City of Baker Celebrates Birthday

Celebration Begins At 5 p.m. Friday at Baker’s City Park

BAKER — The citizens of the City of Baker will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the founding of their community Friday at 5 p.m. at Baker City Park.

It will be a time for people of Baker and the surrounding area to come together and enjoy music, dancing, children’s games, poetry, and tailgating.

Baker is a city with a lot of history, beautiful parks, the Baton Rouge Zoo, and several nice neighborhoods.

But on Wednesday, as preparations were underway for the 125th Anniversary celebration, Mayor Harold Rideau was next door at City Hall, busily working on something that could be far more important than the celebration — workforce development.

Mayor Rideau is a man on a mission.  On the one hand, he is proud of his city.  “We are a safe community.  It is a good place to live.  Baker is ranked as the 5th safest city in America in some surveys!”

But on the other hand, he is deeply frustrated.  “We did a survey, and it was clear that education is the No. 1 problem facing our community.  All of us need to come together and address this problem.”

Rideau said he has been working hard to attract businesses and industries to locate in Baker.  “But, ultimately, we have to be able to offer a trained workforce.  They can’t come here, if we can’t provide the people to fill the jobs.”

As a result, Rideau is signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Baton Rouge Community College to begin a workforce training program in Baker as soon as this summer.  He is hoping to renovate an old fire station as the training site.  Courses could include

• Millwrights

• Machinists

• Electricians

• Welders

• Heavy equipment operators

BRCC is about to begin a training program for city employees in sewer and water system certification.  “Our state is far short of certified people in this important field,” he said.

City Council member Joyce Burges has taken a leadership role in building up the attitude of Baker’s residents toward their city.

“This is a Christian community, and we have so much to look forward to.  We must not be apathetic.  We don’t want to be a dying community.  We want to be a thriving community.”  Burges praises the Baker Police Department and Fire Department. “They are doing a wonderful job, and we can truly be proud of them.  They are Baker’s finest,” she said.  The police department is headed by Chief Snapper Knaps.  The fire department is led by Chief Danny Edwards. Burges also had praise for the City Court led by Judge Kirk Williams.

Burges said Baker’s churches provide tremendous spiritual leadership.  Churches in Baker include Bethany World Prayer Center, Miracle Place, St. Isidore Catholic Church, First Baptist, Life Redeeming Fellowship, New Covenant, Harding Street Church, and others.

Burges said there is a simple formula for Baker to fulfill its potential.  “I call it the ARC — Attract, Renew, and Create.”

“Cities like Baton Rouge and Baker could allow themselves to become a ghetto, but we are not going to let that happen.  We will pull together.  We have to!”

Burges said the future of Baker is about the children and their education.  Baker has five public schools and one private school.  They are

• Baker Heights Elementary

• Bakerfield Elementary

• Park Ridge Academic Magnet

• Baker Middle

• Baker High

The private school is Bethany Christian School.

The Advocate is the official journal in Baker.

Bethany operates television station WLFT-TV in Baker.  It broadcasts over the air on HD Channel 30 and on Cable Channel 117.  The Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Chamber of Commerce have weekly shows on WLFT-TV to communicate with the citizens of Baker.  Dr. Lucas Fry is general manager.

The sanctuary at Bethany World Prayer is one of the largest and most beautiful in the Baton Rouge area.  It is used for many outside events, such as graduation ceremonies for area public schools.

The Buffalo Festival every September attracts thousands of visitors, as does the Baker Christmas Parade.

Baker’s Heritage Museum, located at 1606 Main Street, offers a look into the history of Baker and the Baton Rouge area in the 1800’s.  The museum and the miniature village are ideal for tourists and school field trips.

Baker has many attractive neighborhoods and offers security for homeowners.  It is a walking community and has a reputation as a great place for retirees.  The parks and golf courses are attractive and popular.

The Baton Rouge Zoo is located just outside the city limits of Baker.  It is a great place for kids and adults to visit.

Council member Burges says she wants Baker to grow.  “When you come to Baker, you find a lot of love,” she said.

If Mayor Rideau has his way, there will also be a trained workforce and a lot more jobs.