LMR FEB 2020.pdf

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LPS NEGOTIATESAFFORDABLE PRICINGFOR OUTDOOR PUBLICINFRASTRUCTUREINCLUDING PLAYGROUNDS,LIGHTING AND FLAG POLES.USE YOURSMARTPHONECAMERA TOVISIT LPS &CONTACT USFOR MOREINFO!FLY FLAGSWITH PRIDEIN PARKS &OTHER PUBLICSPACES!LET LAMATSKEEP COSTSDOWN &OLD GLORYFLYING HIGHThe Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchangeof ideas and information for municipal officials in Louisiana. With a circulation of over 3,200, this publication is read by employees ofLouisiana municipal governments, sheriffs, parish presidents, state government officials, and members of the state legislature andCongressional delegation, among others. Subscription rate: $24 per year; Single copy: $2. Louisiana residents, add 9% sales tax. Ratesfor display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org.Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana MunicipalAssociation. Publication of any advertisement shall not be considered an endorsement of the product or service involved. No materialfrom this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor.Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 700 North 10th Street, Suite 400, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4327, editor@lma.org, www.lma.org, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057.MUNICIPAL REVIEW STAFFExecutive Director: John Gallagher jgallagher@lma.orgManaging Editor: Karen Day White kwhite@lma.orgEditor: Anita Tillman atillman@lma.orgProduction Coordinator: Baton Rouge Press, Inc.LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW(USPS 832-560) (ISSN 0164-3622)3 rd class postage paid atBaton Rouge, Louisiana.Postmaster – Send address changes to:LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEWPost Office Box 4327Baton Rouge, LA 70821-43272019-20 LMA EXECUTIVE BOARD (non-affiliate, non-advisory)President – Jimmy Williams – Mayor, SibleyDistrict J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, PattersonFirst Vice President – Michael Chauffe – Mayor, Grosse Tete LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, GonzalesSecond Vice President– Jennifer Vidrine – Mayor, Ville Platte LMA Past President – Glenn Brasseaux, Mayor, CarencroImmediate Past President – Harry Lewis – Mayor, RayvilleLMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, WoodworthDistrict A Vice President – Peggy Adkins, Mayor, SareptaLMA Past President – David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand IsleDistrict B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, RustonLMA Past President – Clarence Fields, Mayor, PinevilleDistrict C Vice President – Adam Holland, Mayor, Oak GroveLMA Past President – Norman Heine, Councilman, BakerDistrict D Vice President – Rick Allen, Mayor, LeesvilleVice President-at-Large - Mark Piazza, Mayor, AbbevilleDistrict E Vice President – Nathan Martin, Councilman, Pineville Vice President-at-Large - Darnell Waites, Mayor, BakerDistrict F Vice President – Charles James, Mayor, SunsetVice President (<1K) - Kevin Colligan, Mayor, CanktonDistrict G Vice President – Kenneth Stinson, Mayor, VintonVice President (1K – 2.5K) – Johnny Natt, Mayor, ManghamDistrict H Vice President – David Toups, Mayor, AddisVice President (2.5K – 5K) – Robert Hardey, Mayor, WestlakeDistrict I Vice President – Donald Villere, Mayor, MandevillePage 2LMR | February 2020
Inside the LMADirector’s ViewpointSMALL TOWNS STILL HAVE BIG IDEASBY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORI have been thinking a lot aboutour small towns and villages andthe media’s discouraging coverageof them regarding diminishingrevenues and failing infrastructure -some people even question whether small municipalitiesshould continue to exist. Eighty percent of our municipalgovernments have populations under 5,000. Thesesmall municipalities are incredibly vital to the State ofLouisiana. I and the LMA staff are constantly discussingthis issue as we continue to work with federal and statestakeholders on solutions.On Sunday, January 19, I was reading my copy of the NewYork Times and got to my favorite part - the travel section.On the front page was the annual ranking, “52 Places toGo in 2020.” Tucked between #18 (La Paz, Bolivia) and#20 (Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), was Grand Isle,Louisiana, ranked #19 out of 52 international destinations.Our small town of Grand Isle beat out places like theBahamas; Christchurch, New Zealand; Austin, Texas; Paris,France; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Minorca, Spain. Iwas so proud to see our only inhabited barrier Island- population 1,296 – internationally recognized in suchgrand fashion. It is a testament to the years of dedicatedleadership and resiliency by Mayor David Camardelle andthe government and citizens of Grand Isle.This is just one of many small-town Louisiana stories.Did you know that the Town of Washington in St. LandryParish is celebrating its 300th birthday in 2020? Or thatthere is a prehistoric dinosaur park in Henderson? Andwe were all ecstatic to see Sulphur, Louisiana middleschool music teacher Mickey Smith, Jr., honored witha Grammy Award as Music Educator of the year andfeatured on CBS Sunday Morning. In Grosse Tete, theUSDA announced a $15.5 million grant award to expandhigh speed broadband internet connections in the ruralareas west of Baton Rouge to bridge the broadbanddisparities between urban and rural centers.We launched our Small Town Louisiana podcast serieslate last year to provide a platform for small towns to tellstories just like these. Our second season will premierin spring, including fascinating tales from Franklin andPonchatoula. If you have not listened to season one(featuring Jean Lafitte, Kaplan, Sarepta, Oak Grove,and Winnsboro), I urge you do so via the link on ourwebsite or at www.smalltownpodcast.com. We havepartnered with another champion for promoting smallmunicipalities, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser,who urges Louisianans to take a “staycation” at one ofLouisiana’s unique destinations. Please join me in my2020 pledge to visit these small and their restaurants,festivals, museums and main streets. Mardi Gras is aperfect opportunity to explore the variety of “bonstemps” that our small towns have to offer.January set the tone for what is sure to be a great year.Pineville Mayor, LMA Past President, and LMA LegislativeCommittee Chairman Clarence Fields was announced asa February 15 inductee into the Louisiana Political Hall ofFame in Winnfield. He will join the ranks of Louisiana’spolitical legends as a recognition of his innumerablecontributions to Pineville and the State of Louisiana ofwhich we are so proud. Last month, we also collaboratedwith the Legislative Auditor’s Office to provide fiveregional training sessions around the state on the rulesof municipal governance and fiscal best practices. Thankyou to Daryl Purpera and his capable staff for partneringwith us; to our host cities of Minden, West Monroe,Pineville, Carencro, and Gonzales; and to Karen White forproviding an excellent overview of the inner workings ofmunicipal government.Thanks to your participation, the 2020 Mid-WinterConference was a wonderful event. We especiallyappreciate Governor John Bel Edwards for speakingat our luncheon, and Ron Holifield, CEO of StrategicGovernment Resources, for kicking off the event with hisinspiring address on servant leadership. We are deeplygrateful for our speakers and exhibitors, without whomour conferences would not be successful.We proudly recognize February as Black History month,a time to reflect of the countless achievements of, andcontributions by, Louisiana’s African American citizens.Last month, in addition to Mayor Fields’ induction,we announced Captain Treone Larvadain’s landmarkpromotion that made her the first female AfricanAmerican captain in State Police history. We also reflecton history’s heroes such as Pierre Caliste Landry, aformer slave, attorney, Methodist Episcopal minister,and politician in Louisiana. He is best remembered forhis 1868 election as mayor of Donaldsonville, makinghim the first elected African American mayor in theUnited States. Please join me in meditating on theaccomplishments of generations of African Americansincluding our diverse membership of elected andappointed officials throughout the state.Happy Mardi Gras!LMR | February 2020 Page 3
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