LMR_May 2016

May 2016 Page 1 

Louisiana Municipal Review 

VOLUME 81, NUMBER 5 PUBLISHED BY THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION 

MAY 2016 

39th Annual Municipal Day at the Legislature 

(L-R), LMA Executive Director Ronnie Harris, LMA Second Vice President Lawrence 

Henagan, President of the Senate John Alario, LMA First Vice President Barney 

Arceneaux, and LMA President Carroll Breaux 

(L-R), Senator Eddie Lambert, Councilman Neal Bourque of Gonzales, Senator Troy 

Brown, Councilman David Guitreau of Gonzales, Mayor Barney Arceneaux of Gonzales, 

and Clay Stafford, CPA of Gonzales. 

PRESORT 

STANDARD 

U. S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

BATON ROUGE, LA 

PERMIT #319 

See 8 and 9 for more pictures from the event 

Registration for the 

Annual Convention 

is now available 

See pages 10 and 11 

for more information 

(L-R), LMA Executive Director Ronnie Harris, LMA Second Vice President Lawrence 

Henagan, LMA President Carroll Breaux, Speaker of the House Taylor Barras, LMA 

First Vice President Barney Arceneaux, and Representative Johnny Berthelot. 

Over the Legislative Hill 

By Karen Day White 

LMA Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs 

As of the penning of this article, the 

sixth week of the regular legislative session 

has concluded, marking the halfway 

point. Of the over 1,600 bills filed 

during this session, less than 10 have 

made it all the way to Governor Edwards’ 

desk. Though there are rumors 

about an early adjournment in light of 

the now-inevitable second special session, 

the session must wrap up no later 

than June 6 th . For the LMA legislative 

team, the daily struggle at the capitol has 

centered on local preemption legislation. 

There are a number of bills that seek to 

preempt the ability of local government 

to manage its own affairs in one regard 

or another. 

In the face of these multiple preemption 

bids, the LMA has been largely successful 

in either defeating the legislation, 

or having it amended to address local 

concerns and preserve local authority. 

From SB 216, which initially sought to 

mandate detailed record-keeping at animal 

shelters, to HB 823, which originally 

sought to impose regulations on water 

systems statewide, the LMA legislative 

team has worked closely with other local 

government groups and interested parties 

to protect municipal interests. Early in 

the session, municipal government operations 

were threatened by two bills, which 

sought to once again restrict the occasions 

on which bond and tax elections could be 

held, providing only one such opportunity 

per year. HB 161 and SB 245 were 

both killed in committee due to the efforts 

of local government advocacy. 

Once again, the issue of automated 

traffic enforcement systems has arisen 

in the form of HB 1021 – which would 

mandate voter approval prior to implementation 

of such red light cameras and 

unmanned speed monitors – and HB 

1094, which would impair, if not eliminate, 

the ability of local governments to 

collect the fines and fees associated with 

these systems. The LMA has fought this 

legislation for years, and will diligently 

continue to do so to preserve this vital tool 

for public safety and maintain this source 

of revenue for municipal governments. 

But it is not all nay-saying by the legislative 

team. Several LMA-backed bills 

have moved favorably through the process 

to-date, and are well on their way to 

gubernatorial approval. HB 805 and HB 

678 provide for funding of 911 call centers 

through wireless telephone charges, 

and HB 978 improves and modernizes 

tax procedures by building upon Act 

640 of 2014. HB 834 by our dear friend 

Representative Johnny Berthelot would 

greatly assist municipal governments in 

obtaining favorable judgments of dismissal 

by streamlining the process for 

payment of court costs. 

We will continue to keep you apprised 

of the latest legislative developments 

through weekly updates, which are both 

emailed to you and are available on the 

LMA app. You can view and follow all 

of the regular session bills that the LMA 

is tracking on our website at www.lma. 

org under “Legislative Advocacy,” and 

live video of all committee meetings and 

floor proceedings is available at http:// 

www.legis.la.gov/legis/Home.aspx.

Page 2 

Governor’s Column 

Together There is No Challenge 

We Will Not Meet 

By John Bel Edwards 

Governor of Louisiana 

It is an honor to be writing my very 

first column as governor for your publication 

in the season in which Louisiana 

Municipal Association is celebrating 

your 90 th anniversary of service to municipalities 

around Louisiana. Congratulations 

to you, and thank you and 

each of your members for your consistent 

dedication to delivering excellence 

in government, day in and day out, to 

the people of Louisiana over the past 

nine decades. 

As I write this column, my administration 

is just now reaching its first 

100-day threshold. Already, it is clear 

to me that our joint success in serving 

Louisiana citizens together depends on 

maintaining a close working relationship 

between my office, state agencies, 

and each and every one of your local 

governments. I want you to know 

how much I appreciate your service. 

Throughout my administration, I offer 

you an open door to my office as you 

join in our commitment to put Louisiana 

first. 

As you know, the previous administration 

drove us into the largest budget 

deficit in Louisiana’s history. The 

legislature worked with me to address 

more than half of the $2 billion budget 

deficit facing us this coming fiscal 

year. However, legislators left unfinished 

business when they left a $750 

million budget gap remaining for next 

year. Your personal request to your legislators 

to work with me to correct that 

deficit as soon as possible will make all 

the difference. 

Even in 

these difficult 

budget times, 

it is important 

that we 

strengthen our 

local community 

infrastructure. 

With 

that in mind, 

I am currently 

recommending 

that the legislature 

fund more than $6.2 million in 

Louisiana Governor’s Assistance Program, 

or LGAP, grants next fiscal year 

through our capital outlay process. 

With my designee Leslie Durham 

now representing Louisiana on the 

Delta Regional Authority (DRA), we 

are also reinvigorating our Louisiana 

presence there. Congress has recently 

raised DRA’s allocation of funding 

because DRA is making a difference 

in the rural Delta areas within its footprint. 

DRA investment dollars can be 

used for match money for federal and 

state grants, including FEMA funding. 

DRA includes 56 Louisiana parishes 

and this year will announce more new 

investment programs in our state. 

The last eight years have brought 

increasing clouds of uncertainty across 

our state government. Today is a new 

day. Together I know we can lead our 

state forward as we stabilize our state’s 

budget and build a brighter future for 

the people you and I serve each day. 


Governor 

John Bel Edwards 

Last year, the LMA lost a valued and beloved employee, Shaun “Bruno” Laureles. 

As the anniversary of his passing approaches, we remember his kind and 

amusing spirit. We continue to miss him, but memories of him remain with us. 

Own Your Own Health 

By Durand “Rudy” Macklin, Director 

Bureau of Minority Health Access and Promotions 

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 

From left, Mayor of Clinton Lori Ann Bell, Rudy Macklin, 

and Councilwoman Joyce Burges of Baker. 

May 2016 

Rudy Macklin and Miss Louisiana April 

Nelson of Mandeville presenting the 

Own Your Own Health initiative at the 

2016 LMA Mid-Winter Conference. 

On April 1, 2016, the Bureau of Minority 

Health Access and Promotions 

(BMHAP) resurrected the observance 

of Louisiana Minority Health Month 

to coincide with the National Minority 

Health Month campaign. The theme this 

year, Own Your Own Health, will promote 

the extraordinary efforts underway 

by the BMHAP to reduce disparities, advance 

equity, and strengthen the health 

and well-being of all Louisianans. 

The upcoming transformation of 

Louisiana’s health care system through 

major policy changes by Governor John 

Bel Edwards, such as the Affordable 

Care Act, undoubtedly will improve the 

health status of minority populations 

that began more 30 than years ago ac- 

Rudy Macklin addressing the LMA membershipcording 

to HHS Report of the Secretary’s 

Task Force on Black and Minority Health 

(commonly known as the Heckler Report) 

in 1985. This report also led to the 

establishment of the BMHAP. 

During the entire month of April, 

BMHAP highlighted initiatives to forge 

a new era of health equity through public 

and private sector partners and stakeholder 

collaboration to address environmental, 

social, and economic conditions 

known as social determinants of health. 

These conditions affect daily living in the 

places where people are born, grow, live, 

work, learn and age and have significant 

impact on the health outcomes of individuals, 

families, and their communities, 

and the prosperity of our state. 

To increase momentum toward 

achieving health equity, multi-sectorial 

efforts are increasing across state, local, 

and tribal partners, including BMHAP 

grantees, to reverse and repair the devastating 

impact of unhealthy homes, 

lack of affordable transportation, limited 

healthy, affordable food options in far 

too many communities across Louisiana. 

The Bureau of Minority Health Access 

and Promotions will draw attention 

to the tremendous steps taken by local 

community partners to reduce disparities, 

advance equity, and strengthen our 

state as a whole by prioritizing 

high quality healthy 

housing, physical activity 

programs, disease prevention 

and nutritious foods. 

By taking these measures, 

collectively we will build 

a stronger foundation for 

our state’s increasingly diverse 

population to prosper 

for generations to come. 

The Bureau of Minority 

Health Access and Promotions 

invites partners of all 

sectors to join efforts in 

April, and all year long, in 

creating a healthier state. 

Visit the Bureau’s website: 

www.dhh.la.gov/MHA 

and see the many programs 

and events cosponsored by 

our newest partner, Amerigroup.



By Mayor Carroll Breaux 

LMA President 

Whether it’s inside a village, town, 

or city, we all are faced with overgrown, 

neglected, severely blighted, or abandoned 

properties. There’s nothing that 

strikes a nerve more than seeing a property 

that insults the pride and integrity 

of a municipality. The most beautiful 

neighborhoods can be tainted by a 

handful of unkept properties. 

