Baton Rouge Coffee House

[cajun]

I want to throw something onto UP to see how you guys react to it. It doesn't have to do with architecture or urban planning, so it's cool if you don't have an opinion on the matter.

I've lived in many large and medium cities in my life, and what I've notice that sets Baton Rouge apart in a way that affects the growth and planning of this city more than anything is it's tax structure. Do you guys think that 9% sales tax is a bit high? I realize that Baton Rouge just needs to ensure that it isn't significantly more than the adjacent parishes, but as a whole, do you think that 9% is a bit heavy? You have to have a very strong retail base to pay for the schools and infrastructure here....and that's going to be hit pretty hard now that Ascension and Livingston are developing on their own with the same general tax structure....and they have finally understood that they have to attract "out of towners" to contribute to their pot with regional attractions such as the Bass Pro Shop, Juban Crossing, and Tanger Outlet Mall. At the same time, Baton Rouge desperately needs two major malls and a boat load of "not so smart growth" developments and power centers.

Sales taxes offer a degree of fairness that is difficult to match- the more you earn, the more you spend, the more you are taxed....but property taxes also offer this advantage as well, with people who don't own property contributing through higher rental rates. Land Lords would be more inclined to improve their property so that they can charge more in rent in order to offset the increase in taxes.

I was thinking that property taxes may be a better way to go, but people are so adamantly against raising property taxes that because of the fairness issues that most working people have with homestead exemption (which eliminates property taxes for $75K of your home...there's talk of doubling that, making it more unfair), and the corresponding hike in rental rates that would affect the student population in town.

Currently, I'm leaning towards the unrepresented fiscal conservative side for federal tax structure and most state issues....but that's only because I believe that we should leave the bulk of the tax collection to the local governments, where we, as citizens, have a little more control and a louder voice. So I guess I'm saying that I think Baton Rouge....and much of the rest of Louisiana...needs to restructure it's focus to make property taxes a more attractive alternative to sales taxes. I'm against passing a state property tax....but I'd like to consider measures that would make such a tax at least possible to pass in cities that need the revenue. It's unlikely that any state political entity would want to raise taxes, but I think it's possible to convince conservatives and moderates to soften the homestead exemption laws or perhaps adjust some of the tax laws. Property Taxes are extremely low here. I'd pay more property tax in one month Houston than I'd pay in one entire year in Baton Rouge....and the infrastructure was infinitely more affective in Texas as well.

My concern is that Baton Rouge voters, who have taxed themselves to improve infrastructure in the past, is pretty close to tapped out when it comes to sales taxes. I think we are hitting the ceiling of what is acceptable to most voters....and there's still a long list of infrastructure improvements that need to be addressed over the next 30 years. Baton Rouge can't hike sales taxes higher than it's neighbors at the risk of losing the retail market that they desperately need.

As far as the state budget crisis, I'd support a hike in gasoline taxes to fund the backlog of road projects. I think the property tax is something that the local parishes and cities should be shooting for, though.

What do you guys think?

Edited December 28, 2009 by cajun

[all2neat]

I want to throw something onto UP to see how you guys react to it. It doesn't have to do with architecture or urban planning, so it's cool if you don't have an opinion on the matter.

I've lived in many large and medium cities in my life, and what I've notice that sets Baton Rouge apart in a way that affects the growth and planning of this city more than anything is it's tax structure. Do you guys think that 9% sales tax is a bit high? I realize that Baton Rouge just needs to ensure that it isn't significantly more than the adjacent parishes, but as a whole, do you think that 9% is a bit heavy? You have to have a very strong retail base to pay for the schools and infrastructure here....and that's going to be hit pretty hard now that Ascension and Livingston are developing on their own with the same general tax structure....and they have finally understood that they have to attract "out of towners" to contribute to their pot with regional attractions such as the Bass Pro Shop, Juban Crossing, and Tanger Outlet Mall. At the same time, Baton Rouge desperately needs two major malls and a boat load of "not so smart growth" developments and power centers.

Sales taxes offer a degree of fairness that is difficult to match- the more you earn, the more you spend, the more you are taxed....but property taxes also offer this advantage as well, with people who don't own property contributing through higher rental rates. Land Lords would be more inclined to improve their property so that they can charge more in rent in order to offset the increase in taxes.

