UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Letter from the President: Mr. Adrian Baudoin If you weren’t able to make it to our July membership meeting at Oakbourne Country Club, you missed a good one. Billy Nungesser gave a saddening yet inspirational account of the recent Gulf oil spill disaster and its aftermath. It was a powerful experience to hear a man with such passion speak about protecting his home parish and the Louisiana coastline.
Upcoming Events
Upper Lafayette has some exciting events planned for the fall. On September 17th, we are partnering with Bridge Ministry of Acadiana to host a 5K run at Pelican Park in Carencro. Bridge Ministry is a neighborhood outreach ministry located in the “Four Corners” area. Proceeds from this event will go to support the Bridge Ministry and their efforts. You can find Bridge Ministry on the web at www.bridgeacadiana.com. Be sure to check out the “Run Upper Lafayette” link.
Bridge Ministry/Upper Lafayette 5K Run Pelican Park September 17, 2011, 8:00am September Membership Meeting September 21, 2011 11:30-1:00pm
The second annual “Quest for Your Best” event will also happen this fall on October 18th. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss this year’s installment of Upper Lafayette’s personal development series. This year’s theme is “Path to Leadership”. As always, we appreciate your continued support and encourage you to invite your friends and colleagues to join ULEDF. You’ll find more information about membership levels in this newsletter. Help us spread the good word about the Upper parts of Lafayette Parish!
Carencro Water System Named Water System of the Year The City of Carencro Water System was honored on July 20, 2011 at Louisiana Rural Water Association’s Annual Awards Banquet when they were named the Water System of the Year (South) at LRWA’s 26th Annual Training and Technical Conference held in Alexandria, Louisiana.
ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff Adrian Baudoin, President Beau Phares, V. President Todd Citron, Sec/Treas. Dr. Ross Judice, Past Pres. Amos Batiste Don Dupuis Cherie Hebert Ed Krampe Andre Moreau Dwight Prudhomme Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Monty Warren Deborah Young Jan Swift, Director
The LRWA Awards Program recognizes outstanding Rural Water and Wastewater Systems and their personnel throughout Louisiana. Carencro Water System won top honors in recognition of their dedication to providing safe drinking water and/or helping to maintain a cleaner environment in the water and/or wastewater industry. Also recognized was Carencro’s Water/Wastewater supervisor, Buster Broussard, as one of six nominees for Water System Operator of the Year (South) Award.
Carencro Water Treatment Plant Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Carencro Water System honored by LRWA
On June 16, 2011, Carencro officials hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for this new $4.5 million water treatment plant at 125 Andre Street that has doubled Carencro’s water capacity. Designed by ULEDF member Fenstermaker and Associates, the plant is considered to be a state-of-the-art facility that should meet the city’s needs as the town experiences expected growth. Mayor Glenn Brasseaux said the new two-million-gallon-a-day plant was designed to allow that capacity to be easily increased to four million gallons, should the need arise. “This plant is a lot more efficient. It is allowing us to save money from day one,” Brasseux said. The new two-million-gallon-a-day plant was designed to allow that capacity to be easily increased to four million gallons as the need increases.
The City of Carencro has been very proactive in meeting the needs of its residents. By initiating the water treatment plant upgrade, enacting a progressive zoning ordinance, and initiating a TIF that will finance infrastructure needs, the city officials have shown far-sighted vision for ensuring that Carencro will continue to be a wonderful place in which to live, work and invest.
Volume 33, Page 1
August 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... New Member Spotlight: Ace Plumbing, Inc. Upper Lafayette’s newest member, Ace Plumbing, Inc., has been in business in Acadiana since 1983. Founded by Andrew Huey Arnaud of Carencro, Bryan Tabor and Arnaud’s son, Andrew Arnaud II, took over the business in 1988. In the past 28 years, the business has grown steadily and enjoys $1.8 million in annual sales while still remaining family-owned. Bryan and Andrew are proud to have their sons also working in the business alongside them. President, Bryan Tabor, commented, “We pride ourselves as a company that gives you a top notch job with the service Bryan Tabor, President to match it. Our goal is to have 100% satisfaction from our customers and if we don’t we will give them their money back. We do almost every aspect of plumbing form a simple plumbing repair to plumbing a big commercial building.”