I decided to take the proper steps 

to protect our city by enforcing new 

policies. We adopted the International 

Property Maintenance Code in the 

form of an ordinance for our municipality. 

This ordinance provides pre-established 

guidelines on how to address 

different types of blight. 

Last fall, I hired Brenda Stewart as 

the city’s Code Enforcement Officer 

and tasked her with handling roughly 

75 properties that, in most cases, had 

simply been neglected, but in some 

cases were otherwise blighted or abandoned. 

Brenda sends notifications to 

residents/owners and documents the 

condition of properties prior to intervention. 

In some cases, it’s as simple as 

asking them nicely to cut their grass or 

clean up their yard. In other cases, we 

have to take it a step further by paying 

an outside company to remediate 

the property. Afterwards, some of the 

By Ronnie Harris 

LMA Executive Director 

President’s Message 

My Campaign on Blight 

By some accounts, one could say that 

this year is passing very quickly and, as 

one gets older, it seems that each year 

goes by faster and faster. The LMA 

year is past the halfway mark as we approach 

this summer’s district meetings 

and annual convention. Planning for 

both events is coming along nicely, and 

the LMA and the City of Alexandria 

are working hard to offer an enjoyable 

time, great exhibitors, and interesting 

workshops. 

The Louisiana Legislature also has 

reached its halfway mark: 1 ½ sessions 

down and 1 ½ sessions to go. Rumors 

are that the legislature may adjourn 

early so that the members can spend 

a week at home before starting up the 

second special session to deal with the 

budgetary shortfall. As you may be 

aware, since the legislature failed to 

balance this year’s budget in the first 

special session, the regular session now 

has to cling to the only good fiscal 

news that has come forth, specifically 

that the FY 2016 budget deficit is only 

$600 million, not the $750 million 

previously thought. Generating next 

year’s budget will be the challenge, 

since the word is that considering those 

As we continue 

to enforce blight 

policies as to all 

residents, we are 

seeing a change in 

our community. 

residents/owners respond timely with 

a payment for services; however, if we 

continue to service a property and payment 

is not received, we then place a 

lien on the property. 

After filing the lien, the process of tax 

sale/adjudication and property sales can 

become complicated and time-consuming 

for most municipal staffs. It’s difficult 

to instill confidence in the buyer 

of an adjudicated property that it won’t 

be taken away years later due to a discrepancy 

in paperwork. LaMATS offers 

many programs to enhance nuisance 

abatement, including the LaMATS Adjudicated 

Property program, which sells 

adjudicated properties without your 

municipality incurring any cost. 

LMA Executive Director Ronnie 

Director’s Viewpoint 

The Halfway Mark 

who won’t consider any increase in 

fees, taxes, or other means to come up 

with the cash, revenue will not be easily 

raised. 

What is troubling are comments 

by Commissioner of Administration 

Jay Dardenne, who stated that local 

government seems to be the problem. 

State assistance to education, law enforcement, 

and parish government are 

constitutionally-protected measures 

that do represent a large portion of 

budget expenditures. 

As one recalls, it was the state legislature 

that made these commitments, 

which were subsequently approved 

by the voters. The largest portion of 

these dedicated funds, $4 billion, goes 

to K-12 education, which administered 

by local school boards. Revenue 

sharing of $90 million goes to parish 

government to blunt the loss of tax revenue 

in providing for the homestead 

exemption, which, by the way, is now 

woefully underfunded. Also, state supplemental 

pay to law enforcement and 

firefighters is another large portion of 

the budget expenditures. There is no 

direct loss to municipal government as 

there are no direct protected funds. 

It will be interesting to see if the legislature 

will explain how they are not 

committed to our children’s education, 

Harris and La- 

MATS Executive 

Director 

Cliff Palmer 

recognized the 

need for nuisance 

property Carroll Breaux 

Mayor 

remediation 

and created 

a program to address a problem most 

municipalities can’t solve alone: overgrown 

lots blighted with high grass, 

weeds, and other noxious growth. This 

Overgrown Lot program, combined 

with the Delinquent Property Tax Sales 

program, streamlines the path to successful 

resolution of problem properties 

through adjudicated property sales. 

Implementing these procedures has 

now equipped my city to handle all levels 

of blight. As we continue to enforce 

blight policies as to all residents, we 

are seeing a change in our community. 

Monitoring this process ensures that 

properties have owners who are fulfilling 

their obligation to maintain their 

property in good order. With consistent 

enforcement, the complexion of 

communities will change as homeowners 

are held accountable. Please contact 

the LMA office, (225) 344-5001, to 

learn more about the LaMATS programs 

and consider including them as 

one of your tools to fight blight. 

Ronnie C. Harris 

our homestead 

exemption, or 

to law enforcement 

or the local 

firefighter. 

Otherwise, 

it seems to be 

a relatively 

quiet session 

for municipalities. 

Our legislative 

team, 

led by John 

Gallagher, has been hard at work fending 

off bad legislation either by deferral 

or amending it to be acceptable to 

our municipalities. Many of these bills 

preempt local authority and the LMA 

is adamantly opposed to any legislation 

that diminishes our local authority 

over local matters. Other bills would 

proposed to affect tax election dates, 

traffic cameras, and other matters that 

normally would be reserved for local 

decisions. 

Elections are over and we wish to 

offer a hearty congratulations to those 

successful candidates, while also thanking 

those who are leaving office for 

their public service. For each of those 

officials, this time is not their halfway 

mark, but a new beginning. Good luck 

to all! 

The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication 

of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium 

of exchange of ideas and information for municipal officials 

in Louisiana. Published monthly, the Louisiana Municipal 

Review, circulation 3,550, is read by all mayors, governing body 

members, administrators, clerks, attorneys, chiefs of police, 

chiefs of fire, other key employees of Louisiana municipal 

governments, sheriffs, parish presidents, state government 

officials, members of the state Legislature and Congressional 

Delegation, and others. 

Subscription rate: $24 per year; Single copy: $2. Louisiana 

residents, add 9 percent sales tax. 

Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 700 North 

10th Street, Suite 400, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 

70821-4327, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344- 

3057. 

MUNICIPAL REVIEW STAFF 

Ronnie C. Harris, Editor 

editor@lma.org 

Baton Rouge Press, Inc., Production Coordinator 

Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are 

those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana 

Municipal Association. Publication of any advertisement shall 

not be considered an endorsement of the product or service 

involved. No material from this publication may be reprinted 

without the express permission of the editor. 

Rates for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising 

available upon request from Kelly Drone, 

(225) 344-5001, FAX (225) 344-3057, editor@lma.org. 

Third class postage paid at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION 

Internet Home Page – www.lma.org 

Editorial Office – editor@lma.org 

LMA EXECUTIVE BOARD 

President 

Carroll Breaux 

Mayor, Springhill 

First Vice President 

Barney Arceneaux 

Mayor, Gonzales 

Second Vice President 

Lawrence Henagan, 

Mayor, DeQuincy 

District Vice Presidents: “A”– Jimmy Williams, Mayor, Sibley; 

“B”– Eugene Smith, Mayor, Arcadia; “C”–Harry Lewis, Mayor, 

Rayville; “D”–Kenneth Freeman, Mayor, Many; “E”– Nathan 

Martin, Councilman, Pineville; “F”– Purvis Morrison, Mayor, 

Scott; “G”– Greg Jones, Mayor, Crowley; “H”– Harold Rideau, 

Mayor, Baker; “I” – Donald Villere, Mandeville; Mayor, “J”– Joey 

Bouziga, Mayor, Golden Meadow. 

Vice Presidents at Large: Mark Piazza, Mayor, Abbeville; 

Michael Chauffe, Mayor, Gross Tete; Wayne Cathcart, Mayor, 

Benton; Jennifer Vidrine, Mayor, Ville Platte; Kenneth Stinson, 

Mayor, Vinton. 

Past Presidents: David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle; Vern 

Breland, Mayor, Sterlington; Hilda Daigre Curry, Mayor, New 

Iberia; Glenn L. Brasseaux, Mayor, Carencro; Clarence R. Fields, 

Mayor, Pineville; David C. Butler, II, Mayor, Woodworth; and 

Norman E. “Pete” Heine, Councilman, Baker. 

Presidents of Affiliate Organizations: Mark Vilar, Pineville, 

Louisiana City Attorneys Association; Gwen Martin, Carencro, 

Municipal Clerks Association; Randy Albarez, Zachary, 

Recreation and Parks Association; Tiffani Delapasse, Baton 

Rouge, Association of Tax Administrators; Hilda Edwards, 

Mandeville, Association of Municipal Secretaries and Assistants; 

Blake Steiner, Rapides Area Planning Commission, Building 

Officials Association; Chief Chad Roberson, Baton Rouge, 

Secretary, LA Fire Chiefs Association; Janet Gonzales, President, 

LA Airport Managers and Associates; and Warren Ponder, 

Baton Rouge, Acting Executive Director, Municipal Employees 

Retirement System. 

Advisory Board Members: Randy Roach, Mayor, Lake 

Charles, Conference of Mayors; Chief Mitch Bratten, Grayson, 

President, LA Association of Chiefs of Police; Barbara O’Bear, 

Councilwoman, White Castle, Municipal Black Caucus 

Association; and Patrick Credeur, Executive Director, Rural 

Water Association. 