I was thinking that property taxes may be a better way to go, but people are so adamantly against raising property taxes that because of the fairness issues that most working people have with homestead exemption (which eliminates property taxes for $75K of your home...there's talk of doubling that, making it more unfair), and the corresponding hike in rental rates that would affect the student population in town.

Currently, I'm leaning towards the unrepresented fiscal conservative side for federal tax structure and most state issues....but that's only because I believe that we should leave the bulk of the tax collection to the local governments, where we, as citizens, have a little more control and a louder voice. So I guess I'm saying that I think Baton Rouge....and much of the rest of Louisiana...needs to restructure it's focus to make property taxes a more attractive alternative to sales taxes. I'm against passing a state property tax....but I'd like to consider measures that would make such a tax at least possible to pass in cities that need the revenue. It's unlikely that any state political entity would want to raise taxes, but I think it's possible to convince conservatives and moderates to soften the homestead exemption laws or perhaps adjust some of the tax laws. Property Taxes are extremely low here. I'd pay more property tax in one month Houston than I'd pay in one entire year in Baton Rouge....and the infrastructure was infinitely more affective in Texas as well.

My concern is that Baton Rouge voters, who have taxed themselves to improve infrastructure in the past, is pretty close to tapped out when it comes to sales taxes. I think we are hitting the ceiling of what is acceptable to most voters....and there's still a long list of infrastructure improvements that need to be addressed over the next 30 years. Baton Rouge can't hike sales taxes higher than it's neighbors at the risk of losing the retail market that they desperately need.

As far as the state budget crisis, I'd support a hike in gasoline taxes to fund the backlog of road projects. I think the property tax is something that the local parishes and cities should be shooting for, though.

What do you guys think?

I think the fairest tax is to eliminate all form of taxes except a sales tax, aka, a consumption tax.. Look at how many times money is taxed just for you to get paid... Odds are your company sells a widget or service, said widget is likely taxed on a store shelf via sales tax, so the money coming in already has been taxed.. Your company pays an income tax, they also pay a variety of other taxes on your income, on top of the taxes you pay on your income so before you even get to spend a dime of your own money its likely been taxed at least a half dozen times, and that's not including the the times it was taxed for the original company or individual to purchase your widget. Everything you do is taxed and it's not a balanced rate for everyone, which is why i support taxing everyone through sales tax.. You should not be penalized for saving money, or inheriting someone else savings. This puts in play the case of the multi-millionaire buying a million dollar car paying a large tax amount but someone who only buys a $100 car pays much less, but everyone pays their fair share of tax.

Before someone says well that's not fair because person a is poor and they'll always be poor. A) If someone is not making enough money they should take advantage of grants and other options available to better educate themselves to get a better job. Even if they just get federal loans, if they go from making 15-20k a year to making 35-40k a year, I'm sure the couple hundred dollar student loan payments would be more than affordable. If they got laid of with the economy and all, they should consider going back to college if they are in a very hard hit area, what good does sitting around do? This goes double for those with an associates degree or less. B) why should I be penalized for taking advantage of opportunities to get myself an education. I came from a minimum wage single mother family and I did it just fine, if I can do it so can anyone else! No, it is not easy (been there, done that) in fact, it's a lot of hard work, but it's possible, when people say they can't do it, what they really mean is they won't do it. That's not my fault, it is their choice!

To answers your other question, I think our tax rate is hurting us, I think it has kept businesses out in the past, that if we kept or had them to start with would have kept a lot of the young educated people from leaving. Our sales tax is one of the highest in the nation, as is our income tax, and insurance costs. Louisiana is very expensive place to live tax wise.

[richyb83]

Thanks for the props Dan Wow you still remember Palm Island City huh...that's impressive...many new posters here on UP since..figured I'd post it again...YES, my newest map & most maps I start from the downtown core with a grid and work my way out..I only wish I was computer/technology savvy like you and convert my city map into a 3-D Google-like deal...

Cajun/all2neat..Interesting to see the good points of view with the sales tax; property tax; insurance, etc...I have lived here in BR my entire life...so can't compare to other places...but sounds about right..used to think it was cheap/bargain to live here; now not so sure...I know property taxes are steep in Texas..but their schools are nice...My EBR Property Tax increase went thru the sky between 07'-08' when it was re-A$$essed.. and went up a little more between 08'-09'...not sure WHY again; when it's only supposed to be reassessed every 3 years...feel like I'm being ripped off!

