Central’s Best of Decade Honored

A number of Central residents and businesses were honored during the Central City News’ Best of the Decade Awards ceremonies held at the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge meeting last Tuesday.

The Chamber EBR meets at Café Américain, 7521 Jefferson Hwy. in Baton Rouge on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

The decade is 2005 to 2015, which is the first 10 years of existence of both the City of Central and the Central City News newspaper.

The newspaper chose the award winners based on a review of its archives over a 10-year period.

The highest award, Citizen of the Decade, was presented by Central Mayor Jr. Shelton to eight individuals who distinguished themselves by service to public education in Central.  They were

•Roxanne Atkinson

•Sharon Browning

• Will Easley

•Supt. Mike Faulk

•Ruby Foil

•Dr. Jim Gardner

•Jim Lloyd

•Dr. David Walker

For his work in providing outstanding law enforcement protection to the people of Central, the following official was named Central’s MVP:

•Sheriff Sid Gautreaux

For exemplary service to the people of Central during Hurricane Gustav, the following were named as Central’s Outstanding Businesses of the Decade:

•David’s Mobil, represented by James and Jeannie David

•Central Drug Store, represented by Claud Derbes

For its extraordinary story of success, the Outstanding New Business of the Decade was:

•Oak Point Fresh Market, represented by the Sumich family

Named the Outstanding Development of the Decade was:

•Village at Magnolia Square, represented by Jimmy Nunnally and Steele Pollard

For his exemplary character and outstanding performance as a player for Central High School, the following young man was named Outstanding Athlete of the Decade:

•Will Briscoe

For his outstanding performance as a coach, the Outstanding Coach of the Decade was:

• Coach Sid Edwards

For saving three babies lives in an accident off Hooper Road, the Central Hero of the Decade was:

•Brandon Gomez

Sharing in the honor of Central Hero of the Decade for their efforts to save more than 130 people during Hurricane Isaac in Plaquemines Parish were:

•Jesse Shaffer III

•Jesse Shaffer IV

Central City News editor Woody Jenkins told the story of each honoree.  He said it has been an honor for the newspaper to cover the story of Central’s first 10 years of existence.

He said, “There are few communities in this country that truly uphold the principles that made America great such as belief in God, country, home, family, and hard work.  Central is one of those communities, and we have the privilege of serving as the newspaper for this great community.”