Central Officials Attend LMA Conference in BR

BATON ROUGE — Four of Central’s elected city officials were among 350 mayors and city councilmen from across Louisiana at the Louisiana Municipal Association’s Mid-Winter Conference in Baton Rouge last week.

Attending were Mayor Mac Watts, councilmen Dr. Tony LoBue and Wayne Messina, and Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington, as well as executive assistant to the mayor David Barrow.

Highlights included:

• The unveiling of the LMA’s new “Community Leadership” video training program for municipal officials online at www.lma.org.

• The Louisiana Code of Ethics for government officials, which mandates ethics and personal financial disclosure for all elected municipal officials.

• The basics of economic and community development for municipal governments.

• Understanding the steps to take regarding municipal reapportionment processes.

• State statutes governing open meetings and public records.

• Municipal budgeting.

• Mayor’s Court

• The Lawrason Act

• Relationships among municipal officials to strengthen communities.

Councilman Wayne Messina said the conference was a rewarding experience.  “I loved being there.  I was like a sponge with so much to take in.  I especially appreciated the session on ethics,” he said.  Councilman Tony LoBue listed some of his favorite quotes from the conference:

• When it doesn’t matter who gets the credit, a lot can be accomplished.

• 80 percent of new jobs will come from existing businesses.

• A community needs a strategic plan for the next 10 years.

• Elected officials are expected to be leaders.

• In economic development, one size doesn’t fit all.

• Don’t destroy documents.