LMR November 2023

11.23Louisiana Louisiana 

MUNICIPAL 

REVIEW 

VOL. 88 

ISSUE 11

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Derrick Johnson, LMA President Rick Allen, First Vice President Ray Bourque, Second Vice President 

Mayor, Cheneyville Mayor, Leesville Mayor, Broussard 

Page 2 

Immediate Past President Michael Chauffe, Grosse Tete 

Immediate Past President – Michael Chauffe, Grosse Tete 

District Vice President Kim Gaspard, Mayor, Haughton 

District A Vice President – Kim Gaspard, Mayor, Haughton 

District Vice President Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston 

District B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston 

District Vice President Staci A. Mitchell, Mayor, West Monroe 

District 

District 

C 

D 

Vice 

Vice 

President 

President 

– Staci 

Howard 

A. Mitchell, 

“Keith” Lewing, 

Mayor, 

Mayor, 

West Monroe 

Anacoco 

District E D Vice President – Rich Howard Dupree, “Keith” Mayor, Lewing, Pineville Mayor, Anacoco 

District E F Vice President – Charles Rich Dupree, James, Mayor, Mayor, Pineville Sunset 

District F G Vice President – Charles Chuck Robichaux, James, Mayor, Mayor, Sunset Rayne 

District G H Vice President – Edwin Chuck Robichaux, “Ed” Reeves, Mayor, Rayne Plaquemine 

District I H Vice President – Jean Edwin Pelloat, “Ed” Reeves, Mayor, Madisonville 

Mayor, Plaquemine 

District I J Vice President – Jean Rodney Pelloat, Grogan, Mayor, Mayor, Madisonville Patterson 

District J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, Patterson 

LMA Past President Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales 

LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales 

LMA Past President Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales 

LMA Past President – Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales 

LMA Past President David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth 

LMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth 

LMA Past President David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle 

LMA 

LMA 

Past 

Past 

President 

President 

– David 

Harry Lewis, 

Camardelle, 

Mayor, 

Mayor, 

Rayville 

Grand Isle 

LMA Past President – Jimmy Harry Lewis, Williams, Mayor, Mayor, Rayville Sibley 

Vice LMA President Past President at Large – Jimmy – Julius Williams, Alsandor, Mayor, Mayor, Sibley Opelousas 

Vice President at Large – Belinda Julius Alsandor, Constant, Mayor, Opelousas Gretna 

Vice President at Large – Kevin Belinda Kately, Constant, Mayor, Mayor, Parks Gretna 

Vice President at Large – David Kevin Kately, Toups, Mayor, Parks Addis 

Vice President at Large – Darnell David Toups, Waites, Mayor, Mayor, Addis Baker 

Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, Baker 

LMR | NOVEMBER 2023

LMR | NOVEMBER 2023 Page 3

DIRECTOR’S VIEWPOINT 

November: A Time of Remembrance and Gratitude 

Happy Fall, y’all! Looking out 

of my office windows today, 

I’m reminded of what the next 

few months will bring - cooler 

weather, fall festivals, football, 

and more opportunities 

for outside gatherings with 

friends and family. I do so love 

this time of year! 

It’s November, and that means 

something very special in the 

hearts of Americans - Veteran’s 

Day. What an honor to be able 

to thank the hard-working, 

dedicated men and women of 

our military branches for their 

unwavering service. They sacrifice 

much for our freedoms 

and our peace of mind, and I 

know I am not alone when I 

say thank you. 

Our cover story this month 

highlights our many LMA 

members who are veterans. 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

The military makes 

for solid leaders, 

so many enter 

public service 

upon their retirement. 

We’re 

grateful for that 

as they epitomize 

the phrase 

‘service above self.’ 

We also delve into the Louisiana 

Armed Forces Alliance 

(LAFA) this month and how 

their many military installations 

across the state help to 

increase Louisiana’s economy. 

To be exact, “military-related 

spending in Louisiana creates 

$9.64 billion in annual economic 

impact across all regions 

of the state.” That’s a lot 

of money that helps create an 

enormous impact. 

Anita Tillman also lets us all 

Contemplation is Key 

What a year we’ve had. It’s 

flown by, and Thanksgiving 

is already here. I find myself 

contemplating a lot at this 

time of year about all the 

things I’m so thankful and 

grateful for. This year there’s 

a bonus to my long list; being 

your President. What 

an honor, and something I 

cherish greatly. My pledge to 

be there for each of you remains 

as strong as ever, and 

I thank you all for you faith 

and belief in me. 