Edited January 6, 2010 by richyb83

[richyb83]

I can dig it....those icy blue lights look good down Third Street....the more lights for downtown...the better! It does create a festive atmosphere...wonder how LASM will look?? The Planetarium looks cool...

Holden: Keep lights downtown

Mayor Kip Holden says he wants the blue lights along Third Street to remain, even though the holidays are over. Holden says he's looking to light up other parts of downtown, such as the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. "Not to use a pun, but we feel like this highlights all of the activity going on downtown," he says. Holden got the idea for the lights after a trip to Chicago several years ago. He says the lights create a festive atmosphere, whether it's a holiday season or not.

http://www.businessreport.com/archives/daily-report/2010/feb/03/1451/

[dan326]

I was wondering what was up with the light still being up. I do like them though.

You know, when they said the credit markets where frozen up I honestly thought they were it wasn't that bad, but I applied for a credit card and I was denied because my credit was "adequate". I don't even know where they got that from cause I don't even have any credit.

Also, I a friend of mine that moved from Houston said when she was a little girl Houston had a dead downtown like we have/had and then they started making revitalization efforts and is now very active. Now, I've never been to downtown Houston, but this friend isn't one to exaggerate so I'm assuming it's true. So hopefully our revitalization efforts really will pay off.

[buckett5425]

Incase y'all didn't see this article about urban sprawl in the Business Report.... I of course, loved it....

Article

Apparently there are some folks in Ascension Parish—and at least one Prairieville letter writer to

The Advocate

—who are none too happy over the direction of parish government’s nascent attempt to plan for future growth.

They believe talk of street grids, multiple transportation options and mixed-use developments—if ever implemented—will destroy the very reason so many people are rushing to this land of good public schools, affordable cul-de-sac neighborhoods and petrochemical plants.

Obviously these concerned citizens missed the memo that Ascension’s infrastructure is crumbling under the strain of a decade-plus of furious, unchecked growth.

Figuring there’s got to be a better way than a parish overwhelmed by 1] inadequate private sewer systems, 2] drinking water shortages and 3] a disjointed network of two-lane roads that all pretty much resemble our own Lee Drive during the afternoon commute, Ascension leaders are deciding to stop the sprawling insanity.

The process to develop a comprehensive plan for growth in Ascension is in its infancy. A consulting firm from Colorado has been hired and, as consultants are wont to do, a PowerPoint presentation has been created, outlining current growth patterns and future options, with lots of pretty pictures of how idyllic Ascension might one day look if the “right” development, land-use and parish-wide infrastructure choices are made. As is also always the case with such endeavors, public meetings are being held, where the scores of residents who show up are divided into small groups and told to huddle around maps and provide input as to where the neighborhoods, retail centers and offices of the future should be located.

When the wonk work is complete, Ascension officials hope to have a cover-all-the-bases blueprint to handle what demographers predict will be 20 or 30 years of continued heavy growth for the parish.

Clearly, however, not everyone is thrilled with how this boudin is being made.

How many residents are of the aluminum-foil wearing variety who believe “comprehensive plan” is actually code for “turning Ascension into New Orleans East or North Baton Rouge” isn’t clear at this point, but the message is clear: Do whatever you want but don’t take away our single-entrance subdivisions, our single-family-only housing options and our right to do whatever the hell we want with our private property. And don’t even mention the terms “sidewalks,” “connectivity” or “smart growth.”

Their battle cry: Give us suburban sprawl or give us death!

In their world, everyone has the inalienable right to a four-bed, two-and-a-half-bath faux French Country house on a private, sidewalk-less, dead-end road in a neighborhood with a drainage canal to handle any excess sewage, rainwater or sucked crawfish heads discarded during Saturday night’s boil. As for getting to Cabela’s, Walmart or the outlet mall, don’t be talking about walking or buses; if you ain’t driving, you ain’t moving.

And, as we read last week, anyone who thinks otherwise is a damn socialist.

Count me in the crowd that believes government creates far more problems than it solves, but even a free market zealot has to concede government must play a role in setting the rules and boundaries by which the private sector operates. Especially when the game is development and the very government people love to hate is expected to build and maintain the roads, operate award-winning schools and parks, keep the drinking water flowing and make sure the toilets aren’t overflowing. And, oh yeah, do all of this without raising a single penny in new taxes.

Here’s guessing the very folks that complain about comprehensive plans and a smarter method of growing are the same ones who also complain about the need for more roads and better services in their rural paradise.

