Upper Lafayette On The Move www.upperlafayette.com December 2015 Volume 84
Upper Lafayette Celebrates the Holidays Together
Carencro Honors Retired Fire Chief Guilbeau Recognition of Lafayette Parish Teacher of the Year Nominees ...and more Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Published by
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
Printed by
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors
Monty Warren, President Cherie Hebert, Vice President Todd Citron, Secretary/Treasurer David Welch, Immediate Past President Adrian Baudoin Julie Dronet Brenda Foulcard Donna Landry Kirk LaCour Beau Phares Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu
Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Ed Krampe Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling
Staff
Jan Swift, Executive Director Elsa Dimitriadis, Communications Director/ Executive Assistant
Mailing Address P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area. On the cover: Immediate Past President David Welch and Honorary Advisory Board Member Herbert Schilling celebrate the holiday season at the annual Upper Lafayette holiday social on December 8, 2015. Photography by Elsa Dimitriadis.
On the Web
www.upperlafayette.com
For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette.com.
Volume 84 • December 2015 • www.upperlafayette.com
A Letter from the Executive Director December 2015. Wow! Where has the year gone? The old saying “Time flies when you are having fun” is certainly true. And looking back, I realize that there have been so many good things happening in Upper Lafayette Parish and great connections being made through the work of our foundation, that this is a good time to step back and truly savor this whirlwind year that is winding down. First and foremost, thanks to our Board of Directors, as well as our members and sponsors who make our work possible. We have enjoyed wonderful events throughout the year that provided outstanding speakers, warm memories and rich connections for our guests. Highlights of our events are found on the pages herein and I hope you smile as much as I did when you look over these photos. We have so much fun when we all get together; I want to acknowledge how grateful I am to know the outstanding people who partner with Upper Lafayette and who share their energy to make our community great. This past year, our foundation’s work focused on enriching our community by working to improve educational outcomes in our public schools, economic development initiatives, and member services. We have maintained our efforts to beautify the gateway into our community, especially along I-10 at the University Avenue Exit, and will continue to encourage all residents to be aware of the importance of beautifying the I-10/I-49 corridor which is traversed by tens of thousands of visitors and residents each day. Project Front Yard truly is an important aesthetic and business issue for Upper Lafayette. May your holidays be merry and bright, and may you enjoy a blessed and prosperous New Year!
You will never
change your life until you change something you do daily.
The secret of your success
is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
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Upper Lafayette’s Holiday Social Held at Schilling Distributing
Each year, it is our pleasure to thank our loyal members with a complimentary Holiday Social, and this year’s event was again a wonderful occasion to relax and get to know one another better in an unhurried setting. Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is a business league dependent on the generosity of our members who pay yearly dues, and this annual event is one way we are able to say “Thank you!” Hosted by Schilling Distributing Co. at 2901 Moss St., and catered by Corner Pantry, the setting was perfect for warm fellowship and a great time! We all enjoyed the musical talent of Sean Trcalek, who performed his usual blend of classical hits and crowd favorites. Several members including Sister Lucie Nordmann of Schools of the Sacred Heart, Larry Lemarie of Halliburton, Donna Landry of Our Lady of Lourdes, Adrian Baudoin and Don Dupuis of Acadiana Computer Systems, Cherie and Jimmy Hebert, and Kathy Abshire of Island Operating, were spotted in the crowd. For those who attended, it was great to spend this time with all. We have enjoyed hosting this social throughout the years and also look forward to celebrating Upper Lafayette for many more years to come!
