DELTA CLUSTER UPDATE Sept 2009

Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith

DELTA CLUSTER UPDATE Sept 2009

Leaders from the Delta Cluster of Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith met with Louisiana State Senator Francis Thompson on Thursday, September 24, 2009. The Senator was reminded of the large public meeting in St. Joseph and in Tallulah, LA with Congressman Rodney Alexander and House Rep. Sam Little.

Leaders from Madison and East Carroll Parishes reported on their meeting with Congressman Rodney Alexander on Monday, August 31, 2009. The Delta Cluster is focused on three broad issues from the large public meeting in April: 1. Workforce and Economic Development, 2. Infrastructure, and 3. Transportation. Since then it has followed up with Congressm an Alexander's staff these broad issues and working on specifics locally. Congressman Alexander strongly recommended Interfaith meet with Senator Thompson based on his history of service in the area.

Senator Francis Thompson was presented with the same platform given to Congressman Alexander a few weeks ago. Bill Davis, Rev. Charles Trimble and Lloyd Erwin presented various infrastructure projects in Tallulah – which came from meeting with Tallulah Mayor Eddie Beckwith and Madison parish Police Jury President James Griffin. Melvin Williams presented various infrastructure projects for Lake Providence, LA. Sandra Everfield, another Lake Providence leader spoke about animal control. Paul West, Andy Saavedra, and Scott Cox spoke about economic and workforce development and how supporting NOVA and the Louisiana Technical College in Tallulah and Lake Providence would have synergy with the new Con Agra and V Vehicle projects coming to the region. Leaders also reported on the meeting on NOVA held in Tallulah, LA in June 2009 and how we want to work with NOVA to expand to the rural areas, particularly with employers in Madison, East Carroll, Tensas and Richland Parishes.

Senator Thompson spent several hours educating the group on how funding for various projects work, including the state LGAP funds distributed to each Parish, the competitive CDBG programs, and oth ers. The Senator outlined what he does for his District, and called Mayor Beckwith directly to discuss various City of Tallulah projects, including the Interstate lighting and Tallulah City Hall renovations.

Senator Thompson agreed to work with Interfaith and recommended that we work with and remind our local officials of funding opportunities. When it came to the issue of a meeting with Governor Jindal, the Senator agreed to help but suggested we seek out key Workforce Development staff first. The Senator agreed to help seek funding for NOVA on the Workforce Development issue. He reminded us of Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance's work and the Louisiana Delta Initiative with LSU and Southern AgCenters. Interfaith leaders thanked the Senator and agreed to follow up with him and work with our local towns and police juries to continue to push Interfaith's citizen-raised issues. Interfaith leaders will also will set up follow up meetings with area House Representatives in the near future.

Interfaith leaders from Madison, East Carroll or Tensas Parishes should bring their ideas to Lady Carlson, our organizer at Ladymae51@gmail.com and send comments to Andy Saavedra at Andyhac@aol.com.

DELTA CLUSTER UPDATE August 2009

Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith
DELTA CLUSTER UPDATE August 2009


Leaders from the Delta Cluster of Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith met with Congressman Rodney Alexander on Monday, August 31, 2009 in Monroe, Louisiana to follow up on the successful April 2009 Public Meeting in Tallulah.


The Delta Cluster has been focused on three broad issues from the large public meeting in April with Congressman Alexander: 1. Workforce and Economic Development, 2. Infrastructure, and 3. Transportation. Since then it has followed up with Congressman Alexander's staff on these broad issues and working on specifics locally. Leaders have also worked to selecting specific Town and Parish issues within this framework.


For example, Madison Parish leaders have met with Tallulah Mayor Beckwith and Madison Parish Police Jury President Griffin and gone over various infrastructure projects and the Northern Exposure trip to the State Capitol. Delta Cluster leaders have specifically asked for Congressman Alexander's assistance with repairing Kimbrough Street bordering Tallulah and Richmond, East Bear Lake Road, access roads to the new Tallulah school project, Interstate 20 lighting, streetlight off Hwy 65 by the Interstate which has been the scene of several accidents.


East Carroll Parish and Lake Providence leaders have a list of infrastructure needs for several streets and drainage needs in the town. Their leaders have also taken up the need for improved animal control.


On workforce development, Paul West of NOVA also attended the meeting and we requested the Congressman's assistance to seek funding for NOVA. Based on the interest from the presentation on NOVA in Madison Parish during the summer of 2009, Interfaith leaders are seeking to work with NOVA to possibly expand its work and approach employers in Madison, East Carroll, Tensas and Richland. Delta Cluster leaders are asking Congressman Alexander to assist us with a meeting with Gov. Jindal and state workforce development staff about funding for NOVA.


Congressman Alexander and his staff were very gracious and informed us he would support and seek funding for several of the infrastructure projects and funding for NOVA, but urged us to follow up with both our Senators and our State Senators and House members. Leaders thanks the Congressman, agreed to follow up with staff on specific bill items, and decided to seek a meeting with LA State Senator Francis Thompson next, while following up with our local police juries and city councils as well.


NOTE: The Delta Cluster of Northern and Central Interfaith is working on database to better share information on our activity. Please e-mail Andy Saavedra at andyhac@aol.com if you wish to be notified about Interfaith's work.