UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE!
UpperLafayette.com
April 2017
Volume 100
Annual Crawfish Boil on April 13! Upper Lafayette Endorses School Tax Azalea Trail Revived And More.....
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Published by Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors Chad Cole, President Todd Citron, Vice-President Zachary Barker, Sec/Treasurer Monty Warren, Past President Adrian Baudoin Brenda Foulcard Kirk LaCour Donna Landry Pastor Ken Lazard Herbert Schilling Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu David Welch
Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Dwight “Bo” Ramsay
Staff Jan Swift, Executive Director Emily Carline, Graphic Designer
Mailing Address P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505
Contact Us upperlafayette.com
The 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.
jan@upperlafayette.com (337) 769-7649
On the Cover: Dr. Gwen Fontenot, Jan Swift, Jady Regard, Patrick LaBauve, Judi LeJeune and Lisa Prejean, at Petroleum Club for Upper Lafayette’s March 15th luncheon— Influencing the Influencers. Photo by Greta Gerstner; Rita Onuzuruike at Azalea Trail Day 2017. Photo by Cazares Creative.
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VOLUME 100 • APRIL 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM
A Letter from the Executive Director April is, without a doubt, my favorite month of the year. Spring brings with it warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and the promise of new birth. Being a sun lover, it is a great month for me to enjoy gardening, biking and all types of outdoor activities we are fortunate to have access to in South Louisiana. We are blessed to live in right here in the heart of Acadiana with its many amenities provided by nature at no charge! With April comes our yearly crawfish boil, and this year we selected Acadiana Animal Aid as our host site. I want to thank Mary Baudoin, Executive Director, and all of the staff and volunteers for ensuring that we will have a wonderful event! The work conducted by Acadiana Animal Aid as a no-kill rescue shelter is not only necessary, but heart-warming. Anyone who has ever visited the shelter can attest how hard it is to drive away without an extra puppy (or two!) as a new family member. I hope you will join us at our ninth annual crawfish boil at Acadiana Animal Aid on Thursday, April 13th. Registration details are set out below. Happy Easter! And thank you for your support of Upper Lafayette!
Register Now: Ninth Annual Crawfish Boil Upper Lafayette’s ninth annual Crawfish Boil will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Acadiana Animal Aid, 142 Le Medicin Road in Carencro, right off the I-49 NE Frontage Road. Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering will cater the crawfish and sides, and Sean Trcalek will once again provide our musical entertainment. You will not want to miss this opportunity to have fun and check out the precious rescue animals at Acadiana Animal Aid! Tickets may be purchased for $35.00 each (or $20.00 per child). We look forward to seeing you there! Register online at upperlafayette.com/events. Please feel free to contact jan@upperlafayette.com with any questions.
Special thanks to our sponsors!
VOLUME 100 • APRIL 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM
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Upper Lafayette Endorses Tax to Fund School Improvements On April 29, 2017, Lafayette Parish voters will decide whether or not to fund $194 million dollars in improvements to our public schools via a ten year, half-cent sales tax. As a member of the Lafayette Parish Public Education Stakeholders Council, Upper Lafayette’s board of 11. Which schools will benefit from the current tax request? directors has voted toby support this initiative. is never If approved voters, funds will be used totax build the first phase of new While construction it at Lafayette High, twoeasy (2) new elementary schools for Prairie and Carencro Heights and the addition of permanent construction to support an increase in our tax burden, this measure has come wings at nine (9) schools. all 248 temporary classrooms will be eliminated and replaced with permanent classrooms. along at a time Inwhen we can no longer sit back and allow our school facilities to further decay to the detriment of the education of our youngest and most vulnerable. Projects
Temporary Classrooms
Budget
Lafayette High (Phase I)
$43,000,000
31
New Prairie Elementary
$34,000,000
32
New Carencro Heights Elementary
$32,000,000
Evangeline Elementary
$16,000,000
32
Broadmoor Elementary
$12,500,000
25
Alice Boucher Elementary
$12,000,000
24
Ridge Elementary
$11,000,000
22
14
Projects
Budget
Temporary Classrooms
Plantation Elementary
$11,000,000
22
Woodvale Elementary
$10,000,000
20
$4,500,000
9
Duson Elementary
L. Leo Judice Elementary
$4,500,000
Ossun Elementary
$4,000,000
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The following text includes excerpts from the LaPESC press release in support of the tax initiative which we endorse: “Great public school districts are created when the public and private sector, 12. How were the schoolswork on the priority list chosen? We stand united with the schools, and communities together. The Lafayette Parish School Board reviewed the needs of all schools and prioritized those with the greatest business community in our support for this measure. We believe that needs, also taking into consideration some improvements already being made and other improvements that planned through normal operations. an investment are inbeing the future of our children is an investment in the economic future of our parish. TOTAL IMPROVEMENTS
Yearly Operations & Maintenance
$194,500,000
8
248
$3,000,000
Image credit: Students run through the rain at Broadmoor Elementary. Photo provided by Sides & Associates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED “Public education in Lafayette Parish has been historically underfunded. Currently 6,000 students, or 20% of our student population, are educated daily in ‘Container’ buildings. Anyone who has experienced the conditions of these buildings would find them unacceptable. QUESTIONS These temporary classrooms suffer from leaks, noise, poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding and insufficient cooling. The proposed sales 13. What happens if the ½ cent sales tax does not pass?
