10th Birthday City of Central

The idea of incorporating the City of Central began at least as early as 1973 when the delegates to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention negated a provision of the City-Parish Plan of Government that prohibited the creation of any new cities in East Baton Rouge Parish.  But it wasn’t until Russell Starns and a hardy band of volunteers started circulating an incorporation petition in 2004 that the movement took off.  The Central City News began publication on April 21, 2005, and two days later the citizens voted to incorporate. The first city officials were sworn in on July 11, 2005.  The legislature and voters statewide cooperated in forming the new Central school system in 2006.  Today, the City of Central has 28,000 people and is the 12th largest city in Louisiana.  It is the only privatized city in Louisiana.  The school system is No. 3 in the state.  Crime is low.  The economy is good.  Now the City of Central is about to celebrate its 10th birthday on Saturday, July 11.  Please join the celebration!