LMA STAFF 

Ronnie C. Harris, Executive Director 

Cami Barlow, Office Administrator and Executive Assistant 

Bettie J. Bean, Receptionist 

Samantha Bell, LMGA Accountant 

Jennifer Bourgeois, Senior Accountant 

E. Jerry Cronin, General Manager, Risk Management, Inc. 

Susanne Diez, Administrative Assistant 

Kelly Drone, Director of Communications and Education 

Ken B. Drone, LMGA Managing Director 

John A. Gallagher, Director of Governmental Affairs 

Gerald Johnson, Customer Service Representative 

Amber Jones, Senior Administrative Assistant 

Mary Joseph, Accountant 

Kerry Landry, Chief Financial Officer 

Hannah Michelli, Accountant 

Bill Mulkey, Customer Service Representative 

Bradley C. “Brad” Myers, Legal Counsel 

Cliff Palmer, Chief of Staff 

Candice Rodgers, Defense Counsel 

Nikki Samrow, Events Director 

Dinah “Penny” Ambeau Scott, Paralegal/LMA 

J. Scott Thomas, Senior Defense Counsel 

AJ Walker, Senior Manager – Member Services 

Erin Walker, Paralegal/Legal Department 

Mike S. Walker, Information Technology Director 

Karen White, Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs 

OFFICE HOURS: 

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LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW 

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Page 4 

By Karen Day White 

LMA Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs 

Municipal leaders are in the business 

of identifying local issues, and seeking 

efficient and effective solutions. When 

it comes to condemnable buildings, nuisance 

properties, or public works problems, 

the means with which to address 

the issues are generally easy to identify. 

Far more problematic to address is the 

growing opioid epidemic in our communities. 

What we see are the effects 

of the progressively powerful hold that 

prescription pain medication is taking 

on our citizens, but the ultimate solution 

for the root of the problem has proven 

elusive. 

Opioid pain reliever sales in the United 

States quadrupled from 1999 to 2010, 

according to the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. During that 

same period, the substance abuse treatment 

admission for opioid use increased 

nearly seven times. Drug overdose is the 

leading cause of accidental death in the 

U.S., with 47,055 lethal drug overdoses 

in 2014, and opioid addiction accounts 

for nearly 40% of those fatalities with 

18,893 overdose deaths related to prescription 

pain relievers. Louisiana’s overdose 

death rate is higher than the national 

average at 13.2 persons per 100,000. 

Jeff Landry 

Attorney General 

( Editor’s 

Note: Below are 

brief summaries 

of recent legal 

opinions rendered 

by the Office of 

Attorney General 

Jeff Landry on 

matters pertaining 

to municipal and 

local government. 

For a copy of cited 

opinions, please contact LMA Director 

of Governmental Affairs John Gallagher at 

jgallagher@lma.org.) 

Public Funds 

AGO 15-0180 

The Town of Mansura may use public 

funds to construct or renovate a medical 

office building for the sole purpose of negotiating 

a long term lease with a medical 

practitioner provided the Town has a reasonable 

expectation of receiving a public 

benefit commensurate with the expenditure. 

Leave 

AGO 15-0186 

The Chief of Police of the Town of 

Baldwin is an employee of the Town entitled 

to the same benefits as any other 

municipal employee. Pursuant to Section 

4.3(d) of the Town’s employment 

policy, the Board is permitted to pay for 

the Chief’s terminal leave, provided that 

his annual leave was accrued and documented 

during his term of office. Such 

Legal Briefs 

Addiction tears families apart and 

causes untold heartache, but the fiscal 

impacts are also dire. Doctor shopping 

and obtaining non-necessary prescription 

medication (generally for the purposes of 

illegally reselling the same) cost insurance 

companies and Medicaid billions of dollars 

every year, a cost that is passed on to 

consumers. Further, the epidemic strains 

limited municipal resources such as law 

enforcement, emergency services, and 

community family services. 

So what solutions are there? The 

National League of Cities (NLC) and 

the National Association of Counties 

(NACo) just announced the formation 

of a new joint national task force to 

address our nation’s opioid and heroin 

abuse crisis, the City-County National 

Task Force on the Opioid Epidemic. 

The committee is comprised of city and 

county leaders from across the country 

who will aim to enhance awareness, facilitate 

peer exchanges, and identify sound 

policy and partnership solutions. 

The task force acknowledges from the 

outset that a “war on drugs” is not a feasible 

means of preventing opioid addiction, 

and that a successful strategy will encompass 

selective prescribing combined with 

addiction treatment. The task will conduct 

at least two national dialogues with 


An Intangible Blight 

Attorney General’s Opinions 

payment by the Town does not violate La. 

Const. art. VII, § 14. 

Lawrason Act; Meetings 

AGO 15-0198 

There is no state law requiring a member 

of a municipal board of aldermen to 

attend meetings. However, failure to hold 

at least one regular meeting each month 

with a quorum could be considered malfeasance 

in office. 

Volunteer Fire Department 

AGO 16-0023 

The Town of Olla created the Olla Volunteer 

Fire Department for the purpose 

of providing firefighting services to the 

citizens of the town. Neither state law nor 

local ordinances authorizes the OVFD to 

charge a fee for responding to ordinary 

emergency calls. Thus, if the OVFD received 

payment for this concept, the 

funds must be refunded. 

Public Funds - Utilities 

AGO 16-0013 

The Village may not adjust a citizen’s 

sewer bill due to a broken water pipe on 

the customer’s side of the meter absent 

an error on the part of the Village. To do 

so would violate La. Const. art. VII, sec. 

14(A). 

Sales & Use Taxes 

AGO 16-0021 

The Town of Clayton may use sales and 

use tax proceeds to mow and maintain 

ditches on the sides of roads, if the Town 

city and county 

elected leaders, 

and will develop 

educational 

opportunities 

for counties and 

cities through 

special forums, 

educational 

workshops, 

webinars and Karen White 

other opportunities. 

The 

committee will then publish a national 

summary report of city-county collaboration, 

focusing on community prevention 

and overdose response, effective treatment 

options, public safety enforcement 

and supply reduction. You can track the 

progress of the committee and access 

their publications through the NLC’s 

website at www.nlc.org. 

Editor’s Note: the information provided 

in this column is not a replacement 

for consultation with your own municipal 

attorney, and it should not be considered 

legal advice for any particular case 

or situation. You are encouraged to use 

the contents of this column as a platform 

to have meaningful discussions with your 

municipal counsel regarding possible litigation 

issues. 

determines that such activities provide incidental 

drainage as authorized by the tax 

proposition approved by the voters. However, 

the Town may not use the same sales 

and use tax proceeds to pay the costs of an 

audit, as the tax proposition approved by 

the voters does not contemplate the use of 

the tax proceeds in such a manner. 

Mayors/Magistrate Courts 

AGO 16-0005 

A Mayor may declare the office of 

Court Magistrate vacant at any time. The 

Board of Aldermen, upon request of the 

Mayor, may appoint one or more attorneys 

to serve as Court Magistrate. The 

provisions of the Dual Officeholding 

and Dual Employment Law do not prohibit 

an Assistant Public Defender who 

provides services through a contract or a 

part time Assistant District Attorney from 

holding the office of Court Magistrate for 

the Mayor’s Court for the City of Tallulah. 

Fire & Police Civil Service 

AGO 15-0017A 

A municipal fire and police civil service 

board or fire district does not have 

rulemaking authority to determine entitlement 

to overtime compensation. The 

portion of La. Atty. Gen. Op. No. 15- 

0017 which states “the Bogalusa Municipal 

Fire and Police Civil Service Board 

may exercise its rulemaking authority 

pursuant to La R.S. 33:2538 to enact a 

rule to determine what constitutes ‘hours 

worked’ for overtime purposes” is recalled. 


Personal Finance 

Disclosure requirements 

for all elected officials 

IMPORTANT REMINDER… 

FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND 

BOARD AND COMMISSION 

MEMBERS 

Please be advised that Personal Financial 

Disclosure forms are due to 

the Ethics Commission by May 13, 

2016 for the 2015 calendar year. This 

applies to those elected officials who 

were in office/elected position in 2015 

and Board and Commission members 

that have authority to spend more than 

$10,000. Please ensure all are aware of 

this important issue. The appropriate 

links are: 

Tier 2 - Population of election 

district over 5,000 

http://ethics.la.gov/Pub/FinDiscl/ 

F416As.pdf 

Tier 2.1 - Board and Commissions 

that spend more than $10,000 


F417s.pdf 

Tier 3 - Population of election 

district under 5,000 


F418As.pdf 

You may also go to the Ethics Commission 

website and fill them in online. 

Should you have any questions, 

please contact the State Ethics Commission 

at (225) 219-5600, or the 

LMA (225) 344-5001. 

Legislative Charter 

AGO 16-0030 

The amendments to the City of St. 

Martinville’s Legislative Charter are consistent 

with the constitution and laws of 

the United States and Louisiana. Also see 

La. Atty. Gen. Op. No. 09-0290. 

Civil Service 

AGO 15-0192 

The provisions in the Fire and Police 

Service Board’s Appeal Termination Letter, 

establishing procedural regulations 

to conduct appellate hearings, are “rules” 

which must be formally adopted pursuant 

to provisions of the Fire and Police 

Civil Service Law. Further, the Board is 

permitted to give special consideration to 

self-represented appellees; however, the 

right to equal protection requires that administrative 

rules affect all persons similarly 

situated alike. 

