Central Community Alliance is

The City’s Communication Channel

By Sarah Forman

 

Since 2001, the Central Community Alliance has been keeping Central residents informed and involved in the rapidly expanding community.

 

The non-partisan organization is dedicated to the Central community’s future.  Harry Rauls, first vice president, along with President Jay Watson and Second Vice President Loretta Foreman, lead the 11-member board.

 

The Central Community Alliance (CCA) mission statement is: To facilitate communication and service among the citizens, government and organizations in the City of Central.

 

Caravan to GOHSEP

The CCA took a special interest this year in hurricane season preparation. Last month members created a caravan to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) in Louisiana.

 

“Talking with those folks let our members know what the state will do in an emergency,” said Rauls. “GOHSEP gave out contact names and told us how best to be prepared.”

 

The Central Community Alliance Visited GOSEPH to learn how to prepare for an emergency. From left are Wayne Messina, Doug and Jeanie Barnett, Marti Hudson, Jim Ballow and Jay Watson.

Stronger Voice

At first the organization was led by Mike LeClerq.  “Originally the group just wanted to provide a stronger voice when talking to elected officials about common issues,” Rauls said.  

 

After constructing a mission statement and bylaws, CCA began holding forums.   These were and are a means of educating members and the general public.   “They were and are also used as a means for getting the messages and concerns of the people of Central heard,” said Rauls.

 

The CCA actually played a large part in Central becoming a city in 2005,   Rauls said.   “Back then CCA interacted with the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission.”  

 

Helped With Grant

CCA helped with the many tasks required to prepare Central for self-government.   They worked with the Mayor to prepare a grant to help the city in its earliest development.

 

“For a while this civic association was actually the nucleus of the new city,” said Rauls.   Once Central officially became a city in 2005, CCA’s role turned to one of support for city functions.  

 

But the original role and purpose of CCA was missing.   Before long a group of interested citizens decided working with the old CCA formula of regular monthly forums is actually the best way for CCA to serve the community.

 

Monthly Meetings

Today, the Central Community Alliance’s main focus is on communication. Monthly meetings give locals a chance to interact with city officials and with speakers from outside Central.

 

Another important reason for the CCA is to bring people to Central who can help provide service that benefits everyone in the community explained Rauls.   Members also help whenever Central officials call for assistance.   “We hope our members’ dedication to the city encourages others to get involved,” said Rauls.

 

CCA has lent assistance with many different issues.   Involvement with the establishment of Central’s school district is one example. CCA members served on the committee to prepare Central for taking over its schools.

 

“The actual work included preparing estimates for the repair of the inherited system and the original plan for the Central School Complex that involved a new public facility for pre-K thru 12^th grade,” said Rauls.  

 

New School District

Members of the CCA have also helped get money for the new school district in creative ways.

 

“Central’s school district is new, so they needed a tax,” said Rauls.   “To get Central High School involved, we educated students about the issue and put them on the panel that was working to pass the tax. This also got parents involved.”

 

“Once the students knew about the topic discussed, we had the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Bob Breaux, ask them questions about the pros and cons of the tax,” Rauls said.

 

The Central Community Alliance meets every third Tuesday of the month in the DEMCO meeting room. “We have about 140 people on our mailing list, and most forums have between 30 and 50 people in attendance,” Rauls said.

 

For more information about the Central Community Alliance, visit   www.centralcommunityalliance.org