Central’s Journey: Past to Present

Russell Starns Founder, City of Central

When I look back at where we were before becoming a city and compare it to where we are now, many things come to mind. I’m so glad we have maintained our core values of conservatism, honesty, and integrity throughout this journey. These principles have guided our decisions, shaped our community culture, and kept us grounded even as we’ve grown and faced new challenges.

We became a city not by choice, but because we were forced to. We were told that we could not establish our own school system unless we were officially incorporated as a city. That challenge sparked action. Many dedicated citizens from our community of Central stepped for-

ward and began the process, determined to take control of our future and provide the best education possible for our children.

We were faced with many obstacles along the way. One of the first major hurdles was the need to file a lawsuit challenging the City of Baton Rouge’s Home Rule Charter. According to that charter, no new cities could be created within East Baton Rouge Parish aside from Baton Rouge, Baker, and Zachary. This restriction stood directly in our path—but we pressed forward. Against the odds, we won that legal battle, paving the way for Central to become a city in its own right.

Following the legal victory, our next challenge was to prove that we had a sufficient tax base to support the essential services required of a city. This meant demonstrating financial stability and the ability to fund services such as police, fire protection, infrastructure, and administration. It wasn’t easy, but through careful planning, determination, and the unwavering support of our citizens, we were able to show that Central could not only stand on its own, but thrive.

Another requirement was proving that we had enough qualified residents to govern our proposed city. That process, in hindsight, was almost laughable — of course, we did! Central has always been home to capable, committed individuals with deep roots in the community. Still, we went through the formalities, and once again, our citizens rose to the occasion, ready to serve and lead with integrity. 

We had to file a petition for incorporation, which required signatures of over 5,000 registered voters in the proposed area. Gathering those signatures was a major effort, but our community rallied together to get it done. Unfortunately, we had to execute the petition twice because the first version didn’t include the word “contiguous” in the legal description of our proposed boundaries. It was a frustrating setback, but one we overcame with persistence and teamwork.

Even after all of that, our journey wasn’t over. We had to fight a lawsuit challenging the results of the incorporation election. Despite the will of the people being clearly expressed at the ballot box, there were still those who sought to overturn the outcome. But once again, the people of Central stood firm. The courts upheld the election results, affirming what we already knew—that our community was ready and had earned the right to govern itself.

Through all of those battles, one thing never wavered—the relentless determination of the many volunteers who gave their time, energy, and hearts to this cause. They knocked on doors, made phone calls, attended countless meetings, and stood strong through legal and political challenges.

For them, and for all of us, failure was simply not an option. Their dedication is what made the dream of Central a reality, and their legacy lives on in every step forward we take as a city.

Once we officially became a city, our first mayor and city council were appointed by Gov. Kathleen Blanco. This temporary leadership team was tasked with laying the foundation for Central’s local government—no small responsibility. They stepped into uncharted territory, setting policies, establishing services, and guiding our new city through its earliest days. Their leadership during that critical time helped shape the stable and principled government we continue to build upon today.

From the very beginning, we took a bold and efficient approach to managing our city. We immediately privatized all of our city services, ensuring that we could provide high-quality service to our residents while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This model reflected our conservative values—limited government, accountability, and smart stewardship of taxpayer dollars—and it quickly became one of the defining features of how Central operates.

Our mayor and city council set the tone for servant leadership from day one. They worked for over a year without pay—driven not by personal gain, but by a deep love for our city and an unwavering commitment to the community. Their selfless service laid the groundwork for a government rooted in integrity, accountability, and a true sense of purpose.

The spirit of service didn’t stop with our elected leaders. Volunteers continued to donate their time, talents, and services—not for recognition, but out of a genuine love for our city and community. Their dedication was the heartbeat of Central’s early development, proving that when people come together with a shared purpose and passion, incredible things can be achieved.

We didn’t always agree with one another, but that’s part of any honest, passionate effort. What mattered most was that, no matter our differences, we all had Central’s best interests at heart. That shared commitment is what kept us moving forward and continues to unite us as a community.

Present:

Today, Central stands as a testament to what determination, unity, and shared values can build. From those early days of legal battles, petitions, and volunteer-led efforts, we’ve grown into a thriving, self-governing city. Our conservative principles still guide us, our sense of community remains strong, and the legacy of service continues in the work of our current leaders, educators, business owners, and volunteers. We’ve built not just a city, but a home—a place where families can grow, students can thrive, and neighbors still look out for one another.

I am so proud of where our city is today. Sure, we still face growing pains—that’s part of any community that’s moving forward. But in my opinion, the City of Central is the greatest place to live. While we continue to work toward enhancing our quality of life with more restaurants and amenities, we already have so much to be thankful for.

We are one of the safest—if not the safest—cities in Louisiana. We’re home to some of the best public, private, and parochial schools in the state. And most importantly, we are a city that has never lost its sense of true community spirit. That spirit was the driving force behind the movement to become a city, and it’s what continues to define us today. It’s what inspired me, and so many others, to volunteer our time and energy all those years ago—and it’s what makes Central such a special place to call home.