Lamar, studies show that Alexandria’s workforce is best suited for manufacturing jobs. For more than one hundred years, Alexandria has made most of its money as an transporter of goods and not really a producer of good. We should continue to profit from our location, and but should also look to more manufacturing and big tech employers. We have a good foundation to build on. Tech jobs bring in young people, which will help sustain our economy as baby-boomers retire. Perhaps this can be done with a partnership with LSUA.
Business and industry are nice but you can’t get there without education and training. Do you have any idea of the number of Alexandria residents never make it past the 9th grade and even those are unable to read anything as complex as an application or newspaper. It’s the issue we keep ducking and the issue that keeps biting us right in the economic ass. We were not at all ready for UTX. We have to begin at the beginning.
Years ago, because of our location, we were know as the “convention city”. Considering the cost of a hotel room in Baton Rouge and New Orleans we should try to develop businesses that will attract conventions. I also agree with 6:46a.m.’s comments we have to educate and train our workforce–not to mention find a workforce that can pass a drug test!
Finally, a topic of great interest. The best way to put this is as follows. We do not have a skilled workforce. Sure, we have educated people and even professionals who have jobs in our given area of specialization. However, the need for jobs is a unique problem. Union tank car has complained several times about not being able to find residents smart enough to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. At the same time, I personally would like to see more job options for our less educated. However, the jobs I think we need are jobs at places like UTC. Our general population (employees) could make more out of a place like UTC, rather than a place like “Best Buy”. Also, we are central Louisiana. I would like to see more effort in the shipping industry. We have great river access but do not have revenue or jobs being produced by the river and our geographic location. In response to the last post, we do produce educated people, they just don’t come back. I like it here. Most of my friends who have undergrad, grad, or professional degrees chose to go elsewhere for money and something to do. In conclusion, I hope somebody (lamar, the new mayor, or even the young people here) come up with something.
Finally, a topic of great interest. The best way to put this is as follows. We do not have a skilled workforce. Sure, we have educated people and even professionals who have jobs in our given area of specialization. However, the need for jobs is a unique problem. Union tank car has complained several times about not being able to find residents smart enough to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. At the same time, I personally would like to see more job options for our less educated. However, the jobs I think we need are jobs at places like UTC. Our general population (employees) could make more out of a place like UTC, rather than a place like “Best Buy”. Also, we are central Louisiana. I would like to see more effort in the shipping industry. We have great river access but do not have revenue or jobs being produced by the river and our geographic location. In response to the last post, we do produce educated people, they just don’t come back. I like it here. Most of my friends who have undergrad, grad, or professional degrees chose to go elsewhere for money and something to do. In conclusion, I hope somebody (lamar, the new mayor, or even the young people here) come up with something.
Finally, a topic of great interest. The best way to put this is as follows. We do not have a skilled workforce. Sure, we have educated people and even professionals who have jobs in our given area of specialization. However, the need for jobs is a unique problem. Union tank car has complained several times about not being able to find residents smart enough to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. At the same time, I personally would like to see more job options for our less educated. However, the jobs I think we need are jobs at places like UTC. Our general population (employees) could make more out of a place like UTC, rather than a place like “Best Buy”. Also, we are central Louisiana. I would like to see more effort in the shipping industry. We have great river access but do not have revenue or jobs being produced by the river and our geographic location. In response to the last post, we do produce educated people, they just don’t come back. I like it here. Most of my friends who have undergrad, grad, or professional degrees chose to go elsewhere for money and something to do. In conclusion, I hope somebody (lamar, the new mayor, or even the young people here) come up with something.
1:18 UTC has NOT complained about finding people to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. In fact, they have been quite pleased with the recruiting for their salary level positions.
At issue are the the hourly positions. They have had to lower their standards to below 6th grade reading in some cases in order to get enough welders into training programs. As a community we should NOT accept this. The people who are failing to pass reading at the 9th grade level have high school diplomas. This is not a situation where people have dropped out of school and were forced to go to work to support their families. This is a situation where our public education system HAS FAILED.
We spend more time worrying about test scores and school performance scores than teaching. We promote kids out of class rather than teach. And yes, I am generalizing. It’s 2006 and Johnny still can’t read! That is unacceptable.
As someone who sat in the testing rooms, let me tell you it’s not the people over 50 or over 40 that are struggling to take the standardized tests – its people in general – what’ more amazing is when there’s a kid in his late teens and early 20’s that is not reading above 6th grade. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THAT’S JUST WRONG.