Cooperative Endeavor Agreements 

AGO 16-0042 

The Ward Five Fire Protection District 

of Evangeline Parish is legally authorized to 

contract with Evangeline Parish Communications 

District to provide fire dispatch 

services to the Fire Protection District. 

The Ward Five Fire Protection District of 

Evangeline Parish may use property tax 

proceeds to pay for fire dispatch services, 

if the Fire Protection District determines 

that fire dispatch services are needed for 

operating its fire protection facilities.

May 2016 Louisiana Municipal Review 

Page 5 

September 2009 LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW Page 15 

A Look Back LMA Convention in LMA History Recap – 1960s 

LMA presents service awards as tribute to 33 longtime elected municipal officials 

From left, Mayor Lavelle Brown, Oak Grove, Alderman Scott Kelly, Hessmer, Alderman Wayne 

Bolton, Sibley, Mayor Pro Tempore Oscar S. Mellion, Plaquemine, Councilwoman Carol Alfred, 

Ville Platte, Mayor Pro Tempore Curtis Francisco, Cottonport, Councilman Jim Holland, Oak 

Grove, and Alderwoman Susan Jeansonne, Hessmer, received service pins symbolizing four 

terms, or 16 years, of elected service. Not present were Council Member Jonathan Foster, 

Amite, Mayor Lynn Bordelon, Hessmer, Alderman Robert P. Roy, Hessmer, Councilman Rodney 

Geyen, Lake Charles, Mayor George L. Grace, St. Gabriel, and former Mayor James H. 

Rainwater, Sterlington. Honored posthumously was Alderman Brent Bencaz of Livingston, who 

died earlier this year. 

Mayor William D’Aquilla, St. Francisville, received a diamond service pin marking ten terms, or 

40 years, of elected municipal service. Another ten-term recipient, Mayor Pro Tempore Edwin 

Britt, Newellton, was unable to attend the ceremony. This year’s ceremony honored 33 municipal 

leaders from 21 municipalities with a combined total of 640 years of public service. 

From left, Councilman Arthur L. Perkins, Denham Springs, and Mayor Carroll P. Bourgeois, Addis, 

received diamond service pins marking eight terms, or 32 years, of elected municipal service. Not present 

were retired Councilwoman Clara Bass, Newellton, and Councilman Clovis J. Dardeau, Ville Platte. 

Professional Listings 

Call today to find out how you can take your place in this 

Professional Listing Service of the Louisiana Municipal Review 

widely consulted by Louisiana municipal officials when they need 

help. Contact our Managing Editor, Tommy Darensbourg, (225) 

344-5001, editor@lma.org, for more information. 

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Page 6 


Spring Election Results 


Below is a full listing of re-elected or elected mayors and councilmembers from the spring primary and run-off elections. Information was retrieved from the 

Secretary of State’s website but does not include individuals who were appointed. “RE” indicates an individual who was re-elected to their office. 

Baker: Mayor-elect Darnell Waites 

Charles Vincent – RE 

Pete Heine - RE 

Doris Alexander 

Glenda Bryant 

Brenda G. Jackson 

Bogalusa: Andrew DeLeon – Special election 

Clarence: Mayor-elect Tommy Evans 

Tamala ‘ Joseph’ Chatman 

Doris Singleton 

Clayton: Mayor-elect Josephine Taylor 

Floyd Lavon Barber - RE 

Houston Holmes – RE 

Irene Jefferson - RE 

Shannon Burns Madison - RE 

Willie ‘Bill’ Evans 

Columbia: Mayor-elect Richard Meredith 

Bonnie M. Crockett - RE 

Sonja Grant Carroll 

Penny Hillestad Brown 

Hannah Cummings Springer 

James C. Stuart 

Dry Prong: Mayor-elect D. Shane Davis 

Della Barbee - RE 

Sandra Garlington - RE 

Eunice: Mayor Scott Fontenot – Special election 

‘Dale’ Soileau – Special election 

Ferriday: Mayor-elect Sherrie Jacobs 

Johnnie Brown -RE 

Sandra Gail Pryor- RE 

Gloria Llyod - RE 

Glenn Henderson 

Cheryl Smith Lee 

Florien: Mayor Eddie Jones, Jr. - RE 

Bradley Marr – RE 

Suzanne Williams - RE 

Tanagyika ‘Tanja’ Charles 

Grand Isle: Mayor David Camardelle - RE 

Leoda Bladsacker - RE 

Clifford ‘Dixie’ Santiny - RE 

Ray A. Santiny - RE 

Brian Barthelemy 

Kelly 'Pete' Besson, Jr. 

Greensburg *taking office 12/1/2016 

Mayor-elect Willie B. Hurst 

Charles ‘Danny’ Carruth - RE 

Jimmie Meadows - RE 

Laura Ann Webb - RE 

Jo Ellen Carruth 

Amanda Ficklin-Mixon 

Greenwood: Mayor Frank Stawasz - RE 

Brad Edwardes - RE 

Thomas Newsom - RE 

Reggie E. Ilgenfritz 

Jodi Larsen 

Josephine Birdsong Robinson 

Henderson: Mayor Sherbin J. Collette - RE 

Judy Broussard - RE 

William ‘Bill’ LeGrand - RE 

Jody Meche – RE 

‘Nita’ Latiolais Berard 

William White 

Independence: Mayor-elect Angelo Mannino 

Calvin Batiste - RE 

‘Mike’ Muscarello – RE 

Larry Cardaronella – RE 

Jim Paine 

Luciano ‘Luke’ Suarez IV 

Jackson: Mayor Charles Coleman - RE 

Michael Harrell - RE 

‘Don’ Havard - RE 

Jim Parker - RE 

‘Rafe’ Stewart - RE 

‘Buddy’ Foreman 

Lucky: Mayor Tommy Thompson - RE 

Columbus Boston – RE 

Raymond Calep – RE 

Devertis Lard – RE 

Madisonville: Mayor-elect Jean Pelloat 

James D. ‘Jim’ Bouey - RE 

‘Tim’ Bounds - RE 

Kevin Brannigan Doran 

Brad Haddox 

‘Chris’ Hitzman 

Mandeville: Mayor Donald J. Villere - RE 

David Bradley Ellis - RE 

‘Clay’ Madden - RE 

John A. Keller 

Michael Pulaski 

Laure Sica 

Martin: Mayor-elect Tom Mangham 

Monroe: Mayor James Mayo - RE 

Eddie Clark - RE 

Gretchen Ezernack - RE 

Kenneth Wilson - RE 

Michael Echols 

Juanita G. Woods 

Morse: Mayor Darlene Thibodeaux – 

Special election 

Natchitoches: Mayor Lee E. Posey - RE 

Don Mims Jr. - RE 

Sylvia Morrow - RE 

Dale Nielsen - RE 

Lawrence Batiste 

C. Edward ‘Eddie’ Harrington 

Norwood: Mayor Rebecca Bellue - RE 

Willie Duncan - RE 

Anthony C. ‘Andy’ Jelks - RE 

Kimmi Adams Sellers 

Ponchatoula: Mayor Robert F. ‘Bob’ Zabbia - RE 

Braville J. LeBlanc - RE 

Vergil J. Sandifer - RE 

Melvin Toomer - RE 

Roslind McKay Batiste 

‘Jeff’ Daniels 

Richwood: Mayor-elect Gerald Brown, Sr. 

Leola ‘Goins’ Keys - RE 

‘Simeon’ Profit - RE 

Janice Fleming 

Alvin Jackson 

Donald Richard 

Saline: Mayor Dorothy Satcher - RE 

Becky Cheatwood - RE 

Henry Cox, Jr. - RE 

Brenda Matthews - RE 

Victor McNeal - RE 

Patricia Sullivan - RE 

Slaughter: Mayor ‘Robbie’ Jackson - RE 

‘Liz’ Aaron - RE 

Aimee Bellue - RE 

‘Dave’ Almond 

Roy Elliott Corcoran, Jr. 

Janis Landry 

Vidalia: Mayor-elect ‘Buz’ Craft 

Jon D. Betts - RE 

‘Tron’ McCoy - RE 

Sabrina Dore 

Robert Lee Gardner, Jr. 

‘Tommy’ Probst



2016 LMA District Meetings 

By Kelly Drone 

LMA Director of Communications and Education 

It’s that time of year again, where we come together as an organization to meet 

with our LMA Districts. For those who are new to our organization, the LMA District 

Meetings are a social gathering as well as a business meeting. One of the purposes 

for these meetings is to re-elect/elect the District Vice Presidents, who will serve 

on the 2016-2017 LMA Executive Board. 

These meetings are hosted by the current LMA District Vice Presidents with the 

support of the LMA. Locations are still being finalized, so invitations containing 

more information will be sent out to your municipality in the coming weeks. Mark 

your calendars for the confirmed dates listed below; these meetings will be held in 

the evening. 

If you are unsure of which LMA District your municipality falls under, please 

visit our website. The list of districts can be found under the “About Us” tab on the 

homepage. 

The 2016 Regular Legislative Session will end on June 6th, so this year’s district 

meetings have been set as follows: 

District “A” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Jimmy Williams 

Town of Sibley 

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 

District “F” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Purvis Morrison 

City of Scott 


Port Allen 

Centennial Celebration 

October 7-9, 2016 

Port Allen Downtown & 

Riverfront 

District “B” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Eugene Smith 

Town of Arcadia 

Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2016 

District “C” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Harry Lewis 

Town of Rayville 

Date: Monday, June 27, 2016 

District “D” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Ken Freeman 

Town of Many 

Date: Thursday, June 30, 2016 

District “G” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Greg Jones 

City of Crowley 


District “H” Meeting 

Host: Harold Rideau 

City of Baker 


District “I” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Donald Villere 

City of Mandeville 


District “E” Meeting 

Host: Councilman Nathan Martin 

City of Pineville 


District “J” Meeting 

Host: Mayor Joey Bouziga 

Town of Golden Meadow 


Details: Contact your District Vice President or LMA Executive Assistant/Office 

Administrator Cami Barlow (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, cbarlow@lma.org. 