No doubt, the people of Ascension—of the entire Capital Region, for that matter—love to live the life of sprawling suburbia. Equally true is that everyone wants someone to do something about the nightmare that is our traffic. The problem is you can’t have one and solve the other. There’s just not enough density to generate the tax revenue necessary to provide all the services we demand of government—especially when the thought of approving a new tax is as repulsive as the notion of a gay couple moving in next door.

So feel free to celebrate sprawl, just don’t complain about the problems that come with this American dream.

[hagetaka]

comment deleted

Edited March 30, 2010 by hagetaka

[cajun]

I actually read the advocate letter that JR Ball of the Business Report is referring too.

It's kinda depressing.

Not including the disasterous traffic patterns of Ascension Parish or the drainage/sewer problems......the place is an eyesore. Old, narrow roads with no landscaping, no turn lanes, no regular zoning patterns. There is clearly no rules on signage or setbacks. The whole place looks like Siegen Lane or Airline Highway...when it could look more like Bluebonnet Blvd (btw I10 and Coursey), Perkins Road, or Highland...

I hate the whole "ugly dumpy trailer park next door to auto body shop next door to foundry next door to $400K home subdivision" look. All transportation and infrastructure investment thus far has been by private developers or state/federal highway departments. Its' pretty pathetic how the parish has reacted to explosive growth.

I realize they don't want decent planning, but could they at least zone to make the place look a little better? It's odd how they fault Baton Rouge as the reason they live in Ascension.....yet, one of the things they hate most abotu EBR is the mistakes made by zoning and traffic engineers. You'd think they can learn from other's mistakes?

There has to be oversite. There are no large swaths of land that can be used to develope a master planned community. It's all going to be infill or smaller (sub-400 acre) developments, and I doubt seriously they'll include anything more dense than single family, any connecting streets, any sidewalks...or anything worth walking to.

Ascension should learn from the mistakes of Baton Rouge.

Edited March 30, 2010 by cajun

[dan326]

Hehehe, I saw that on the site and figured you'd get a kick out of it. What I don't understand is how urban planning will turn Ascension into the ghetto? I guess they think connectivity will lower homes prices allowing lower income people to move in? Hmmm.

Incase y'all didn't see this article about urban sprawl in the Business Report.... I of course, loved it....

[buckett5425]

Hehehe, I saw that on the site and figured you'd get a kick out of it. What I don't understand is how urban planning will turn Ascension into the ghetto? I guess they think connectivity will lower homes prices allowing lower income people to move in? Hmmm.

You know me too well dan!

Urban planning wont turn itself into the ghetto, if it continues along its current growth trend, it will become the ghetto regardless in 20 years. There is a general theory call the "concentric-ring theory" and how it applies to suburban sprawl. Basically, as cooler, newer things get built further and further out, the inner areas decay. We all know this, and have all recognized this. However, at some point, the ring becomes to big to sustain the outer most growth, and you see renewal in the inner rings, and then the process repeats itself. If ascension thinks their property values will only continue to rise, and that they live in a permanent paradise, then they are seriously mistaken. Do you think 40 years ago someone would have though florida blvd would be what it is today????

[richyb83]

Yeah we have had a few discussions about the endless sprawl in Ascension thread...some of them are disillusioned...they need to take a deep breath.

They have a very workable grid...more so than EBR...per capita they seem to be the worst with unchecked sprawl...too many narrow roads/deep ditches-no shoulders.; single-entrance subdivisions.etc. Now they are wanting to ADD 3 traffic circles.... Funny how JR still mentions Lee Drive too...

Here's some crossfire from today's Opinion section of the Advocate...

Letter: Ascension master plan defended

In response to Mr. Craig Rushin’s opinion on the “urbanizing” of Ascension Parish, I feel I must set the record straight. Many of the things he fears will happen are misunderstandings of the draft master plan documents or are based on fear — not facts.

Our plan is not an effort to urbanize the parish, but a plan to maintain its rural character if our population doubles, as is expected over the next 25 years. In order to accommodate this scenario, we have designated a few areas that have, or will have, the infrastructure to support growth at a higher density than we currently have.

If we spread out 100,000 additional homeowners evenly over the entire parish, what we end up with is an infrastructure nightmare and the loss of our farmland and open spaces. If we condense some of this influx in population into a few carefully planned, higher-density developments, we are better utilizing the available land and leaving more of it open for our children to enjoy.