Without funds to construct new school facilities and add permanent wings to existing schools, students will continue to receive instruction in those temporary classrooms.
14. Are there any purchases exempted from the ½ cent sales tax?
No tax will be collected on purchases of food or drugs. tax will, over time, replace 248 out of about 450 temporary classrooms districtwide. Temporary buildings will be replaced with permanent more information contact Dr. Donald Aguillard (Superintendent) 337-521-7014. buildings orFornew classroom wings. In addition, aging and insufficiently sized cafeterias and restrooms will be replaced or improved, addressing forecasts for student population growth over the next decade. The estimated costcent. for this project is $194.5 million dollars.
½
100% 248
Dedicated. “LPSS has put forth a sensible measure, one we can afford and we should support. A clear plan has been detailed of how to prioritize Permanent Classrooms. and tackle the most immediate needs first. Moneys would be spread around parish schools for equitable distribution to all parts of our community. This tax measure cannot fix everything, but it will be a significant step in the right direction. PAID FOR BY THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM.
PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY
CARENCRO HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY
EVANGELINE ELEMENTARY
BROADMOOR ELEMENTARY
ALICE BOUCHER ELEMENTARY
“LaPESC recognizes the urgent need for improved facilities alongside of improved quality of instruction. WeSales believe that the current Lafayette Parish Schools Tax LPSS Administration and Board have moved the system from an era of strife toward functioning education reform. We believe that this Proposal For Infrastructure, Saturday, is a time when we should entrust LPSS with these resources. This is an investmentApril in the29, future of Early our parish, at aisfraction of the cost of 2017. voting April 15-22. previous tax proposals. Without this tax measure, we can be assured that our public education system will fall further behind state and national standards.” LAFAYETTE HIGH
RIDGE ELEMENTARY
PLANTATION ELEMENTARY
DUSON ELEMENTARY
L. LEO JUDICE ELEMENTARY
OSSUN ELEMENTARY
WOODVALE ELEMENTARY
Please vote yes on April 29 th! For more details, visit lpssonline.com/site6357.php. If you have any questions about the need for this funding mechanism and how our inadequate school buildings impact our youngest, please view . the video at tinyurl.com/LPSStax.
Image credits (from left): Temporary buildings in use at Lafayette High; Carencro Heights Elementary is in for a total renovation. Photos provided by Sides & Associates.
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VOLUME 100 • APRIL 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM
Influencing the Influencers
Focus of Upper Lafayette March Meeting Upper Lafayette’s March 15th luncheon focused on “Influencing the Influencers: How to Effectively Market Your Business in 2017.” Held at the Petroleum Club’s beautiful Walnut Room, our crowd heard from local experts Patrick LaBauve of the Daily Advertiser, Judi LeJeune of IBERIABANK, and Jady Regard of Cajun River Pecan Company about the many ways to optimize your marketing dollar. While the three panelists offered varying methods of increasing a business’s exposure to the marketplace, they all focused on the necessity of identifying your ideal client, and delivering your message to that niche market. There’s no point in spreading your advertising dollar thin to reach the masses, when you can target the consumers most likely to want your product and become loyal clients. Lisa Prejean of Prejean Creative, and an Upper Lafayette member and resident, served as moderator. After listening to the presentations, she narrowed in on specific questions such as, “What steps can you take to increase your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) on the internet?” LaBauve emphasized that small businesses can effectively increase their presence and gain optimal exposure by blogging, writing newsletters, posting information, etc., and using a unique catch phrase over and over which will help Google identify your business. As an example, use your company name over and over; don’t use the words “click here” to send people to your website. Include your company’s specific website, such as upperlafayette.com, when you reference yourself and ask them to check your company out! Special thanks to UL-Lafayette B. I. Moody College of Business Administration and the LSBDC for sponsoring Upper Lafayette’s March event. For more information on how to join our organization or sign up for our newsletter, please visit upperlafayette.com. Thank you!
Image credits (clockwise from top right): Sister Lucie Nordmann and D’lane Wimberly Thomas of Schools of the Sacred Heart; Arla Slaughter, Van Eaton & Romero and Kathy Andersen, Graham Group; Dr. Gwen Fontenot, Jan Swift, Jady Regard, Patrick LaBauve, Judi LeJeune and Lisa Prejean. Photos by Greta Gerstner.
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Image credits (clockwise from top right): Chad Cole, President, welcomes crowd; Dr. Gwen Fontenot, Interim Dean of UL College of Business, addresses attendees; Patrick LaBauve, Judi LeJeune, and Jady Regard; Lisa Prejean, Prejean Creative, and Sean Trcalek, KLAF; Betty Lowry and Mary Beth Lowry of Lowry’s Printing, Chris Witham, BBR and Cory Lagrange, BBR. Photos by Greta Gerstner.