As a veteran, November also 

holds a very special place in 

my heart. Veteran’s Day offers 

everyone a chance to appreciate 

the efforts of our military 

service men and women. 

As someone who knows firsthand, 

it can be a very hard life. 

We sacrifice a lot personally 

so we can protect a country 

we hold to such esteem. We 

do it knowing the sacrifices 

because we love it, and being 

recognized is a wonderful 

feeling. Some of our LMA 

members, myself included, 

are recognized this month in 

our magazine, and I hope you 

take the time to read their stories 

and reach out personally 

to show your appreciation. 

Our very own LMA First 

Vice President and Leesville 

know how local infrastructure 

hub 

cohorts build 

local capacity 

to access federal 

funding. 

There is so 

much funding 

across Louisiana, 

and navigating how 

to apply and receive it can be 

overwhelming. But seeing the 

process through can be nothing 

short of rewarding. 

And let’s not forget that November 

brings another important 

American occasion 

with it - Thanksgiving. What 

a time to give thanks and rejoice 

in all that is good. That 

can be difficult at times, but I 

encourage each of you to find 

the goodness around you, 

celebrate it, and be thankful 

for it. For me, it’s my loving 

Mayor Rick Allen is leading 

the charge at the Louisiana 

Armed Forces Alliance, and 

their improvements to Louisiana’s 

economy are highlighted 

this month as well. 

Louisiana has secured itself 

as a military hub, and the 

impact that has on our economy 

should never be one we 

take lightly. 

We also discuss grant access 

and the struggles it can sometimes 

bring in terms of applying. 

But diligence and sticking 

with it can reap great rewards. 

I hope everyone enjoys their 

Thanksgiving break this year 

John Gallagher 

Executive Director 

family, my hobbies that excite 

me, and the privilege of serving 

each of you. I will forever 

be thankful for that. 

Have a wonderful November 

sharing time with loved ones 

and honoring some of our 

greatest American heroes. 

Until next month, we remain 

#LMASTRONG. 

Derrick Johnson, Sr. 

LMA President 

Cheneyville 

with those nearest and dearest 

to you. We live in a state 

with so much to be thankful 

for. May that continue to be 

our focus. 

Page 4 


GOVERNOR’S COLUMN 

Many Reasons to be Thankful as We Look 

at All We Have Accomplished Together 

It’s a bittersweet moment to 

be writing my second to last 

column before leaving the 

Office of Governor in January. 

I want to congratulate 

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry. 

His campaign promised to 

unite the people of Louisiana 

across political and 

social divides and address 

important kitchen table 

issues. In my experience, 

that’s the best way to govern. 

A smooth transition of 

power following an election 

is a core tenet of American 

democracy. My staff and I 

will ensure the incoming 

administration has every 

opportunity to be ready on 

day one. Donna and I wish 

Jeff and Sharon success and 

strength as they take on the 

challenging, rewarding roles 

of governor and first lady. 

I also want to thank and congratulate 

Shawn Wilson for 

running a positive and historic 

campaign. When, not 

if, Louisiana elects its first 

Black governor since reconstruction, 

Shawn Wilson will 

be one of the main people 

who made it possible. That 

contribution to our state 

is just the latest in Shawn’s 

long career of impactful service 

to Louisiana. 

The state of Louisiana is in 

a much better place than it 

was eight years ago, and it 

shows. The Louisiana Workforce 

Commission (LWC) 

recently announced that 

federal data shows that 

Louisiana once again hit its 

lowest-ever unemployment 

rate. The unemployment 

rate is 3.3%, tied with August 

2023 for the lowest in 

series history, and the number 

of unemployed individuals 

is 67,930, the lowest in 

history overall. 

Louisiana continues to set 

records for low unemployment. 

We’ve had 30 consecutive 

months of job growth 

and have added nearly 

280,000 jobs since the worst 

of the pandemic. In fact, our 

employment levels are now 

higher than they were before 

COVID. Experts believe 

that our bipartisan work to 

grow and diversify our economy 

will benefit Louisiana 

for years to come. Economist 

Dr. Loren Scott recently 

predicted that Louisiana 

will add more than 80,000 

jobs over the next two years. 

And we’ve done it all while 

overcoming historic natural 

disasters and a state government 

budget crisis. I have 

never been more optimistic 

about Louisiana than I am 

today. 

