I have carefully considered Ordinance No. 248-2007, which amends Section 15-128 of the Alexandria Code of Ordinances relative to appropriate dress in public. The ordinance was adopted and passed in proper form, and was approved by a unanimous City Council on August 28, 2007. Because the council’s decision was unanimous and because this ordinance does not involve construing the Alexandria Home Rule Charter, as to organization or structure, in a manner inconsistent with the Charter, I will not veto the ordinance but also will not execute it, allowing it to become law by default if it continues to be the Council’s wish. I write this message, however, regarding this inaction on execution to outline grave concerns about the ordinance and its appropriateness. I do so with respect for the Council’s decision on policy and as the governing authority, and I do not believe it necessary for this office to act against that decision, notwithstanding the following message on issues of constitutionality, since that determination should be committed to another authority, namely, the courts. Accordingly, while there is a fine line between vetoing a matter that legally violates the Constitution or City Charter and withholding the veto because ordinances are presumed constitutional unless challenged, I believe it is a community standard that must decide this issue and therefore will await the weighing-in of the citizens to either challenge this law or abide by it. Put simply, if this construction had been struck down already, to my knowledge, I would veto without hesitation; contrariwise, if the ordinance had been upheld, as written, to my knowledge, I would abide and enforce without hesitation the Council’s wishes. Since so many of these statutes are in circulation, not having traveled through our courts, and because the ordinance on its face states it is not criminal and disallows arrest, imprisonment, and criminal penalty, I provide this cautionary note on a law I think perhaps too vague and broad for enforcement. DISCUSSION The freedom of expression, as a corollary to the right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment, is as important to the citizenry as the right to vote. Although that latter franchise perhaps gives all the other rights we have meaning in our democracy because we can express our pleasure or displeasure through elected officials, it remains essential that the rights to freedom of religion, speech, expression, and association, flowing from the First Amendment, continue ensure an impenetrable bulwark against tyranny. While the legislative authority and its police power, inherent in our government, allow us to decide certain “perceived” moral and social ills should be limited and even discouraged, the federal and state constitutions provide a framework and set forth certain guarantees beyond which we are not allowed to go even if our intentions are noble and perfect to us—and, alas, therein lies the problem. The notions, intentions, folkways, mores, and customs of society change over time. What is acceptable today may not be tomorrow. As a society, however, voters may choose to stay tethered to what they perceive as a “conservative” or “liberal” bent. They may make choices in that regard. They are represented through the legislative body in that regard. That body has made a choice regarding what is commonly referred to as “sagging” pants. Fortunately, at least to me, even those with a minority view are “protected from the tyranny of the majority” in this system. While it is not my place to answer for the citizenry on its collective wish, I write to highlight my appreciation, desired or not, of the difference between majority rule and the rule of law. “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” Imagine how strongly people felt about flag burning as being protected in any manner. When compared against wearing pants, showing undergarments, there seems to me to be a question of weightiness. If we were talking about showing genitalia, it would be different, but then again we already proscribe that behavior under law. While the citizens of a particular locality should weigh in on those matters that concern them and are believed to create a less-than-harmonious atmosphere for all citizens, the right to freedom of expression and free speech, being the bedrock principles they are, must override those concerns in many cases. Perhaps, if the Administration had a clear correlation or link to criminal activity or other untoward behavior linked to sagging pants, the consideration would be altered. By passing a law that seeks to determine how one wears his or her clothes, the Administration would presumably be stating this link existed, and ironically, probably augmenting the fervor to “fight city hall” and increase the “undesired behavior.” But, the Administration, as do