Mayor-President Melvin L. "Kip" Holden
2009 State of the City

There is a parable about a general who was leading his army into battle against an army ten times the size of his own. Along the way to the battlefield, the troops stopped by a small temple to pray for victory…..and the general held up a coin and told his troops, “I am asking the gods to help us crush our enemy.”

“If this coin lands heads up, we will win. If it’s tails, we will be defeated. Our fate is in the hands of the gods.”

So after a short prayer, the general tossed the coin….and it landed with heads on top. The troops rejoiced and went into battle with their spirits high. And just as predicted, the smaller army won the battle. The soldiers celebrated and said, “It’s good to have the gods on our side! No one can change what they have determined.” And the general said, “Really?” And he showed them the coin........both sides of it were heads.

The moral to the story is....you have a much better chance at success….if you believe in your heart you will succeed.

At a time when our nation’s unemployment is at a record high….consumer confidence at an all time low….and every developed country in the world dealing with this global financial crisis…..

Our economy here in Baton Rouge is receiving national recognition for progress and prosperity...and we are fortunate that I can stand before you today and assure you....that the economy of East Baton Rouge Parish is strong.

Do you know how rare that is in today’s economy?

Let me run down a short list of indicators that signal something special is happening in Baton Rouge....

Business Week Magazine calls Baton Rouge one of the ten best cities to ride out the recession....

Money Magazine calls us one of the ten hottest real estate markets in the country.

A national department store chain announced its December sales in Baton Rouge were the highest among its stores in 29 states.

And Housing Predictor – an independent real estate market forecaster – called Baton Rouge one of the ten hottest markets for 2009.

Their top ten list represents areas of the country where there is, and I quote: “Stronger employment... prospects of growth...and promises of prosperity.”

New companies are investing in Baton Rouge and existing companies are growing...Exxon....Coca-Cola...and the Shaw Group have expanded their operations in Baton Rouge...and Albemarle will open a new 15 million dollar unit next week that further expands their global capabilities.

The economic impact of the entertainment industry in the Baton Rouge region has exceeded $100 million dollars since 2007....with more than 40 projects shot or posted in Baton Rouge during 2008.

And we’re already off to a great start this year with a French -- U.S. co-production currently shooting in Baton Rouge through March....and more movies on their way in the coming months.

Just last week, the City-Parish sold $110 million in Triple-A rated bonds to finance Green Light Plan projects....20-year bonds at 5 percent interest.

Our finance team tells us they don’t know of another city in America that could have secured these rates.

This shows the tremendous confidence in East Baton Rouge by the national finance markets.

But more importantly....it means we have locked in a very low interest rate which will save the taxpayers’ money....and allow our tax dollars to go much further in building the street and road improvements that are getting traffic moving.

While it took 5 to 6 years to get a project built under earlier methods...our Green Light Plan has us driving on two completed projects now....with five more to be finished this year...and ten more scheduled to reach construction in 2009...all in three years from start to finish.

Simply put....we’re widening roads...adding turn lanes...opening up intersections...and synchronizing traffic signals...

You see the construction all around the parish....and as they are completed...they’re making a difference.

Next week, with four and a half million dollars in state funding, we will begin the critical environmental phase of the Baton Rouge Loop project.

This is a federally mandated process that is required of a major project....as we fine tune our plan and determine the precise route the Loop will take.

Economists and urban planners predict the Gulf Coast Region will become one of our nation’s greatest mega-regions...with Baton Rouge ideally suited to benefit.

But until we think regionally....like the five Parish Presidents who have come together to build a Loop....and like our Baton Rouge Area Chamber...who understands that job creation and recruitment means we have to work beyond parish lines....we will remain a trail of disconnected cities...working against each other...instead of coming together for the greater good of our Capital Region.

With the Green Light Plan...the Baton Rouge Loop... and the widening of Interstates 10 and 12...we can solve the gridlock that holds us back and keeps you in traffic for too long.

Hand in hand, these transportation initiatives can help our Capital City and region thrive...and improve quality of life for all of us.