Speaking of optimism, last 

month I joined the former 

residents of Pecan Acres in 

Pointe Coupee – an area 

that flooded more than 17 

times in the past 30 years 

– to celebrate their newly 

constructed, fortified homes 

in Audubon Estates. The 

neighborhood will provide 

safe and weather-resilient 

homes for members of this 

deserving community and 

demonstrate how federal, 

state, and local governments 

can work together to 

provide repetitive flood-loss 

communities with positive 

outcomes. 

In more good news, Louisiana 

is making incredible 

progress in plugging abandoned 

orphaned wells across 

the state. I recently joined 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Director Martha Williams to 

visit ongoing work to plug 

orphan wells in the Lacassine 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

Using funds provided by the 

federal Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law, Louisiana’s Department 

of Natural Resources 

has plugged 582 wells in just 

John Bel Edwards 

Governor 

10 months of work. 

I also want to encourage everyone 

to receive their annual 

flu and COVID vaccines. 

I got my shots last month in 

Baton Rouge to protect myself, 

my family, and my community, 

and I encourage 

each of you to do the same. 

Find a vaccine location near 

you at http://vaccines.gov. 

Lastly, Donna and I wish you 

and your families a very safe 

and happy Thanksgiving. 

We have so many reasons to 

be thankful as we look at all 

that we have accomplished 

together and look forward 

to what the future will bring. 

I am grateful to each one of 

you for your support and 

dedication to our state and 

our people. God bless. 

The state of Louisiana is in a much better place 

than it was eight years ago, and it shows. 


TREASURY NOTES 

Schroder hails S&Ps ESG Ratings Drop as Progress 

I like to give credit where and 

when credit is due. I applaud 

S&P Global Ratings’ decision 

to remove environmental, 

social and governance (ESG) 

credit score indicators from 

its reports moving forward, 

as recently announced by 

the New York-based credit 

rating agency. I have been 

a vocal opponent of ESG 

intrusion into financial matters 

and am proud to have 

advocated against ESG rating 

factors that contradict 

the tenets of fiduciary duty. 

S&P’s ESG about-face is 

progress and proof that it 

was worthwhile to speak up 

and voice Louisiana’s concerns 

about the unfair black 

eye our state has often received 

from ESG scores factored 

into our credit ratings. 

Ratings are a factor in determining 

how much money 

the state must pay when 

selling bonds. 

As Chair of the State Bond 

Commission, I know this 

practice can cost Louisiana 

taxpayers, your constituents, 

money in terms of 

state bond ratings. We get 

dinged for having a robust 

fossil fuel industry despite 

the fact that we are also on 

the cutting edge of energy 

efficiency research. 

Use of ESG score indicators 

to determine creditworthiness 

undermines what 

should be an impartial credit 

rating system. It changes 

the trajectory of the ratings 

system from gauging the 

ability to pay debt to forcing 

alignment with policy goals. 

Louisiana deserves credit 

for having laws that guarantee 

our debts are paid. 

That’s what credit ratings 

are supposed to be based 

on, not social or environmental 

agendas. Louisiana 

has not missed a payment in 

modern times while I have 

served as Treasurer. State 

law assures payments are 

made. 

John Schroder 

State Treasurer 

Although it is only a first 

step, I am pleased with the 

changes being made to remove 

ESG from financial 

decision-making, and will 

continue to help shine a 

spotlight on practices that 

impede Louisiana’s future 

success. 

Page 6 


Private Flood Insurance Gains Momentum After Risk Rating 2.0 

Louisiana residents are no 

strangers to natural disasters. 

Every year we face the threat 

of hurricanes, tornadoes and 

floods that can cause hundreds 

of millions of dollars in 

property damage across the 

state. 

Though insurance can provide 

some financial protection 

against storm damage, 

it is important for consumers 

to work with their agents to 

make sure they have the coverages 

that fit their needs. 

Floods are the most common 

and destructive natural disaster 

in the nation, according 

to the National Association 

of Insurance Commissioners 

(NAIC). Ninety percent of 

all natural disasters involve 

flooding, and every state has 

experienced floods or flash 

floods in the past five years. 

Flood insurance is the best 

way for Americans to protect 

themselves from losses 

caused by flooding. Because it 

doesn’t take a named storm in 

Louisiana to produce horrific 

water damage, the availability 

and affordability of flood insurance 

is vital to our state. 