other citizens and parents, knows countless kids wear clothes we think silly and make honor roll every semester. To deny expression is perhaps counterintuitive given these kids’ propensities to do well and achieve. Indeed, if the Administration engaged in routine evaluation of appropriate dress, there would be no way to delineate permissible and impermissible choices of clothes chosen by our society—locally or otherwise. What makes a law overbroad or vague is that there are many constructions which would cut across protected behavior: e.g., one could sew boxer shorts to the top of jeans and wear the boxer-shorted jeans on top of regular undergarments and appear to be in violation of this law and yet would not be; one could wear a bathing suit and not “underwear” under the pants—which, in the latter case, would require a construction the bathing suit was acting as undergarments. Is this reasonable? Does it make sense? Because that behavior would lead to the use of the police power issuing citations and having to spend time in court vis-à-vis all of the other serious and grave needs of our police force, this law, as written, should be questioned. The United States Supreme Court, in numerous decisions, has warned that “the objectionable quality of vagueness and over breadth does not depend upon” just the absence of notice to individuals who may be exposed to sanction of law or even what the court called the “unchanneled delegation of legislative powers.” Instead the Court has instructed the real issue is the “danger of tolerating, in the area of the First Amendment freedoms, the existence of a penal statute susceptible of sweeping and improper application.” The Court has explained “these freedoms are delicate and vulnerable, as well as supremely precious in our society, . . . and the threat of sanctions may deter their exercise almost as potently as the actual application of sanctions.” The Court is telling us that worrying about the application of a certain law because it is drawn poorly is just as dangerous to a society because the chilling effect of the worrying is the same as the substantive effect of sanction if freedoms are abridged. “Because First Amendment freedoms need breathing space to survive, government may regulate in the area only with narrow specificity. Broad prophylactic rules in the area of free expression are suspect. Precision of regulation must be the touchstone in an area so closely touching our most precious freedoms.” This ordinance is hardly susceptible of specificity in its current state: what is “properly attired”? Who decides this? What is “size appropriate”? Who decides this? What articles do these apply to? Only pants as stated in (b)? What about (a)? To summarize, given the desires of the City Council, and including the unanimity by which this Ordinance was passed, the Administration has decided not to exercise the right of veto. A veto would be meaningless since the Council has voiced its unanimous decision to move forward on this matter after being reminded of the issues surrounding the law’s application. On the other hand, the matter deserves a special message from the Administration because there are concerns about the over breadth and vagueness of this Ordinance and perhaps its execution without Court sanction to avoid legal challenges which might result in liability to the City. Perhaps there could be a better structure put forth and the Administration could offer technical amendments in the future should the Council desire those or request same. As a final note, we have already determined from the Administration’s standpoint the need to increase our police force to arrive at community policing standards. By enforcing a law, which gives much discretion to officers and allows potentially innumerable citations to be written on “size appropriate” or “properly attired,” we think the court system is taxed with an issue that does not show a real, causal relationship to crime. We think the door is opened as well to more invidious application of the ordinance based on race, class, and culture. “The constitution protects expression and association without regard to the race, creed, or political or religious affiliation of the members of the group that invokes its shield, or to the truth, popularity, or social utility of the ideas and beliefs that are offered.” Paraphrasing the high Court in the famous, perhaps infamous, case of Cohen v. California, one man’s vulgarity is another man’s lyric—or, in this case, saggy pants. In short, this law, as written, could be too overbroad to fairly enforce and too legally vague to put our citizens on notice of what precisely is being forbidden. Corrective measures could, and should, be taken before enforcement. We are heartened by the language that the law poses no criminal sanction, but nomenclature cannot mask effect.

