Central’s LDRC Committee – Just the Facts

Central’s LDRC Committee – Just the Facts

On April 12, 2011, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Central City Council, Council Member Aaron Moak brought a resolution before the City Council for consideration.  It was titled: Resolution of Support of the LED’s Louisiana Development Ready Communities Program.  After the resolution was read in its entirety to the gathered officials and citizens of Central, there was discussion and comment from Council Members and citizens.  After public discussion and prior to a vote being taken on the resolution, Mayor Mac Watts explained that the committee to head up this project had already been chosen and he also mentioned the co-chairs by name.  A vote was then taken on the resolution and passed unanimously,  5-0, with DeJohn, LoBue, Messina, Moak and Washington voting in favor.

Some items of note:

In March, Mayor Watts sought the assistance of Steve Vassallo, Central’s newly hired Economic Development Consultant, in progressing through the steps necessary to apply for this program on a tight deadline.  The application was due April 15^th.

It is my understanding that the Mayor, under his authority as the Chief Excecutive Officer of the City of Central, oversaw the process of selecting each person now serving on the LDRC committee, and that each person was interviewed to ensure they understood the commitment involved.

The City Council, prior to passing the resolution on April 12^th in support of the program, was informed by the Mayor that the committee, including the co-chairs, had already been selected.  Knowing this, the Council unanimously voted in favor of the Resolution.