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IBERIABANK Acquires Sabadell United Bank of Miami Article by John Hielscher, Herald Tribune
IBERIABANK Corp. has inked a $1 billion deal to acquire Sabadell United Bank of Miami, which operates an office in Sarasota. The purchase will make Florida the largest state by deposits for IBERIABANK, based in Lafayette, Louisiana. Sabadell, a $5.8 billion-asset bank with 26 branches primarily in South Florida, becomes the latest Florida lender to accept a buyout offer from a bigger rival. “With a population of over six million people, the greater Miami area is a dynamic market with a strong concentration of commercial and industrial clients that are particularly attractive to us,” said Daryl G. Byrd, president/CEO at IBERIABANK. “Sabadell United’s deep commercial and retail lending base, combined with strong core deposit funding and quality credit underwriting, provides an excellent fit with our unique culture and business model.” IBERIABANK already operates eight branches in the Sarasota-Manatee region that held $404.1 million in deposits, according to the latest report by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Sabadell acquired its Sarasota branch in August 2011 when it took over the failed Lydian Private Bank of Palm Beach. That office, with $58.4 million in deposits, is about a half mile from IBERIABANK’s downtown Sarasota office, so the two are likely to be combined. Sabadell is owned by Banco de Sabadell SA of Barcelona, Spain, that country’s fourth-largest bank. With $4.4 billion in customer deposits, Sabadell ranked as the 20th-largest bank in Florida and sixth among those headquartered in the state. IBERIABANK swept into Southwest Florida in November 2009 by acquiring two just-failed lenders, Century Bank of Sarasota and Orion Bank of Naples. The Sabadell purchase agreement calls for IBERIABANK to pay $803 million in cash and 2.6 million shares of stock, valued at $222 million. The buyer plans a $500 million common stock offering to finance the deal. Banco Sabadell will hold a 4.9 percent stake in IBERIABANK. IBERIABANK is a $21.6 billion company that operates 199 bank branches in seven states, along with loan-production, title-insurance, mortgage and wealth-management offices. Pending regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2017.
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Leaders Against Litter 2017 Let’s All Be Leaders!
Image credit: Volunteers clean up Cameron Street. Photo provided by Project Front Yard.
Leaders Against Litter 2017 was held on Friday, March 10, with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser kicking off the day by joining the Keep Louisiana Beautiful affiliate organizations of St. Tammany Parish at a morning cleanup. Similar cleanups took place in communities all across the state, including Lafayette, led by their community leaders. These leaders signed a public pledge declaring they will Speak Up, Pick Up and Stand Up to end littering in Louisiana. Culminating the day, Lieutenant Governor Nungesser and Volunteer Louisiana held a press conference at the State Capitol to announce the results from the morning cleanups, and asked citizens across the state to take action by volunteering in their community. We all know that we have a litter problem in Lafayette Parish. While holding statewide meetings and celebrations in promotion of efforts to clean up are inspirational, the only effective way to cut back on littering is to STOP LITTERING! Trash flying out of the beds of pick-up trucks, litter thrown out of car windows once fast food is consumed, cigarette butts lining our streets… real people such as you and me are the culprits who perpetuate our “trashy” look. It is not just a local or statewide problem, but the solution starts with you, me, our families, and our friends. A couple of years ago, Jan Swift worked with Lt. Jared Yashar and the sheriff’s inmate labor crew as they cleaned up the Ambassador Caffery/I-10 area of Lafayette. From the exit of I-10 up to Willow, the street was made immaculate. Dumpsters of fast food trash and other litter was picked up, and the streets were showcase presentable. Within one day, all the trash and more “reappeared.” A television reporter was set to meet with Jan and Jared, and the inmates hurriedly rushed out to once again clean up the streets to make it look presentable once again. The lesson was clear: littering is a habit that our citizens must break to end the cycle. The areas where the trash was proliferate weren’t along the interstate but within our community; we could not place the blame on careless travelers.
Leaders Against Litter Pledge for a Cleaner Tomorrow “We all have an obligation to preserve and protect our beautiful state. Together, we can make a huge impact. I promise to support Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the local affiliates for a litter-free, more beautiful Louisiana. I will… SPEAK UP and spread the word that litter is not acceptable in Louisiana. I will… PICK UP litter whenever I see it. I will… STAND UP and lead the way for a litter-free Louisiana.”
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VOLUME 100 • APRIL 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM
McComb-Veazey Coterie Working to Create Park Article by Claire Taylor, the Daily Advertiser A few blocks from the place where the legendary King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier grew up, a neighborhood organization has plans to turn a long-vacant corner lot into a park where families can listen to music, children can enjoy playground equipment, and residents can pick fresh vegetables. The McComb-Veazey Neighborhood Coterie is spearheading the project to transform the corner of South Magnolia and 14th streets into a pocket park. Entertainers Clifton Chenier, Cupid, and Buckwheat Zydeco all lived in the neighborhood, so a space for creating music is fitting, said Tina Shelvin Bingham of the coterie. Habitat for Humanity assisted the group in applying for a grant from Wells Fargo, which was approved, to help build a gazebo or covered stage area for musical performances and arts and cultural events, she said. Josh Gramlich, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette architecture graduate, created a design. Lafayette Consolidated Government owns the property, acquired through the adjudication process, Bingham said, and will continue to own it, allowing the group to use and maintain it. The city set aside $80,000 a few years ago to help create the park, she said, and LCG’s Project Front Yard is assisting as well. Construction may begin in the next month or two, Bingham said. The next phase would add an edible garden so residents can help themselves to fresh produce and improve their diets and health. Bingham said it’s important to create a park in the residential neighborhood because the nearest one is Heymann Park, which requires youngsters to cross the well-traveled Pinhook Road, “which isn’t safe without a crossing guard.” It’s also an effort to encourage residents, homeowners, and landlords to improve their properties, she said. Howard Flugence, who has lived all of his 70 years across the street from the future park, agrees. “It’s going to be a lift to the community,” he said. “It’s not only the music. It’s the upgrade,” Flugence said. “You don’t see this in too many subdivisions— a nice little park.” Image credits (clockwise from top right): Top view, inside view, front view, and back view of proposed edible musical park gazebo, designed by ULL Architecture graduate Josh Gramlich. Photos provided by McComb-Veazey Coterie; Tina Shelvin Bingham of McComb-Veazey Coterie and Skyra Rideaux of Project Front Yard working on park honoring local music icons. Acadiana Advocate staff photo by Leslie Westbrook.