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www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
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Lafayette Education Foundation Recognizes Teachers across the Parish The Lafayette Education Foundation recognized more than 650 teachers across Lafayette Parish this December for their influence on students and the community. Volunteers, including ones representing Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, traveled to the sixty-five schools to surprise teachers in their classrooms, letting them know of the recognition. The nominees are selected based on letters written by students, parents, fellow educators or community members. Nominees must be active educators in any Lafayette Parish public, private or parochial school, in pre-kindergarten through 12th grades. Sixteen finalists were later named in four categories -- elementary school, middle school, high school and inspirational. One in each of the four catagories will be revealed as the Top Finalist on January 22 at the 2015 Teacher Award ceremony. A full list of the 2015 LEF Teacher Award nominees is available online here. Photograph of Acadian Middle School counselor and pin recipient, Charles Songy with Principal Linda Nance courtesy of Leslie Westbrook.
Lafayette General Opens Carencro Urgent Care Carencro area residents now have their own local access to healthcare for emergency needs. Lafayette General’s Urgent Care Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, December 11, 2015 The walk-in clinic officially opened December 14. Health care professionals will see patients with non-threatening conditions such as cuts, burns, sprains, fractures, aches, allergic reactions and flu-like symptoms. The walk-in clinic is open seven days a week: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The only exceptions are closing on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The health facility is located at 917 W. Gloria Switch Road in Carencro at the intersection of N. University, across from the Walgreen’s. Phone (337) 886-6455 For more info on LGMC Urgent Care, see their site lafayettegeneral.com.
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www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
Bridge Ministry Continues to Shine About 12 years ago, well-intentioned volunteers with a local church had a rough start in their efforts to live by their faith by reaching out to residents in the Four Corners neighborhood. They chose the high-crime neighborhood because of their desire to serve in an area that had great need, recalled Jennifer Reynaud, who is now executive director of Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, the faith-based, nonprofit organization that grew from that initial outreach effort. At first, it was difficult to build trust among residents and assure them the volunteers were there to stay, Reynaud said. “A lot of people thought, ‘You’re not going to be here more than a year,’ but a few years ago, the local neighborhood association raised money to build these buildings we’re in now,” she said. “What we do here is of value to them.” What began as a single church’s outreach to help a community in need has grown to include 25 organizations that donate resources of time, people and money to help with what has evolved into an extensive after-school program. The Bridge Ministry campus includes two buildings — one for students in the first through fourth grades and another for the middle and high school students. About 40 students participate, and there’s a waiting list. The campus also includes a covered basketball court, a garden and playground. Soon, the Bridge Ministry offices will move from nearby Huval Street to the campus. On any given day, nine to 10 volunteers work with about 30 students, helping them with their homework and then on building language and math skills through games and other lessons. There’s also weekly Bible study, and students donate their own time to a local community organization at least once a week. The ministry promotes parent involvement with parent nights and a Bible study for parents, as well. The program’s coordinators meet with students’ teachers and counselors to talk over areas where students may be struggling. It’s also not unusual for one of the tutors to attend a teacher-parent conference with a child’s parent, said Erin Greneaux, the program’s elementary coordinator. Many students aren’t on grade level and need one-on-one intervention, Greneaux said. “We have one first-grader that doesn’t know his numbers,” Greneaux said. “He can add and subtract but doesn’t recognize the written number and can’t write it. He likes art, so I’ve been using art to teach number perspective, and he’s now good through the number 4. It’s good that we have the time and resources to pull him aside and realize he’s artistic, so we work with that.” The program promotes family time with a community meal where there are also games or speakers on topics such as how to make parent-teacher conferences more productive, Reynaud said. Parents say they were initially attracted to the program because of the tutoring services offered — at no charge. But, they said, they grew even more interested when they learned that Bible study and work in the community also would become part of their children’s experience. The program also provides other experiences for the students — summer camping trips and other field trips. “It’s like an extended family here,” one student said. “It’s some good people from all walks of life who come here.” Article and photo courtesy of Marsha Sills/Brad Kemp of The Advocate.
www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
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Longtime Former Fire Chief Carroll E. Guilbeau Honored The city of Carencro honored the legacy of retired Fire Chief Carroll E. Guilbeau by rededicating and naming the central fire station the Fire Chief Carroll E. Guilbeau Fire Station on December 15, 2015. Guilbeau led the Carencro Fire Department as chief for more than 30 years and at the age of 94 is still the adviser of record for the Lafayette Parish Fire Protection Association.