I’m sorry, but I won’t accept we need jobs for “less educated” people. Yes, we need jobs for those who won’t go to college because college isn’t for everyone if that’s what you’re saying, but not “less educated.” It takes the same amount of education in regards to math to be a welder as it does to do basic accounting. If you can’t add and subtract and convert fractions, guess what????? You can’t weld! You have to be able to measure and use a ruler. This is true for a lot of professions – just ask Southern Emblem how important basic math skills and the ability to read a ruler is to them.
Best Buy and Circuit City both have been hunting around for the past 5 years. They know the population is growing as well as the median income. One has had an option on property and one is rumored to be coming in the next year. We have been fortunate in that we don’t have to agressively seek retail – they are seeking us because of our growth. We can target our retail marketing to specific types of retail we want to attract. But get this guys, if we don’t solve the education problem, we’re back to square one!
We have got to solve this problem of basic education skills.
Well, you work for UTC, however, I’m aware of two conversations where the lack of quality “salary employees” was discussed. That is neither here nor there. (Nothing is absolute) Your education argument is sound, however, historically flawed. Do not tell me that you believe our edu system is solely responsible for illiteracy. My man, there is a whole lot going on there. “See the Coleman Report among other studies”. Anyway, I agree with you,education is an issue. Just tell me why the average class of high school can produce dropouts, Dr’s, criminals, etc. We will always have varying levels of success out of the same edu program. You tell me how to fix it, and then tell the government. Not being critical, just realistic and honest.
Those of you who want a Circut City will get your wish. The old Service Merchandise building will be demolished and replaced with a Circut City. You heard it first here!
3:49 let me assure I don’t work at UTC, but have sat in almost every single meeting regarding workforce. Salary personnel is not the issue.
As to why can the same educational system produce Doctors and dropouts – here’s a theory. It’s starts at home. Gee – there are some parents who encourage their children to get an education – as a way out and a way up – there are others who don’t encourage as much. This is not a racial statement it is a social statement. Children who have parents or guardians that are actively involved in their educational process perform better in the classroom and remain in school longer. That has been proven. That is why more school systems want to go back to neighborhood schools.
No, it’s not racial but it is cultural and those who don’t value education or knowledge or work ethic proliferate and have lots of children that they don’t care for and have serious birth and developmental defects because of genetics and poor prenatal and child care and from 2 unproductive breeders you produce hundreds of unproductive breeders who produce millions of unproductive breeders and we don’t know how to effectively intervene in the process. If only we could somehow slow or stop the chain reaction.
Our central location in the state w/ access to the river, I49, and AEX make this area a prime location for large distribution centers. They would create many jobs for all educational levels including management, human resources, book keeping, other administrative positions, forklift and various equipment operators, shipping and receiving clerks, etc…….Locations just north or south of Alexandria on I49 afford plenty of space (possibly somewhere near that waste of space Cowboy Town) I can think of no one better qualified than Jacques to seek these companies out and share his visions of the future of this area. He talked alot about quality of life being one of the 2 major selling points in bringing companies to our area and I couldn’t agree more. That area needs to be in the constant focus of anyone involved in city Govt if this area is to grow as is possible.
we need a decent indian food restaurant, because i can never satisfy my late night cravings for samosas or curried potatoes. also, a good yoga and massage studio offering a variety of meditation and yoga for all levels would help buggered out alexandrians chill out a little.
Anon 8:46- I agree with you 100%. When I was in school and wanted to skip even one day of class my old man whipped my butt. Look at the numbers of parents that have to show up in court because they allow their kids to miss school.Of course nowdays you can’t kick your kids butt even if it’s for his own good.It sure made me not want to do it again.Parents have to have control of their kids to ensure they get a good education.Then when they grow up they can support themselves and a family.
We need to support the local businesses in this area before trying to bring new ones here. But, this town has a “Wal Mart” mentality.
As for jobs, there are help wanted signs ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, anyone saying there are no jobs available here is full of it. Yes, some of them are for minimum wage jobs, but if you want more than that, get an education.
CenLamar 
Lamar, studies show that Alexandria’s workforce is best suited for manufacturing jobs. For more than one hundred years, Alexandria has made most of its money as an transporter of goods and not really a producer of good. We should continue to profit from our location, and but should also look to more manufacturing and big tech employers. We have a good foundation to build on. Tech jobs bring in young people, which will help sustain our economy as baby-boomers retire. Perhaps this can be done with a partnership with LSUA.