And now, if you’ll pardon me for a few minutes...I’m going to get down in the sewer.....because this year, there’s going to be a lot of work going on down there.

In 2009, we will put over $400 million dollars in sewer projects into design or construction toward a complete rehabilitation of our sanitary sewer program.

Our finance team has reviewed the model developed for this program and reports that the City-Parish can fund this entire $1.2 billion dollar program with existing revenue streams...and deliver it on-time to satisfy the consent decree our parish is under.

Not only do projects like this solve existing problems...and prepare us for future growth...but they also fuel our local economy.

The trickle down effect of jobs...and supplies....that result from these infrastructure improvements...are keeping our local economy strong.

Public safety continues to be a top priority...and technology enhancements have allowed us to provide our first responders the tools they need to build first class departments.

For the first time in the history of our parish, all first responder agencies under this administration have received the highest possible ratings according to their national standards.

Baton Rouge Police...Baton Rouge Fire Department... EMS...and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness...have all received top national ratings...and we can find no other city in America that can make this claim.

There will be those who say… “We’re worried about crime in our city.”

As long as one murder is committed in East Baton Rouge Parish….we are worried about crime.

As long as one person is robbed of their possessions by another….we are worried about crime.

As long as one person sells drugs to a child….we are worried about crime.

But the story of Baton Rouge we must tell to those who look to invest here....and stay here....is this:

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report released just yesterday....major crime in Baton Rouge has dropped 10 percent....

We have the lowest crime rate in a decade.... despite a significant increase in population.

And despite the fact that our city was without power for three weeks following Hurricane Gustav...

But it didn’t just happen....

We’ve added 75 new police officers to the Baton Rouge Police – the first increase in the department in over 30 years.

We created a Club Violence Task Force that has resulted in over one thousand arrests and summons issued...while seizing illegal guns and drugs in its first year.

Our Targeted Violent Offender Program works with the D.A.’s office to identify and focus on prosecuting our most violent repeat offenders....

Because how often have you seen someone arrested who has a rap sheet a mile long?

We now use detailed crime analysis to detect patterns and direct police patrols in the most efficient manner.

We have a bait car whose success has attracted the attention of police throughout the country...including the Los Angeles Police Department.

A bait car is wired with video and remotely monitored so it can be deployed to areas with high incidents of vehicle burglaries. So far...over 50 arrests.

We’ve expanded our bicycle patrol and mounted patrol to put officers closer to the action at community events....to keep you safer.

We have shot spotters in trouble areas around the city to help pinpoint where shots are fired.

I was honored to receive the International Union of Police Association’s top national service award given every other year to an elected official – usually a state official – who focuses on public safety.

What they were really recognizing is the progress and professionalism of our Baton Rouge Police...who have conducted hundreds of crime prevention workshops in schools...churches...and neighborhood meetings....and graduated five Citizen Academy Classes...where everyday people have the opportunity to learn about the department and take information back to their neighbors.

But we’re not just making arrests...we are working with at-risk youth through our educational outreach and projects like the Carville Job Corps Academy to provide job training...mentoring programs...and part-time jobs that partner students with experienced employees in our Department of Public Works.

They learn job skills and life skills that will provide options to them for the future....and make sure they don’t become just another statistic.

This fall, we’ll expand the program to offer internships to select high school juniors and seniors.

When we tell people about Baton Rouge....this is the message we must tell them: Crime in our city is at a ten-year low...but we’re working hard to bring it down even more because we want every single person to be safe.

Those who seek to sensationalize crime hurt the positive momentum that is fueling our local economy in the midst of a national economic disaster.

They destroy public confidence in our community...and harm our city’s good image.

Each and every one of you has a personal role to play in keeping our city and parish strong as we sail forward into the uncertainty of the national economy.

But there is a spirit in Baton Rouge that can keep our city strong...

Early indications show strong sales tax receipts in December for local retailers...
Next week, we will report December sales tax receipts were up by ten percent.

