Hurricane Gustav

I think we will better handle this storm than Katrina..We are a bit more prepared for it and time has not erased the memories of the past. We are able to take care of some of the people who come up from the south. God bless them and those that perhaps are having to stay near the gulf  and experience the full force of the storm.

One thing is bothering me. These people are our guest. We offer them shelter from the storm. They should treat their shelter as someone’s home they are a guest in.. I hope that the enforcement at the shelters can point out that they should clean up their mess before they leave. Its only fair…One of the biggest problems is  after the storm, most of them leave a pig pen for us to clean up…That’s just a fact of life…I notice that in the TT they were complaining about the condition of the collesium, yet they will destroy the place before they leave…Thats a fact not a comment…I HOPE THAT THE POLICING OF THE PLACE UNDERSCORES THE FACT THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP THEIR AREA CLEAN AND USE TRASH BINS, ETC. BUT i AM NOT KIDDING MY SELF.. IT WILL BE A SHAMBLES AFTER THIS IS OVER…

Lets hope the Parish commission puts in for Federal aid this time to fix up the place! ……………..But I think the real aim of the commission is to replace it and sell the existing land at a profit. But in the end costing the taxpayers MUCH more in building a new one further out of town. (Not a good gamble.)

Alex

Political Cartoon

When it comes to Presidential politics I must say I am in a quandry. I see the reasoning of both party candidates, but I see more flaws and problems than good intentions. I take no sides in this mess … but when I saw this cartoon sent to me by a friend, I saw a lot of truth in it.

I am more than positive that I can also be amused by a cartoon on the other candidate if one is in the loop. ( feel free to send me an appropriate counter cartoon which I will publish if is in my opinion untasteful enough as this one is.)

In my mind neither of the men running for president has any superior qualities that make them stand out… I see it this way. One is too old, the other is totally devoid of enough experience to handle the job..So you just have to sift through all the bull-shit and try to make yourself feel good about who you vote for in the end..IF THAT IS POSSIBLE..So I do not believe I will comment on this anymore.

I think your choice depends upon the degree of naivety you possess….nothing more.

 

If you have one on the other ..send it. I will publish the best in my opinion.

We tend to forget that the people we put in Congress and the Senate are in the end the ones that are the most important…

Lets hope we make the right choice!

alexcenla@gmail.com

Alex

New Orleans & Hurricanes. (Gustav)

New Orleans and Hurricanes do not mix. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars resettling and rebuilding in New Orleans. If   Gustav  repeats in any way like Katrina I think we are going to see a  carbon copy of the last big fiasco all over again. We did not rebuild the levee’s for anything more than a category three storm.  Any way you look at it, IF the current storm tracks over New Orleans, it’s going to be Christmas time again for a lot of the residents down there. They will be able to up date their wide screens to plasma, etc, etc. I am not trying to sound like a SOB, but history has a way of repeating  itself way down younder in New Orleans…Remember we still have a ton of formaldehyde trailers in storage..AND, oh, I just thought I would clue you in to a fact…

THEY USE FORMALDEHYDE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING PANELING…DUH..Always have.. (little known fact.)….Step into a new one on a lot and smell..BINGO, thats it…

But of course, we will have to get more…. Hope we learned our lesson…

….IF….

It will be interesting to see if it’s a sequel…

God bless them.

Alex

Cutting edge communication in city government. (The Box)

Back on the city council and mayor again.

 For what ever it matters…I have finally figured out the problem. Some of the members of the City Council, (Just don’t get it.)  They just don’t understand whats going on…They are as the younger generation would say  “Clueless.”

I hear a lot of “ I did not know that” and “you did not tell me that“, etc. Perhaps things should go back to the old tried and true BOX. Now I don’t even know if this cutting edge method of communication is even used anymore.

But years ago the method of communication that was used in government and business was the BOX. Its a simple means of conveying wishes and informing people as to what is happening in their little world.

What you do is designate an area of the building that is central to everyone who has an office or works there. In this area you place a certain number of open boxes. To be precise the size of a legal pad of paper, or a little larger. On each box you print the persons name.

Now try to follow me on this.

When ever one of the city council or mayor wishes to inform another on an important issue or change, they place a written notice in the  person or persons box. (mayor or city council member or assistant.) This notice should be placed in the correct box at least 24 to 48 hours ahead of the time the communication is to be studied or voted upon.

Council members and the mayor along with other people conmnected with city government should check their box at least daily. (In years past this has been a very effective means of keeping up to date on the events taking place in city government.)

I do understand that this means of communication is perhaps a little hard for some to understand, but once you get the hang of it, everyone will perhaps not be suprised when something  comes up and the entire council will actually know whats going on.

I know its just a pipe dream, but its my two-bits worth.

Alex

We lost a good man today.

Taken from the KALB web site.

 He accomplished a world of good for Central Louisiana.

That pretty much sums it all up.

