Thank You to These Outstanding Citizens

    With the gracious participation of representatives from the Central Area Pastor’s Association, the Central Community Alliance, the Central Community Assistance Foundation, Central Kiwanis, the Central Lions Club, the Central Masonic Lodge, and Central Rotary, the 2012 recipients of Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Citizenship have been selected.

    Using the criteria that a nominee must be a resident of Central and that their actions must be  "significant, selfless, and dedicated to the betterment of the Central Community", the judges selected Mr. Will Easley as 2012 Citizen of the Year.  Mr. Easley, a Central Community School System school board member, was one of the original members appointed by then Governor Kathleen Blanco, and thus had the responsibility with his fellow members of creating a school system out of what was handed them by East Baton Rouge Parish. This past year saw the opening of 2 new school facilities on Sullivan Road, the culmination of those first efforts. Owner of Trade Construction, Will has been active in the life of our city not just through his elected role but also through his many private contributions of time and resources to our schools and charities.  Will is an LSU graduate in Civil Engineering, and started his pipe fabrication business behind his house in 1973.  A Central resident since 1970, Will and his wife Dot are longtime members of Blackwater United Methodist Church.  Will and Dot have two children, Brennan and Andi, and 6 grandchildren. Will is a past Worshipful Master of the Central Masonic Lodge.  His nomination stated, "Central Lodge and the community are a better place due to the knowledge and charity of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Easley."

    The 2012 Lifetime Citizenship Award is given to those residents of our city who have "displayed a continuous dedication to the Central Community that extends over the years"  The judges have selected for this award Central Fire Department Chief Bill Porche.  Joining the Central (then Volunteer) Fire Department immediately after graduating from Central High School in 1979, Bill came aboard less than 5 years after Central citizens decided our city needed fire fighting coverage.  He participated in the fundraisers and efforts needed to acquire the equipment and trucks to protect a city that at that point didn't even have fireplugs.  Bill was hired as a full time firefighter/operator in 1988.  He was promoted to Assistant Chief in 1990.  He graduated with honors from LSU Eunice with a degree in Fire Science.  In 1996, Bill was promoted to Fire Chief. As Chief, Bill oversees 5 stations in the area that protect over 60 square miles of residences.  Bill has kept the high standards required to keep reduced insurance premiums, has overseen the development of Central's Technical Rescue Team, utilized around the parish and beyond, and has promoted many public awareness events.  During Hurricane Isaac, the Emergency Operations Center was housed at the Sullivan Road station, staying open 24 hours a day throughout the emergency.  In addition, Bill is a past Board Chairman of the Central Chamber of Commerce's predecessor CABA, has been a member of the Central Rotary Club, and he and his wife Allison are longtime members of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

    Bill and Allison have 4 children: Austin, Adam, Addison, and Andrew.  His nomination listed many honors he has received, and concluded "Porche exemplifies all the qualities necessary of the Lifetime Citizenship Award."

    Congratulations to our 2012 honorees!  They will be recognized during our next City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 22nd, and reception in their honor will be held after the meeting.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.