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Scenic Lafayette Revives Lafayette’s Historic Azalea Trail The red, white, pink, and purple blooms of our beloved azaleas have come and gone early this year, and many of us are guilty of taking for granted their lush and exquisite beauty. In Lafayette, the predominant variety is the Formosa, also known as the “General Lafayette LA” which blooms in fuchsia and lavender. Scenic Lafayette is determined to raise awareness of this precious natural resource enjoyed by so many. On Saturday, March 18, Scenic Lafayette hosted Azalea Trail Day in downtown Lafayette to raise funds and build community awareness. The event included a classic car caravan and motorcycle cruise, live music, vintage market, azalea plantings, costumed bike ride and more. June Faul, chair of the Azalea Trail Revitalization Group of Scenic Lafayette, was kind enough to share the history of Lafayette’s Azalea Trail and its importance to our region. According to Faul, “Scenic Lafayette is dedicated to preserving and encouraging a visually pleasing and greener community. We believe that the great success of the Azalea Trail in the past of stimulating civic pride and economic development can be repeated and even surpassed. We are focusing on Lafayette’s inner core because the historic Azalea Trail provides the perfect infrastructure to rebuild a visual connectivity between diverse areas of our inner city. Image credit: Photo by Cazares Creative.
“We are very proud of our successful influence in public plantings of azaleas at Sterling Grove, Oaklawn, UL-Lafayette, Myrtle Elementary, and St. Mary Blvd at Parkside, as well as the individual property owner plantings in beautiful Bendel Gardens, Mouton Gardens, and other neighborhoods. Plantings occurred as part of our Azalea Trail Day Celebration as a result of our efforts at Lafayette Middle School, and Affiliated Blind who partnered with the Boy Scouts. More public plantings are being vetted. “Scenic Lafayette has been asked to assist with the University Redevelopment. We hope to see a major Azalea display in the ravine at the Horse Farm, and other locations along the trail. Nonprofits and neighborhoods are now approaching Scenic Lafayette to nominate places for more planting. “We have earned the coveted Azalea City designation from the American Azalea Society. There are only 16 such cities designated. The historic Azalea Trail Revitalization won the 2016 Project Faront Yard Best in Beautification Award. Scenic Lafayette noted the dire condition of azaleas along Jefferson Street and kicked into action contributing funds and efforts to inventory, analyze and treat the azaleas before their certain demise. Local nurseries have reported ordering larger quantities of azaleas to meet the greater demand. Representative Nancy Landry passed a resolution recognizing the importance of the efforts of our revitalization project. “We are now launching a sponsorship campaign so that we can continue the work of getting more azaleas planting and doing all that we can to promote a visually pleasing community that we can all be proud of.” Interested in more details or want to contribute? Please contact Scenic Lafayette at sceniclafayette@gmail.com.
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Image credits: Classic car caravan, led by Mayor-President Joel Robideaux (Top). Photo by Cazares Creative; Bikers travel along historic azalea path (Bottom). Photo by Life Moments Photography.
VOLUME 100 • APRIL 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM
Timeline and History of Azalea Trail by June Faul and Scenic Lafayette 1935:
Chamber of Commerce launches a City Beautification Project which came to be the Azalea Trail. They partnered with the Garden Club, who went door to door to persuade property owners to plant Azaleas.
1936:
The beginning of the Azalea Trail. It is said that Ms. Anna Bernard bought a Formosa azalea for 25 cents and planted it on the 100 block of Dunreath St. in Elmhurst Park Subdivision. Mrs. Paul Mouton and Mrs. John Montgomery then planted azaleas in the neutral ground to welcome neighbors. The street was so beautiful it became known as the “Million Dollar Road.”
2/23/1938:
Official opening of the Azalea Season by proclamation of Mayor J. Maxime Roy. Along with Judge A. Wilmot Dalferes, chairman of the Garden Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, they planned an official tour of Lafayette’s Azalea Trail.
1940:
Revitalization efforts after World Wars claim 40,000 visitors to the Azalea Trail.
1940:
Film released, entitled Les Jardins de Mouton Gardens by Commerce Pictures of New Orleans. This is a charming black and white promotional film featuring the beautiful garden of Capt. Bob Mouton with native cypress and oaks covered in moss. There was a grotto or shrine with Stations of the Cross and benches. There is reference to a rock garden with statuary and a Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes. Plum trees were in bloom. There was a statute of Evangeline. Camellias were included in this garden which included the celebrated and rare Governor Mouton camellia, Pink Perfection, and the rare “Hermey.” The garden had “hundreds of flowering plants which were rare and costly.” The film ends with a solemn salute by Capt. Mouton to the Evangeline Statue.
1950:
The Chamber eventually turned over promoting the Azalea Trail to the Jaycees, who gave it up when they took on other projects. LCVC continued to promote it thereafter as a self-guided tour.
2/24/1957:
The Daily Advertiser announced the 25-mile Azalea Trail.
3/14/1971:
The Daily Advertiser states “The 1971 Jaycee Azalea Trail is now open to the public.”