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Please Vote July 21st Note: This is NOT a new tax, only renewals •The Sales Tax represents 25% of Alexandria’s General Budget each year. •The Millage Tax funds numerous projects, such as streets and drainage. •61% of these dollars pay for more than 700 hard-working Alexandrians, who serve you every day Without these renewals, the City would have to eliminate or drastically reduce services. For example, it is probable that: Forty police officers (1/4 of our Police force) will have to be laid off. Thirty firefighters (1/4 of the Fire Department) will also have to be laid off. Many employees in the finance, planning, utility and public works divisions will be laid off. Our award winning zoo, Central Louisiana’s top tourist destination, will be closed. City bus transportation services will have to be totally eliminated. Twice a week garbage service will be reduced to once per week. Little League parks, all youth summer and winter programs as well as every other recreational activity would be eliminated. This includes the baseball parks and the new golf course. Without the renewal of these two taxes, virtually every area of the City of Alexandria will be negatively affected. PLEASE VOTE ON JULY 21ST

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The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Museum of Art are proud to announce a series of free summer art and dance workshops to be held in community centers throughout the city. The workshops will offer programming for children ages six and up. The art workshops are the result of yet another positive collaboration between the City of Alexandria's Community Services Division, the Mayoral Commission for Cultural Affairs and the Alexandria Museum of Art. The first workshop will be held at the Broadway Resource Center, located at 712 Broadway Avenue, on July 10th-July 11th. The workshops will be under the direction and supervision of Omega Miller and will include a program for children ages six to eight and another program for children nine and older. Workshops for the younger children will take place from 9AM-11AM, and those for ages nine and up will occur from 1PM-3PM. The Martin Luther King Community Center, located off Willow Glenn Road on 3807 Smash Avenue, will play host to another art workshop. The workshop will take place on July 16th, 17th, and 18th. Art projects are being directed by Nancy Noles and Karen McPherson and will run from 1PM – 4 PM. Cassandra Davis will be directing and supervising dancing classes at the Bolton Avenue Community Center, located on 315 Bolton Avenue, on July 16th, 17th, and 18th. Additionally, like the workshops at the Broadway Resource Center, children ages six to eight will be taught between 9AM-11AM, while those ten and older will be instructed from 1PM-3PM. All of these classes and workshops are free and open to the public, but space is limited. If you are interested enrolling your children for the courses, please call 318-449-5225 for more information.

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The City of Alexandria had a record turnout for this year’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day: 520 cars bringing material from 663 households. Material collected during the five hour event included 7.0 tons of paint, 1,577 gallons of used oil and antifreeze, 3.75 tons pesticides, batteries, acids, bases, and fluorescent light bulbs. Useable paint collected was given to volunteers for graffiti removal and clean-up projects in their neighborhoods. This event was made possible by the City of Alexandria, Keep Cenla Beautiful, Siemens, Petron, Advanced Environmental Compliance, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful. A special thanks for technical assistance from LA Department of Agriculture and LA Department of Environmental Quality. The next collection day will be held in May 17, 2008.

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The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce the return of the “Grand Old Lady” of riverboats, the Delta Queen on Wednesday, April 18 to the banks of the Red River near Murray Street. Through a developing relationship with the Seattle, WA Majestic America Line, the city was recently named a premier port facility for the historically significant vessel. The ship and its passengers will arrive on April 18, and upon disembarkment will be greeted warmly by city officials and a welcoming committee. One of the highlights of the ship’s stay in Alexandria will be a Calliope Concert around 1 p.m. which will be heard throughout downtown. The public is invited to come to the riverfront to enjoy the sounds of the ship’s steam-powered calliope that was once salvaged from a sunken showboat and sold to a circus. As part of our developing relationship, the city has coordinated an historic tour of the St. Frances Xavier Cathedral including a recital featuring the church’s renowned pipe organ. Efforts will be made on future stops to share additional historic landmarks as well cultural and art centers located nearby in downtown Alexandria. As a premier port for the Delta Queen, the City of Alexandria will be host to the legendary river ship and its passengers at frequent times throughout the year as it travels throughout the Mississippi region. The Delta Queen, built in 1926, is representative of a time when thousands of steamboats plied the country’s inland waterways. It accommodates just 176 guests, all in outside staterooms. Unique touches abound, including a rare ironwood floor gracing the Orleans Room, and 1897 steam calliope. As the last of the over-night steam-powered sternwheelers, the Delta Queen was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. Additional information on the Majestic America Line fleet and the Delta Queen is available at www.majesticamericaline.com, or by calling Amy Wilkerson, Shore Excursion Manager, 601-218-2628 or 314-344-2900 Ext. 3323.

