Smiley Anders for April 26, 2008

• By SMILEY ANDERS
• Advocate columnist
• Published: Apr 26, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:20 a.m.

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Dear Smiley: I think Police Chief Jeff LeDuff deserves a tip of the hat.

Recently he pulled over my second-eldest daughter for not wearing her seat belt.

She assured him that she used it regularly, but had just pulled out of the parking lot and had not yet had an opportunity to buckle up.

Chief LeDuff gave her a firm but polite reprimand, reminding her that she could receive serious injuries if she were involved in an automobile accident while not wearing a seat belt.

He told her she was precious and should take steps to protect herself from harm. He also reminded her that not only would she suffer personal loss, her family would be hurt as well.

When she became a little emotional, he gave her a reassuring hug and let her off with a warning.

Chief LeDuff can be assured that my daughter now wears her seat belt religiously.

I think Chief LeDuff genuinely cares for the people he has sworn to protect and serve.

We should be proud to have him as our chief of police.
Howell Andrews
Baton Rouge

A grizzly spring
Dear Smiley: Just wanted to say thanks to the Advocate online edition for keeping all of us updated with Baton Rouge happenings.

I’m temporarily working at Yellowstone, and while all of you are enjoying the great Louisiana spring, winter is still here with snow and 20-degree temps.

I keep hearing it’s springtime, but I’ve yet to see many signs of it except for the grizzly bears coming out of hibernation.

It’s a great experience, but it’s just not south Louisiana — HOME!
Chris LeBlanc
Yellowstone National Park, Wyo.