Bryan Tabor and staff Photo by Stacey Judice
Tabor is also active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the 2011 Leadership Lafayette Class 24. As his children were growing up, he coached little league baseball, football and wrestling for over 15 years. He served on the board of Acadian Athletic Association, now known as Brown Park. Tabor also served as President of the Northside High School Baseball Boosters Club. Ace Plumbing is available 24/7 for all emergency services. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are located at 105 Fourpark Road in Upper Lafayette off Gloria Switch Road. For further information please call (337)896-8155 or visit their website at www.aceplumbinginc.com Upper Lafayette welcomes Ace Plumbing as our newest member and we wish your business continued growth and success!
Oakbourne Country Club Setting for ULEDF July 2011 Meeting Oakbourne Country Club was the lovely setting for another successful ULEDF meeting held on July 20, 2011. Upper Lafayette’s members and guests welcomed Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, well-known for his passionate defense of our beloved Louisiana coastline. Nungesser presented a moving Power Point presentation which touched the collective heart of the large crowd; a memorable photo displayed oil Bo Ramsay, Neil O’Keefe, Jan and Charles Wyatt drenched pelicans in the immediate aftermath of the BP oil spill. Never one to hold back any punches, Nungesser shared his frustrations with the politics behind what could have been a simple task of cleaning up the mess left by the spill. St. Landry Parish President Don Menard also joined the meeting, and announced his candidacy for the District 39 State Representative seat. Also well known as the force behind Don’s Country Mart at 701 Veterans Drive in Carencro, Menard was well-received by the attendees.
Billy Nungesser, Jan Swift, Adrian Baudoin, Don Menard
While ULEDF does not endorse candidates or get involved in political activity, candidates are welcome to introduce themselves and give a brief message about themselves and their desire for service. We want our members to have the opportunity to meet and hear from the people who will potentially shape the future of our community and state.
Volume 33, Page 2
August 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Community Chronicles, Giving a Voice to Upper Lafayette and Carencro Upper Lafayette is proud to introduce you to Stacey Judice, owner and editor of “The Community Chronicles,” who is producing a new periodical highlighting Carencro and Upper Lafayette! Stacey celebrates her first print edition this month, and you may also view the newspaper at www.communitychronicles.com Stacey began writing after a tragic auto accident took the life of her best friend. “The only release from the weight of grief for me was writing in a journal,” Judice explained. In 2005, an opening with the Carencro News as a free lance writer allowed Judice to test her writing skills. She said, “It wasn’t long before I fell in love with telling positive stories about every day people. I soon realized that everyone has a story of inspiration behind the extraordinary and mundane experiences in life. My goal was to tell the stories that were left out of larger publications.” The best part of freelance writing was being able to write and perform job duties from her home while raising her three sons. After The Carencro News was discontinued, Judice began freelancing for the Daily World, Daily Advertiser, and the Teche News. Judice said, “While it was great to write for larger publications, my heart was hurting as the stories kept coming from Upper Lafayette. While I could get some of the articles published, others sat in a file called “Waiting for Print“. In February 2011, two sick children kept her home during which time she created a website called “Community Chronicles.” The goal was to give an outlet for all those untold stories about Upper Lafayette!” Stacey Judice
The Community Chronicles has grown from publishing six stories to sixteen pages each month. The fastgrowing publication uses the slogan “Giving a voice to Upper Lafayette and Carencro.” Each month, Stacey calls Jan Swift asking for input and articles to promote Upper Lafayette, for which our foundation is grateful! “My main goal is to tell positive stories that will help paint a better reputation for the area that my family calls home. As I sit down each month to upload the stories on the website, I find myself laughing, crying, and rejoicing at the wonderful articles that are published in the Community Chronicles,” Judice stated. Anyone having an idea for an article or who wants more information, please email communitychronicles@yahoo.com. This month, Judice will launch the Community Chronicles in print at over thirty-three locations in Upper Lafayette and South St. Landry Parish. Judice stated, “People want to read positive stories that not only tell a good story, but help the reader walk away wanting to make a difference in the world today. Each month, news articles, personal interest stories and other great reads will be found in our publication. It is also my desire to give other stay-at-home moms a chance to share their writing talent with our readers.” “Keeping God first, family second, and telling stories that are more than worthy for print” sums up how Stacey Judice balances her faith, family and career. Upper Lafayette is a better place because of Stacey and we wish you and the Community Chronicles the best of success!