Louisiana leads the nation 

in participation in the FE- 

MA-sponsored National Flood 

Insurance Program (NFIP). 

In fact, over 10% of 

NFIP policies written 

nationally 

come from our 

state alone. 

As of April 30, 

2023, there 

were almost 

445,000 residential 

NFIP policies in 

force statewide, which 

is about 22.6% of all Louisiana 

residences. 

The NFIP’s pricing for flood 

insurance used to be based 

upon whether a risk is in a 

special flood hazard zone and 

the likelihood of that zone to 

experience a 100-year flood 

event, which was determined 

by things like levee protection, 

pumping capacity, lot 

elevation, etc. Unfortunately, 

the NFIP’s new Risk Rating 

2.0 methodology is upending 

this important lifeline for 

those who need it most. Over 

80% of Louisiana NFIP policies 

are expected to experience 

price increases under the revised 

rating system. 

The Risk Rating 2.0 program 

began April 1, 2022, for renewal 

policies and took effect 

in October 2021 for new 

policies. Instead of 

using flood zone 

maps as in the 

past, Risk Rating 

2.0 looks at 

each property 

individually to 

set its rates. The 

expected rate increases 

could easily 

price Louisianans out of 

their homes and make those 

homes harder to market. 

Thousands of property owners 

are still grappling with the 

significant expense of rebuilding 

after four major hurricanes 

ravaged our state in 2020 and 

2021. There is also a great risk 

that many homeowners will 

be forced to drop flood coverage 

altogether and be left 

with no protection in a state 

filled with rivers, flash floods 

and coastal exposure. 

In the wake of Risk Rating 2.0, 

some property owners are 

turning to the private market 

for their flood insurance 

coverage. According to the 

NAIC, NFIP policies have been 

slightly decreasing while 

private flood policies have 

steadily climbed during the 

past five years. 

In 2018, the U.S. had over 

372,000 private residential 

and commercial flood insurance 

policies worth about 

$404 million in direct written 

premium. In 2022, the number 

of policies nearly doubled 

to 641,000 with $1.3 billion in 

direct written premium. 

In Louisiana, private residential 

and commercial flood 

policies have increased from 

6,632 in 2018 to 10,657 in 

Jim Donelon 

Commissioner, Louisiana 

Department of Insurance 

2022. Louisiana had 40 private 

flood insurers in 2018, and 

that number increased to 55 

in 2022. 

My office began receiving annual 

statements from insurers 

for the first time in 2016 that 

provide us with information 

on the amount of private 

flood policies written in Louisiana. 

Previously, insurers 

reported the combined total 

of federal and private flood 

insurance. 

The 2021 Louisiana Legislature 

expanded our regulatory 

authority over private residential 

flood insurance. As 

with all rates that are subject 

to the regulatory authority of 

the Department of Insurance, 

these rates must not be excessive, 

inadequate or unfairly 

discriminatory and must be 

actuarially justified. 

It’s good to see so much 

growth in the private flood 

market, but I will continue to 

work diligently with our representatives 

at the local and national 

levels to increase transparency 

in the Risk Rating 2.0 

methodology so that Louisianans 

can get the information 

they need to make informed 

decisions about their flood insurance 

needs. 


A Sacred Call to Service: 

LMA Salutes its Honored 

Military Veterans 

The urge to defend one’s country is probably older than the notion of country itself. Since 

the need for the military began, men and women have run to the edge of the clearing to 

put themselves between loved ones and whatever hostile forces approach from beyond 

the firelight. 

Today that same sacred call motivates millions of brave Americans to serve in our nation’s 

armed forces: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard, Coast Guard, and 

now even past the pull of gravity in the new Space Force. 

America celebrates its citizens’ military service every year on Veterans Day, November 11, 

a date chosen for its significance as the end of fighting between Allied Nations and Axis 

Powers in 1918 and marking the close of the First World War. On this day, we take stock 

of our country’s invaluable stores of patriotism, bravery, and selfless service, which (rare 

among nations) we give freely in an all-volunteer force that harkens back to America’s 

first citizen militias in our battle for independence. 

It is no coincidence that this sacred call to duty should be heard by many of Louisiana’s 

elected officials. The lessons of leadership, sacrifice, and strategy; the values of unity, bravery, 

and hard work—these are the mark of military personnel and public servants alike. 