1970–1980:
The Jaycees distributed free azaleas along the trail.
1980:
Southern Living named Lafayette’s Azalea Trail one of the top 10 Tourist Events.
1980:
LCVC published map and promoted the Azalea Trail as a self-driving tour.
1980–2015:
Urban sprawl and urban core decay led to disinterest and some historic properties and azaleas were lost.
2015:
Scenic Lafayette adopts Azalea Trail Revitalization as its first-year initiative. Their partners included Preservation Alliance of Lafayette, Mouton House, Downtown Development Authority, and Lafayette Convention and Visitors Center
Spring 2016: Volunteers made inventory of existing azaleas with LCG tree app adaptation. Remapped and digitized for internet. Broke out bicycle and pedestrian loops with trailheads. Fall 2016:
Door to door campaign community outreach along the trail reaches approximately 400 property owners.
11/2016:
Scenic Lafayette Chairperson Cheryl Perret coordinated donated mature azalea plantings at Myrtle Elementary, Historic Stirling Grove and other locations along the trail.
3/02/2016:
City of Lafayette awarded Azalea City Designation by Azalea Society of America presented by Encore hybridizer, Louisiana native, Buddy Lee
3/19/2016:
Official Kickoff by Scenic Lafayette of its Azalea Trail with Classic Car Caravan.
Image credit: Susan Fisher, June Faul and Cindy Wiley at Azalea Trail 2017. Photo by Scenic Lafayette.
10/22/2016: Public Planting at St. Mary and Parkside with ULL students for Big Event 1/20/2017:
Arbor day 2017, partnered with Trees Acadiana to plant trees and azaleas at St. Mary/Parkside.
3/18/2017:
Azalea Trail Celebration!
Image credit: Bikers in vintage dress stop along the trail at the Alexandre Mouton House and Lafayette Museum. Photo by Cazares Creative.
Image credit: Lena Le, Cazares Creative, helps paint the LAFAYETTE sign downtown. Photo by Cazares Creative.
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The Picard Group Offers Experienced Governmental Affairs Professionals
The Picard Group, based in Lafayette, has assembled a team of experienced governmental affairs professionals and healthcare consultants to assist clients at local, state and federal levels. “Our team has deep insight and influence on issues facing Louisiana,” said Tyron Picard, principal. “We’re built on strong relationships. Our clients count on us to help amplify their political voice and influence within their industry— and we deliver results.” The last couple of months have been busy ones for The Picard group with a special session at the state level, meeting with clients and elected officials at the federal level and the festivities of Washington Mardi Gras, and now preparing for the 2017 Regular Session convening Monday, April 10 at noon. At the state level, both Picard and Mike Michot, senior director of TPG’s state affairs, spent much of the nine-day special session in Baton Rouge as the state grappled with the $304 million midyear budget deficit. Ultimately, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Legislature agreed to the use of $99 million in rainy day funds, along with $82 million in cuts. The special session closed on Feb. 22. Earlier in February, The Picard Group traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressional leaders. Several TPG clients made the trip with staff and met with key Congressional lawmakers on Capitol Hill including: • The Cameron Parish Police Jury met with Congressional members to discuss liquefied natural gas plant updates, Southwest Coastal study, FEMA and flood risk issues. • The Lafayette Airport Commission updated key Congressional members on the new terminal under construction at the Lafayette Regional Airport and an FAA extension. • Chamber SWLA informed Congressional members on the highly anticipated LegisGator luncheon in August. They shared their legislative priorities for 2017. • Resource Environmental Solutions executives met with members of Congress from Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, South Carolina and West Virginia, as well as representatives from the Trump Administration to discuss the ongoing wetland, stream and habitat mitigation projects they are currently undertaking on 60,000 acres across nine states in the US. • Dr. Joseph Savoie, President, University of Louisiana Lafayette, met with Congressional members to discuss ongoing research initiatives at the university, as well as higher education funding. Additionally, Dr. Savoie discussed the university’s 2017 legislative priorities with Congressional members and their staffs. The Picard Group also announced in late March that long-time Louisiana lobbyist Larry Murray joined their team as Senior Director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs. Larry brings 35 years of experience, having served as director of government relations for the Louisiana Bankers Association from 1986–1991. He was appointed as Louisiana’s Commissioner of Financial Institutions by Gov. Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, where he continued to serve in that role under Gov. Edwin Edwards and Gov. Murphy J. “Mike” Foster. After leaving his position as commissioner of financial institutions, he formed The Capitol Group and furthered his reputation as a problem solver on local, state and federal issues. Larry is known as a man of integrity and is a wonderful addition to The Picard Group’s capable team. For more information on The Picard Group, visit thepicardgroup.com. Upper Lafayette is grateful for their support of our endeavors.
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VOLUME 100 • APRIL 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM
City of Carencro Names New Fire Chief and New City Manager By Stacey Judice, Community Chronicles Two positions have been filled within the city of Carencro. Don Chauvin was recently named as Carencro City Manager, and he fills the role previously held by Jay Castille who is now employed as Special Projects Manager for Southern Lifestyle Development. Chauvin served as Carencro’s Fire Chief for the last three years while also working full-time as a Lafayette Fire Department District Chief. While acting as Carencro’s Fire Chief, Chauvin made great strides to improve the department and keep the volunteers within the cit y well-trained and committed to the fire department. He implemented both “Pay Per Call” and “Pay Per
Image credit: Don Chauvin, newly appointed Carencro City Manager. Photo by Community Chronicles.