Up ten percent....while the rest of the country is reeling.

Overall, our sales tax receipts for 2008 were up 4 percent compared to the previous year.

And compared to national reports....we are again beating all odds.

We’re supporting our local automobile dealers...and real estate companies...helping to connect buyers with available credit to keep local companies going.

We ended 2008 with a disappointing narrow defeat of a comprehensive bond issue we offered to the voters to address problems that have been neglected for decades....and create new jobs for our future.

Since then, every where I go... I hear the same message: please bring it back for another try.

People understand that we can’t build the city we all want for our children and grandchildren if we don’t solve the neglect of the past.

And one of the best things to emerge from last year’s bond issue...is a very determined group of young people who are organizing themselves to help build a better future for Baton Rouge.

This next generation values quality of life...and has a great awareness of their responsibility to give back to our community.

When the bond issue didn’t pass in November...they came forward to say, “We want to do our part to build a great community...so we can stay here...find jobs we enjoy...raise families with a greater quality of life.”

They’ve said to me, “We want to keep pushing forward to build the Baton Rouge we want for the future.”

Our administration is working now to take advantage of additional funding sources which may be available to us through the President’s economic stimulus package...
I’ve just returned from Washington, D.C. where I met with key administration officials to keep Baton Rouge at the forefront of plans to fund infrastructure projects that are ready to start construction.

I know in my heart...the problems that have been neglected for fifty years cannot be neglected any longer if we truly want to become America’s next great city.

I know in my heart...cities that do not invest in projects that create jobs will never be the place where this younger generation chooses to live and work.

We must educate every voter in this parish as to what the consequences will be of doing nothing.

And today, I am pleased to formally announce that we will bring the capital improvements program we put together last year....back before the voters this fall.

It was important enough for me to stake my political future on by offering it at the same time I was seeking re-election...

And it’s important enough to the future of our city-parish for me to continue working every day until we pass it for your children...and my children...and every one of us in this room who call this great city home.

This time, we won’t have the excitement or the controversy – depending on your perspective -- of other elections to divert attention....
And I assure you I will campaign tirelessly to help persuade each and every voter that East Baton Rouge Parish needs these projects to sustain our economy...and build for the future.

And the best news of all is that I will have a group of energized...intelligent...creative young leaders joining forces with me to spread the word.

This afternoon we begin the first of 12 public meetings I will conduct parish-wide as part of a “Listening Tour”....to hear citizens’ priorities for the future.

Along with the top officials of our administration, we will meet in churches...libraries...and community centers to listen to ideas on how we can build a great future for East Baton Rouge Parish.
Exciting things are taking place in our city....

We’re offering more and more arts and cultural events to provide greater entertainment options and the quality of life we all want...

From Rockin’ Doopsie to Rodin...and from Earnest Gaines to Bobby “Blue” Bland...

Just look around...all of a sudden, we’ve got something for everyone.

With the Rodin Exhibit....the LSU Museum of Art is hosting the largest exhibition of French sculpture to come to the Baton Rouge area...bringing thousands more visitors to Downtown....and you don’t have to be a “Thinker” to know that means more business for our restaurants, hotels and shops.

We can keep our city and parish strong and exciting....if we only imagine flipping a coin that always come up heads for us...and believe in our hearts...that we will be successful.

Today, we are called upon to understand our differences economically as compared to other cities across America.

We are called upon to Thank God for our status in this world.

We are called upon to examine ourselves and the role we choose to play.

We are called upon to challenge ourselves and others to do more.

We are called upon to say our new vision....our new challenge....our new heritage....will not be bogged down by those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

We will not settle for mediocrity....for if we do....we are destined for failure.

We can’t rest on our lofty perches....bolstered by our economic standings in the nation.

Today, we are called upon to send a message to the world....Baton Rouge is ready to take its rightful place in this world.

There will be no retrenchment...We know what lies ahead and we are up to the task to continue to make our city and parish better for ourselves and generations to come.

I need you...and we need each other.

Thank you and God Bless.