindal break promise?

Posted on February 12 at 1:55 p.m.

I'm sorry, but Darrell Glasper and his cronies on the Metro Council are a disgrace to Baton Rouge. If you want to know why the city is 20 years behind the times, you need look no further than the laughably inept "leadership" of the likes of Lorri Burgess, Wayne Carter, Ulysses Addison, and the rest of the Metro Council. God forbid they actually do something that's actually for the good of Baton Rouge.

On Three for the no-show

Posted on January 29 at 1:26 p.m.

Despite all of Mayor Holden's hard work trying to make Baton Rouge the next great American city, the backlash over his "One Baton Rouge" resolution shows that the city is not yet ready to take the next step in that direction. It's a shame that Baton Rouge is still so racially divided and closed minded in spite of being a capital city and the home to the state's flagship university. It's no wonder that so many LSU graduates flee Baton Rouge every year for more progressive places like Atlanta, Austin, Houston, or Nashville.

On Crossover appeal