A Best Buy, dammit.
A Best Buy? We need jobs to support our population. Best Buy will come later when our population has the disposable income to support it.
Business and industry are nice but you can’t get there without education and training. Do you have any idea of the number of Alexandria residents never make it past the 9th grade and even those are unable to read anything as complex as an application or newspaper. It’s the issue we keep ducking and the issue that keeps biting us right in the economic ass. We were not at all ready for UTX. We have to begin at the beginning.
Years ago, because of our location, we were know as the “convention city”. Considering the cost of a hotel room in Baton Rouge and New Orleans we should try to develop businesses that will attract conventions.
I also agree with 6:46a.m.’s comments we have to educate and train our workforce–not to mention find a workforce that can pass a drug test!
Finally, a topic of great interest. The best way to put this is as follows. We do not have a skilled workforce. Sure, we have educated people and even professionals who have jobs in our given area of specialization. However, the need for jobs is a unique problem. Union tank car has complained several times about not being able to find residents smart enough to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. At the same time, I personally would like to see more job options for our less educated. However, the jobs I think we need are jobs at places like UTC. Our general population (employees) could make more out of a place like UTC, rather than a place like “Best Buy”. Also, we are central Louisiana. I would like to see more effort in the shipping industry. We have great river access but do not have revenue or jobs being produced by the river and our geographic location. In response to the last post, we do produce educated people, they just don’t come back. I like it here. Most of my friends who have undergrad, grad, or professional degrees chose to go elsewhere for money and something to do. In conclusion, I hope somebody (lamar, the new mayor, or even the young people here) come up with something.
Finally, a topic of great interest. The best way to put this is as follows. We do not have a skilled workforce. Sure, we have educated people and even professionals who have jobs in our given area of specialization. However, the need for jobs is a unique problem. Union tank car has complained several times about not being able to find residents smart enough to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. At the same time, I personally would like to see more job options for our less educated. However, the jobs I think we need are jobs at places like UTC. Our general population (employees) could make more out of a place like UTC, rather than a place like “Best Buy”. Also, we are central Louisiana. I would like to see more effort in the shipping industry. We have great river access but do not have revenue or jobs being produced by the river and our geographic location. In response to the last post, we do produce educated people, they just don’t come back. I like it here. Most of my friends who have undergrad, grad, or professional degrees chose to go elsewhere for money and something to do. In conclusion, I hope somebody (lamar, the new mayor, or even the young people here) come up with something.
Finally, a topic of great interest. The best way to put this is as follows. We do not have a skilled workforce. Sure, we have educated people and even professionals who have jobs in our given area of specialization. However, the need for jobs is a unique problem. Union tank car has complained several times about not being able to find residents smart enough to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. At the same time, I personally would like to see more job options for our less educated. However, the jobs I think we need are jobs at places like UTC. Our general population (employees) could make more out of a place like UTC, rather than a place like “Best Buy”. Also, we are central Louisiana. I would like to see more effort in the shipping industry. We have great river access but do not have revenue or jobs being produced by the river and our geographic location. In response to the last post, we do produce educated people, they just don’t come back. I like it here. Most of my friends who have undergrad, grad, or professional degrees chose to go elsewhere for money and something to do. In conclusion, I hope somebody (lamar, the new mayor, or even the young people here) come up with something.
Wow Anon 1:18. A triple post. You need to help Michael J. Fox fight parkinsons.
1:18 UTC has NOT complained about finding people to pass standardized tests for higher level positions. In fact, they have been quite pleased with the recruiting for their salary level positions.
At issue are the the hourly positions. They have had to lower their standards to below 6th grade reading in some cases in order to get enough welders into training programs. As a community we should NOT accept this. The people who are failing to pass reading at the 9th grade level have high school diplomas. This is not a situation where people have dropped out of school and were forced to go to work to support their families. This is a situation where our public education system HAS FAILED.
We spend more time worrying about test scores and school performance scores than teaching. We promote kids out of class rather than teach. And yes, I am generalizing. It’s 2006 and Johnny still can’t read! That is unacceptable.
As someone who sat in the testing rooms, let me tell you it’s not the people over 50 or over 40 that are struggling to take the standardized tests – its people in general – what’ more amazing is when there’s a kid in his late teens and early 20’s that is not reading above 6th grade. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THAT’S JUST WRONG.
