Hot Button Editorial Blog

The Compact

A couple years ago we did a Hot Button which raised some eyebrows.  We suggested that the Lake Charles and Lafayette areas stop thinking of themselves as discrete metro areas, and instead start thinking of themselves as a super-region, capable of competing with other super-regions both domestically and abroad.

We suggested that one goal would be to build a major passenger and cargo airport between the two cities, likely in Jeff Davis Parish, to augment the services offered by each city's present close-in airport.

Well you're going to be hearing a news story today or tomorrow that is a huge step toward Lake Charles and Lafayette walking into the future in lockstep.  Regional chambers from the two cities are meeting in Acadia Parish to sign what is being called the Acadiana-Southwest Louisiana Compact.  The Compact signals a pledge of cooperation on regional economic development initiatives and creates the Southwest Louisiana Super Region.

This kind of cooperation bodes well for Lake Charles, Lafayette, and surrounding communities.  Whether it leads to a new joint airport remains to be seen, but the important thing is that the first step is being taken and the possibilities are endless. 

Southwest Louisiana and Acadiana share cultures, economies and natural threats.  It's time we focused on what we have in common as we face the challenges of the future and our highest potential as a Super Region.

Mardi Gras

We're into primetime Mardi Gras now, even though the weather looks like it will provide a bit of a challenge.

The great thing about Southwest Louisiana is that folks here know how to have fun and mostly keep their heads straight at the same time.  But there are always a few bad apples.  Here's an e-mail I just received:

"Mr. Serra, for the last 5 Krewe of Krewes Mardi Gras parades I've had people drive through my yard and even park in my driveway to get to Ryan Street.  They leave mud tracks, trash, and last year a drunk driver got stuck and had his friends pull him out, leaving deep ruts in my lawn."

That's inexcusable, of course.  This year everyone please let's show some courtesy, especially considering the fact that folks' lawns will be wet and marshy.  If you see someone damaging someone else's property get the license number or grab a picture with your smart phone so the police can follow up and find those who are responsible.  To do nothing is to become part of the problem.

Laissez les bon temps rouller, mes amis.  Wishing each of you a happy, safe and courteous Mardi Gras!

Naptown no more

I hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl here on KPLC.  We're sorry the Saints weren't in it, but having two big east coast teams resulted in NBC's coverage being the most-watched Super Bowl in history.

Today I'm going to talk about the big winner.  No, not the Giants.  I'm talking about Indianapolis.  When I was a kid my dad used to travel to Indy on business, and sometimes he'd bring me along.  It was dull and gray and ugly.  Everybody called it "Naptown" or "Indian-no-place."  As late as 1970 native Kurt Vonnegut called it a 500-mile race followed by 364 days of miniature golf.

As you saw on TV, Indianapolis is now officially Naptown no more.  It is a vibrant, beautiful and progressive city which has caught the attention of the world.  Though one of the NFL's smallest markets, it earned rave reviews and a solid A+ for hosting football's showcase event.  Look for another Super Bowl in Indianapolis in the future.

How did this transformation happen?  Scroll down for a video in three parts.  Everyone in Southwest Louisiana should see it, particularly since we are entering what may be the greatest growth period in our history; a unique opportunity for positive changes.

Southwest Louisiana is a far better place than Indianapolis was.  But there are lessons to be learned from Naptown's emergence into America's new Super City that can help us make our own super transformation.

NAPTOWN TO SUPER CITY PART ONE:  http://www.indystar.com/VideoNetwork/1416327975001/-Naptown-to-Super-City-Pt-1

NAPTOWN TO SUPER CITY PART TWO:  http://www.indystar.com/VideoNetwork/1416330480001/-Naptown-to-Super-City-Pt-2

NAPTOWN TO SUPER CITY PART THREE:  http://www.indystar.com/VideoNetwork/1416327969001/-Naptown-to-Super-City-Pt-3

Deep planning

Even by chamber of commerce standards the annual meeting of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance offered some eye-opening reasons to be very optimistic about our region's future.

Keynote speaker Rebecca Ryan is a consultant on emerging generations.  She made the case that for our kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, we must not only build a solid economy, but a wonderful place to live. 

She pointed out that more capital investment is underway in Southwest Louisiana than in many states.

Then she presented a peer-group analysis of how we are perceived by those who will inherit our community.  It suggests we're well on the way to creating a metro area that measures positively in social capital against Lafayette and other upper gulf coast cities and towns, far better than the sometimes loudish naysayers would have us believe.

Kudos to the Alliance for using their annual banquet to showcase such forward thinking, and for their 5-star accreditation, putting them in the top 1-percent of American chambers.  We're not surprised.  Frankly, we've never seen our regional chamber assume the mantle of true inclusive leadership to the degree it has in recent years.

Incoming House Speaker Chuck Kleckley also spoke to the gathering.  Representative Kleckley has always represented Southwest Louisiana well in Baton Rouge, and brings honor and political clout to our region in his new legislative role.

Rebecca Ryan urged attendees to "plan Southwest Louisiana deep" with successive generations in mind.  She also posed the intriguing question, "If you left here, what would you miss?"

Citing the SEED center, McNeese, Sowela, an increasingly vibrant downtown & lakefront, unique culture and relatively low cost of living, she says future generations are increasingly likely to respond, "quite a bit."

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