OVERPASS, DRUG ENFORCEMENT, NIGHTCLUBS AND STORES AMONG IDEAS FROM RESIDENTS

Ideas from local residents for future improvement of the Alexandria area
are plentiful.

Most of the ideas from those responding to a Town Talk inquiry pertain to
traffic, especially regarding the South Traffic Circle, plus law
enforcement and economic development.

Like many of her peers, South Traffic Circle concerns were first and
foremost on the mind of Hope Horne of Alexandria.

Horne would like to see the Circle go the way of the Jackson
Street-MacArthur Drive intersection, a ground-level traffic hazard-turned
overpass area, she said.

"I see so many people come from out of town and ignore the yield signs,"
Horne said. "They end up running these signs and causing accidents. It's
like the whole thing is designed for accidents."

Horne also had traffic con-erns of another kind: the Interstate 49 traffic
that runs through Alexandria. She encouraged the efforts being made by the
city to beautify the stretch.

"They need to do something, because when travelers come through here, they
see it looking all slummy," Horne said. "They need to put more billboards
letting people know what we have to offer. It would help the economy."

James Jenkins, 64, of Pineville, said that Alexandria's problems run more
than just street-deep. He praised the city's government but had concerns in
other areas.

"I think the police department could do some improving," Jenkins said.
"They've had a lot of controversy the last two years, and that's not a good
image for the city.

"... And the School Board could be improved. They could get rid of all of
them. They don't seem to have the best interests of the kids at heart."

Felicia Page of Alexandria said future changes should involve more emphasis
by local law enforcement in the war on drugs.

She added that increased education also would help curb the drug problem.

"There's too much of (drugs) and too little control of it," Page said. "You
have too many police looking the other way when it comes to this problem.
If the truth hurts, oh well.

"... If the kids aren't educated, they don't understand that they're doing
wrong."

She also questioned whether City Hall has shown bias when it comes to
appropriation of funds.

"They need to fix these streets, instead of spending all of the money on
places I won't ever be able to go, like golf courses," Page said. "In the
poor neighborhoods, they make these half-built (recreation) centers, but
it's not bringing any money to our neighborhoods."

Adam Salam, 18, of Alexandria, also said more needs to be done regarding
the drug problem.

He said the city is lacking in entertainment and that the Chamber of
Commerce should do more to entice businesses such as nightclubs.

"They need to crack down on drugs," Salam said. "I know a lot of people who
end up using drugs because they can't get a job. If they attract more
business here, that would help, too."

Houston Ray Burns, 30, of Simpson, agreed with Salam. Burns said he visits
Alexandria enough to see a need for more entertainment.

"There needs to be a batting cage, like the one they used to have by Chuck
E. Cheese," Burns said. "It would help the economy, because 'older' kids
like me would stay going there."

But Burns said it's not all about fun and games.

"I would also like to see some more Christian book stores."

Ben Evans, 74, of Alexandria, said something should be done about what he
considers harassing telephone calls from telemarketers and other unexpected
sources.

Evans said he once accepted a collect call near midnight from an Angola
State Penitentiary prisoner. Since then, he said, there have been four more
calls, most coming late at night.

"(The prisoner) asked me to read him Bible verses, and he wanted me to come
and visit him," Evans said. "I don't even own a Bible.

"I guess he wanted me to bring him some money. I've been hanging up on him
ever since.... Shouldn't these people be locked up in their cells somewhere
at 11 o' clock?"

Evans said he'd heard of the new program that aids in helping telephone
customers avoid unwanted telemarketing calls. He wants such a system to be
used regarding other calls.

Meranda Boeta, 18, of Boyce, expressed concern about the South Traffic
Circle, which she travels daily. However, she said, she was not certain
changes could be made without harshly affecting drivers, businesses and the
environment.

"If they tried getting rid of it, or putting up an overpass, just think how
much confusion there would be," Boeta said. "It would cause people to just
stay away from it. That would hurt business. I guess everybody should be
used to it now.

"... And just think about the little creatures living in those woods."

Lee Ponton, 63, of Rapides Station, said the South Traffic Circle's
accident potential is so great that inaction is not an option.

"The circle should be removed. That's progress," Ponton said. "I've lived
here all my life, and I say they should get on with it. We can't live in
the past. It should be made into an overpass, or something."

Glenmora resident Joe Melder, 72, has taken his South Traffic Circle
concerns to the next level. He recently presented a model of what he
believes should be done with the area to Pineville's city engineer, Tom
David, who is involved in the planning of South Traffic Circle changes.

"I believe an overpass would be the best idea," Melder said. "My plan would
be to make the circle put up lights to help control the traffic. You'd have
a 50/50 chance at having to stop. It would control the traffic."

Beverly Driscoll, 54, of Pineville, said there should be more grocery
stores between Bolton Avenue in Alexandria and La. 28 East in Pineville.

The reason for the need, Driscoll said, is that senior citizens must, at
times, hire cabs to bring them to distant stores.

"Where can they go? What can they do?" Driscoll asked. "There used to be a
place on Main Street in Pineville, but it's gone.

"Maybe someone could start a smaller, community grocery store with a
butcher. That way, older people can have a place they could buy fresh meat
and fruits ... it costs $7 for a one-way cab ride from downtown
(Alexandria) to MacArthur Drive."

Driscoll also recommended an "A-B-C-D system" be started at the Alexandria
Mall and other businesses, so that the elderly could more easily remember
where they park their cars.

Such a system also would be useful, she said, in helping seniors locate the
entrance they used to a building.