The following is a partial List of Accomplishments over the years:
1998-2005 - Organized and maintained "Litter Patrol", which cleaned up trash, debris and rubble in the GSRI area. Contacted certain real estate companies and enforced the sign code, removing the eye-sore of the red "FOR RENT" signs, thus improving the looks of the neighborhood. One of the on-going goals of Project GSRI is to get property owners to repair fences, or either remove the posts. Also had several abondoned vehicles towed. Contacted DPW on serveral occassions to report over-grown lots.
2000 - Worked with Fred Raiford, of the City of Baton Rouge, for the placement of a black-top sidewalk from 8635 GSRI Avenue to the intersection of Gardere Lane. This sidewalk condusive to pedestrian traffic, especially among mothers with baby carriages. Before the sidewalk was placed, this area would often be overgrown and muddy. Pedestrians were forced to use the road-a dangerous situation. This sidewalk has improved the area by supporting pedestrian traffic to local businesses, whereas before, the walk to the store was undesirable and most likely put off.
2003-04 - Worked with (then) Councilman Pat Culbertson of District 3 and certain property owners, to see what types of improvements we could offer. Grassroots-Baton Rouge offered its volunteer services to the District on several occassions. We decided better lighting was needed, which was eventually fullfilled when repair and replacement of street lighting along GSRI Avenue was done. This improved the safety and visibility on GSRI, from the corner of Jasper, westward to Gardere Lane.
2004 Contacted utility company and was instrumental in having a high-power street light installed at Grassroot's Member, Rick Johnson, making it safer for his children to play in their own yard.
2005 Met with East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Department and Sherrif Litchfield to discuss the needs in the GSRI/Gardere area. Meeting was successful. Topics discussed were readily heard and the EBRSD was very cooperative and helpful to the point that our meeting prompted the placement of the new EBRS sub-division now in place in the once abandoned Orleans Place storefront. That sub-station is still making a difference today.
2005 Attended Mayor's Open Meetings at Bluebonnet Branch Library and voiced the needs of GSRI area. Made a public plea for help, which was televised on Metro 21, giving the whole of the City some awareness. Met with the Mayor's Office to discuss funding and future projects. We were refered to several resoures.
2005 - Requested that Department of Public Works paint GSRI Avenue with median and shoulder markings. Requested "Slow: Children Playing" signs be placed in key locations.*
2007 - Conducted Membership Drive and developed this web-site. City-wide awareness of Grassroots was accomplished by incorporating Metro 21 Public Announcements. The campaign was a success and resulted in a few new members and several opportunities to request service for these new members.
2008 - Worked with Eli Rosenfeld, of Green Corps, and promoted awareness and concern for the utility company's proposal to turn Montz, Louisiana into a coal-producing refinery. In response to the public's demands for action to address climate change, the coal industry is frantically rushing to get 100 new dirty coal-fired power plants constructed across the country before carbon regulations are put in place. If even half of these plants were built, it would be nearly impossible to meet our emissions reduction goals and would counteract much of the progress states, businesses and organizations around the country are making in the fight to stop global warming. E-mailed members and invited many to attend Public Demonstrations supported by Sierra Club and L.E.A.N. and Green Corps.
2009 - We are currently involved in the following projects:
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Project Eastgate
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Project GSRI**
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Project Gardere
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Project Litty Gypsy**