This month, we take a moment to recognize the honorable military service of some 

of our own LMA leaders and fellow Louisiana citizens in public office. We thank these 

fine public servants for generously providing the following information and photos 

reflecting their time in uniform. We salute them with our hands over hearts—as 

we do all those who serve in the armed forces without a chance of recognition for 

their sacrifice. 

Page 8 


Tomb of the 

Unknown Soldier 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C., is 

a solemn national treasure. It stands as tribute to every American soldier whose body remains unmarked 

on the battlefield or is recovered without identification. Created through legislation by New 

York Congressman Hamilton Fish Jr. in 1920, the purpose of the Tomb was to, ceremonially, “bring 

home the body of an unknown American warrior who in himself represents no section, creed, or race 

. . . and who typifies, moreover, the soul of America and the supreme sacrifice of her heroic dead.” 

For the past several years, a delegation from the LMA membership has honored all service members 

from the State of Louisiana laid to rest at Arlington by placing a beautiful wreath at the Tomb. 

The wreath is also an expression of great respect and gratitude to every Louisiana resident that has 

worn a military uniform. 


Service Recognitions 

LMA President Derrick Johnson, Mayor of Cheneyville 

(US Army; 2000-2012) 

Johnson served for eleven years, 

including a combat tour in Iraq, before 

he was honorably discharged in 

January 2012. Johnson earned the 

Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign 

stars; the Army Achievement 

Medal; the National Defense Service 

Medal; the Global War on Terrorism 

Service Medal; and the Armed Forces 

Reserve Medal. 

Mayor Gerald T. Palmer, Hodge (US Navy; 1969-1993) 

Mayor Palmer enlisted and served 

in the U.S. Navy for more than twenty-three 

years. He retired in 1993 at 

the rank of BMC-SW Chief Petty Officer. 

Palmer specialized as a Warfare 

Craft Captain and commandeered 

specialized warfare craft lights 

(collapsible boats undetectable by 

radar) that inserted and extracted 

Navy Seals. He also served on a 65’ 

aluminum hull coastal patrol boat 

and was deployed to Grenada and 

Lebanon, participating in several 

historical rescues. Palmer served 

two tours in Vietnam: one in 1971 

and one in 1973, where he was in a 

River Ranger squadron. In all, Palmer 

served on seven boats, including 

a destroyer and the aircraft carrier, 

The USS Independence. When asked 

how military service prepared him 

for public office, he said “The Navy 

trained me to be a leader.” 

Mayor Harry Lewis, Rayville 

(US Army; 1965-1967) 

Lewis answered the draft and served 

two years in uniform. He was deployed 

overseas to Korea in 1966 

and trained in operations and intelligence, 

achieving the rank of Sergeant, 

E-5. Of his time in uniform, 

Mayor Lewis reflected: “I was glad 

to serve my country and would do it 

again if I could.” 

Mayor Barney Arceneaux 

(US Marine Corps Reserves; 1970-1976) 

Medals indicating 

Palmer’s numerous boat 

assignments 

In his six years of uniformed service, based in Baton Rouge, 

Camp Lejeune, and Camp Pendleton, 

Arceneaux achieved the rank of Sgt. 

E-5. He enlisted and served during 

the Vietnam era as an infantryman 

and MP (military police). “I was glad 

to serve my country,” said Arceneaux. 

“We trained to be deployed and engage 

in warfare but were never activated. 

Nevertheless, if our unit was 

summoned, we were well prepared 

to answer the call.” 

Mayor Michael Chauffe, Gross Tete 

(US Army Reserve; 1971-1977) 

Chauffe was stationed in Baton 

Rouge in the 245 th Engineer Battalion. 

“We helped build the Boy Scouts 

camp in Clinton on weekend duty,” 

he recalled. “I was a cook, and the 

experience has benefited me well 

later in life, as I cook for large functions 

at church and other benefits— 

like Grande Isle after the hurricane.” 

Chauffe was discharged with the 

rank of Specialist 5th Class. 

Mayor Darnell Waites, Baker (US Army; 1980-2007) 

Waites is a graduate of the Sgt. Major 

Academy in El Paso, TX, and also 

completed the 1 st Sgt. Curriculum. 

In his 27 years of active duty, he specialized 

in combat support, serving 

in the 2 nd , 3 rd, and 4 th Infantry Divisions 

and also the 18th Airborne 

Corps. He was deployed in Desert 

Storm, Desert Shield, and Somalia, 

and served multiple tours in Iraq, 

Korea, Germany, Egypt, and Kuwait. 