I’m sorry, but I won’t accept we need jobs for “less educated” people. Yes, we need jobs for those who won’t go to college because college isn’t for everyone if that’s what you’re saying, but not “less educated.” It takes the same amount of education in regards to math to be a welder as it does to do basic accounting. If you can’t add and subtract and convert fractions, guess what????? You can’t weld! You have to be able to measure and use a ruler. This is true for a lot of professions – just ask Southern Emblem how important basic math skills and the ability to read a ruler is to them.
Best Buy and Circuit City both have been hunting around for the past 5 years. They know the population is growing as well as the median income. One has had an option on property and one is rumored to be coming in the next year. We have been fortunate in that we don’t have to agressively seek retail – they are seeking us because of our growth. We can target our retail marketing to specific types of retail we want to attract. But get this guys, if we don’t solve the education problem, we’re back to square one!
We have got to solve this problem of basic education skills.
Well, you work for UTC, however, I’m aware of two conversations where the lack of quality “salary employees” was discussed. That is neither here nor there. (Nothing is absolute) Your education argument is sound, however, historically flawed. Do not tell me that you believe our edu system is solely responsible for illiteracy. My man, there is a whole lot going on there. “See the Coleman Report among other studies”. Anyway, I agree with you,education is an issue. Just tell me why the average class of high school can produce dropouts, Dr’s, criminals, etc. We will always have varying levels of success out of the same edu program. You tell me how to fix it, and then tell the government. Not being critical, just realistic and honest.
We could use a quality stip club. Just kidding
Those of you who want a Circut City will get your wish. The old Service Merchandise building will be demolished and replaced with a Circut City. You heard it first here!
3:49 let me assure I don’t work at UTC, but have sat in almost every single meeting regarding workforce. Salary personnel is not the issue.
As to why can the same educational system produce Doctors and dropouts – here’s a theory. It’s starts at home. Gee – there are some parents who encourage their children to get an education – as a way out and a way up – there are others who don’t encourage as much. This is not a racial statement it is a social statement. Children who have parents or guardians that are actively involved in their educational process perform better in the classroom and remain in school longer. That has been proven. That is why more school systems want to go back to neighborhood schools.
We need more day spas like the palmoire, jeune, personal best and the nest. We all need to look ou best in this ever so chic community.
A waterslide!
very cosmopolitan.
No, it’s not racial but it is cultural and those who don’t value education or knowledge or work ethic proliferate and have lots of children that they don’t care for and have serious birth and developmental defects because of genetics and poor prenatal and child care and from 2 unproductive breeders you produce hundreds of unproductive breeders who produce millions of unproductive breeders and we don’t know how to effectively intervene in the process. If only we could somehow slow or stop the chain reaction.
Our central location in the state w/ access to the river, I49, and AEX make this area a prime location for large distribution centers. They would create many jobs for all educational levels including management, human resources, book keeping, other administrative positions, forklift and various equipment operators, shipping and receiving clerks, etc…….Locations just north or south of Alexandria on I49 afford plenty of space (possibly somewhere near that waste of space Cowboy Town) I can think of no one better qualified than Jacques to seek these companies out and share his visions of the future of this area. He talked alot about quality of life being one of the 2 major selling points in bringing companies to our area and I couldn’t agree more. That area needs to be in the constant focus of anyone involved in city Govt if this area is to grow as is possible.
we need a decent indian food restaurant, because i can never satisfy my late night cravings for samosas or curried potatoes. also, a good yoga and massage studio offering a variety of meditation and yoga for all levels would help buggered out alexandrians chill out a little.
-michael smith
What about decent shopping. We could not even keep a Gap. Does that say anything about Alexandria?
It would be nice to have a real record store!!
An Indian restaurant – yes! I miss Indian food since moving back here. Now you’ve got me craving samosas…
Anon 8:46- I agree with you 100%. When I was in school and wanted to skip even one day of class my old man whipped my butt. Look at the numbers of parents that have to show up in court because they allow their kids to miss school.Of course nowdays you can’t kick your kids butt even if it’s for his own good.It sure made me not want to do it again.Parents have to have control of their kids to ensure they get a good education.Then when they grow up they can support themselves and a family.
We need to support the local businesses in this area before trying to bring new ones here. But, this town has a “Wal Mart” mentality.
As for jobs, there are help wanted signs ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, anyone saying there are no jobs available here is full of it. Yes, some of them are for minimum wage jobs, but if you want more than that, get an education.
I have enjoyed visiting this site many times over. So many wonderful works of art to see !
Thanks))))
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