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This weekend, the City of Alexandria will play host to the first-ever "Downtown Experience," featuring a number of cultural, artistic, and musical events, all of which are free and open to the public. The Downtown Experience Weekend begins on Friday, April 20, 2007 from 5PM-8PM with the semi-annual ArtWalk, a collaborative effort between the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Museum of Art, Louisiana State University at Alexandria, and the Arts Council of Central Louisiana. ArtWalk, a celebration of local visual artwork, will be spread over four city blocks, showcasing Downtown Alexandria's museums, churches, restaurants, and pubs. Participants include Xavier Cathedral Hall, The Kress Theatre Lobby, Emmanuel Baptist Church, The Louisiana History Museum, House of Java, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, Finnegan's Wake Pub, Arna Bontemps African American Museum, Tipitina's Co-Op, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Alex 1805, Diamond Grill, Alexandria Museum of Art, and Sentry Drugs. The City of Alexandria will also host local blues and Southern rock guitarist Shane Ward in the year's first Downtown Rocks concert series. Ward has been described as an "exceptional guitarist" who has spent years touring the world with blues legend B.B. Major. Shane Ward and Company will be playing at the Fulton MiniPark, directly across the street from Convention Hall. On Saturday, April 21, the Downtown Experience will continue with two big events, Jazz on the River and the White Linen Night. The 12th annual Jazz on the River, which is sponsored by the Arna Bontemps African-American Museum, will kick off at 6PM at the Downtown Alexandria Amphitheater. This year, Jazz on the River will feature some exceptional talent, including world-renowned jazz violinist Michael Ward and the sensational Dorsey Summerfield and the Polyphonics. The Downtown Experience Weekend will culminate with the second-annual White Linen Night, a block party featuring live Caribbean jazz, reggae music, Caribbean food, and local artwork. White Linen Night will be held on the corner of Third and DeSoto, beginning at 7PM. Last year, the first-annual White Linen Night attracted a crowd of more than 1,000 people. Guests are encouraged to wear white linen or white apparel in order to promote event unity. The event is being sponsored by Alex 1805, The Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority, Caplan's, ExacTax, and Boutee's Catering.

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Earlier today, Lisa Harris, Director of Community Services, announced that more than 12,000 people attended the second annual Que’in on the Red, nearly tripling last year’s attendance. “This year’s Que’in on the Red was a massive success,” said Mayor Jacques Roy. City officials had expected the festival to be “bigger and better” this year due, in large part, to the diverse and critically-acclaimed musical lineup. “This exceeded our expectations,” said Mayor Roy. “It was the biggest festival Alexandria has had in recent history.” The festival was particularly crowded on Saturday, when more than 10,000 people poured through the gates at the North Levee Park to enjoy the food and the entertainment. When country music star Pat Green took the stage at 8:30, the park was nearly filled to capacity. Despite the dramatic increase in attendance, the festival ran relatively smoothly. The Alexandria Police Department reported no arrests, the musical line-up ran on schedule, and the weather cooperated on both days. “Some of our vendors sold out of food and beverages,” said Lisa Harris. “Now we all know what to prepare for next year.” Rob Antoon of Outlaw’s Barbecue, one of ten food vendors at the festival, noticed a substantial increase in sales volume compared to last year’s event. “The festival was good for the restaurant’s image,” said Antoon, “and good for the city’s image. Participating in Que’in on the Red gave us an opportunity to connect with the residents of Central Louisiana .” Barbecue aficionados from all across the South competed in the Memphis-in-May-sanctioned barbeque cooking competition. Party Q from Batesville , Arkansas was named this year’s Grand Champion; however, because Party Q won a previous Memphis-in-May event, Alexandria will be represented by the first place finisher, Barnyard Roasters from Columbus , Mississippi . Two local teams placed in the competition. Safari Smokers won 5 th place in the Whole Hog competition, and Flamin’ Brothers, who represented the Alexandria Fire Department, took home 5 th place in the Shoulder competition. This year, Que’in also featured a children’s competition. First place in the Chicken competition went to Lil’ Smokies from Bunkie , Louisiana , and Rollin’ Bones from Pasadena , Texas won first in the Pork competition.

