Volume 21
August 2010
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. SPOTLIGHT ON SCOTT MAYOR HAZEL MYERS!
Upcoming Events Lt. Gov. Scott Angelle Petroleum Club September 15, 11:30 a.m. “Quest for your Best” Personal Development Series Oct. 21, 11:00 to 1:00 Acadian Ambulance Headquarters
UPPER LAFAYETTE BOUNDARIES
Upper Lafayette’s intern, Jessica Spedale, recently met with Mayor Hazel Myers of Scott. A graduate of SLI (now UL at Lafayette) with a degree in Business Administration, Hazel Myers is a dedicated public servant who learned politics from her grandfather. Conservative by nature, she espouses a “pay as you go” attitude which has enabled the town to invest in its future when the timing has been right. The mayor has served in her present position for 18 years and previously served on the Scott City Council for 10 years. Throughout the interview it was obvious that she still loves the opportunity to serve the vibrant town of Scott! Mayor Myers has accomplished a great deal during her tenure as mayor, including construction of City Hall and implementation of TIF districts (tax Mayor Hazel Myers implemental financing) to fund I-10 frontage roads and infrastructure improvements. She is particularly proud of Scott’s Annual Prayer Day, held each May, which was instituted under her watch. Her current focus is working on a master use plan for the community. Myers will end her service as mayor in December 2010, with plans to retire from public life and spend more time with family, including her husband of 55 years, Willie Myers, Jr. ULEDF thanks Mayor Myers for her contributions and for her support of Upper Lafayette!
LT. GOV. SCOTT ANGELLE TO SPEAK IN SEPTEMBER Please join us on Wednesday, September 15, 11:30 a.m., at the Petroleum Club, for ULEDF’s next meeting. We are honored to welcome Lt. Gov. Scott Angelle who will give our foundation an update on the latest news concerning the deepwater drilling moratorium and other issues facing the oil and gas industry in Louisiana. Serving as Master of Ceremonies at the Rally for Economic Survival in July, Angelle has skyrocketed to fame for his passion, humor and dedication to serving our state. A highly engaging speaker and friend to many, we expect a large crowd for this event. Call (337)572-9877 #108 or email jan@upperlafayette.com to reserve your spot. The cost of lunch is $15.00.
Letter from the President: Dr. Ross Judice ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff Dr. Ross Judice, President Ed Krampe, V. President Adrian Baudoin, Sec/Treas. Todd Citron, Past Pres. Don Dupuis Andre Moreau Beau Phares Dwight Prudhomme Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Monty Warren Jan Swift, Director
It's an honor to breath the same air as people that I admire. At last month's Upper Lafayette meeting the room was filled with amazing business leaders, elected officials, and community activists. I personally walked a couple of inches taller just rubbing shoulders with this fantastic group. Senator Mike Michot and too many others to name came together at Oakbourne Country Club to share a meal, exchange ideas, and check in with each other. We talked education, urban renewal, health care, and state budgets. Everyone was engaged. I left inspired. If you are a business person and you want to be surrounded by excellence, join us at the next meeting on September 15, 2010, 11:30 a.m., at the Petroleum Club, where Lt. Governor Scott Angelle will explore with us the possibilities of a better Louisiana. He has a knack for vision and leadership, and who knows, maybe he too will leave inspired by breathing the same air as the Upper Lafayette group.
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. DR. SUNSHINE LITTLE AND OUR LADY OF LOURDES OPEN CLINIC IN CARENCRO! On June 9, 2010, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center hosted an open house welcoming primary care physician partner, Dr. Sunshine Little, to its newest medical facility located at 3735 NW Evangeline Thruway in Carencro. Inasmuch as Dr. Little grew up in our community, the event was a heart warming celebration. On hand to make the grand opening extra special were Dr. Little’s family members, her OLOL extended family and co-workers, as well as local elected officials including Mayor Glenn Brasseaux and Carencro City Councilman J. L. Richard. In keeping with OLOL’s traditions, the building was blessed and delicious food was shared by the large crowd. A permanent health facility which will house Dr. Little, other physicians and an after-hours clinic is currently under construction at 3800 NE Evangeline Thruway in Carencro. The facility is slated to open in November of this year. Hours for the after-care clinic will be 3:00 to 11:00 Monday through Friday, and 9:00 to 6:30 on weekends. Dr. Little’s current office hours are Monday—Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8: 00 a.m. to Noon. Phone (337)896-3336. ULEDF welcomes Dr. Sunshine Little and wishes you much success in your practice!
MEET STEPHEN SANTILLO: OWNER OF BLUE DOG CAFE, JOLIE’S AND LOUISIANA ICE ARENA ULEDF intern Jessica Spedale recently interviewed lawyer, restaurateur, entrepreneur and Upper Lafayette member, Steve Santillo. Originally from Philadelphia, Steve moved to Opelousas at the age of ten, graduated from LSU law school and has practiced law for 27 years. A long time resident of Carencro and new owner of the Louisiana Ice Arena (LA Ice) at 3607 NW Evangeline Thruway in Carencro, Steve is an wonderful proponent of the advantages of living, working and investing in Upper Lafayette. On a recent day in July, Steve provided Jessica and Jan Swift fascinating insights into the world of a busy entrepreneur.
Steve Santillo (standing) with Doug Kershaw and George Rodrigue.
Santillo is an owner and the force behind the highly successful Blue Dog Café, as well as Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro, both located on Pinhook Road. Blue Dog is well known as the showcase for more than 150 of the iconic works created by world renowned George Rodrigue, as well as its delicious Cajun dining. Jolie’s opened in November 2008 and offers a Contemporary Creole menu with a traditional New Orleans style, focusing on “fresh local seasonal ingredients” obtained from suppliers in South Louisiana. Both restaurants showcase what makes Louisiana so unique and are a must for tourists wanting a taste of our unique culture.
When asked how he first made the leap into the restaurant business, Steve stated he felt confident Blue Dog had all the right ingredients to be successful. The main ingredient was this hard-working visionary who continues to work to make Lafayette such a great place for travelers and residents alike! Please check out his newest venture in Carencro, LA Ice, which is the only ice skating arena open year round in Louisiana. For more information, call (337)896-2040. ULEDF salutes member Steve Santillo and wishes him continued success in his endeavors! 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. Contact jan@upperlafayette.com for more information.
Special Thanks To Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Members! PLATINUM
Acadian Ambulance Service Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford, Inc. IberiaBank McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company The Southwest Group Whitney Bank
Volume 21, Page 2
BRONZE
GOLD
Atmos Energy Home Bank Honda of Lafayette VALOR Commercial Real Estate SILVER
Accel Protection & Technologies Allstates Building Systems American Safety & Industrial Supply Anytime Fitness—Moss Street Aspen Clinic Associated Travel Group BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Mello Joy Coffee Company Steven Santillo, APLC Stone Energy Corporation Stirling Properties Sylvan Learning Center Terry J. Rogers, LTD Walters Funeral Home
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S Acadian Hills Country Club Jean Breaux, Jr. & Associates David Courville—Architect Crawdaddy’s On Site Catering Derek Development Corp., LLC Joey Durel ECGC Women’s Business Center Horace Guidry Lafayette Convention & Visitors Bureau Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lynn Guidry Architect Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows Melancon I-49 Storage Center Northwood United Methodist Church Richard Leblanc/Leblanc’s Auto Wholesale Ron J. Gaubert Realtors Ken Simeral SLEMCO Buddy Webb/Rayne State Bank
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority