Early Voting Starts Saturday!


Good morning, residents of East BatonRouge Parish! Early voting for the October 2015 primary election begins tomorrow from 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM and runs weekdays and Saturdays until October 17th.

Got questions about your early vote location? Check out the Secretary of State’s Early Voting, In Person guide to find the address of the registrar of voters office near you. They’ve also got a sample ballot with full text of the amendments up for renewal available through the Voter Portal – you just have to provide your address.

To learn more about the library’s presence on the ballot, please refer to the Dedicated Library Tax Millage FAQ posted on our website – and if you want even more information than that, call your friendly neighborhood librarians at (225) 231-3750!

And just in case you can’t make it next week, don’t forget:

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

It’s Mardi Gras time again, and taking in a parade is the perfect pastime in between library visits.  Below is the schedule for this year’s parades. Click the name of the parade to see the route.

Saturday, February 7 6:30pm Krewe of Jupiter
Friday, February 13 7:00pm Krewe of Artemis
Saturday, February 14 2:00pm Krewe Mystique de la Capitale
6:30pm Krewe of Orion
Sunday, February 15 2:00pm CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts
To participate with your dog, visit: FAQ’s and registration form
Friday, February 20 7:00pm Krewe of Southdowns
Saturday, February 21 12:00pm Spanish Town Parade

The Big Read: One Book/One Community

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library and its community partners present the Winter/Spring 2009 One Book/One Community selection:

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines.

The kickoff event for this community reading project is Saturday, February 7, at the Red Stick Farmer’s Market. There are numerous events scheduled, including a Gala Evening with Ernest Gaines at Baton Rouge Community College on Thursday, February 12, at 6:30 pm. Gaines will be joined by Chancellor Myrtle Dorsey, student film directors, critics and scholars for a panel discussion and a screening of A Lesson Before Dying at the Magnolia Performing Arts Pavilion.

Complete list of One Book/One Community events

How to File a Consumer Complaint

So many different agencies handle consumer complaints, that it’s confusing to figure out which agency you should complain to. For example, should you contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office or the Public Service Commission? There’s so much division of jurisdiction that one might be tempted to file a complaint about it. 😉 But before you do that, try looking at some of the following charts and links as a guide.

The Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau handles complaints that involve buyers and sellers, where there is an item that has been sold or has been advertised for sale. Complaints may be filed by either a consumer or another business.

The Better Business Bureau will not handle:

  • Anonymous complaints
  • Allegations of discrimination or violations of constitutional rights
  • Complaints involving professionals such as lawyers or doctors (unless it involves billing procedures)
  • Debt collection
  • Disputes that are already in litigation

BBB of South Central Louisiana

Phone: (225) 346-5222
Fax: (225) 346-1029
748 Main Street
Baton Rouge LA 70802

Most complaints against businesses located in Louisiana should be directed to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. However, complaints about certains types of businesses, such as utility companies, for example, will be directed to other agencies. Refer to the following chart.

If your complaint concerns: Then contact:
Automobiles
Telemarketing
Landlords & tenants
Credit issues
Collection agencies
Home improvements and construction
Home appliances and furnishings
Health clubs
Travel
Charitable solicitations
Sweepstakes
Work-at-home programs
Multilevel marketing/business opportunities.

Office of the Louisiana Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section

P.O. Box 94005
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005
Disaster Hotline: 1-800-351-4889

Motor Carriers
Telecommunications
Utilities such as Electric, Gas, Water and Sewage

Louisiana Public Service Commission

602 North 5th Street
12th Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-4404
1-800-256-2397

Filing a Complaint With the Louisiana Public Service Commission

Insurance companies, agents and adjusters

Louisiana Department of Insurance

Post Office Box 94214
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
General Information: 1-800-259-5300 or 1-800-259-5301
Direct Telephone numbers: (225) 342-5900 or (225) 342-0895

Insurance Fraud

Complaints against medical professionals should be filed with the appropriate licensing or regulatory agency. Refer to the following chart to find the correct agency, with a link to their website and contact information.

Type of professional Regulatory board or agency
Physicians (MD and D0)
Acupuncturists
Acupuncturist Assistants
Athletic Trainers
Clin Exercise Physiologists
Clin Laboratory Personnel
Midwives (lay)
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physician Assistants
Podiatrists
Perfusionists
Polysomnograph Personnel
Radiological Technologists
Respiratory Therapists

Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

630 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 568-6820

Chiropractors

Louisiana State Board of Chiropractic Examiners

8621 Summa Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
(225) 765-2322

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners

Louisiana State Board of Nursing

17373 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge LA 70810
(225) 755-7500

Dentists

Louisiana State Board of Dentistry

365 Canal St, Suite 2680, New Orleans LA 70130
(504) 568-8574

Optometrists

Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners

P.O. Box 555
Oakdale, LA 71463
(318) 335-2989

Licensed Practical Nurses

Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners

3421 N Causeway Blvd, Ste 505
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 838-5791

Psychologists

Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

8280 YMCA Plaza, One Oak Square, Bldg 8B, Baton Rouge LA 70810
(225) 763-3968

Here’s some miscellaneous state agencies:

Concerning the operation of state government

Louisiana Office of Inspector General

P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095
(225) 342-4262

Filing a Complaint

Employee complaints against employers

Louisiana Workforce Commission

1001 North 23rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-3338
(225) 342-3111

The following federal agencies handle consumer complaints.