Bands 

parade 

Car Show 

Save the date for the upcoming training events hosted by the 

Building Officials Association of Louisiana (BOAL). 

Cook-off 

2012 IRC Performing Residential Building Inspections 

Thursday, June 23, 2016 & Friday, June 24, 2016 

2015 IRC Significant Changes 

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 

2015 IBC Significant Changes 

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 

2015 IPC/IMC/IFGC Significant Changes 

Thursday, September 29, 2016 

Topic to be determined 

Thursday, August 10, 2016 

Inspector Skills 

Thursday, December 1, 2016 

For more information about these events please visit www.myboal.org. 

Questions can be directed to boal@lma.org. 

Fireworks 

City Historical Exhibit 

Day of Community Service 

Get Updates - Like us on Facebook: 

www.facebook.com City of Port Allen 

or call Rose Roche at City Hall 

225.346.5670

Page 8 


39th Municipal Day at the Legislature 


Mayor of Port 

Allen Richard Lee, 

III pictured with 

Senator Yvonne 

Colomb at the Capitol. 

Senator Colomb 

co-authored the 

concurrent resolution 

recognizing April 20th 

as Municipal Day. 

(L-R), Representative Robert E. Billiot (Mayor of Westwego, 1989-2008), Representative 

Johnny Berthelot (Mayor of Gonzales 1984-2008), and Representative Bob Hensgens 

(Mayor of Gueydan 2007-2011). 

Legislators were pleased by LMA members’ presence during Municipal Day. 

LMA staff members greeted legislators at the Capitol lobby in front of the LMA exhibit 

board. 

(L-R), LMA Executive Director Ronnie Harris, LMA First Vice President Barney Arceneaux, 

LMA President Carroll Breaux, and LMA Second Vice President Lawrence Henagan. 

(L-R), Council Member Brandon Brown of Port Allen, Alderman Larnell Dickens of 

Fenton, Mayor Derrick Johnson of Chenyville, Mayor Kevin Kately of Parks, Alderman 

of Dennis Smith of Springhill, and Council Member Errol Marshall of Iowa. 

(L-R), Senator John Smith, Mayor 

Christopher Duncan of Sulphur, and 

Mayor of Pineville and LMA Past President 

Clarence Fields 

Mayor Eugene Smith (LMA District Vice 

President) and his wife Billie of Arcadia 

(L-R), City Clerk Lisa Anderson, CMC, Councilwoman Sherell Roberts, and Mayor 

Reginald Tatum of the City of Opelousas



Mayor Donna Duvall of Rosepine and Mayor Derrick 

Johnson of Chenyville 

Mayor Tommy Davis of Minden and his wife Nedla 

Councilman Terance Irvin of Gonzales (left) and 

Maintenance Supervisor Phillip Faveroth of Grosse Tete 

(L-R), Sergeant Vernon O’Quinn of Fenton, Mayor 

Reginald Tatum of Opelousas, and Police Officer 

Rodney Daigle of Fenton. 

Adam and Kelli Harris of Springhill. 

(L-R), Mayor Pro Tempore Lucy Holtzclaw of Sterlington, 

Senator Mike Walsworth, and Alderwoman Bonnie 

Dilmore of Sterlington. 

(L-R), Councilwoman Yvonne Narcisse of Parks, LMA Senior Manager - Membership 

Services AJ Walker, and Councilwoman Eva C. Potier of Parks 

(L-R), Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor Toye Taylor, 

Mayor of Golden Meadow and LMA District Vice President Joey Bouziga, and LAMP 

Chief Executive Officer Theo Sanders. 

Ron Smith with CLECO (left) and Executive Director of 

Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Fabian Blache. 

Mayor of Sibley and LMA District Vice President Jimmy 

Williams (left) and Mayor Pro Tempore Larry Merritt of 

Sibley 

Photos by Brian Pavlich 

Mayor of Vinton and LMA District Vice President at 

Large Kenny Stinson (left) and Senator Ronnie Johns

Page 10 

LMA Annual 

Convention 

in Alexandria 

July 28th - 30th 

Registration is now 

open 

Hotel Reservations Now Open for LMA’s 

79 th Annual Convention July 28 – 30, 2016 

Alexandria Riverfront Center 

To secure a hotel reservation, you must give the reservation clerk 

your name, title, and name of municipality. No more than 10 rooms 

per municipality are allowed. State law allows an exemption from 

sales tax on sleeping rooms reserved by officials representing 

government entities. When making reservations, it is your 

responsibility to inform the hotel of your tax-exempt status and 

submit the required form to claim the exemption. 

Rates cited are nightly, exclusive of taxes. For property website 

information, please visit www.alexandriapinevillela.com and click 

on ‘Hotels.’ 

Best Western Inn & 

Suites 

2720 North 

MacArthur Drive 

Alexandria, LA 

71303 

(318) 445-5530 

$89.00 King | $99.00 

Double |$129.00 Suite 

Candlewood Suites 

2344 North 



71303 

(318) 427-9020 

$110.00 Flat Rate 

Comfort Inn of 

Alexandria 

2001 North Bolton 

Avenue 


71303 

(318) 484-9155 


Comfort Suites 

6015 Old Boyce Road 


71303 

(318) 445-9800 


Country Inn & Suites 

2727 Monroe 

Highway 

Pineville, LA 71360 

(318) 641-8332 

$112.00 Flat Rate | 

$132.00 Suites 

Courtyard by 

Marriott 

3830 Alexandria Mall 

Drive 


71301 

(318) 445-2415 


Hampton Inn & 

Suites 

6124 West Calhoun 

Drive 


71303 

(318) 445-4449 


Historic Hotel Bentley 

200 DeSoto Street 


71301 

(318) 442-2226 

$110.50 K | $106.25 Q 

| $102 Jr. Q 

$127.50 Corp Suite | 

$140.50 QQ 

Holiday Inn 

Alexandria - 

Downtown 

701 4 th Street 


71301 

(318) 541-8333 


*Opening June 2016* 

Holiday Inn Express 

2340 North 



71301 

(318) 487-9898 


LaQuinta Inn and 

Suites 

6116 West Calhoun 

Drive 


71303 

(318) 442-3700 

$85.00 Double | 

$90.00 King 

Parc England Hotel 

1321 Chappie James 

Avenue 


71303 

(318) 445-7574 


Quality Inn 

3010 North 



71303 

(318) 445-6757 

$91.00 Single 

King/Queen | $100.00 

Double Queen 

Sai Hotel 

2301 North 



71303 

(318) 619-3300 


Sun Suites of 

Alexandria 

1000 North 



71303 

(318) 448-8500 

$62.99 Single Full | 

$72.99 Double Full 

TownePlace Suites by 

Marriott 

3810 Alexandria Mall 

Drive 


71301 

(318) 619-8420 


Details: Questions regarding the hotel reservation procedure 

should be referred to 

LMA Events Director, Nikki Samrow 

(225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, nsamrow@lma.org 


Registration is now open for LMA’s most attended 

event of the year, the LMA Annual Convention. 

This year, the 79th Annual Convention 

will be held in the heart of Louisiana, the City 

of Alexandria, on July 28th -30th at the Riverfront 

Center. All elected municipal officials and 

municipal staff are encouraged to attend. LMA 

is celebrating 90 successful years, commemorating 

2016 as the Year of Education. Over 10 

educational workshops will be offered on topics 

of interest to local government, including a 

session on Ethics. Registrants will also have an 

opportunity to hear candidates for the office of 

U.S. Senate speak about their vision during the 

LMA’s Senate Forum. 

Beginning on Thursday, July 28th, over 

150 exhibitors will be at the Riverfront Center 

to interact with registrants. Some of our exhibitors 

will participate in the “Vendors’ Products 

and Services Workshops” held that afternoon. 

During this time, vendors will showcase their 

company, service, or product in a short presentation. 

Louisiana Rural Water Association 

(LRWA) is sponsoring the lunch during “Eats 

and Exhibits” on Thursday. The Senate Forum 

will begin at 4:00 p.m. and prelude the evening 

reception. 

Friday, July 29th, the City of Pineville will 

host the Annual Prayer with delicious food, 

inspiring messages, and beautiful music. After 

another round of vendor workshops, the LMA 

will host a luncheon, followed by two rounds of 

educational workshops. The evening will conclude 

with the Annual Host City Reception and 

Dance, sponsored by the City of Alexandria, 

beginning at 6:00 p.m. This buffet-style event 

provides a great atmosphere to unwind and network. 

On our final day, Saturday, July 30th, buses 

will depart for the “Spouses’ Program Tour” as 

two rounds of educational workshops begin. The 

Annual Delegates Luncheon will take place, following 

the conclusion of the workshops, where 

the LMA Service Awards and the President’s 

Awards will be presented. Immediately following 

the luncheon, the membership will then attend 

the annual business meeting to vote on the 

2016-2017 LMA Executive Board, and honor 

those who have passed in the Annual Memorial 

Report. The day will conclude with the Annual 

Banquet where the 2016-2017 LMA Executive 

Board will be introduced and the prestigious 

LMA Community Achievement Awards will be 

presented. 