“Density” is a word that can trigger strong emotions. If we were to allow low-quality, sprawling apartment complexes to be built everywhere as some fear, then we would not have accomplished our goal of maintaining the character of our parish. It is also our responsibility to create housing opportunities for people in all stages of life so that our communities can remain vital and healthy.

For some, that will be apartments for young professionals. For others, it may be a starter home with a nearby park. As we age, we may wish to downsize to a condominium that is within walking distance of a drugstore or grocery. What we most definitely don’t want is a massive influx of apartments in our parish.

Once a farm-to-market road, La. 42 is now one of the busiest and most dangerous highways in the state. Deep ditches with no shoulder and an influx in the development of single-entry subdivisions feeding onto La. 42 have led to this problem.

Under the master plan, the practice of overloading a road with more development than it can handle will no longer occur, and improved connectivity between subdivisions will be required. It will in no way outlaw dead ends. Also, only new subdivisions will need to incorporate sidewalks in their plans. Connectivity, parishwide sewer and sidewalks are not radical ideas. But for many in our parish, these are new ideas.

The draft plan is being revised so that it is easier to understand and more clearly spells out the vision for our parish. The next public meeting is scheduled April 19 at 6 p.m. in the Gonzales Council Meeting Room. We urge everyone interested to attend.

Visit http://www.ascensionparish.net for more information.

Ann Vail Shaneyfelt, member

Ascension Parish Master Plan Support Committee

Prairieville

[dan326]

Here's the letter from the Advocate. Personally, I don't get it.

Also what I don't get is how gated communities and dead-end streets are safer. I've watched enough TruTV to know if someone has it in their mind to kill you or steal from you they'll find a way.

"Letter: Oppose Ascension urbanizing plan

A Colorado-based consultant firm, using federal tax dollars, is pushing an urbanizing plan for Ascension Parish. There is an organized effort at the national level to maneuver parishes (and counties) into enacting zoning and development policies that over time convert suburban and rural communities into urban, city-type areas.

Urbanizing efforts consistently work to greatly increase zoning density so as to enable tight apartments, work to enable and generate high-rise complexes, work for mixed housing sizes and businesses located closely together, aim to remove perceived obstacles to Section 8 multi-units, seek to force sidewalks in front of all homes, push to eliminate the privacy and security of single-entry neighborhoods by forcing interconnecting grid street formations (thus no more dead-end streets), endeavor to increase the power of the government to manipulate property owners and to decrease private property rights, promote means of increasing taxes, push public transportation by bus and rail, strive to decrease private land while increasing public areas maintained by taxes, attack rural areas while condescendingly calling them “sprawl,” seek to choke off development outside of areas designated for urban conversion by legislating excessively large lot-size requirements and by stopping development of infrastructure in those areas, aspire to decrease the growth potential of industry et cetera on into socialist false utopia.

The proposed Ascension Comprehensive Urbanizing Plan calls for implementing all these radical goals and many more.

It goes without saying that the people of Ascension stayed here or moved here because of the precious rural or suburban lifestyle available. People are fleeing urban jungles throughout the nation and within the state.

With the signs of the times all around us, for Ascension Parish government to enact a litany of development directives intended to convert Ascension into urban territory would be massively blind, irrational, permanently destructive, devastating to posterity, shameful, repulsive, contemptible to historic degrees and a complete betrayal of public trust.

Future generations would stand in areas not unlike New Orleans East or sections of downtown Baton Rouge, pop palms to their foreheads, open their hands and eyes wide, and exclaim, “What were they thinking?”

Ascension residents should call now and advise their councilmen to oppose the Ascension Comprehensive Urbanizing Plan. Access http://www.ascensionparish.net for your councilman’s number.

Craig Rushin

chemical engineer

Prairieville"

http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/87734922.html

[buckett5425]

The rebuttal from the Planners is SPOT ON! While i still disagree with them somewhat, they are experts, they know what they are talking about!

As for Craig Rushin, he's an engineer....do i need to say anymore? Just Kiddin....

[cajun]

Is there a decent bookstore off I-12 in Baton Rouge?

I'd love to see a Borders or Books A Million somewhere off Sherwood, Old Hammond, O'Neal, etc. Amazon.com isn't as fun as finding a good book at Barnes. If there is a smaller independent bookstore out here, then I havent heard of them.

[richyb83]

No independent bookstores off the top of my head...But a nice bookstore would be cool somewhere along the I-12 corridor...esp Millerville Rd around the Super Target/Best Buy/Lowe's/ Office Depot shopping center!

Edited April 6, 2010 by richyb83

[cajun]

I was afraid of that. I remember a used bookstore off Florida, but it looks like it's closed down.

Hehehe, I saw that on the site and figured you'd get a kick out of it. What I don't understand is how urban planning will turn Ascension into the ghetto? I guess they think connectivity will lower homes prices allowing lower income people to move in? Hmmm.

There are two schools of thought here. To be honest, I am a supporter of planning. I think that the lack of planning, in Ascension's case, will lower property values and neighborhood desirability. There are very few places in Ascension that I find appealing....with it's current traffic problems, enormous billboards, weird development landscape, narrow roads (with open ditches), lack of real sewer system, and no coherant plan for traffic mitigation. There is also a lack of public parks. Most of the area is hideous to me....and it's frustrating because Baton Rouge has made the same mistakes in several parts of the parish---and taxpayers are paying dearly to correct the consequences.

I wouldn't send my kids to any public school in this state.....so it doesn't matter to me what district I live in. I choose to live near my workplace. Ascension has no major job centers outside of the chemical corridor on the west end of the parish (and I understand why you wouldn't want to live nextdoor to one of those plants).

There are only so many infrastructure dollars floating around, and developers need to be responsible with their decisions along with the residents who perpetuate the bad cycle of single entrance subdivisions( with streets perpendicular to the flow of traffic)by buying homes in these developments in droves.

What is one ironic feature of every subdivision? strict ordinances controlling everything from HOA fees to lawn maintenance to architectural style to building setbacks.

I know that getting people to live next to their workplace is like pulling teeth....but suburbanites could at least choose more wisely and agree to support some planning and binding zoning laws.

I have mixed opinions on zoning. I typically support it, but I have lived in Houston long enough to appreciate what can be done without formal zones. That couldn't happen here. There is no support for property taxes to support the infrastructure that would be necessary for such a system.....and there is no support for eliminating homestead exemption which removes any fairness from a property tax (which, BTW, is very difficult to avoid....even renters pay it as their landlords pass the costs on to them).

Oh well. It appears that the Ascension planning initiative is going to happen...which is a victory for the whole region.

Edited April 7, 2010 by cajun

[buckett5425]

"Spill Baby Spill?"

[cajun]

"Spill Baby Spill?"

Don't laugh too much. Baton Rouge's economy isn't diversified enough to handle reduced investment in petrochemicals.

BP had better pay for the damage that every last drop causes.

[buckett5425]

Don't laugh too much. Baton Rouge's economy isn't diversified enough to handle reduced investment in petrochemicals.

BP had better pay for the damage that every last drop causes.

I figured that would provoke a response from you Cajun, lol

So, I have been on a kick all day of watching documentaries. If any of you have a netflicks account i recommend you watch:

"Sprawling from Grace:The Consequences of Suburbanization" and "Escape from Suburbia" which is the sequel to my favorite documentary, "The End of Suburbia"

Its exciting stuff, and explains in detail how there are no alternatives to oil. That means the only solution is to cut back on consumption, I.E. ending a lifestyle trend that is reliant on cheap energy.

[richyb83]

Sickening and sad are the words that come to minds with this oil spill...not only ecomically but wildlife; barrier islands...family and friends that have fished those islands for years east of NOLA/south of Waveland MS...and the huge blow the Emerald Coast will take from Gulf Shores,Destin, Panama City, etc...Should we now expect to eat imported shrimp from China??

Our addiction to oil will bite us..but we got bigger problems than that as the Federal Reserve toys with us like experimental lab rats..

Was gonna post this in the Louisiana Lagnaippe...but wasn't sure if any replies would be made

I'll have to check out those documentaries..

Edited May 3, 2010 by richyb83

[hagetaka]

I think this is bad, hopefully the state will get a huge payout, but I really don't know much about this situation to chime in with huge details, the gulf is huge, that oil can end up anywhere

[cajun]

I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon just yet in placing blame with Obama, the feds, or the state leaders. Not a thing anyone can do but react at this point. The response has been about as good as can be expected.

I just hope that BP pays for everything they screw up, and it's a big enough number to push investment into failsafe methods and operational redundancies offshore to prevent this from happening again....and if it does, to mitigate the environmental damage.