Training.” The number of volunteers is what keeps a strong fire rating within an area. Carencro is currently holding a Class 4 property insurance rating. Chauvin said, “With volunteering down across the country, I wanted to make sure that there was an incentive to keep the commitment here in Carencro. Our numbers are at 30 and those are the same volunteers that have been in place and committed for years paid or not paid! They love their city and protecting it.” When Chauvin was asked why he would leave the Fire Chief position in which he was comfortable to transfer to a new job, he said the one word we can all understand— challenge! “Yes, I was comfortable in the fire service; it is what I have done all my life,” stated Chauvin. “But I am always up for a challenge! I want to learn and follow in the footsteps of Mayor Brasseaux. He is great at solving issues within Carencro and immediately addressing situations as they come up. I will do the same as City Manager of Carencro.” David Mouton, a 25-year veteran of the Lafayette Fire Image credit: Carencro City Manager Don Chauvin and Fire Chief David Mouton. Photo by Community Chronicles.
Department and life-long resident of Carencro, has been appointed as the new Carencro Fire Chief. Mouton was a
Captain of the Lafayette Fire Department for nine years and also served on the Lafayette Professional Firefighters Association from 1999 to 2015. Mouton’s family is well known around Carencro for their family grocery store, Mouton’s Food Mart, located on Highway 1252. Mouton is thrilled to take his years of experience and work on the administrative side of the fire line. He loves Carencro and has stepped into exactly where Chauvin left off. With 2017 being a fire rating year, a plan is in place to make Carencro continue on a solid path for a strong rating. Mouton said, “So far, the transition has been smooth with no turnovers in volunteers and everyone committed to serving Carencro. My goal is to continue and lead a solid fire department within the city of Carencro.”
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Carencro Welcomes New Chief of Police By Stacey Judice, Community Chronicles
Image credit: Chief David Anderson. Photo by Community Chronicles
David Anderson is officially the new police chief of the city of Carencro. Chief Anderson was sworn in on February 17 at Carencro City Hall by Judge Herman Clause. In July, 2016, Chief Anderson was appointed interim Carencro Police Chief by the Carencro City Council. Chief Anderson brings many years of experience to the Carencro Police Department with nearly three decades of law enforcement experience. In 1988, he began his Law Enforcement career with the Carencro Police Department. In 1989, he was hired by the Lafayette City Police Department where he served the citizens of Lafayette proudly until he was hired by the Louisiana State Police in 1999. During his tenure with Louisiana State Police, he has had the opportunity to work and train in several aspects of Louisiana State Police, Patrol, Special Operations, and Public Affairs as the spokesman for Louisiana State Police. Anderson was promoted to a supervisory position at the rank of Sergeant and supervised a team of troopers. Anderson has attended several law enforcement training schools logging more 3,900 hours of training. Anderson was honored to have been selected the Troop I Louisiana State Troopers Association Trooper of the year for 2002 and again in 2015. He has been chosen twice by the Louisiana State Police Command Staff to represent Louisiana State Police in Washington, DC for National Police Memorial week. On July 10, 2016, Sergeant Anderson retired from a spectacular career with the Louisiana State Police. Chief Anderson commented, “I am very humbled at the chance to serve as your Police Chief. To have a positive and fluent relationship with the community, there must be an open line of communication. Your Carencro Police Department consists of 27 Police Officers and 6 Reserve Officers that strive to achieve this type of relationship with the community. ‘Dedicated to Serving the Carencro Community with Respect, Trust, Integrity, and Professionalism.’ By providing a good quality service of law enforcement, our jobs as law enforcement officials is heavily dependent on how well officers perform in the eyes of the public. We will move forward in a positive direction for a better tomorrow. We will continue to run the police department as a business and treat the public as our customers. It is incumbent of the Carencro Police Department to be a part of the community and not apart from the community.”
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BBR Takes Home Eight American Advertising Awards
Image credit: ADDY Awards won by BBR. Photo by BBR Creative. BBR Creative was the winner of eight American Advertising Awards, including six Gold awards and two Silver awards, presented by Lafayette’s American Advertising Federation chapter, AAF Acadiana. Additionally, three individual achievements were awarded to BBR employees: a Special Judges Award, Electronic Producer of the Year and the competition’s top honor, the Silver Medal Award. The award ceremony was held at Warehouse 535 on Saturday, March 4. The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest competition. Each year, over 40,000 pieces of work from advertising agencies are entered into local AdFed chapter competitions across the country. Winners, chosen by a panel of judges, are recognized for their creative excellence in advertising. The Acadiana ceremony’s highest honor was bestowed upon Monica Hebert, BBR’s Director of Media Services and 23-year veteran of the marketing industry. This award recognizes a leader in the community who has made outstanding contributions to advertising as well as areas of social concern. A past president of AdFed Acadiana, Hebert also sits on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana, helps run the UL Foundation’s Cajun Cooking Club and is a member of the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation’s Cultivation Committee. In a speech given by chapter president, Blake Lagneaux, Hebert was recognized for her fearless negotiating, commitment to her community and dedication to helping others. Partner and Chief Creative Officer Cathi Pavy said, “As we celebrate 20 years in business, I couldn’t be more proud of the extraordinary team we’ve assembled and the work they’ve created.” BBR received six Gold awards for the following work: • Poster - Single Unit: Latte Art Throwdown, created for Rêve Coffee Roasters • Card, Invitation or Announcement Campaign: Viola-Gott Wedding Invitation • Invitation or Announcement: C. Wolf Barber Flyer, created for C. Wolf Barber • Business-to-Business Website: Trapolin-Peer Architects Website, created for Trapolin-Peer Architects • Social Media, Campaign: Cajun Country Rice Social Media, created for Cajun Country Rice • Logo Design: Saint Luc Logo, created for Saint Luc French Immersion and Cultural Campus
Image credit: Blake Lagneaux, AAF Acadiana, and Monica Hebert, BBR. Photo by BBR Creative.