Please read the below processes pertaining to 

your participating in this convention. 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS 

You are responsible for your own hotel reservations. 

See the left column of this page for the 

available hotel block for convention. Please note 

some hotel room blocks may be at full capacity. 

Reservations must be made by phone. No 

more than 10 reservations per municipality can 

be accepted, unless LMA authorizes such excess 

reservations. Deadline to make hotel reservations 

is July 7, 2016. After that date, reservations 

are subject to room availability and higher 


LMA’s 79 th Annual Convention Preview 

prevailing nightly rates, over which LMA has no 

control. 

CONVENTION REGISTRATION 

Registration is now open! Please download an 

electric version at www.lma.org/convention or 

photocopy the registration form located on page 

11. Online registration with a credit card is also 

available on our website. Email registration@lma. 

org with your information to receive a login and 

password, or if you need help registering online. 

Registration via email, fax, or telephone will 

not be accepted. All registration forms must be 

accompanied with a check for the appropriate 

amount. Early Bird Registration is $200 from 

now until June 30th, Regular Registration is 

$250 from July 1st-22nd, and On-Site Registration 

is $300. Each registration includes one 

spouse/guest to attend the convention. Please 

view our refund policy on the registration form. 

Official Notice of the LMA 

Annual Business Meeting 

On Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the 


(Immediately following the Delegates 

Luncheon) 

This meeting is open to all LMA member 

municipalities which have paid their 2016 

annual dues. Officials of member municipalities 

do not have to register for the convention 

to participate in this meeting. To 

exercise your voting privileges, your municipality 

must be a member in good standing 

of the LMA. Voting is on the basis of “one 

vote, one municipality.” 

COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 

The LMA 2015 Community Achievement 

Awards Competition has begun, and an informational 

packet including the official entry form 

has been sent to every mayor. This information 

is also on the Association’s website, www.lma. 

org. The deadline to submit your entry is 5:00 

PM Wednesday, June 15, 2016. The Community 

Achievement Awards will be formally announced 

and presented at the Annual Banquet 

on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Note: The LMA 

does not reveal the winners of this competition 

until the convention banquet. If your municipality 

enters this competition, representatives 

of the municipality should attend the Annual 

Banquet to collect awards. Categories in which 

a project can be submitted are Basic Services, 

Community Development, and Economic 

Development. 

SERVICE AWARDS 

The LMA Service Awards will be presented 

to eligible recipients at the Delegates Luncheon 

on Saturday, July 30th. Municipal Clerks: Please 

notify our office about your municipality’s elected 

officials who have begun their 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th 

(and so on) term of office. Such terms need not 

be consecutive or for the same office each time. 

Only elected terms qualify. Appointed terms do 

not qualify. Your help is needed so that we can 

Information about the LMA Annual Convention is 

continued to page 11.



Louisiana Municipal Association 

79 th Annual Convention 

July 28 -30, 2016 

Please print or type all information legibly: 

DELEGATE OTHER [Delegate is an elected/appointed official or municipal employee.] 

Name: _______________________________________ Title____________________________ 


707 Main Street 

Alexandria, Louisiana 

TO AVOID HIGHER ON-SITE FEES, 

REGISTER NOW! 

MAKE YOUR 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS BY JULY 7! 

See elsewhere in this section for a list of 

LMA convention hotels in the Alexandria/Pineville area 

REGISTER ONLINE AND PAY WITH YOUR 

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD AT WWW.LMA.ORG. 

Complete one form per delegate. 

Payment of convention registration fees must accompany 

registration forms. The LMA will not bill for registration fees. 

No faxed or emailed registrations will be accepted. 


Annual Convention Registration 

Post Office Box 4327 

Baton Rouge, LA 70821 

Telephone: (800) 234-8274 ▪ (225) 344-5001 ▪ www.lma.org ▪ LMR Copy 

First name/nickname to appear on badge: ____________________________________________________ 

Municipality: ____________________________ E-mail: _______________________________ 

Mailing Address: _____________________________City/Zip: __________________________ 

Work Phone: ________________________ Fax: ______________________________________ 

Is this your first LMA Convention? Yes No 

SPOUSE/GUEST INFORMATION: 

Name: 

First name to appear on badge: _______________________ 

Registration Information: [The registration fee includes your Spouse or Guest] 

EARLY BIRD REGULAR ON-SITE 

NOW THRU JUNE 30 JULY 1 – JULY 22 BEGINS JULY 23 TOTAL 

Delegate $200.00 Delegate $250.00 Delegate $300.00 Delegate $______ 

Other $245.00 Other $325.00 Other $375.00 Other $______ 

REFUNDS: 

An administrative fee of $75 will be charged for all cancellations, 

including medical emergencies. No refunds will be given after July 14 

(two weeks prior to the start of event). Refunds will be issued only if 

the LMA office receives your cancellation request in the form of a letter 

on your official letterhead mailed, emailed, faxed, or delivered to our 

office with a postmark date no later than Thursday, July 14, 2016. 

Telephone requests for refunds are not acceptable. There will be no 

exceptions to this policy. 

CONVENTION: cont. from page 10 

determine each recipient’s eligibility 

through verification with the Secretary 

of State’s Office. Elected Officials: If 

you believe you are eligible to receive 

a service award this year, please notify 

your municipal clerk who will advise 

the LMA office of your eligibility. The 

deadline for submitting service awards 

is July 1st. No exceptions can be made 

after the deadline. 

Notice 

LMA MEMORIAL REPORT 

The contributions of elected municipal 

officials, police chiefs, and city 

clerks who have passed away within 

the past year (July 24, 2015- July 15, 

2016) will be remembered during a 

solemn reading of the Memorial Report 

at the LMA’s Annual Business 

meeting on Saturday, July 30th. To 

ensure a complete report, please submit 

the name of the individual, office held, 

and their municipality to LMA Executive 

Assistant/Office Administrator 

Cami Barlow at cbarlow@lma.org as 

soon as possible, but no later than July 

15, 2016. 

For further assistance, contact the 

LMA office (225) 344-5001, (800) 

234-8274. 

Make all checks payable to the 


P.O. Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 

70821-4327 

Please No Door Prizes 

Out of an abundance of caution based on potential ethics considerations, 

we will no longer be accepting Door Prizes at our conferences beginning 

immediately. 

Golf at Your Leisure 

This year, LMA will not be hosting a golf tournament at the LMA Annual 

Convention, but please feel free to enjoy golfing at your lesuire at some of the 

suggested golf locations at our website – www.lma.org/convention. 

Amendments to the LMA Bylaws 

due July 2nd 

LMA members are encouraged to review the LMA Bylaws and consider 

amending them for the betterment of the Association. If a LMA member 

is interested in proposing an amendment, they must follow the proper 

procedures. 

Article 17 of the LMA Constitution states that it “may be amended at 

any meeting of the Association by a vote of at least two-thirds of the 

municipal corporations present, provided such amendment has been 

submitted in writing to the Executive Director at least 30 days prior to 

the date of the meeting. It shall be the duty of that officer to immediately 

notify the Executive Board of the proposed amendment.” 

Therefore, any amendment(s) proposed by a municipality for consideration by 

the LMA membership which will meet on Saturday, July 30 th , in Alexandria 

– must be in writing and received by the LMA office no later than 5:00 p.m. 

Thursday, June 30 th , and sent to: 

Executive Director Ronnie Harris 


P.O. Box 4327 

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4327 

Officials of all member corporations are entitled to attend the LMA Annual 

Business Meeting on Saturday, July 30 th . This meeting occurs immediately 

after the LMA Delegates’ Luncheon. A municipality’s elected officials do not 

have to register for LMA’s 79th Annual Convention if they wish to attend the 

LMA Annual Business Meeting in Alexandria.

Page 12 

endeavor. Details: Contact Mike Walker, 

CITAP Manager, (225) 344-5001, (800) 

234-8274, mwalker@lma.org. Village of Bonita – Mayor Floyd Baker 



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One year access to program at no cost 

Insurance Premium Tax Collection 

Proven revenue increases (6%-10%) 

Annual and delinquent accounts covered 

Serving 192 Louisiana communities 

LaMATS 

Call (225) 344-5001 or visit WWW.LAMATS.NET/SERVICES



By John N. Kennedy 

Louisiana State Treasurer 

Treasury Notes 

Invest With LAMP 

John Kennedy 

Treasurer 

It’s been more than a year now since we marked 

the 20 th anniversary of LAMP, but we’re still celebrating. 

There is a lot to celebrate about LAMP. 

LAMP is short for the Louisiana Asset Management 

Pool. Basically, it’s a fund operated by a nonprofit 

corporation. I serve as LAMP’s president. 

More importantly, LAMP is an easy, safe and prudent 

cash management tool that was designed with 

local governments in mind. 

In 20 years, LAMP has generated more than 

$500 million in non-taxable revenue for participants. 

Those are earnings that are especially good to have during tough 

economic times. A number of our participants have drawn down their 

investments to fill budget shortfalls. 

Through LAMP, local governments are able to pool their money together 

and invest collectively. It’s like an investment club. 

Municipalities, schools, school boards, universities and retirement systems 

are LAMP’s primary participants. However, port commissions, levee 

districts, recreation districts, police juries, sheriff’s offices, utilities, convention 

and visitors’ bureaus, district courts, judges, attorneys’ offices, hospitals, 

libraries, assessors’ offices, clerks of court, fire districts and other 

public entities also participate. 

