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Recent editorials from Louisiana newspapers:
Aug. 29
The Town Talk, Alexandria, La., on hurricane preparedness five years after Katrina:
With the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's assault on Louisiana, much of the news will be about whether the nation is better prepared for such events.
Don't expect a clear consensus on that. The question is too big, too complex and too politically loaded.
To get a sense of where things stand, you have to look locally.
Today, Central Louisiana is better prepared to cope with the fallout of such a storm.
In terms of facilities and planning, Central Louisiana has learned much from Katrina (and, three weeks later, Hurricane Rita).
The region also has benefited from a newly shared appreciation of the strategic role that the Alexandria-Pineville area must play in any preparedness plan that requires moving tens of thousands of people away from the Gulf Coast.
By virtue of the metro area's location in the center of the state, this is logical. By virtue of its people and their capabilities, it's also smart.
Being smart is what disaster preparedness this is about, and that begs a question for each of us: How smart have we been in the past five years?
You don't have to look hard for the answer.
It's right there at home in the form of our own plans for dealing with danger.
This is where all disaster planning starts - at least it should.
No one should have a plan that begins and ends with "the government" coming to the rescue.
Even if public response programs work seamlessly, they cannot move faster or more effectively than individuals who have a plan and know how to work it.
All Louisianans know why they should maintain an emergency supply kit with water, food, medicine, important documents and so on.
Mother Nature forced us to learn, but then left it up to us whether to do so.
Smart Louisianans do that and more.
They stay informed about evacuation routes, emergency communications, the locations and requirements of public shelters, how to help someone who is disabled, how to protect animals and the rest.
Smart Louisianans are ready today for whatever tomorrow may bring.
Right?
Online:
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Aug. 30
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., on state reaching organ donor milestone:
If you're looking for a little good news among the headlines about war, the recession and political disharmony, you're in luck:
Recent editorials from Louisiana newspapers:
Aug. 29
The Town Talk, Alexandria, La., on hurricane preparedness five years after Katrina:
With the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's assault on Louisiana, much of the news will be about whether the nation is better prepared for such events.
Don't expect a clear consensus on that. The question is too big, too complex and too politically loaded.
To get a sense of where things stand, you have to look locally.
Today, Central Louisiana is better prepared to cope with the fallout of such a storm.
In terms of facilities and planning, Central Louisiana has learned much from Katrina (and, three weeks later, Hurricane Rita).
The region also has benefited from a newly shared appreciation of the strategic role that the Alexandria-Pineville area must play in any preparedness plan that requires moving tens of thousands of people away from the Gulf Coast.
By virtue of the metro area's location in the center of the state, this is logical. By virtue of its people and their capabilities, it's also smart.
Being smart is what disaster preparedness this is about, and that begs a question for each of us: How smart have we been in the past five years?
You don't have to look hard for the answer.
It's right there at home in the form of our own plans for dealing with danger.
This is where all disaster planning starts - at least it should.
No one should have a plan that begins and ends with "the government" coming to the rescue.
Even if public response programs work seamlessly, they cannot move faster or more effectively than individuals who have a plan and know how to work it.
All Louisianans know why they should maintain an emergency supply kit with water, food, medicine, important documents and so on.
Mother Nature forced us to learn, but then left it up to us whether to do so.
Smart Louisianans do that and more.
They stay informed about evacuation routes, emergency communications, the locations and requirements of public shelters, how to help someone who is disabled, how to protect animals and the rest.
Smart Louisianans are ready today for whatever tomorrow may bring.
Right?
Online:
___
Aug. 30
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., on state reaching organ donor milestone:
If you're looking for a little good news among the headlines about war, the recession and political disharmony, you're in luck:
Hospital officials in Louisiana have reached their goal of increasing the state's registry of potential organ donors by 250,000 people.
The Donate Life Louisiana Registry allows Louisiana residents to give consent for organ and tissue donation for the purpose of transplantation, eliminating the need for family members to make this decision for their loved ones at their time of death.
A special campaign among Louisiana hospitals to expand the registry by 250,000 people recently met its goal. More than 65 hospitals are participating in the DLL Hospital Campaign.
The campaign was a collaboration between the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency and the Louisiana Hospital Association.
More than 1.8 million Louisiana residents have registered as organ donors. By joining the registry, a person gives legal consent for the use of organs, tissues and eyes for transplantation or research at the time of death.
To sign up for the DLL Registry, visit http://www.DonateLifeLa.org.
Becoming a donor can help save a life - and give some very good news to people who desperately need it.
Online:
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Aug. 27
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, on reducing state government vehicle fleet:
When Gov. Bobby Jindal took office, the state's fleet of vehicles ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
That was absurd for such a small state, and the administration wisely set about cutting back on cars. The goal of a 10 percent reduction has been elusive, but the state is making progress.
Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater announced recently that the state has trimmed 1,001 vehicles from the fleet, which totaled 12,740 when the effort began in 2009. The current count is the smallest since 2004.
The effort to make state government more efficient "is making steady progress and is already producing significant taxpayer savings," Rainwater said. The state will continue to push to reduce the fleet and downsize government in other ways, he said. That is essential.
Cabinet departments have met the 10 percent goal, but the administration doesn't have the authority to order cuts in agencies outside its direct control. Other statewide elected officials have to initiate their own cuts, and those who haven't need to do so.
Taxpayers should only have to pay for vehicles for state employees who absolutely need them to carry out their duties. And with the state struggling to balance its budget, doing away with unnecessary expenses is more important than ever.
Online:
