Swamped
To the publisher:
The officials of Ascension Parish should do everything in their power to preserve Alligator Bayou [“Publisher’s View,” June 2]. It is a place that schoolchildren, visitors from out of state and all the citizens of this area can go and enjoy the pristine waters, trees and alligators. Alligator Bayou is a small slice of our state. It would be tragic to destroy it.
Luke A. LaVergne, Baton Rouge
To the publisher:
I have been going to Alligator Bayou since I was 14 years old; I am 60 now. It has always been a very special place, close to Baton Rouge, that outdoorsmen could go to fish, hunt, camp or just get away and relax. I can’t believe what these developers are trying to do. It seems that whatever developers want, they get.
The lock needs to be closed so that the alligators, birds, animals and fish can survive. They used to open the lock in the spring to allow the water to flow into Bayou Manchac, and crawfishermen used to dip net shad for bait. By leaving the lock open all the time, the entire ecosystem of the swamp will be ruined. Tell the developers to go develop somewhere else. This is the only swamp area left near Baton Rouge.
Ronnie Spann, Baton Rouge
To the publisher:
I fully support Frank Bonifay and Jim Ragland in their efforts to save Alligator Bayou. These two entrepreneurs have saved a unique environmental treasure and built a delightful tour and educational business around it. I treat my out-of-town guests to the tour whenever I can. It never fails to delight all, young and old.
Leif Grotness, Baton Rouge
To the publisher:
I am in favor of finding another solution to drainage problems instead of wiping out a state tourist attraction and small business concern. Alligator Bayou is a link to a primitive beginning and should, in this time of “Green Awareness,” be of interest to LSU and the State Department of Environmental Quality as well as the Department of Natural Resources.
Too often we are quick to wipe out the past in order to “preserve” the future. But the irony comes when the “future” has no past.
Dan Swetman, Baton Rouge
To the publisher:
I would contend the efforts of Mr. Bonifay and Mr. Ragland to “save something special in our region” are the exact opposite effect.
Maintaining water in the area without the proper drying period reduces the ability of new trees to germinate and take root. It also “drowns” the existing trees, diminishing their ability to thrive. While I don’t doubt the sincerity of these gentlemen to educate future generations about the importance of this pristine ecosystem, their actions in this instance are having a detrimental effect.
Since Andrew Jackson ordered the blockage of Bayou Manchac to foil the British, this system has been under attack. We just have more destructive tools these days.
I would ask that you get the scientific facts and reconsider your position.
Jeff Wright, Baton Rouge
You go, girls
To the editor:
As a woman in business and in a predominately male field, it’s a struggle. As women who have sought to have our own businesses and careers, we deserve every recognition we can get [“2009 Influential Women in Business,” June 2].
I can assure you that I have worked as hard and as many—if not more—hours as my male counterparts, some of whom hold political positions. I am very disappointed they voted down the bill of equal pay for women.
How quickly they forget where they would have been without our help, hard work and long hours, along with all the campaigning we did to help them get into office.
Next time, I’ll be down at session helping push that bill. Even one of our former governors stated he would not have gotten into office without the help of the women on his campaign.
If we can vote, drink alcohol, start up and run our own businesses and help guys complete their work, why can’t there be equal pay?
Cindy M. Denham, Baton Rouge