Thanks Les!

alex

Les Whitt, Beloved Director of The Alexandria Zoo, has died
08/16/08 – 12:02 PM
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Nancy Henry – bio
nhenry@kalb.com

Les Whitt, beloved Director of the Alexandria Zoo, passed away this morning at 6:38am at Ochsner’s Medical Center in New Orleans after a brief illness. 

Les had been Director of the Zoo since February of 1974, and worked tirelessly to build the Zoo into what it is today.  He was passionate about the popular local attraction and was frequently praised by American zookeeper Jack Hanna.  The zoo features more the 600 animals from around the globe. 

Les was also responsible for the Louisiana Habitat exhibit, which received an award from Louisiana Contractors magazine for best public facility in 1998 and won an AZA award (Significant Achievement Award in 2002), as well as the zoo becoming accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks in 1986.

Les was utterly unique. Compassionate, generous, kind. He gave and gave and gave. Each of us who knew him, knew how blessed we were to share a few moments of our life with him.

Although what we’ve lost is tremendous, what he gave us is immeasurable.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Leann, Sarah, and Hannah, as well as the many others who knew and loved him. 

Please take a moment to vote in the wesawthat poll.

I voted no, because I think perhaps a section of the zoo should be named in his honor.

The Louisiana Habitat exhibit perhaps.

What is your opinion?

Alex

http://wesawthat.blogspot.com/

In the mayors defense.

Go back and read my post of  Friday July 25. Just proves I was looking into a crystal ball at the time.

But really there is very little communication between the two and it is sad…

But it is true…

 

Then listen to the dub of Mayor Roy  from KSYL on http://wesawthat.blogspot.com/  …. Fun huh?

Alex

River Boat not a new idea. Before the “Delta Queen”

COTTON BLOSSOM - Feb. 1932 at foot of Murray St. bridge.

According to the Louisiana History Museum,   louisianahistorymuseum.org   The Cotton Blossom was a river boat that was moored for a number of years at the foot of the Murray Street bridge on the Red River on the Alexandria side. It was a tourist attraction and had a large dance hall and restaurant… I think that if the Delta Queen  river boat is brought  to Alexandria it would be a 100% plus factor for tourism along with a multitude of other things… Alex supports the idea 1000%. ……But once again promotion is everything.

 

 

 

 

Alexandria Board of Adjustment & Appeals. (Joke!)

Alex attended a session of this board Monday afternoon.

Why he wasted his time is beyound me.

A business wanted to place a community home on 5621 Hera Street. it would care for mentaily disadvantaged citizens. This is a good thing. It helps these people to cope with day to day events and gives them a home envoriment. I do not object to it.

BUT:

Something happened at that meeting that made me very disgusted with the way our city is run. I have very little  feelings for any members of the board. Their regards for the people they repesent is zero.. What I saw was a classic example of  how they feel  about their constituents.  Frankly I walked out of the meeting sick at my stomach…

The floor was opened for objections and favorable comment. ONE….A favorable comment from another Community Home owner.   Conflict of in interest..You knew what this pious lady was going to say before she opened her mouth.

Now there were about 40 or so people in the room besides the board members. Probably 35 of these citizens objected to the placement of the home in their neighborhood. They repesented the clear strong objecting  property owning members of the area.

 Many good solid reason’s were put forth. They  stated all of the negative factors, plus the fact there is a Community Home  in place at the corner of Maurene and Jackson Streets Just four blocks away.

That home has been there for a number of years and is an eye sore to say the least. Un-kept yard. Sewer overflowing into Jackson St. several times a month. A general rundown and poorly maintained home. The majority voiced their objections to the home’s placement and said so very loudly and clearly.

It was clearly a case of the majority voting in a public assembly that did not approve of this action.

It was voted on by the taxpayers in the audience with a show of hands..OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST WITH A 75% no!!

It was put to a vote of the board….guess what? …Motion approved…..

After vocal objections from the tax paying citizens who were in the very clear majority..

A very pompous lawyer for the board stood up and said….GET THIS…The majority had no say so in the issue….

Needless to say the board approved the zone change.

The whole thing was a travesty that was clear to me had been decided long before these Board member’s walked into the room.

So goes the democratic process.

A VERY CLEAR CASE OF THE MAJORITY CAN KISS THE BOARDS COLLECTIVE A–!

Ah, the American way. makes you feel good doesn’t it?

Gotta love the federal Government on this one. You have no recorse at all if the community home is more than (1000 yards , feet?  ) ….from another. Its a done deal by law…

Interesting!

Alex

I listen to private opinions, but reserve the right to publish them :   alexcenla@gmail.com

Tourism in Central Louisiana.

Tourism…that’s a word that encompasses many,many things. There are several groups that operate trying to promote tourism in this area. To be brutally honest, I think too many. I do not fault their attempts. They do try very hard to accomplish their goals. I think that in the  end they sort of cancel out each others efforts.

Now tourism is not just baseball games or truck pulls. Its much more basic than that.