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The City of Alexandria is proud to announce that this year's Que'in on the Red will be bigger and better this year. The festival, which kicks off on Friday, March 23 at 4PM, will feature thirty-eight teams, over fifteen vendors, nine musical acts, and a People's Choice tent in which the public may sample barbeque cooked for the Memphis in May-sponsored competition. Last year, the first annual Que'in on the Red attracted over 5,000 people. According to the Alexandria-Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Que'in on the Red had an economic impact of over $1 million. This year, city officials believe the festival is likely to attract more people due, in part, to the acclaimed musical line-up. "I'm getting calls from people all over the state who are coming to Alexandria this weekend to see United We Funk All-Stars and Pat Green," said Lisa Harris, Director of Community Services. The festival has also generated a significant amount of local interest. Of the thirty-three adult teams entered into the main completion, twenty-five are from the Central Louisiana region. All five of the teams entered into the children's competition are from Central Louisiana. This year's festival hopes to learn from last year. There will be ten different food vendors including Leebo's Stores , Mr. Russell's Pies, Antoon Enterprises (Outlaw's Barbeque), Texas Custom Catering, Magnolia State Peace Officers Association, Corky's Ribs and BBQ, Kappa Sigma Fraternity at LSUA, Boutee's Catering, Peabody Band Parent Organization, and Tiffee Fine Things. There will also be eight different merchandise vendors. On Saturday, attendees may sample barbeque cooked for the Memphis in May-sponsored competition at the Rapides Regional "People's Choice" Tent. For $3 the public is invited to judge five different samples from the competition. The "People's Choice" tent will be open to the public from 11AM to 4PM on Saturday, March 24. This year's festival will offer a prolific and critically-acclaimed musical line-up. The musical schedule is as follows: Friday - Gates and carnival open at 4 pm 5:00 p.m. Front Street Project 6:30 p.m . Walter "Wolfman" Washington 8:00 p.m. * United We Funk All Stars 10:00 p.m . Festival Gates Close Saturday- Gates and carnival open at 10 am 11:00 a.m. Tipitina's Co-Op Bands 1:00 p.m . Tim Turner Band 2:30 p.m. Cupid 4:00 p.m . Papa Grows Funk 6:00 p.m. J. Paul Jr. and the Zydeco Nubreeds 8:30 p.m . *Pat Green 10:00 p.m. Festival Gates Close

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Yesterday afternoon, Jacques M. Roy, a thirty-six-year-old lawyer, was sworn in as mayor of Alexandria, Louisiana. Roy, a Democrat, is Alexandria's first new mayor since 1986. During his twenty years of service, Roy's predecessor, Edward "Ned" Randolph, took a town on the brink of bankruptcy and transformed it into a thriving transportation and medical hub with over $15 million in the bank. "Ned Randolph carefully laid the foundation for this City—from a time when some, rightly or wrongly, felt there was no hope," Roy said. Roy was elected on Nov 7, defeating opponent Delores Brewer (R) 76% to 24%. Roy ran on a platform of smart growth and believes that Alexandria currently faces infrastructural problems due to sprawl. "In the early 1960s, Alexandria was nine square miles with a population of 48,000 people," Roy said, "Today, it is twenty-six square miles with a population of 48,000 people." Roy suggests using community-based planning and what he calls "controlled progressivism" to direct Alexandria's future growth. Following the Nov 7th election, Roy formed a 70-plus member transition team to advise him on range of issues including economic, community, and workforce development, infrastructure, and education. The team made numerous recommendations, which Roy will use in drafting a comprehensive plan for Alexandria's future. "I think people will be surprised about the amount of material produced by the transition team, its interfacing with city officials (who have been very candid), and the preliminary compartmentalization of the issues," Roy said. "The model we used has been very effective, and like the campaign, was borne of the ideas of Alexandrians. Although a comprehensive 'findings' document is far off, a 100-day plan with executive style summaries will be released shortly."

