KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |"Louisiana Speaks" gives Calcasieu Residents a Voice

"Louisiana Speaks" gives Calcasieu Residents a Voice

January 21, 2006
Reported by Jordan Sandler

Governor Kathleen Blanco declared Saturday, January 21st, Louisiana planning day.

A public forum named, "Louisiana Speaks" was held in thirty communities across the state, in addition to a few others held in out-of-state locations such as Austin, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. 

The event gave Louisianians an opportunity to contribute their thoughts to the hurricane recovery process.  Citizens were able to offer ideas in areas ranging from the economy to education to environmental issues.

The Calcasieu Parish forum was held at the Lake Charles Civic Center, with over a hundred residents participating.

Lake Charles resident Ethel Johnson, who was not able to attend the December planning meetings for Calcasieu Parish, found a comfortable setting to share ideas in Saturday's forum.

"It was a non-threatening environment, and there was no time limit on how long you could speak," said Johnson.  "You had an opportunity to (post comments) there.  It's anonymous, so some things you may not want to say in an open forum, you have an opportunity to do that."

The ideas collected from the forum will be reviewed by the Parish, before being submitted to the state government.