I'm angry as hell about it. I hate the fact that every viable (affordable) alternative fuel source or resource conservation program involves me sending money to the monopolistic empire (Entergy) that supplies our electricity at uncompetitive prices instead of big oil. My current home can't support it, but the new one that I am designing will include both solar panels (mostly to provide electricity after hurricanes and to reduce energy bill) and a water runoff recycling system (to water my lawn and garden without using potable treated water from a tower).

Mild hybrids like the Prius, plug in electric cars like the Volt, and pretty much every other "answer" is just incremental improvements. We need a renewable (or at least less waseful), cleaner, domestic sourced energy.

I thought for a while that Enthenol would be a hit, but all government subsidies to kick start this industry are geared towards corn to enthenol production, which is not even viable. Sugar to ethenol, bio diesel...all better solutions with no government support (and both would benefit our state!).

We all depend on oil. While investment in alternative fuels are happening, the switchover is just going very slowly.

I'd like to see more nuclear power...and at the very least, an option on an electricity supplier.

[cajun]

As for ending reliance on cheap energy: cheap typically means plentiful. What I see happening is the gradual investment into various new soruces of energy that have only "fringe" appeal will move into the masses next time oil prices jump.

Like I pointed out, I'm considering investing in solar panels for my home. The cost is staggering and the tax breaks are still sort of weak. The payoff doesn't happen for 6 to 8 years at current energy prices.

As for vehicles: I need a tow vehicle, but I don't necessarily have to use it every day. I'm going to garage my trusty Tahoe and start using it only when I need four wheel drive or to tow, instead relying on a new alternative fuel vehicle that I plan on purchasing around Christmas this year . My wife drives a diesel powered car that gets about 40 mpg already. This is the most difficult area to "conserve". Everything either runs on petroleum or relys on electricity to operate.

I think this is bad, hopefully the state will get a huge payout, but I really don't know much about this situation to chime in with huge details, the gulf is huge, that oil can end up anywhere

both large and small fin fish (including shrimp) will move away from the slick on their own. Jindal has opened white shrimp season early to allow harvesting them in front of the slick.

Oysters won't (can't) get out of the way. This will hurt the oyster industry tremendously if it moves closer in. BP, the state, and the coast guard have been placing bouys on the water to stop the worst of it, and it's working with mixed success.

It will hurt the seafood industry for a few years...no doubt. The question is if it will recover at all.

Edited May 3, 2010 by cajun

[dan326]

Just thinking about what Cajun said about reduced investment in oil affecting Baton Rouge, I hope they can fix clean it up, BR is what it is today because of oil...

Edit: Kinda seems like karma for not being affected by the recession.

Edited May 3, 2010 by dan326

[cajun]

full article: http://www.2theadvoc...s/92795564.html

Three arrested in Waffle House killing

Three people — including the alleged shooter — have been arrested in the Monday slaying of a Georgia insurance agent at the Waffle House on South Sherwood Boulevard, a police spokesman said in a news release.

Antonius Londre Jones, 21, 9810 Avenue G; Larry James Sterling, 28, 11315 Old Laurel Hill Road, St. Francisville; and Ikey Washington, 27, 10116 Avenue I, will be booked into East Baton Rouge Parish on one count each of first-degree murder and armed robbery, Sgt. Don Kelly said.

Jones is accused of shooting David George DeMersseman, 54, of Valdosta, Ga., at 1:20 a.m. Monday during an armed robbery inside the Waffle House at 2320 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Kelly said.

DeMersseman was the lone customer at the restaurant when a masked gunman went inside to rob it, Kelly has said.

When Jones tried to take DeMersseman’s wallet, DeMersseman apparently tried to grab the robber’s gun, Kelly has said.

Jones reacted by shooting DeMersseman, Kelly has said. Jones then robbed the restaurant of cash before fleeing, he has said.

Sterling is accused of being the getaway driver and Washington is accused of being in the getaway vehicle, Kelly said.

During their investigation into the shooting, detectives learned a white Mitsubishi Eclipse was used in the crime, Kelly said.

Patrol officers spotted the car around midnight Monday at Harding and Veterans boulevards, Kelly said. The officers followed the car, and with assistance of backup officers, stopped it in the 1500 block of Godchaux Street.

All three suspects were inside and arrested without incident.

Kudos to local law enforcement for wrapping this up so quickly.

Edited May 5, 2010 by cajun