Publisher: New opportunities abound in new year

In his latest column, Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister says the start of 2013 brings Baton Rouge “a new team with new ideas, new goals—and new challenges.” While Mayor Kip Holden was sworn in Jan. 1 for his third and final term—in which he’ll be working to cement his legacy—Baton Rouge also begins the new year with a new Metro Council comprised of eight veteran and four new members. The council has already elected a new leader, Mayor Pro Tem Chandler Loupe, who replaces former Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker, who was term-limited and left the council after 12 years. “It was a unanimous vote, and Loupe believes that indicates a willingness to work together as a team,” McCollister says. “Teamwork will be critical to progress, and the team should include Mayor Holden as well. There are challenges and opportunities for our capital city, and more is always accomplished by a team than by individuals.” McCollister has his own ideas for how Baton Rouge can move forward as a team in 2013, and you can get a rundown of them by reading the full column here. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.