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www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
Upper Lafayette On The Move Focuses On Julia Williams, NHS Principal Julia Williams, Northside High School principal, was a recent guest on Upper Lafayette On the Move. Williams, has roots as a Viking, as her mother was also a principal at Northside High. During her interview, Williams stressed that her focus is centered on improve the school’s culture and providing academics that meet the needs of all kids through their Response Intervention Program. “I’m focused on improving our school culture by building relationships with students and getting parents and the community more involved at Northside,” Williams said. Williams first joined the staff at Northside in February 2013 as an assistant principal. She worked with other math teachers in the district in the role of lead teacher. In 2011, Williams was named Louisiana Teacher of the Year while on faculty at Lafayette High, where she taught algebra to gifted education students. Williams cited her experience in helping to lead Northside High and her role as a mentor to teachers and students on the campus. She said she’s also received training on Compass, the state’s revamped teacher evaluation system, and served as vice chairwoman for the Louisiana Department of Education Advisory Committee on Educator Evaluations, “making me well aware of the many challenges our teachers face in this new era of accountability.” Williams earned two Master of Education degrees from UL - Lafayette in gifted education and educational leadership. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in math from LSU. She’s also held adjunct instructor positions at UL-Lafayette and the University of Phoenix.
www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
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A Quiet Voice for Change:
Pastor Ken Lazard, Destiny of Faith Church alongside the eager and faithful hands of his congregation at Destiny of Faith Church, currently gathering on Cameron Street. You can see that credibility in rows of restored houses in Truman, in the beauty he’s sewn where once were blighted lots and in the establishment of the Eric B. Taylor Community Health Center. Pastor Ken’s Destiny of Faith Church was honored for Best in Beautification in 2015 for his work in revitalizing the neighborhood known as the Truman area. Pastor Ken rallied more than 100 volunteers over two weekends to spruce up a local cemetery, clean up trash and cut tall grass on otherwise blighted properties. He’s a man whose reputation demands counsel. Soon, Lazard’s congregation will move to a new $9 million church location on Patterson Street — the crimson girders and concrete foundation that herald its construction loom as the foundation of a new era of leadership in Lafayette North.
The way the Rev. Ken Lazard tells it, District 3 Councilman-elect Pat Lewis flashed true integrity when he took Lazard’s advice to close and rebrand his daiquiri shop on Willow Street. Lazard explained to Lewis that running a drive-thru alcohol dispensary in a community plagued with alcoholism was counter-productive to revitalizing the beleaguered neighborhoods Lewis wanted to represent. Lewis’ swift concession to the pastor’s counsel surely does give reason for optimism about council leadership on the Northside, but it more-so provides keen insight into Lazard’s role as a district conscience. Sure, the decision was Lewis’ to make. But Lewis’ revelation that such a decision ought to be made was Lazard’s influence.
Upper Lafayette is proud to welcome Pastor Ken Lazard, Destiny of Faith Church, as one of our newest board members to be sworn in at our January 20, 2016 membership meeting. Thank you, Pastor Ken, for all you do to ignite a passion for change and growth of Upper Lafayette Parish! We are blessed to have you among our leaders. Article written with content provided by The Independent.