The agency also took home two silver awards for its work on the Honeybaked Ham Catalog and BBR’s holiday card landing page. A Special Judges Award for illustration was presented to Senior Art Director Burton Durand for his work on Rêve’s Latte Art Throwdown poster. Finally, Digital Marketing Director Daniel Kedinger was recognized as Electronic Producer of the Year for his work in digital production and strategy. BBR is an award-winning brand communications agency providing organizations and businesses with creative solutions that help increase brand awareness and grow business. In 2016, the agency ranked #1,647 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies. More information is available at BBRCreative.com.
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Lee Venable Opens Cajun Fast Track in Henderson! Lee Venable, owner of Cajun Palms RV Resort, has opened the largest indoor arcade and go-kart track in Acadiana right off I-10 in Henderson. “We are always looking for our families to go somewhere where it’s safe and clean and have a lot of fun while being economical,” said Venable, a Northside High graduate. This all began with a vision of an RV park in Henderson. When the Cajun Palms RV Project began about a decade ago, Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette recalled, “We thought Lee
was a wild dreamer because when he first started here, everybody was saying, man he doesn’t know what he is doing, he won’t make it.” Nine years later it has transformed
into a vacation destination, with hundreds of families on the waiting list for RV sites and cabins every weekend. “The locals have embraced everything we’ve done so far. This year, January and February have probably been the best two months of operation since we’ve been open,” said Venable.
Cajun Palms and the Pre-Historic park have already helped Henderson gain nationwide attention. “The sales taxes being generated are being invested right back into the area,” said Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette.
Lee Venable of Cajun Palms RV Resort and Jan Swift
With the help of Cajun Fast Track, the mayor also looks forward to new businesses moving into town. “Quite a few have called and said that when we have completed the sewage improvements, they will be coming,” said Mayor Collette. Venable added, “I think we’ve put that whole package together, where the family can come and enjoy the many amenities offered by Cajun Palms RV Resort and Cajun Fast Track.”
Cajun Fas t Track ’s grand opening was celebrated on Friday, March 17, 2017, before a large crowd of dignitaries and guests who enjoyed the go-cart racing under the covered arena, as well as the elaborate lunch provided by the Filling Station, Cajun Fast Track ’s diner. The most memorable message shared at the grand opening was that by Lee Venable, who humbly thanked his Creator for the opportunity to serve the public with wholesome entertainment and vacation options. Congratulations to Lee Venable and staff for another successful business venture! You have to see it to believe it, and we encourage you to visit and experience the Tiki Bars, swimming pools, Pre-Historic Dinosaur Park, and now the Cajun Fast Track! To access the site, take 1-10 Exit 115, and go North 0.6 Miles to arrive at 1055 North Barn Road, Henderson, LA. Please visit Cajun Fast Track’s Facebook site or call (337) 454-6155. Image credits (clockwise from top right): Laser tag room; Indoor putt putt golf course; Indoor golf cart track; HD interactive theater; Natural wood bar.
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Therapy Center Celebrates its 15 Year Anniversary
Image credit: Margaret Rozas and team at Carencro Therapy Center. Photo provided by Therapy Center.
Therapy Center, a Louisiana based therapy company, has provided therapeutic services in the state since 2002. Founded in 2002, today’s owners of Therapy Center, Shane Castille, Steve Coon, Shannon Lemoine and Stephen VanHook continue the mission to provide superior therapy services with dedication and compassion unsurpassed by anyone in the industry. Therapy Center has become a leading provider of comprehensive therapy services, offered in a broad range of settings including four outpatient clinics, over thirty skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, home health, hospitals and sports medicine at the high school level. “We started together in August 2002. I liked the way that Therapy Center staff communicated with my residents— they had the same personal touch that I had. It was a hand-in-hand partnership, and we grew together. Now, more than a decade later, our future is very bright. Therapy Center has kept the small, hometown feel that we like,” says Gerard Lacour, Administrator at Tri-Community Nursing Home and Bayou Château Nursing Home. 2017 is promising to be an exciting year for Therapy Center. They will open a new corporate office in Jennings and a new central office and outpatient clinic in Grand Coteau. Their Marksville clinic, Lemoine Therapy Services, will also be expanding and opening its new clinic in the first quarter of 2017. Locally, you can visit the Carencro location at 204 East St. Peter Street, right by Carencro City Hall. While there, check out the beautiful mural painted on its front by renowned artist, Robert Dafford! In celebration of 15 years as partner in rehabilitation, Therapy Center plans to host several giving back events in the communities we serve. Their first project of the year was Mind on the Melody, a collection drive for new and used iPods, headphones, and iTunes gift cards. The purpose of this project was to improve the quality of life of nursing home residents who have cognitive and physical challenges by providing them with music during therapy. For more information on Therapy Center, please visit therapyctr.com. “The philosophy of Therapy Center is making sure to hire only the most caring, compassionate, and skilled therapists; making education a priority for our staff, patients, and their families; communicating with all treating disciplines to ensure appropriate care is given at all times; and designing individualized treatment programs for each patient to ensure that patient goals are addressed and maximum functional independence is achieved.”
