Council Honors Guilbeau and Starns; DeJohn Sets the Record Straight

By Dave Freneaux

In the first Central City Council meeting of 2011 Council Member Aaron Moak presented plaques to Marty Guilbeau & Russell Starns for their service to the Central community. Guilbeau & Starns, who both chose not to seek re-election to the Central Community School Board, served as appointed then elected board members since the inception of the school system in 2007. Council Member Moak shared his thoughts on the contributions both Guilbeau and Starns have made to Central. Marty Guilbeau is recognized as one of the handful of Central citizens most responsible for the creation of the Central Community School System. Russell Starns, one of that same small group pushing for Central schools, is also widely recognized as a key leader in the creation of the City of Central, which was an important factor in gaining approval for creating the school system.

In other business of the Council, Council Member Louis DeJohn read a prepared statement in rebuttal to an article that was written in another local publication. Mr. DeJohn denied having said what was written in the article and read, word for word, a transcript of what he actually said at the last Council meeting. Council Member DeJohn called for the newspaper and citizens to refrain from telling only half of the truth and to seek ways to settle differences and come to the center. Woody Jenkins of Baton Rouge, the editor of the Central City News, attempted to speak after Mr. DeJohn's statement and again at the end of the Council meeting. Mayor Watts adhered to the ordinance passed by the City Council regarding public comment and did not allow Jenkins to speak. There was a brief but heated exchange between Jenkins and Mayor Watts.

Above: Marty Guilbeau (top) and Russell Starns are presented plaques by Councilman Moak