[StBernard] Tomorrow: Governor Blanco to 'Weigh In' on Louisiana Speaks Planning Process

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco to 'Weigh In' on Louisiana Speaks Planning Process

Local community leaders, LSU and Southern University coaches encourage South Louisiana to Speak Up


BATON ROUGE, La. - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, joined by LSU and Southern University coaches and members of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, will complete and cast her Louisiana Speaks ballot tomorrow (Tuesday), January 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Carver Branch Library, 720 Terrace Street in Baton Rouge.

Blanco will help launch a three-week public outreach campaign to engage citizens on issues such as community growth, transportation, coastal protection and economic development. The responses generated from this unprecedented, privately-funded outreach campaign will serve as the foundation for the Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision.

Spanning parishes from the Texas to Mississippi border (including the Houma/ Thibodaux, New Orleans, North Shore, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles metro areas), the Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision will provide the framework for local and parish plans to thrive in and serve as a guide for South Louisiana's long term recovery and future growth over the next 50 years. Other Louisiana Speaks events are scheduled throughout South Louisiana from now through the end of the polling period.

Scheduled to attend and cast their ballots Tuesday are:

*	Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
*	Donna Fraiche, LRA board member
*	Linda Johnson, LRA board member
*	Sean Reilly, LRA board member
*	Andy Kopplin, Executive Director of the LRA
*	LSU coaches, including: John Brady (men's basketball), D-D Breaux (gymnastics), Pokey Chatman (women's basketball), Yvette Girouard (softball) and Paul Mainieri (baseball)
*	Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and several SU coaches

Blanco will also use the event to draw attention to two major outreach activities taking place Wednesday. The public will have access to Louisiana Speaks survey in their daily newspapers. and can tune in to an hour-long program scheduled for broadcast statewide on Louisiana Public Broadcasting Wednesday evening. They also can weigh in by visiting the Louisiana Speaks website at www.louisianaspeaks.org <http://keelson.eatel.net/websites/la.gov/action.cfm?md=communication&task=addClick&msg_ID=3180&ID=dSjskmm%21l%21m%40&redirect=http://www.louisianaspeaks.org>  or by calling 1 (888) PLAN 2050, toll free. 

Louisiana Speaks is a multifaceted planning process, endorsed by the Louisiana Recovery Authority, to develop a sustainable, long-term vision for South Louisiana in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For more information, visit the Louisiana Speaks website at www.louisianaspeaks.org

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