Waites received many awards including the Meritorious Service 

Medal. “I fought for the flag and the man next to me,” recalled 

Waites, “I believe in the principles of the flag and our 

constitution, even when it did not support me. Everyone in my 

family served in the military, and I always knew I would serve. 

I wanted my picture to be on the wall with all of my family as 

one who served our country.” 

Mayor Dr. J. Spike Harris, Jonesboro (US Marine Corps & 

US Air Force; 1987-1999 & 2000-2004) 

In an unusual two-branch military career, Mayor Harris served 

in the Marine Corps as a Sergeant for eleven years in Administration, 

and then in the Air Force for four years as a Staff 

Sergeant in Security Forces. Harris was deployed eight times, 

including Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Enduring 

Page 10 


Freedom, and Iraq. Additionally, 

he served in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, 

Dubai, UAE, Katar, Egypt, Germany, 

and Japan. He participated in 

military exercises in England along 

with seven other countries and was 

awarded a special scroll by Queen 

Elizabeth. He was trained in, and 

also taught, Force Protection and 

Anti-terrorism, Level 2. During his 

service, Harris went to the Olympic 

trials for boxing and became the heavyweight boxing champ 

in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force. He received medals 

for Joint Service and Joint Service Achievement. Of his military 

experience, Harris said, “I lived the dream, and I would do 

it again.” 

Chief of Police Montral D. Ferguson, Marion 

(US Army; 2003-2012) 

Achieving the rank of 

Staff Sgt., Ferguson 

completed four combat 

tours, serving as a 

combat engineer in Iraq, 

Operation Iraqi Freedom, 

and New Dawn. 

He received two Bronze 

Star Medals (recognizing 

combat action above 

the call of duty), and the Meritorious Service Medal, among 

other combat awards. “It was an honor to serve in time of war,” 

said Chief Ferguson. “My experience and training prepared me 

for my profession as Chief of Police.” Military reporting from 

Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, recognized Ferguson’s selflessness 

and quick thinking in combat: “…Assigned to the Force 

Protection Vulnerability Assessment Team, Company A, Division 

Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, [Ferguson] 

earned recognition as ‘Ironhorse Strong Soldier of the Week’ 

for his resolve to protect his comrades following an enemy attack. 

When a convoy came under attack from extremists detonating 

multiple improvised explosive devices, Ferguson took 

charge of the security element of the convoy, establishing a 

cordon and conducting a follow-on search of nearby buildings 

that resulted in the detention of suspects.” 

City Clerk Chris Workman, Pineville 

(US Air Force; 1984-2005) 

Workman served 21 years, reaching 

the rank of Master Sgt. Following 

Basic Training at Lackland Air Force 

Base in San Antonio, Workman was 

stationed in bases across six US 

States and deployed overseas in 

both South Korea and Kyrgyzstan. 

Classified as an Information Manager 

(Administrative Specialist), he 

retired from Scott Air Force Base, 

where he was Director of Administrative Services, responsible 

for overseeing the administrative functions of 19 administrators 

and 39 geographically separated detachments across the 

country. Workman cites as career highlights being part of the 

team that took down a terrorist cell planning to attack Manas 

Air Base, and “having the President’s attaché carry one of my 

war plans that received recognition from the Secretary of Defense 

and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.” 

Mayor Duval Arthur, Berwick (US Army, 1968-2009) 

Over 32 years of continuous service, 

Mayor Arthur achieved the rank 

of Sgt. Major, the highest possible 

among enlisted soldiers. Arthur enlisted 

during the Vietnam era and 

served three years of active duty, 

followed by three more years in the 

Reserves. He re-activated during 

Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He 

has served at Ft. Hood in the Provost 

Marshal’s office, overseeing preparations 

and equipment needed for combat soldiers. He also 

served as Military Police in Naha, Okinawa; Ft. Hood; Ft. Polk, 

and Ft. Bragg as well as two years in Kuwait. “If I had to do it all 

over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Arthur. “I enjoyed 

the time I served and worked hard to come up through the 

ranks.” 

Mayor Matt Talbert, Sterlington 

(LA National Guard; 1999-2008) 

Talbert served as an E-4, Engineer, stationed 

with the 528 th Engineer Battalion and also 

in Afghanistan. From service in Afghanistan 

and Germany, he received awards for Army 

Achievement; the Louisiana War Cross; the 

National Defense Services medal; and a 

Combat Action Badge. He also served stateside 

in the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina, 

Rita, Ike, Gustav, Eunice, Lili, and the Mansfield 

Forest Fires. “I believe in serving your 

country,” he said. “It is inspirational and instrumental 

for those wishing to be elected 

in governmental office.” 

