Mayor Holden and Proposition Supporters Host Half-Hour Television Program: Watch Parties Scheduled Throughout the Parish to Hear from Elected and Community Leaders

Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff and others will provide information on the proposed parishwide proposition in a half-hour television program entitled, “Our Future. Our Vision.” on Wednesday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m. on WAFB-TV.

The program, designed around questions often raised in public forums, is being provided to encourage voters in East Baton Rouge Parish to vote yes for the parishwide proposition that will address needs in public safety, traffic, drainage, jobs creation and other areas.

After the program airs on Wednesday, it will replay once daily at various times on WAFB’s Cable Channel 9 until the November 14th election. “Our Future. Our Vision.” will also be available for viewing at www.voteyesebr.com and www.progressis.org.

“We have been meeting with small groups throughout the parish for several months now, explaining how this proposition will address decades of neglect in East Baton Rouge Parish and keep our local economy strong at a time when many cities are suffering,” said Holden. “We felt it was important for us to take this information to all voters so they have the information they need to make an informed decision.”

The program contains interviews with Holden, Gautreaux, LeDuff, DPW Director Pete Newkirk, Dr. Jim Richardson, Baton Rouge Area Chamber President and CEO Adam Knapp, EBR Juvenile Services Director Gail Grover, members of the pro-bond issue movement “Progress Is,” local businessman Gerard G. “Rock” Rockenbaugh, Jr., owner of Kean’s dry cleaning service, and others.

When the program initially airs, supporters of the proposition are holding watch parties to encourage friends and neighbors to learn more about this important vote.

Watch parties are also being held at Ruffino’s at 18811 Highland Road and T.J. Ribs at 2324 South Acadian Thruway.

“It’s important for voters to understand that we have put forth a proposition that can make a tremendous difference in the safety and quality of life for today and future generations,” Holden said. “I invite voters to learn more about how important this proposition is to our future and help me move East Baton Rouge Parish forward.”

Production and air time for “Our Future. Our Vision.” is being paid for by the Committee for the Future of East Baton Rouge.

Press release issued by International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO; Baton Rouge Union Of Police

Contact: Christ Stewart, Baton Rouge Union of Police, President — chrisstewart3@cox.net

Faced with badly outdated facilities, The Baton Rouge Union of Police, I.U.P.A. Local #237 has kicked off a campaign supporting a bond issue on the November 14th ballot that will urge the public to vote “Yes.” A new headquarters for the Baton Rouge Police and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, a new parish prison and new juvenile services facilities are among the capital improvement projects funded by the parish wide proposition.

The current headquarters was originally built as a school more than 70 years ago. It became a so-called temporary police headquarters for the past 30 years. The headquarters building is incapable of housing all of the needed units. Only half of the Investigators are housed there with the other half positioned 10 miles away making investigative coordination difficult and inefficient.

Baton Rouge Police Corporal Chris Stewart, President of the Baton Rouge Union of Police, said, “We’re operating in a building that’s held together by termites holding hands.”

In addition to an inadequate headquarters facility, the 30-year-old jail is overcrowded and presents a danger to the officers working there. Overcrowding not only leads to violence among prisoners that endangers officers but too often makes it difficult to put new offenders in jail.

Finally, the bond issue would improve the small and inadequate juvenile facility. Most criminologists would agree that an improved facility reduces the rate of repeat offenses by juveniles.

In describing the campaign, Stewart said that a full bore campaign includes yard signs and bumper stickers to show support for the proposition. The campaign also includes billboards and radio spots that will begin airing soon.

“This proposition will make a world of difference for public safety in this city and parish,” said Stewart. “The bond issue only costs the average homeowner about 25 cents a day to fund all of the projects. We’re asking the average homeowner to pay just a quarter a day to provide us with the tools and technology we need to be the best and most effective police department in the nation. We hope they will support us.”

Stewart said the law enforcement community also supports the economic development components of the bond issue because a strong economy helps keep crime down.

“By bringing new jobs and businesses to our city and parish, this proposition will help us keep the community safer,” Stewart said. “The economic development also helps fund public safety throughout the parish. This is why we have stood together in support of this bond issue.”

“On behalf of the men and women of law enforcement who serve our community, we are asking the people of East Baton Rouge Parish to join us in voting ‘Yes’ on November 14th,” said Stewart.

Commenting on the campaign, Sam Cabral the President of the International Union of Police Associations praised Local #237. “Too often the limited resource provided police officers force them to be reactive instead of proactive. Local #237’s support of an initiative so important to the safety of the citizens of the City of Baton Rouge and the surrounding Parish is a perfect example of police officers taking a strong proactive position,” said Cabral.