A Letter to the Editor Doxey recalls what life was like at Chateau du Lac just three years ago. “I remember asking somebody here one day if there was a drugstore nearby and that person looked at me and said, ‘pick a door,’ as in you could knock on any door at the high rise and find drugs readily available for purchase. You’d walk around this place and see residents carrying baseball bats, guns, knives, anything to protect themselves. It was a scary place to be, but it’s nothing like that any more. Those days are gone. In the last couple of years, almost everything here has changed for the better.” THE HIGH-RISERS Sweet-Goings and Doxey credit their formation of The High-Risers, a tenant’s association for residents of Chateau du Lac, with putting at least a few of those changes into motion. According to Doxey, in the past it was commonplace to see police officers, firefighters, and paramedics at the building on a daily basis as those various entities dealt with issues and problems at Chateau du Lac. Today, says Doxey, it’s rare to see them because there’s usually no need for their services. A walk around the interior of the building reveals clean, cheerful surroundings; a cozy recreation room that includes a large plasma television donated to the residents by ConocoPhillips; and a small snack shop that’s primarily run by SweetGoings and Doxey that includes fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, ice cream, and sodas. Popular with residents, SweetGoings said some of them get out of their room during the day just to come down to the snack shop and socialize for a bit. Who are the residents of the Chateau du Lac? The majority of them are on fixed incomes and although many of them are senior citizens, others have physical or mental disabilities. Among the population are former attorneys, teachers, principals, and business owners. Currently residing at the Chateau du Lac are also a man who once played basketball for both McNeese State University and the Harlem Globetrotters, as well as a man who is the brother of a musician with the popular rock group Creed. Both of those residents were hanging out in the recreation room on a recent afternoon and talked about how much they enjoy residing at the high rise.
Volume 2 • Issue 25
Sweet-Goings recalls that management at the Chateau du Lac originally thought the High-Risers were “troublemakers” but says that opinion soon gave way to admiration for the group. Brenda Briscoe is manager of the Chateau du Lac and she backs up what SweetGoings says. “The tenant association is all about positive things for our residents,” Briscoe said. “Both Minnie and James are doing great things. In fact, I call James the ‘Ambassador’ of the Chateau du Lac. He is always trying to improve things for the residents and looking out for their best interests.” THE RIGHT THING TO DO Some of the things that the HighRisers help tenants with include correspondence, legal issues, medical appointments, groceries, errands, and more. They also put out a monthly newsletter for residents, and it’s filled with tips on how to make their lives better, information on workshops they can attend, upcoming events, and more. Some of the residents receive meal assistance when Abraham’s Tent delivers 100 prepared meals to Chateau du Lac Monday through Friday of each week. But Doxey and Sweet-Goings worry about the residents who are on fixed incomes and may not be eating right on the weekends, so they’ll oftentimes spend their own money and whip up a big pot of soup or gumbo for those residents. Sweet-Goings believes that every person should give something back to the world. “It’s important that each of us figure out what our purpose is in life,” she said. “For me, if there is any type of injustice I will not just simply sit there and take it. I’ll challenge things. Helping people through the tenant association fulfills me. I’ve surely found my purpose and this is it.” Doxey echoes that sentiment. “Why do I do what I do?” he asked. “Well, I don’t get paid for it so it sure isn’t for the money. I do it because I look around and know that the residents here need me. I guess I mostly help people because it’s simply the right thing to do.” Lisa Addison has been a writer for more than 30 years. She writes for local, regional and national publications. TJN
Dear Editor: Brandon Shoemaker's Sports Report (“Geauxing for the Gold” March 10, 2011) makes some valid and needed points on an important topic, but I would suggest that Shoemaker use some old-fashioned shoe leather to find out what some of the other Southland schools are doing to address the problem of declining tax revenue in an age of rising price inflation. If he had practiced a minimum of old-fashioned reporting skills, he would have discovered similar practices at Lamar and many other Southland conference schools. There is no need for making a tongue-in-cheek reference to faraway Appalachian State when so many schools so much closer to home are also charging “extra” for premium seating. McNeese, as well as Lamar, did extensive research on the appropriate comparables. You might want to check this out with several institutions before rushing to print. We should also remember that these are tough budgetary and economic times, especially for state and local governments. Cash-strapped state governments across the nation are cutting back on many of the "extras" in state-supported schools. From Madison, Wisconsin to Athens, Greece, we are seeing an outcry from those who are asked to cut back from the outrageous spending policies and promises of the past. It's time to face reality in all walks of life. We can only pay for what we can afford. In the grand scheme of life, college athletics are a wonderful part of the "toy store" of life, but there is no constitutional right to the same seat for all time. If you can afford the price increase, great. That's part of the cost of fan loyalty. Worst case, if some sports fans need to settle for "general admission" seats, then, as mamma said, be thankful just to be in the building.
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TJN
MARCH 24, 2011
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