Mayor Gerard Landry, Denham Springs 

(US Army; 1972 – 1978) 

Landry served for six years as an E-5 

Specialist in the 4013 th US Army Garrison 

unit. This was in the Vietnam 

era. He worked in Administration in 

Baton Rouge, covering payroll, dispatch, 

training, ordering supplies in 

transportation, and as a personnel 

records clerk. 


Police Chief David Austin, Ida (US 

Army National Guard; 1976-1984) 

Austin served in the Army National 

Guard’s 527 th Engineer Battalion, based 

in Bossier City. He worked in Supply 

and as a Medic. Austin was activated 

during the Bossier tornado and the 

New Orleans Police Department strike, 

SRT Echo. He retired at the rank of Sergeant, 

E-5. 

Councilman Byron Wilridge, Crowley (US Army) 

Wilridge served eleven years in the 

States and eleven more overseas in 

Panama, Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia, 

and Germany, retiring at the 

rank of Staff Sergeant, E-6. As a 

Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) 

he also worked as a quartermaster 

in Supply. Wilridge was awarded 

the Meritorious Service Medal, the 

highest military honor available to 

those serving in the States. “Military 

Service was the best thing that has happened in my life,” 

said Wilridge. “It made me tough, too.” 

Special Recognition and 

LMA Staff Members: 

Mayor Pete Heine, Baker 

(US Air Force; 1948-1952) 

Mayor Heine was born in Baton 

Rouge and attended public schools 

there before enrolling at the Jefferson 

Military College in Washington, 

Mississippi. As a USAF staff sergeant, 

Heine participated in the Berlin Airlift 

and later served as crew chief on 

an F-86 Sabre jet. 

Roderick Scott, Director of Governmental Affairs, 

Governor’s Office (US Army & La. National Guard) 

Scott served for two years during 

Desert Storm. He was based with 

the 239 th Military Police in Baton 

Rouge and served under the Adjutant 

General. He received an activation 

award for military service. “The 

military taught me a level of discipline 

that matured me and inspired 

me to look at veterans’ issues with a 

better perspective,” reflected Scott. 

Brett Kriger, LMA Staff, Baton Rouge 

(US Air Force; 1968-1989) 

Achieving the rank of Major 

by the time of retirement, 

Brett was a pilot during the 

Vietnam conflict. He later 

deployed to the Persian 

Gulf, Saudi Arabia, England, 

Spain, Japan, Iceland, and 

Alaska. Kriger flew every 

model of the 135’s, the KC’s, 

RC’s, EC’s, and the WC’s, 

as well as the T39, FB 111 (fighter bomber), and AWACS E-3. 

He began at Barksdale in New York, then went to New Hampshire; 

then Oklahoma City, and finally Langley, VA, where he 

was Chief of Procedures and Evaluations of Tactical Air Command. 

Kriger received numerous commendations including 

the Meritorious Service Award and Vietnam Service Medal. He 

was also Deputy Director of Emergency Management under 

the State Adjutant General. “I lived the dream of a six-year-old 

wanting to be a pilot,” recalled Kriger. “Although I was completely 

deaf in one ear, I reported to the Air Force, explaining 

my condition. They said, “We’ll be the judge of that,” and 

trained him as a pilot. 

Cliff Palmer, LaMATS Executive Director 

(US Air Force; 1983-1989/1996-2015) 

Cliff Palmer is a 25-year career 

Air Force officer and veteran 

of Operation Iraqi Freedom 

and Operation Enduring Freedom 

(Afghanistan). His assignment 

prior to his retirement 

in December 2015 was as an 

Individual Mobilization Augmentee 

(IMA) in the Secretary 

of the Air Force’s Office of Legislative 

Liaison, U.S. House of 

Representatives, Washington, D.C. Palmer is a Lt. Colonel 

(Ret.) who served as a special assistant to the Commander of 

U.S. Southern Command in support of the massive humanitarian 

relief effort in Haiti known as Operation Unified Response. 

His major awards and decorations include the Defense 

Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service 

Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force 

Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, 

Air Force Achievement Medal, Outstanding Airman of the 

Year, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Afghanistan 

Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on 

Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and NATO Medal. 

