In Troubled Times, Central Focuses on God, Home, Family, American Values

By Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News – Baton Rouge

In the days shortly after Central was incorporated as its own municipality back in 2005, a lady testifying at a public hearing talked about what it was like to live in Central.  She said, “When I cross the bridge and enter the City of Central, I feel like I am returning to my sanctuary.”

Sometimes the world seems to be falling apart.  We have war, economic downturns, political upheaval, poverty and violence in nearby Baton Rouge, traditional values under attack, and the Woke agenda at every turn in the media and throughout society.

In the past 18 years, Central has undergone some changes, but it still feels like a place separate and apart.  

Calm and peaceful.

A sanctuary.

In Central, children can play in their front yards or walk down the street without fear because every house is a ‘safe house,’ some people never lock their doors, children still have fathers, coaches pray with their teams, churches stand on every corner, marriage is between a man and a woman, the right to life is accepted as a given, neighbors still check on you when your sick or bring food when you’ve suffered a tragedy, people love the police and honor the veterans, homelessness is virtually unknown, illegal immigration is not a major problem, it is okay to be old because you will be celebrated, and if you drop your wallet in the parking lot at Wal-Mart, someone will turn it in and not a dollar will be missing.

If the Democrats and Republicans seem to be at war in the rest of the nation, racial tension is high, the genders are at odds, and there is constant controversy, none of that is true in Central.

If other cities teeter on bankruptcy and are constantly raising taxes, the City of Central has zero debt, tens of millions in the bank, and has never raised taxes.

So during this beautiful Christmas season that God has given us, praise Him, count your blessings, enjoy the fruits of your labor, celebrate our freedom, and be grateful you live in a true “sanctuary city.”