[StBernard] Louisiana Speaks July E-letter

[Westley Annis]

Louisiana Speaks News, Actions & Updates for July 2008

Louisiana Recovery Authority names Planning Director 
The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) tapped Eric Shaw to serve as its new
planning director, a position he officially assumed on July 14th.  The LRA
planning director selection process utilized the expertise of individuals
and planners from various agencies and organizations around the state.  

As the planning director, Shaw will serve as the interim executive director
of the Office of State Planning and oversee the integration of Louisiana
Speaks Plan priorities into the LRA's ongoing efforts. Shaw received a
Master's degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University's Graduate School
of Design. He previously served as Program Officer for the Silicon Valley
Foundation, where he was involved in crafting grant-making guidelines in the
areas of regional planning and community participation.
 
Legislation backs Louisiana Speaks priorities
A number of bills passed during the last legislative session and recently
signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal support Louisiana Speaks priorities
and initiatives. For instance, legislation was passed that provides more
funding for hurricane protection and coastal restoration - a clear step
toward the "Recover Sustainably" priority goal outlined in the Louisiana
Speaks Regional Plan. For a complete list of the new legislation that
supports Louisiana Speaks priorities, click here
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/static.html?id=731> . 

La. Speaks Champion Elemore Morgan Jr. honored
Renowned Louisiana artist and Louisiana Speaks Champion Elemore Morgan Jr.
has been honored around the state since he passed away on May 18 following
heart surgery.  Most recently, the Community Foundation of Acadiana
announced that they have named a fund in his honor: The Elemore Morgan, Jr.
Visual Arts Endowment, which is now accepting donations. To find out more
about the fund or how to donate, visit the Community Foundation of
Acadiana's Web site
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/redir.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfacadiana.o
rg%2F> .  

The son of an accomplished photographer, Elemore Morgan Jr. was born in
Baton Rouge in 1931 and went on to become one of the most respected artists
in the South, known primarily for his paintings of Southwest Louisiana
landscapes. To read more about Morgan and his works, click here
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/redir.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ogdenmuseum.
org%2Fexhibitions%2Felemore_dedication.html>  . 

First Holy Cross Green Home Completed in New Orleans 
Global Green USA and The Home Depot Foundation recently announced the
completion of the first green home built in the Lower Ninth Ward's Holy
Cross neighborhood. To find out more about this important green project,
visit the Global Green Web site
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/redir.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fd.globalgreen.or
g%2Fpress%2F5> . 

LA DOTD to hold Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Public Meetings
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has undertaken a
policy planning effort to update their Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan in
response to increased interest in walkable and bikeable facilities.  The
primary purpose of this effort is to recommend changes that address the
needs of all users and to make it safer to walk and to bike in Louisiana.
The public is invited to attend one of the three initial public meetings:

*	New Orleans - The Casino Building at City Park
	Tuesday July 22, 2008 from 6 to 7:30 PM
*	Shreveport - Broadmoor Branch Library at 1212 Captain Shreve Drive 
	Wednesday, July 23, 2008 from 5 to 6:30 PM
*	Baton Rouge -  Bluebonnet Branch Library at 9200 Bluebonnet
Boulevard
	Thursday, July 24, 2008 from 6 to 7:30 PM

For more information, click here
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/redir.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dotd.louisia
na.gov%2Fplanning%2Fhighway_safety%2Fbike_ped%2Fmasterplan.asp%20>  or
contact Ellen Soll at 504-486-5901, esoll at bkiusa.com. 

News & Notes

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  Sign up now for Smart Growth Summit!  "Livable
Louisiana:  A Summit on Smart Growth," is scheduled for August 14-15 in the
Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge. The Summit
will feature two days of nationally recognized experts presenting on topics
such as green building, the relationship between public health and planning,
innovative transportation solutions, and how to build safer, more
pedestrian-friendly communities. There will be an update on the Louisiana
Speaks Regional Plan priorities on the first day of the conference.  The
Summit is presented by the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) and it is
free and open to the public. However, seating is limited and registration is
required.  Participants can register by emailing summit at c-pex.org, or
calling CPEX at 225-267-6300. Click here for more information
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/redir.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.planningexce
llence.org%2Fcontent%2Fview%2F115%2F> , including a detailed conference
agenda and list of speakers.