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New Professional Development Opportunity Empowers Business Owners By: Stacey Judice, Community Chronicles TEAM Link is a new professional development initiative in Upper Lafayette. TEAM is an acronym for Time Energy Asset Management, crucial components for the competent, confident professional. The Success Summit founders, Anita Link and Sara D’Avy, shared why they believe this organization is needed: “TEAM Link, an Upper Lafayette initiative, seeks to provide a healthy forum for business owners to interact, learn, and advance together to enhance economic growth. In order to achieve this vision, bi-monthly success summits are held for distinguished professionals to share knowledge, experiences, and innovative practices.” Success Summits are held at the Hub City Ford Conference Room, 2909 NE Evangeline Thruway, Lafayette, LA. Their inaugural Success Summit, in February, featured an engaging, interactive course with LANTEC’s nationally renowned speaker and presenter trainer, Mechelle Roberthon, BS. Mrs. Roberthon engaged attendees masterfully as she presented Strategic Decision Making and Problem Solving. Attendees were presented with problemsolving techniques, steps to identify the root of a problem, best practices to discover appropriate solutions, various approaches problems for strategic and effective decision making, implementing a plan of action, and how to avoid common decisionmaking pitfalls. TEAM Link’s Success Summits will empower business owners with skills and knowledge critical in today’s market. “As our community continues to flourish, TEAM Link aims to join forces with local business owners while providing opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with like-minded professionals,” stated Link, who went on to say, “TEAM Link aims to attract professionals of integrity who are willing to work toward the common goal of facilitating and promoting the success of all members.” The next Success Summit will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 2 p.m. The seminar will be presented by Shanna Dorion, an Upper Lafayette native and founder of Biz Knocks, a professional development and character education training company. Ms. Dorion is a graduate of UNO and the prestigious American School of Protocol, where she earned a Professional Instruction Certification in Corporate Etiquette, and the Zig Ziglar Academy and is now authorized to train and present Ziglar’s most powerful presentations and methodologies. Attendees of TEAM Link’s April Success Summit can expect to not only walk away with the essentials of professional etiquette but will also receive executive Leadership Behavior Training. Come prepared to strengthen the necessary character traits and relationship qualities that are critical to be considered a successful leader. Ms. Dorion states, “It does not matter what position a person holds, whether it be a boardroom executive or a mailroom clerk, manners matter, relationships are major, and confidence is the key to success!” Individual ticket or membership purchase is required to attend and is not limited to residents of Upper Lafayette. Visit TEAMLink.biz for tickets and facebook.com/TEAMLinkLA for additional free seminars. For more information, contact Anita Link at (337) 315-7198 or anita@TEAMLink.biz or Sarah D’Avy at (337) 849-0236/sarah@TEAMLink.biz. Image credit: (Pictured, left to right) Sarah D’Avy, Jan Swift and Anita Link at Hub City Ford.
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Thank you for your generosity... Platinum Members
Silver Members
Acadian Companies
Oakbourne Country Club
Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc.
Prejean Creative
ASH/Badger Oil Company
Rader Solutions
Couret Farms
Refinery Downtown Arla Slaughter, Van Eaton & Romero
Cox Communications
Sponsors Platinum
Cox Communications IBERIABANK Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette Airport Commission LEDA
SLEMCO
Delta Media
SMILE
Home Furniture
Therapy Center of Carencro
Hub City Ford
Universal Sign & Manufacturing
IBERIABANK Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy
Company Walters Funeral Home
Bronze Members Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Advancial Federal Credit Union Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette
Whitney National Bank
Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates
Gold Members
Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Lynn Guidry, Architect
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket
Jay Castille Construction
Aries Marine Corporation
John Paul The Great Academy
Atmos Energy
Lafayette Animal Aid
Beau Box Commercial Real Estate
Lafayette Convention and Visitors
Dupré Logistics, LLC
Commission
Farm D’Allie
Lafayette Youth Soccer Association Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency
Gibson Energy Services
Lowry’s Printing and Copying
Gulf Coast Bank
Mailing Systems Inc.
Home Bank
Melancon I-49 Storage Center
Van Eaton & Romero
Iqbal Merchant, CPA
Silver Members Ace Plumbing, Inc.
Gold
AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Billeaud Companies Broussard & David Dwight Andrus Insurance Honda of Lafayette Insurance Resource Group Island Operating Company Jones Walker Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital LUS NeunerPate SMILE Community Action Agency UL Lafayette B.I. Moody III, College of Business Administration Van Eaton & Romero The Veterinary Clinic at Gloria Switch
Silver
Acadian Companies Advancial Federal Credit Union Picard Group 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 2017.
Phyllis Coleman Mouton One Acadiana Petroleum Club
BBR Creative
Proree, LLC
Coburn’s Supply Company
Ron J. Gaubert Realtors
Edward Jones/Bob Crist
Schools of the Sacred Heart
Entergy
Summit Physical Therapy
Hilton’s Restaurant Supply
John Swift
Master Builders & Specialists, Inc.
Teche Electric Supply, LLC
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