Vitter Legislation Could Aid Hooper Bridge

by Woody Jenkins

CENTRAL — Sen. David Vitter told the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday he is introducing a new Federal Highway Bill that will have bipartisan support, and that bill could have an important impact on Central.

The funds appropriated by the bill could make the difference and provide funding for a new bridge over the Amite River, linking Hooper Road to Hwy. 16 in Watson.

“Earmarks” are a thing of the past, Vitter said.  So there is no way to dedicate the funds to the Hooper Road bridge.  But that’s a good thing, because the funds will go to the State Department of Transportation & Development for use in accordance with the Highway Priority Plan.

The Hooper Road bridge is already in the Highway Priority Plan, although down the list.  The key is to get DOTD to take a look at the project and reevaluate its importance.  A recent traffic study by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber showed the Hooper Road bridge as the most important remaining highway project in the Capital Region.

The projections show the bridge would serve 26,000 cars a day and save motorists 1.7 million driving hours a year.

For Central, the new bridge could relieve some of the congestion which overwhelms Greenwell Springs Road, Sullivan Road, and Wax Road every morning and every afternoon.

We should get behind Sen. Vitter and his efforts to send more of our federal gasoline tax dollars back to Louisiana.

HHH

Steve Rabalais’ new retail and commercial development at the Village at Magnolia Square is indeed impressive.  Rabalais is bringing quality residential and commercial development to Central and is to be commended for the high standard he is setting.

The same should be said of Village at Magnolia Square developers Jimmy Nunnally and Steele Pollard.  The 185-acre project, which should bring $170 million in improvements to Central, will indeed change the way Central is viewed in the Baton Rouge area.

Together with our great school system and low crime rate, outstanding residential communities like the Village at Magnolia Square will put Central on the map.

HHH

New Christian School. The new Christian school in Central continues to grow.  Rev. Tony Spell, the pastor at Life Tabernacle, 9323 Hooper Road, said new students are registering for the Fall semester daily.  The school, Apostolic Truth Academy, has students from pre-K to 12th grade.  It uses the Abeka curriculum.

Tuition is only $1,500 a year.

Rev. Spell said parents who are interested in learning more should drop by the school office and pick up an informational packet.  The deadline for enrolling for the Fall is May 25.  The phone number is 262-4636 for the church or 485-7833 for the school.

HHH

The 2012 Central Community Directory & Yellow Pages is complete and being distributed throughout Central.  To get your copy, go to virtually any retail location in Central and pick one up.

The directory has four parts: 1) the Community Pages, 2) Business Profiles, 3) White Pages, an alphabetical listing of all residences and businesses, and 3) Yellow Pages, which include all businesses in Central.

This year’s Central Community Directory is dedicated to the late State Rep. Donald Ray Kennard, his father, the late Justice of the Peace Sterling Kennard, and his mother, the late Camille Kennard.  Donald Ray and Miss Camille passed away last year.

The Kennard family has been a role model of selfless dedication to the Central community, and we hope this small tribute will encourage everyone here to remember their service to Central.

HHH

Trevor Sansone, the Central Flash, was honored on the cover of the Central Community Directory.  Trevor set the all-time state 5A high school record in the 55-yard dash.  Even more important, he is a role model for every young person in Central.

By the way, Trevor is running for the LSU track team.  Last weekend, he competed for the Tigers in the Armory Track & Field Meet at Columbia University in New York City.  He ran the 60-yard dash in 6.87, finishing 21st out of 140 collegiate competitors.  He is rapidly developing into one of the best sprinters in the country.  Trevor will run at home next Friday, Feb. 17 at the LSU Twilight Meet.