Carencro Business Association Celebrates Carencro’s 106th Birthday
The Carencro Business Association hosted “Karoake in the Cro,” a celebration of the 106th anniversary of Carencro on July 9, 2011 at the Carencro Community Center. Musical entertainment by Bobby Theriot, and singing and dancing by Fireman Fred, guaranteed big smiles and a great time! Many volunteers worked to ensure a successful event which raised money for the CBA’s activities. Congratulations to President Charlie Brunt and the CBA for another fun and memorable event which was enjoyed by all.
Jan Swift, Margaret Rozas, Jason and Stacey Judice Enjoying the festivities.
Volume 33, Page 3
August 2011
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Upper Lafayette Organizes 5K Run/Walk to Benefit Bridge Ministry of Acadiana Pelican Park in Carencro will be the setting of Run Upper Lafayette, our first annual 5K Run/Walk to be held Saturday, September 17, 2011, with the one mile fun run commencing at 8:00 am, and the 5K following immediately thereafter. Partnering with Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Upper Lafayette is organizing the event while working closely with the Bridge’s staff member Jennifer Reynaud, and founding board member, Nelson Warner. The $25.00 entry fee entitles each participant to a dri-fit t-shirt with the Run Upper Lafayette logo prominently displayed on the front of each shirt, which are to be printed by Sideline Sports on E. Gloria Switch Road. Interested participants may register on-line at Bridge Ministry’s website at www.bridgeacadiana.com. All net proceeds go directly to the Bridge’s neighborhood outreach ministry, a 501(C)(3) charitable non-profit organization located in the ‘Four Corners’ area of Lafayette. Please take the time to visit their website and learn more about this exciting ministry which counts dozens of local churches among its partners. Volunteers to help coordinate race day activities include Madame Cindy Barry (Lafayette High French teacher) and the Lafayette High School Serteens, as well as Kat Crappell (Lafayette Rotary North) and the Carencro High Rotaract members. With our local youth involvement, we hope to recruit many young runners who will spread the news about Upper Lafayette to their peers! The event is slated to be a family friendly occasion, with a one mile Fun Run, followed by the 5K which will commence at Pelican Park and wind around side roads that do not experience heavy traffic flow. The race is being US Track and Field certified by local runner Todd Delahoussaye, who is well known in running circles. Drinks will be provided by Acadiana Bottling, and jambalaya is being prepared by Prejean’s Restaurant. Special thanks go to our sponsors: Festival Acadiens, the Jim Lambert Law Firm, and our own ULEDF member IberiaBank! We appreciate the generosity of our community and look forward to partnering with Bridge on what we hope will become a yearly event. For more information, please call Jan Swift at (337)278-0408.
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 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 GOLD Atmos Energy Fenstermaker & Associates Home Bank Honda of Lafayette Opelousas General Health System VALOR Commercial Real Estate
SILVER Ace Plumbing, Inc. Allstates Building Systems American Safety & Industrial Supply Aspen Clinic BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Master Builders & Specialties Mello Joy Coffee Company Oakbourne Country Club Steven Santillo, APLC Stone Energy Corporation Stirling Properties Terry J. Rogers, LTD Walters Funeral Home BRONZE Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Acadian Hills Country Club Associated Travel Group Jean Breaux, Jr. & Associates Alan Broussard David Courville–Architect Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering
BRONZE CONT’D Derek Development Corp, LLC Joey Durel ECGC Women’s Business Center House of Faith Church 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 Petroleum Club of Lafayette Pope John Paul II Academy Richard Leblanc/Leblanc’s Auto Wholesale Ron J. Gaubert Realtors Ken Simeral SLEMCO Buddy Webb/Rayne State Bank Sylvan Learning Center
Volume 33, Page 4
August 2011
www.upperlafayette.com