Lazard is a boisterous unifier — a man capable of holding elected leaders to higher moral and ethical standards. His quiet and private support for candidates he believed could patch cracks in a fractured community edifice moved mountains with a whisper. Lazard has built considerable credibility as a community leader in his neighborhood beautification work, labored
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www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
About $30 million Expected for Airport The 1-cent sales tax dedicated to help fund construction of a new passenger terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport ended November 30, 2015 after eight months, a temporary tax that was palatable to voters and could become a model to fund future projects, officials said. To mark the end of the tax’s statutory life, Lafayette Airport Commission members and others threw a party at the airport with cake and a giant ceremonial check for “approximately $30,000,000.” “Where is the national media when you … celebrate the end of a tax?” state Sen. Page Cortez said. Lafayette Parish in December 2014 voted by a wide margin — 59 percent to 41 percent — to levy a 1-cent sales tax for the defined period of April 1 to Nov. 30, with the proceeds dedicated to helping finance a new $90 million passenger terminal. The tax was expected to bring in around $35 million, but its active life came during a decline in the oil and gas sector, which has brought down total tax revenues in the parish. Total collections will not be known until January. The proceeds will be blended with federal grants, money from state government and airport cash and debt to reach $90 million. Airport Executive Director Steven Picou said construction of a bigger terminal, an expanded parking lot and other upgrades could be completed by 2021. He said the terminal is part of $150 million in future projects at Lafayette Regional Airport. Commission Chairman Paul Guilbeau said Monday there were too many people and too many organizations to recognize for the tax’s passage. “If I thanked them all, we’d be here until supper,” he said. Last week, the Airport Commission made active a new website — newlftterminal.com —dedicated to helping companies that might want to carry out some of the $150 million in planned airport projects, of which the terminal is the centerpiece. The website coincided with the commission’s request for qualifications from architectural and engineering firms. The commission said in a news release that it was seeking a design “multidisciplinary team experienced with a variety of projects in a complex airport operations environment. The successful firm will be required to demonstrate the ability and resources necessary to perform the scope of services requested.” To evaluate a firms’ qualifications, the commission appointed a five-person team composed of commission members Guilbeau and Paul Segura, Director Picou, airport manager Anthony Hebert and former state Department of Transportation and Development Director Kam Movassaghi, who is now with Lafayette-based Engineering and Management Consulting. Article courtesy of Billy Gunn at The Advocate.
www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
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Upper Lafayette...Year In Review
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www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
Thank you for your generosity.. Platinum Patrons ($5000)
Halliburton IBERIABANK Island Operating, Inc. Schlumberger
Platinum Members ($2400)
Acadian Companies Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes PHI, Inc. Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy Whitney National Bank
Gold Members ($1200)
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics, LLC Fenstermaker & Associates Gulf Coast Bank Home Bank Omni Energy Services The Southwest Group Tobacco Free Living Van Eaton & Romero
Silver Members ($600)
Ace Plumbing, Inc. BBR Creative Cajun Harley Davidson Coburn’s Supply Company Edward Jones/Bob Crist Entergy Gauthiers’ RV Center
Silver Members
Bronze Members
($600)
Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Prejean Creative Rader Solutions Refinery Downtown Shelf Energy, LLC SLEMCO SMILE Stella Maris Stirling Properties Summit Physical Therapy Therapy Center of Carencro Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company Walters Funeral Home
Bronze Members ($300)
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Advancial Federal Credit Union Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette Aspen Clinic Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana Benton Business Solutions, LLC Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates Breaux’s Mart Community Foundation of Acadiana Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Davis Property Management Taylor Davis, Northwestern Mutual Derek Development Corp., LLC Joey Durel Lynn Guidry, Architect Jay Castille Construction John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Animal Aid Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Lafayette Youth Soccer Association Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Iqbal Merchant, CPA Melancon I-49 Storage Center One Acadiana Petroleum Club Proree, LLC Chad Romero, Northwestern Mutual Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Sarah Schoeffler Schools of the Sacred Heart John Swift
($300)
Sylvan Learning Center Teche Electric Supply, LLC WorldPay
Sponsors PLATINUM LEDA Tobacco Free Living GOLD AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Lafayette Regional Airport Commission Van Eaton & Romero SILVER Advancial Federal Credit Union Schilling Distributing Company
City of Carencro City of Scott
BRONZE
A special thanks to the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) for being our Program of Work partner for 2015.
www.upperlafayette.com • December 2015
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