Baker looks ahead to Unity Project

Patt Roberson

Posted February 3rd, 2010

James LeBlance, Baker resident and developer of the Unity Project, made a presentation to the Baker City Council at its Jan. 26 meeting.
LeBlance seeks to form partnerships with city government, churches, schools, businesses and corporations to fight crime, substance abuse and truancy.
Pastor Larry Alexander of Redemption Life Church has made 30 classrooms available to the Unity Project for after-school tutoring, computer training for children and seniors, developing job skills, apprenticeships, newsletter production and motivational programs.
The next Unity Project meeting is set for Thursday, Feb. 4, at Redemption Life Church, 2400 Debra Drive, Baker. Volunteers interested in becoming part of this positive action plan are invited to attend and may reach LeBlance at 571-5640.
In other business, the council appointed Willie Williams Jr. of Longvue Drive to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Condemnation and demolition of buildings in a state of neglect were discussed by Ron Wall, city attorney. Gretna has an ordinance on “demolition by neglect” and is providing guidance. “We are seeking preventative measures, not remedial ones,” Wall said. Greta assists owners in securing funds to make necessary repairs and has not had a situation where an owner refused to make repairs.
Mayor Harold Rideau announced that Baker Heights Elementary, Bakerfield Elementary, Baker Middle and Baker High School will share more than $8,000 in revenue generated at the 2009 Buffalo Festival. Park Ridge Elementary is not eligible because it did not participate, he added.
Police Chief Mike “Snapper” Knaps announced that accidents are down and drivers are being more careful now that photo enforcement has been set up.
Proclamations were approved declaring February as African-American History Awareness Month in Baker; declaring February as American Heart Month in Baker; and declaring Sunday, Feb. 7, as Boy Scouts of America Day in Baker and celebrating its 100th anniversary.
The next meeting of the council is 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9.