Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Hosts State Rep Debate

This is an event we will be covering. If you have questions for the candidates feel free to post them here and we will deliver them to the panel.

TBIPAC and Tunica-Biloxi Tribe to Host 2007 Avoyelles Candidates for State Representatives Debate

Marksville, LA - Officials of the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Political Action Committee and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will host a debate for all qualifying candidates in the 2007 State Representatives election for Avoyelles Parish. The debate will be held on Tuesday, July 24, at 6 p.m. in the new Showroom of the Mari Convention Center at Paragon Casino Resort.

“The TBIPAC and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe are pleased to host a debate which will allow the voters of Avoyelles Parish the opportunity to hear issues openly discussed,” stated Tribal Chairman, Earl J. Barbry, Sr.
Admission to the debate is one non-perishable food item. All items collected from this event will be donated to the Central Louisiana Food Bank. “Creating awareness, let us lead and feed by example,” said David Rivas, Tribal Director of Political Affairs.

Candidates scheduled to debate are: Digger Earles, Robert Johnson, Dr. Warren Plauche and Kirby Roy. Each candidate will pull a number to determine the order of seating throughout the debate. The candidates will be given a list of 15 questions to review during a thirty-minute period before the debate begins at 6 p.m. Each candidate will answer three of the 15 questions posed by panel members.

For more information, please visit http://www.paragoncasinoresort.com/ or call 1-800-946-1946.

Louisiana College gets 2 million for new degrees

Pineville, LA. …Louisiana College has received a one-time grant for two million dollars from the State of Louisiana to begin a new Allied Health program. The new program will include degrees in the following areas:


Respiratory Therapy
Physical Therapy Assistant
Medical Licensed Technician
Radiologic Technology

Students will be able to obtain an Associates’ or Bachelors’ degree in all of these areas. Individuals, after completing two years of coursework and completing other requirements for an Associate degree will be able to enter the workforce and help fill the critical need for healthcare professionals in central Louisiana and throughout the state.

Healthcare is either the largest or second largest economic driver of the state’s economy. One half of the 30 fastest growing occupations in the entire labor market today are in Allied Health.

This funding initiative given by the State of Louisiana in partnership with the Louisiana Rural Healthcare Association will be administered by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Louisiana College is filling a great need in the state, especially the rural areas of the state where healthcare professionals are desperately needed. The college will build upon a solid foundation of academic excellence in nursing and pre-med programs. For decades, the college has produced outstanding nurses and candidates for medical school who have gone on to serve their communities. With this one-time grant from the state of Louisiana, Louisiana College will be able to develop a new academic program that will continue to grow and educate students from across the state.

The new Allied Health program will begin this August with the fall semester. Students interested in these areas should contact the Louisiana College Office of Admissions for additional information (318) 487- 7259. Individuals who apply to enter the Allied Health program this fall will be eligible for additional scholarships specifically for students in the Allied Health program.

Happy Fourth of July - The Legislature's Party.

Here is a brief excerpt from the John Maginnis polical newsletter we subscribe to.

The entire column will be printed July Fourth. Interesting...is everyone celebrating?

Legislators End Fantasy Session
"At the big party following the Legislature's adjournment, lawmakers danced--with their wives mostly--to the rock'n'roll renditions of the Harmon Drew Super Group (led by the appellate judge) in a newly restored historic hotel downtown. Beyond the giant ballroom windows the mighty Mississippi rolled by in the moonlight, as did an endless stream of railroad tankcars transporting propylene and hydrochloric acid. A dreamy Louisiana night.
The previous 60 days had been a dream of sorts for legislators, and just in time for the term-limited many who had waited their careers for a fantasy session like this. Faced with excess billions and the option to spend it or give it back in tax relief, they did both, though much of the latter will be delayed a year or could end up being a mirage.
They also had it both ways on the big ethics issue of financial disclosure for legislators, which nearly everyone voted for but which died when both houses disagreed over how tough to make it. Surely they didn't plan it that way, did they?"