First you have to step back and make an inventory of what we have that will attract people to this area.  Not events but..facts and places. Events actually are at the end of the list. Event’s are just meant to be icing on the whole cake that is presented.

Lets look at nature first..what places around here are pleasing to the eye? The river? The lakes? All good areas of visual interest. What do we want to promote in this area. What is the most eye appealing?

History… What happened here in Central Louisiana? Are there important events of the past that need to be spotlighted in some visual manner. Our beginnings as a community, what happened to make us as we are today. We have a multitude of things in this area. Many important events that even shaped the course of history happened in Central Louisiana.

Historic buildings. Not many left but enough to attract attention if promoted in the right way. Plantations etc.

Museums, Library’s and places of learning and culture.

Historic figures that played a part in the formation of our geographical area..

Our cultures. From Jewish to Italian to African American. How they contributed to the area. Think about the Utopian communities started in this area.

Transportation. It has a vivid history in Central Louisiana. Railroads etc.

Recreation. ..Parks…Zoos… all very important parts of tourism.

Events…Baseball, basketball, fishing, festivals, fairs..from the beginning of the year to the end. What transpires for entertainment..

This all needs to be packaged and promoted around the state and nationally. All of the groups that exist today in central Louisiana need to work together, promoting each other and one common goal. To just say this is the land of plantations and a fishing Paradise is not enough. It has to be a unified package.

The possibilities are endless as to promotion for tourism in Central Louisiana, but there needs to be a single united front with only the overall interest of what we have to offer. No one certain place or event is more important than the other.

I think it needs to be discussed.  All of the eggs should be in one basket..What is your opinion?

Alex

I encourage your private opinions, but reserve the right to publish them:  alexcenla@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Hotel Bentley. Aug. 10, 1908-2008. 100 Years.

Total amount of coverage by the TT, today the Bentley’s Birthday.

Headline 100 years ago. 5 lines today.

 

And people can not understand why we can not get more tourist to Central Louisiana. Why should they come if attractions are not touted in every possible way and unselfish promotion given to these important events?

This is reprinted from the  http://wesawthat.blogspot.com/ because I liked the way he handled it and totally agree with Mr Genius.

Sad is it not?

 Alex

Story from wesawthat:

 

10 August 2008

gannett/town talk still ignoring hotel bentley homage website

wst…note: the below letter was sent to the gannett/town

 talk’s “your mail” on 01 august 2008. as of this date it has not been published. also, in july 2008, kalb did post a short video interview clip of mr. genius regarding the historic bentley website to kalb.com (since removed) as far as we know, kalb never broadcasted the interview or made reference to its existence on any over-the-air broadcast.

August marks the 100 birthday of the Bentley Hotel.

Several month’s ago I contacted a good friend of mine, Ken Freeman, who lives in Tyler, Texas with the idea to establish a web site that pays homage to the history and legacy of the Bentley Hotel here in Alexandria. He agreed to do this free of charge for the Louisiana History Museum.

Ken’s company is one of the best in the south for designing web sites. I gathered together all the original photographs in the museum’s archive on the Bentley. Took photographs of the remaining artifacts we have on display. Gathered together all of the postcards that contained images the Bentley. Digitized everything into my computer, arranged it in correct order and sent it to Ken in Tyler, Texas.

I asked another friend, Carl Laurent to write a short history of the Bentley and how Joseph A. Bentley had an effect on the growth and economy of Central Louisiana. He kindly agreed to do so.

Now all this was done in about a months time.

No grant money was used, no business or corporation put up any monies. No studies were done.The only expense for processing was absorbed by the Louisiana History Museum.

Ken Freeman and I were very proud of our creation. It was done out of love for Central Louisiana and nothing more.

No one is making money off this web site. It is and will always be for historic preservation. There has been a lot of conversation on historic preservation lately but very little has been done about promoting it. That is why historicbentley.com was established.

We assumed that because the month of August was the 100th birthday of the Bentley, that we would have no trouble at all getting the web site publicized. I emailed and called the news editors of the two major television stations in Alexandria. I emailed and was interviewed on the phone by a reporter for the TownTalk. Several of the news blogs on the Internet jumped on it and did stories the day I informed them.. Their comments were very positive.

Three weeks after everyone was contacted I spoke with the news editor of the Town Talk on the phone, he assured me they would do a story. To make a long story short the only story that was done was on KALB-TV.

Negotiations are under way with the city and a Baton Rouge company on the Bentley. We have seen repetitious story after story on what they might or might not do. But notice no story has been done on what the Bentley once was and how it came to be. That’s part of what I and the Louisiana History Museum support, historic preservation.

Even though the major media outlets do not consider it important, please check it out. www.historicbentley.com.

Take time to register on our forum and tell your memories of this once grand lady. Perhaps the news media might reconsider.

Dale Genius
Executive Director
Louisiana History Museum
503 Washington St.
Alexandria, La.