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.