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For Immediate Release June 26, 2006 Alexandria Zoo Contact: Lee Ann Whitt Celebrate the Fourth a few days early at the Alexandria Zoo. RED, WHITE & BLUE IN THE ZOO SATURDAY, JULY 1 Activities from Noon to 3:30 pm Enjoy a tribute to those who protect and serve us at “Red, White and Blue in the Zoo”. Avery Michaels and Exit 209 will perform traditional and patriotic country music at the Pavilion from 1:30 until 3:00 pm. Seating is provided – just bring your sunscreen and enjoy the music! Cool refreshments are available at the Palm Café. From noon until 4 pm there will be several booths for kids to make a patriotic craft to take home. Visitors can check out the special creatures in the education building like the white tiger cubs, “Meka” and “WillieKing” along with other favorites. To show appreciation, the City of Alexandria will admit all veterans, active military, fire, police and safety personnel and their immediate families FREE to the Zoo. They must show proper ID at the gate. Regular admission for others is $3 for adults; $2 for children 4-12 years; FOTAZ members are free with card and picture ID; Children 3 and younger are free. “Red,White and Blue in the Zoo” is a sponsored by the City of Alexandria, The Mayoral Commission for Cultural Affairs, and FOTAZ.. For more information please call 473-1143 Ext. 10.

Lee Ann Whitt

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The City of Alexandria’s Administration and City Council are very proud to join with the LSU at Alexandria Foundation in announcing a major new partnership which will bring about higher education in downtown Alexandria. The city will enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana State University at Alexandria Foundation for the establishment of classes downtown. LSUA offerings will be centered in the Alexandria Museum of Art which itself has entered into a full partnership with the LSUA Foundation. Through the Museum, the University will offer a variety of both undergraduate credit and continuing education courses beginning with the spring semester 2006 and expanding in the semesters to come. The City recognizes this as a low cost investment in providing educational services to the downtown community and energetically addresses the goal of downtown revitalization for Alexandria. For a growing University, the endeavor dovetails with the mission of LSUA to provide seamless access to higher education throughout the central Louisiana region. Furthermore, such a forward thinking plan specifically affords folks living and working in Alexandria/Pineville a gateway to college level classes in a convenient downtown setting. Mayor Ned Randolph said: “This is one of those once in a lifetime dreams come true. It’s truly a win/win for students, citizens and the entire landscape of our community alike.” City Council President Smith echoed those sentiments: “What a creative way to provide a path to higher education while at the same time rebuilding the downtown area.” Chancellor Robert Cavanaugh said: “The presence of LSUA in a downtown location would ensure access to courses at times convenient to the many adult learners who seek baccalaureate degrees. The downtown presence of LSUA would also enhance the many partnerships which the University is developing with downtown organizations, cultural groups, foundations and businesses. Working collaboratively with those partners will enhance education and enhance downtown Alexandria.” Incoming president of the Board of Directors for Alexandria Museum of Art, Mr. Mike Young, said: “This partnership guarantees that the Museum will continue to provide access to the visual arts in downtown Alexandria even as the Museum becomes a stronger player in the whole arena of education and cultural tourism which are so important to the success of Alexandria, Rapides Parish and CENLA.” Ms. Ivory Brown, President of the Board of Directors for the Alexandria Museum of Art said: “This will ensure that the Alexandria Museum of Art continues to preserve, exhibit and promote visual art throughout Central Louisiana in a way that contributes to the quality of life for future generations.”

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