Central City Council Waffles on Loop

CENTRAL — Almost all Central’s elected officials said they were against the Baton Rouge Loop when they campaigned for Mayor and City Council in March 2010.  But last Tuesday, when Councilman Wayne Messina offered a resolution to put the City of Central on record against the Loop, several officials waffled and appeared ready to vote against the resolution.  Messina decided to postpone the vote until Jan. 10 to give the public the chance to express their views to the Council.

Last year, more than 1,000 Central residents filed statements with the Capital Area Expressway Authority in opposition to the Loop.   A year before that, more than 1,000 Central residents packed Zoar Baptist Church to speak against the Loop.

Councilman Wayne Messina’s resolution asked that the Loop project and the money to fund it be ended.  Messina said he had received a call from a state legislator wanting the Council to state an official position in anticipation of the battle over funding the Loop in the upcoming legislative session.

Messina said, “The people of Central are opposed to the Loop.  It would split our city in half.  Three parish presidents have resigned from the Loop commission in opposition to it.  Nowhere are there any reports the Loop would reduce traffic congestion.  We can’t just sit back and wait.  We need to let the powers that be know we are not in favor of it.”

But Councilman Louis DeJohn questioned whether the people of Central are against the Loop.  “What study has been done showing the Loop is disfavored by Central?” he asked.  Indicating Central must change, DeJohn said, “I remember hunting ducks on Bluebonnet, but we can’t do that anymore, either.”

“This is a very dangerous resolution,” he said.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington said, “I don’t see any of our legislators here.  They should be here for something as serious as this.”  Washington said, “I’ve heard people say they are for or against the Loop.  Is this resolution going to stop the Loop?”

Mayor Mac Watts said, “I’m adamantly opposed to the Loop but this resolution may put us in a bad position.”

Councilman Aaron Moak said, “The wording is too broad.  It’s blanket against the Loop.  It’s detrimental to our involvement.  I ask we review this.”

Messina, the resolution’s author, said there have been meetings and more meetings.  “I’m very concerned about the real motive for the Loop proposal.  There’s an awful lot of money to be made by consultants, engineers, and contractors.  That seems to be what’s driving the Loop proposal.  The people of Central are not in favor of this one bit.”

“The only way to stop the Loop is to repeal the Capital Area Expressway Authority, and I want all our legislators — Sens. Dale Erdy and Bodi White, Reps. Clif Richardson and Valarie Hodges, Congressman Cassidy, and our U. S. Senators to know that is our position,” Messina said.  Hodges was in attendance at the Council meeting.

Central Chamber of Commerce chairman Tim Lazaroe opposed the resolution, saying, “There is nothing that says the Loop has to go through the City of Central.  Maybe we should try to get someone from the city appointed to the board.”

Assured of votes only from himself and Councilman Tony LoBue, Messina feared he did not have the three votes required to pass the resolution. So he said he would defer the resolution until the next Council meeting, which will be held Dec. 13.  “I hope our legislators will be there and that the people will express their views to the Mayor and Council between now and then,” he said.

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Statements by Candidates for Mayor and Council during March 2010 Municipal Elections in City of Central

I strongly oppose

the Loop.

— Mayor Mac Watts

I haven’t seen a route yet that is acceptable to me.

— Louis DeJohn

I oppose the Loop.

— Tony LoBue

I’m opposed to the Loop, but if it happens, we should control

every aspect of it.

— Aaron Moak

I strongly oppose the Loop.  No Loop!

— Wayne Messina

Against further

funding of Loop.

— Ralph Washington

Statements by Mayor and Council on Resolution Officially Expressing the Opposition of the City of Central to the Proposed Baton Rouge Loop, City Council Meeting on Nov. 22, 2011

I strongly oppose the Loop, but this resolution could cause some problems.

— Mayor Mac Watts

What study says the Loop is disfavored by Central?  My position is not in support of the Loop but in having a voice in deciding it.  This is a dangerous resolution.

— Louis DeJohn

I oppose the Loop.

— Tony LoBue

This is blanket against the Loop.  It’s detrimental to our involvement.

— Aaron Moak

Central is against the Loop.  It would cut Central in half, and it won’t solve any traffic problem.  We can’t just sit back and wait.  We need to let the powers that be know that we are opposed to the Loop.

— Wayne Messina

I don’t see any legislators here.  They should be here.

— Ralph Washington