The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 1

Hilary Duff Fans of actresssinger turn out for concert 2B Trasier' signs off NBC's hit sitcom will not return next season LIVING, 3D AP shreveporttimes.com SHREVEPORT BOSSIER CITY ARK-LA-TEX TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2004 (Iff She Clitiw GUBERNATORIAL INAUGURATION aoipbell to be sworn in Thu rsday By Don Walker donwalkergannett.com The Shreveport City Council will vote today to officially confirm interim Police Chief Mike Campbell's position as head of the department Campbell, formerly commander of the Shreveport Regional Police Academy, has What's next Interim Shreveport Police Chief Mike Campbell will be officially confirmed to lead the department during the City Council's regular meeting today at 3 p.m., Council Chambers of Government Plaza, 505 Travis St. At 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Campbell will be sworn in as chief during a ceremony at the Shreveport Police Facility, 1234 Texas Avenue. been serving as interim chief since June. He has been Mayor Keith Highto-wer's choice to get the job permanently since the i Campbell "No one else is better positioned to take over than Mike Campbell," Hightower said.

"I look forward to working with him as chief." During Monday's City Council work session, Councilman Monty Walford said he will move during today's regular meeting to confirm Campbell's appointment The mayor has sole authority to appoint department heads; however, those appointments are confirmed by the City Council. "I'm very pleased with Mike Campbell," Walford said. Although some council members were absent during Monday's work session, Campbell's confirmation is expected to come with a unanimous vote from the council today. "I'm in full support of Mike Campbell and his efforts to improve our Police Department" Council Chairman Thomas Carmody said. Campbell is a 29-year veteran law enforcement officer.

He recently tied for highest score 86 in the required chiefs test administered by the state Civil Service Board. Campbell was among 11 department officers who took retirement of former Chief Jim Roberts this past summer. "He's the right guy for the job," Hightower said Monday. While Campbell said Monday that he's pleased about die confirmation, today won't be any different than the days preceding. "I think it's just going to be a continuation of what we've been trying to accomplish the last seven months," Campbell said.

Campbell said he plans next to focus on the department's patrol division, which he said accounts for 99 percent of police-citizen contacts. He also wants to hire officers to fill vacancies and address residents' concerns about police presence in Shreveport neighborhoods. He also will put his Bossier City home up for sale "as soon as possible" so he can move to Shreveport He noted that his wife already is house-hunting. Earlier in the day, the mayor announced a swearing-in ceremony in which Campbell will officially take the reins as chief at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Shreveport Police Facility Jessica Leigh The Times Kathleen Blanco arrives on the steps of the state Capitol in Baton Rouge minutes before being sworn in as the state's first woman governor during inauguration ceremonies Monday.

Blanco promised a "new climate" for Louisiana. Gov. Kathleen Blanco calls on state's 'greatness' inside the test. at Texas and Murphy streets. Local attorney files to stop prosecution of poor defendants South Highlands Choir performs Analysis Inauguration day events New Legislature seated List of Northwest La.

delegation plans, but did pledge to "continue to fund the pre-K programs that are having such a profound impact on our young people" and to "expand on the tremendous progress we have made in higher education." She also spoke specifically of health care, calling it her top priority. The new governor talked mostly, though, about building new jobs and making Louisiana a leader in the South. See PLAN 4A Blanco, who was joined on the inauguration platform by her husband, Raymond Blanco, their children and grandchildren, and Blanco's mother, Lucille Fermin Babineaux. "When I first announced that I would run for this office, I said I wanted to be remembered as the: governor who brought our children back home as the governor who created a new climate, a new energy, and a new sense of pride and self-confidence," Blanco told an enthusiastic crowd estimated by state police to be 5,000. "As I assume my duties today, I want to say it again: I want my administration to fulfill the hopes and dreams of all our people.

Together, we will create the economic and educational opportunities that our citizens must have to build successful lives and careers. Ladies and gentlemen, Louisiana is ready to do business." Blanco, a Democrat who won the office with 52 percent of the vote over Republican Bobby Jindal in November, offered few specifics on her immediate By Louis Rom lromtheadvertiser.com and John Hill Gannett Capital Bureau BATON ROUGE The skies were so clear here Monday those attending the inauguration of Louisiana's first woman governor could almost see into the future as Gov. Kathleen Blanco promised "a new climate, a new energy, and a new sense of pride" for the state. Today, we embark on a journey to re-establish the greatness of Louisiana and to celebrate its people," said control the defense?" Defendants named in the suit are Jeff Weiss, Mary Brown, Mark Milam, Jerry Jones, Angela Walker 1 111 Blanco 'opens doors' for women 0 Legal challenge is second this week for Henry Walker. By Kym Klass kklassgannett.com A local attorney Monday asked that a judge stop prosecution of indigent defendants served by the Indigent Defender Board in Caddo Parish until the Louisiana Legislature can fix what he sees as a problem.

Henry Walker's attorney, Pamela Jones, filed a legal challenge on Walker's behalf against six members of the Indigent Defender Board, an appointed seven-member board that oversees the Caddo Parish Indigent Defender's Office. "If the judges have the power to appoint the members of the Indigent Defender Board, then they have the power to control it," Jones said. "The judges don't control the prosecution, then how can they Waltman and Helen Godfrey, who were appointed by judges to the board Wednesday. The challenge filed Monday states that judges had no statutory authorization to appoint any board member who had not first been nominated by the Shreveport Bar Association. The only board member nominated by the bar association and thus not named in the suit was Reginald Abrams who had also served on the 2002 board.

"He was properly nominated by the Shreveport Bar Association," Jones said. "He is the only appointment that might actually be legitimate. See BOARD 2A step for young women across the state and the nation," Fontenot said. "As the first female governor in Louisiana, it sets the precedent for females. Yes, we're females, but we will have a voice in state, local and national government," Blanco's mark on Louisiana's political history has even had an effect on teenage girls who attended the inauguration ceremonies.

"I think it shows how far women have said See WOMEN 5A "It's nice to see this day because she really wanted to do the job," Begnaud said. "I think this makes it possible for any woman to be involved, to be a part of history." Marcelle Fontenot of Opelousas said Blanco's accomplishment will serve as a benchmark for future opportunities for women in Louisiana. During interviews after the inauguration, Blanco said she expects women to. play a more definitive role in shaping Louisiana's future. "This is a very positive By Robbie Evans revansthenewsstar.com BATON ROUGE -Nineteen-year-old Dominique Begnaud believes there's a new hope for young women in Louisiana.

The young Cecilia resident smiled Monday as she stood near the steps of the state Capitol to watch Kathleen Blanco become the first female governor of Louisiana. In Begnaud's mind, Monday's ceremony marked the opening of new doors of opportunity for Louisiana women. Jessica Leigh The Times Brandy Pearce of Frierson applauds as Gov. Kathleen Blanco gives her inaugural address at the Capitol in Baton Rouge on Monday. Pearce traveled to Baton Rouge for the inauguration with her husband, Shreveport firefighter John Jay Pearce, and their son, John Kyle Pearce.

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