These entities participate in LAMP because they get competitive yields 

and lower fees. They also get investment management at a level normally 

only available to large investors. 

Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what one municipality official 

had to say about LAMP: “LAMP has given us better rates than the banks 

we deal with – plus same-day access to funds, no transaction fees, and 

immediate, fully secured access to our account. Their leadership is always 

helpful, answering questions and providing any support we need. We are 

very pleased with LAMP and look forward to many more years of service.” 

Another great thing about LAMP are the rebates. Every year, LAMP returns 

a portion of administrative expenses to participants. In 2014, LAMP 

rebated $1.1 million. Since 2006, LAMP has rebated $12.9 million. 

I’m really proud of LAMP. It doesn’t cost our taxpayers a dime, and it 

helps our local governments. Take a tour of everything LAMP has to offer 

by visiting http://www.lamppool.com/. 

LOUIS ALLAIN, 

an Alderman of 

the Town of Lockport, 

who died on 

March 21, 2016. 

He served as the 

alderman for 12 

years from 1980- 

1992. A funeral 

service was held 

at the Holy Savior 

Catholic Church 

where Mr. Allain was also laid to rest. 

EDWARD RAYMOND 

“ED” MILLET SR., 

a former mayor 

of the Village of 

French Settlement, 

who died 

on March 26, 

2016, at the age 

of 99. He served 

as mayor for three 

terms after a lifelong 

career in foreign 

service, working 

with the Department of Agriculture 

and USAID, mainly in Asian countries 

helping with destructive insect control 

The Louisiana Municipal Association treasures the memory of: 

as an ROTC officer 

during his 

time at LSU. He 

was a founding 

board member of 

and agriculture issues. Mayor Millet 

was laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery. 

ROBERT KIVETT, 

the mayor of the 

Village of Richmond, 

who died 

on March 27, 

2016. He was 

serving his third 

term in office 

when he experienced 

a heart attack 

last Sunday 

morning. Mayor 

Paxton Branch of Tallulah spoke of 

him kindly saying, “Mayor Kivett was a 

dedicated local leader who will be greatly 

missed.” A funeral service was held 

at the First Baptist Church of Tallulah 

and Mayor Kivett was buried at Memorial 

Park Cemetery. 

THEODORE RICHARD 

“TED” LIEUX SR., 

a former councilmember of the Town of 

New Roads, who died on April 7, 2016, 

at the age of 87. He served in the Korean 

War as an Army Infantry Officer 

with the rank of Captain after training 

In Memoriam 

Rural Development 

Own Your Home 

By Clarence W. Hawkins 

Louisiana State Director, USDA Rural Development 

A forward moving Louisiana must have 

prosperous rural communities with decent, 

safe, and affordable housing. Investing to 

improve our rural areas should remain at the 

forefront in growing communities for great 

places to live and raise a family. 

Is it your dream to own a home? Why not 

start with USDA Rural Development (RD)? 

RD offers lending programs to buy, build, or 

rehabilitate a home as your permanent residence 

in an eligible rural area with populations 

up to 35,000. These programs do not require 

a down payment. For those who qualify, 

100 percent financing is available. 

In Fiscal Year 2015, RD helped more than 

5,000 rural residents become and remain 

homeowners through direct loans, guaranteed 

loans, grants, and technical assistance. As we 

move forward, we are ready to help more families! 

Do I have to build a new home? RD housing 

loans may be made to buy an existing 

home, to build a new home, to buy and prepare 

a lot for new construction, or repair a 

home. Or funds can also be used to refinance 

an existing home in an eligible rural area. 

If your home is in need of essential repairs, 

and you can’t get a loan elsewhere, RD may 

be able to help. For families and individuals 

with limited income, RD offers loans to improve 

or modernize a home up to $20,000. 

For example, RD funding helped a single 

family obtain a one percent interest loan for 

$6,450 to install a new septic system to their 

home. This new system removed a health hazard. 

Some other examples include access for 

persons with disabilities, a roof, energy-saving 

upgrades, and more. Did I mention that the 

Guaranty Bank 

and Trust Co. 

and served on 

the New Roads 

Town Council 

for many years. 

A funeral service was held at the St. 

Mary of False River in New Roads and 

Mr. Lieux was laid to rest at St. Mary 

Cemetery. 

MICHAEL LAWRENCE HUGHES, 

a former president 

of the Louisiana 

Municipal 

Gas Authority, 

who died on 

April 9, 2016, 

at the age of 72. 

He practiced law 

for 45 years after 

graduating from 

Tulane University 

and served in the U.S. Coast Guard 

and Reserve. Mr. Hughes also served 

interest rate for 

essential repairs 

is only one percent 

and age is 

not a factor? 

You must own 

the home. 

Two sisters 

Clarence W. Hawkins 

were living in a USDA Rural 

home that was Development 

beyond repair. State Director 

There were foundation, 

electrical, and roofing problems. 

RD’s staff worked with the sisters to 

make sure everything was in place for 

loan approval to construct a new home 

on the same lot. 

A family of three was living in an 

apartment and needed an affordable 

home with a yard. She purchased a lot, 

worked with a contractor, and built a 

new home. Many clients qualify for 

subsidy assistance which makes the loan 

more affordable for needy families. 

To learn how RD can help, visit www. 

rd.la.usda.gov or just “Google” RD LA. 

Field staff can provide application materials, 

program information, and assist 

in the preparation of an application. 

Louisiana’s RD Area Offices are located 

in Monroe (318) 343-4467, Natchitoches 

(318) 352-7100, Lafayette (337) 

262-6601, and Amite (985) 748-8751. 

Help us to help you, your communities, 

businesses, and citizens to create healthy 

and vibrant rural communities. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 

employer, and lender. 

as the First Assistant District Attorney 

for West Feliciana Parish, 2014 LMGA 

President, and an LMGA member for 

many years. 

ALVIN L. “BULLY” DRAGG, 

A councilman 

of the City of 

Gonzales, who 

died on April 27, 

2016 at the age 

of 83. The Navy 

Veteran served 

as City Councilman 

of Gonzales 

for 21 years, beginning 

in July of 

1980 until 2001. He also served on the 

Baton Rouge Port Commission from 

August 1984 until October 2012. 

PRESTON ROGERS, 

the Mayor of the Village of Junction 

City, who died on April 28, 2016 at the 

age of 75. Mr. Rogers dedicated his life 

to his community, serving as an Alderman 

from 1977 to 1991 and then as 

mayor from 1991 until his death. He 

worked tirelessly for his beloved town 

after retiring as a timber and land broker.

Page 14 

$$$ 


Grants 

Grant Category Summary DeadlineFunding More Information 

Local Road Safety 

Program (LRSP) 

A v a i l a b l e G r a n t s T i m e l i n e 

This grant allows municipalities to improve infrastructure by providing evidence that the project 

would result in a reduction in serious injury and fatality crashes. 

Rolling 

Up to 

$500,000/ 

project 


http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltap/lrsp.html 

Let's Play Imagination 

Playground Grant 

This grant provides an innovative play opportunity that can be instantly activated anywhere. 

Rolling 

$15,000 - 

$30,000 

http://kaboom.org/grants/creative_play 

Land and Water 

Conservation Fund 

This program promotes broad-scope outdoor recreation ranging from land acquisition to 

development of park facilities such as spray parks, ball fields, picnic pavillions and restrooms. 

1-Apr-18 

Varries 

http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisianastate-parks/grant-opportunities-foroutdoor-recreation/land-waterconservation/index 

or contact Suzette 

Simms at outdoorrec@crt.la.gov or 225- 

342-8088 

Recreational Trails 

Program 

This grant helps provide and maintain recreational trails and trails-related facilities 1-Jul-16 Varries 

http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisianastate-parks/grant-opportunities-foroutdoor-recreation/recreationaltrails/index 

or contact Michael Domingue 

at mdomingue@crt.la.gov or 225-342- 

4435 

Clean Water State 

Revolving Fund 

This Louisiana revolving loan fund program offers low-interest loans to communities for the 

construction or upgrade of wastewater treatment works and other water quality improvement 

projects. 

Rolling 

Varies 

Please contact Sierra Trabeau at 

sierra.trabeau@la.gov or 225-219-3871. 

Community Facilities 

Direct Loan & Grant 

Program 

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. 

These funds can be used to purchase, construct and/or improve essential community facilities, 

purchase equipment and pay related project expenses. 

Rolling 

Varies 

Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/community-facilities-direct-loangrant-program/la 

or call your local Rural 

Development office. 

Emergency Community 

Water Assistance Grant 

Program 

These grants enable water systems that serve rural communities to prepare for, or recover from, 

imminent or actual emergencies that threaten the availibility of safe drinking water. Recipients can 

use funds to construct water and waste facilities in rural communities. 

Rolling 

Varies 

http://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/rd-apply 

SUPPORT 

HEALTHIER 

318.442.4000 

cenlaenvironmental.com 

COMMITTED TO COMMUNITIES 

AIR. 

#GOSMOKEFREE 

COMPLIANCE & 

PERMITTING 

GRANTS ASSISTANCE 

& FUNDING 

PAID FOR BY HEALTHIER AIR FOR ALL 

WATER & 

WASTEWATER LAB 

OPERATIONS & 

MAINTENANCE



Hometown Happenings 

May 

2-6 National Tourism Week. The Lieutenant Governor’s office has announced 

the week of May 2 nd through May 6 th as National Tourism Week. 

8 On behalf of the LMA, Happy Mother’s Day! 

25 Louisiana Municipal Association Executive Committee Meeting. This 

meeting will start at 10 a.m. in the LMA Office Building, 700 North 10 th 

Street, Baton Rouge, 70802, First Floor Meeting Room 3. Info: Cami Barlow, 

Executive Assistant/Office Administrator, (225) 344-5001, 

cbarlow@lma.org. 

30 Memorial Day. The LMA office will be closed in observance of the 

Memorial Day and will resume on Tuesday, May 31 st at 8 a.m. 

June 

The 2016 LMA District Meetings begin on June 8 

th and continue through June 30th. Please 

see page 7 of this issue for the complete meeting schedule and additional information. 

6 Regular Session Ends. The Louisiana State 2016 Regular Legislative 

Session adjourns at 6 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2016. 

15 Risk Management, Inc., Board of Trustees Meeting. This meeting will start 

at 9 a.m. in the LMA Office Building, 700 North 10 th Street, Baton Rouge, 

70802, Third Floor Conference Room. Info: Ann Phillips, Administrator to 

the General Manager, (225) 344-5002 / 800-843-0931, aphillips@rmila.biz. 

15 Louisiana Municipal Association Executive Board Meeting. This meeting 

will start at 10 a.m. in the LMA Office Building, 700 North 10 th Street, Baton 

Rouge, 70802, First Floor Meeting Rooms 1 & 2. Info: Cami Barlow, 

Executive Assistant/Office Administrator, (225) 344-5001, 

cbarlow@lma.org. 

19 On behalf of the LMA, Happy Father’s Day! 

* 

Cochon de Lait Festival, May 12 th -15 th , Mansura, 

www.cochondelaitfestival.com 

Frog Festival, May 11 th -14 th , Rayne, www.raynefrogfestival.com 

Loggers and Forestry Festival, May 13 th -14 th , Zwolle, 

www.zwolleloggersandforestryfestival.com 

Plaquemines Parish Seafood and Heritage Festival, 

May 13th-15th, Belle Chase, plaqueminesparishfestival.com 

Louisiana Veterans’ Festival, May 14 th , Slidell, 

laveteransfestival.com 

Mayhaw Festival, May 19 th -21 st , Starks, www.mayhawfest.com 

Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival, May 26 th -29 th , Krotz Springs, 

www.kssportsmensheritagefestival.com 

Jambalaya Festival, May 27 th -29 th , Gonzales, 

www.jambalayafestival.org 

Little Walter Music Festival, May 28 th , Alexandria, 

www.alexandriapinevillela.com/littlewalter 

Bon Mange’ Festival, June 3 rd -5 th , Gheens, 

www.gheensbonmange.webs.com 

St. Charles Parish Cook-Off Festival, June 4 th , Destrehan, 

www.crawfishcookoff.com 

* date has been revised

Page 16 

At the Recent LMCA Spring Conference held in March, members were able to 

take advantage of some excellent educational classes and networking opportunities 

with other clerks and vendors. We were also treated to a tour of some of the neat 

President - Gwen Martin, LMMC, Carencro 

Vice President - Andrea Mahfouz, LMMC, Westlake 

Secretary - Anne-Marie Eaves, LMMC, Grand Cane 

Public Relations - Phyllis McGraw, MMC, Bossier City 

1 year trustees: Leman Raphael, LCMC, (St. Gabriel) 

Christine Trahan, LCMC, (Kaplan) 

Dolores Quebedeaux, LMMC, (Arnaudville) 

2 year trustees: Lora Johnson, LMMC, CMC, (New Orleans) 

Douglas Schmidt, LCMC, (Mandeville) 

Andrea Adams, LMMC, (Wilson) 

3 year trustees: Mary Munoz, LCMC, (Sicily Island) 

Reagan Currence, (Haughton) 

Kerri Broussard, LCMC, (DeRidder) 

During the month of May, clerks from 

around the state will have the opportunity 

to attend the International Institute of 

Municipal Clerks Conference in Omaha, 

NE. This conference has attendees 

By Marlaine Peachey 

LAMSA Conference Coordinator 


Clerks Corner 

News from the LMCA Board 

from all over the world making it truly 

an International Conference. The theme 

of this year’s conference is “Investing in 

Education.” It will provide an enormous 

amount of educational opportunities as 

Gwen B. Martin, 

LMMC 

President 


places Marksville has to offer. We would like to thank the City of Marksville and the 

Avoyelles Commission of Tourism for their wonderful hospitality. During this conference, 

the following were elected to serve on the LMCA Board for the next year: 

Andrea Mahfouz, 

LMMC 

Vice President 

well as the chance to network with fellow 

clerks from all over the United States and 

abroad. We hope that Louisiana clerks 

are allowed to participate and help represent 

our state. The LMCA Board remains 

Ann-Marie Eaves, 

LMMC 

Secretary 

LAMSA Elects Hilda Edwards as President 

The Louisiana Association of Municipal 

Secretaries and Assistants held their 

27th Annual Spring Conference in Covington, 

Louisiana from April 6th-8th. 

The program began on Wednesday with 

a tour of the St. Tammany Parish Justice 

Center, The Covington Trailhead, 

where a movie was shown on the history 

of Covington, and Christ Episcopal 

Church, the oldest structure in Covington. 

On Thursday, April 7th, President 

Lori Spranley opened the conference 

and greeted 70 participants who were 

alsol welcomed by Mayor Mike Cooper 

of Covington. Morning sessions were 

offered by Haley Story, Nutritionist 

with Mary Bird Perkins, former LAM- 

SA President Marlaine Peachey, Dr. 

Chris Faler with Premier Chiropractic 

and Sgt. Danny Chauvin from the St. 

Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. At 

lunch, the annual business meeting was 

held and the bylaws were amended to include 

parish employees. Membership dues were also 

increased to $50 per year. Elections were held 

for the 2016 – 2018 term. New officers were 

elected by the general membership as follows: 

President Hilda Edwards of Ville Platte, Vice 

President Paula Kidder of Lafayette Consolidated 

Government, Secretary Patricia Gaudet-Thibodaux 

of Brusly and Treasurer Joan Methvin 

from Maurice. Directors at Large include: Donna 

Carlin, Lafayette Consolidated Government, 

Jamie Liner, Golden Meadow, Danielle Honore-Young 

of St. Charles Parish, Debbie Mouton, 

Central and Elesener McCoy of Monroe. 

Members attaining their Certifications for Municipal 

Assistant were Connie Auzenne of Lafayette 

Consolidated Government, Glenda Senegal 

of Carencro and Constance Barbin of St. Gabriel. 

Re-certifications were awarded to Sabrina 

Adams and Donna Carlin of Lafayette Consolidated 

Government, Andrea Adams of Wilson, 

Candice Baque of Carencro and Lisa Bryant of 

New Roads. 

Award Winners - President Lori Spranley (left) with 

Constance Barbin of St. Gabriel (center) and Connie 

Auzenne of Lafayette Consolidated Government receiving 

their certifications. Glenda Senegal of Carencro 

also received her certification but is not pictured. 

The afternoon agenda included Susita Suire 

of the Municipal Employee Retirement System, 

Vincent Trabona of St. Tammany Fire District 

4, a surprise visit by Rich and Mike Mauti of 

the New Orleans Saints (Deuce McAllister was 

on hand in the morning representing Waste 

Pro) and the final session was given by Mayor 

Jermarr Williams of White Castle. On Friday 

morning, the conference convened with a 

Mayor’s Panel which was attended by Mayor 

Mike Cooper of Covington, Mayor Donald 

Villere of Mandeville, Mayor Freddy Drennan 

of Slidell, Mayor Bettye Boggs of Folsom, and 

Mayor Greg Lemons of Abita Springs. Mayor 

Wendy O’Quinn Perrette of Bogalusa and 

Mayor Greg Jones of Crowley. After a short 

break, the participants gave a fashion show 

of uniforms worn around the state and held 

roundtable discussions. 

An executive meeting was held by the new 

board following the conference and plans are 

being made for the fall conference as well as 

LAMSA’s participation at the LMA convention 

this summer in Alexandria. 

Phyllis McGraw, 

MMC 

Public Relations 

committed to providing excellent educational 

opportunities in our state. We 

are always open to suggestions and ideas 

from our fellow clerks. We look forward 

to an amazing year. 

New Officers for 2016: Front row left to right: Treasurer Joan Methvin 

of Maurice, President Hilda Edwards of Ville Platte, Vice President Paula 

Kidder of Lafayette Consolidated Government, and Secretary Patricia 

Gaudet-Thibodaux of Brusly. Back row: Director at Large Danielle 

Honore-Young of St. Charles Parish, Director at Large Donna Carlin of 

Lafayette Consolidated Government, Director at Large Eselener McCoy 

of Monroe, Past President Myra Streeter of Walker, Director at Large 

Jamie Liner of Golden Meadow, Director at Large Debbie Mouton of 

Central, and Past President Lori Spranley of Mandeville. 

From left to right, Mayor Greg Jones of Crowley, Mayor Mike Cooper 

of Covington, LAMSA President Hilda Edwards of Ville Platte, Mayor 

Don Villere of Mandeville, Mayor Bettye Boggs of Folsom, Mayor Greg 

Lemons of Abita Springs, Mayor Freddy Drennan of Slidell and Mayor 

Wendy O’Quinn Perrette of Bogalusa.

LMR_May 2016

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