Page 12 


Homegrown Officers of Note (Active Duty) 

The outstanding cadre of military service personnel hailing from Louisiana includes two highly decorated, active-duty General 

Officers. We are proud to highlight their careers of service here (information excerpted from official biographies and 

other publications). 

General Michael Langley (US Marine Corps; 1985-) 

U.S. Marine Corps 

Gen. Michael E. 

Langley is the current 

commander of 

the United States 

Africa Command, 

serving in that capacity 

since 2022, 

following his promotion 

to the rank 

of general on Aug. 6 

of that year in a ceremony 

at Marine Corps Barracks, Washington, D.C. Langley 

is the first Black Marine to be promoted to four-star general. 

Langley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and grew up on 

a variety of military bases as a child before settling in Texas. 

He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and 

was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1985. Langley 

has served in the Marine Corps for 37 years and saw his promotion 

as a sign to others that Marine Corps service rewards 

those who work hard to achieve their goals. 

“The milestone and what it means to the Corps is quite essential,” 

said Gen. Langley, “Not because of the mark in history, 

but what it will affect going forward, especially for those 

younger across society that want to aspire and look at the 

Marine Corps as an opportunity.” 

Gen. Langley is a recipient of numerous service commendations, 

including the Defense Superior Service Medal with 

one bronze oak leaf cluster; the Legion of Merit with two 

gold award stars; the Bronze Star Medal; and the Defense 

Meritorious Service Medal 

Lt. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins (US Air Force; 1991-) 

Lt. Gen. Hawkins is the 

current Commander of 

the Air Force Sustainment 

Center, Air Force 

Materiel Command, 

Tinker Air Force Base, 

Oklahoma. He is a native 

of Bastrop, Louisiana, 

and was commissioned 

from the U.S. 

Air Force Academy in 1991. Previously, he led 

operational logistics in various assignments to 

include warfighting theaters of operation across 

southwest Asia, the Horn of Africa, and the Korean 

Peninsula. He also commanded a squadron, 

expeditionary maintenance group, air base 

wing, and air logistics complex. As a general officer, 

he directed logistics, installation support, 

force protection, and nuclear integration activities 

in three Air Force major commands as well 

as the air component to the U.S. Transportation 

Command and the U.S. Space Force. He served 

as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

Sloan Fellow, White House Fellow, the Maintenance 

Officer for the U.S. Air Force Demonstration 

Team, “The Thunderbirds,” and a U.S. Air 

Force Honor Guard Ceremonial Guardsman. Additionally, 

Lt. Gen. Hawkins served at the White 

House as special advisor for defense policy and 

intelligence programs in the Office of the Vice 

President of the United States. 


Lt. Gen. Hawkins is a recipient of numerous service commendations, 

including the Defense Superior Service Medal; 

the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; and the Bronze Star 

Medal. 

Lt. General Hawkins was the guest speaker at LMA’s Annual 

Convention Banquet this year in Alexandria. He is the son of 

LMA Past President and former Bastrop Mayor Clarence (and 

Barbara) Hawkins. 

Final Tribute to Veterans: 

To recognize the great sacrifices of our veterans and their families, 

LMA Executive Director John Gallagher, invited members 

of the Pineville H.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps 

(JROTC) to join us at the beginning of this year’s Convention 

Banquet. “I felt it was important for our membership to witness 

this special moment with the 

JROTC firsthand, as it is a beautiful 

way of forever keeping 

hope and memories alive.” 

There is nothing more poignant 

than witnessing the 

empty chair sitting at a POW/ 

MIA table with incredible significance 

for every displayed 

feature of this ritual. 

The table is round – to show 

our everlasting concern. 

The cloth is white – symbolizing 

the purity of their motives 

when answering the 

call to serve. 

The single red rose reminds 

us of the lives of 

these Americans….and 

their loved ones and 

friends who keep the faith, 

while seeking answers. 

The yellow ribbon 

symbolizes our continued 

uncertainty, 

hope for their return 

and determination to 

account for them, and 

bring them home. 

A slice of lemon reminds 

us of their bitter fate, captured and missing in a foreign 

land. 

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their 

families - who long for answers after decades of uncertainty. 

The lighted candle reflects our hope for their return – alive or 

dead. 

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain 

us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation 

under God. 

The glass is inverted 

– to symbolize 

their inability to 

share a toast. 

The chairs are 

empty – they are 

missing. 

As a Nation, we 

remember… 

by Cliff 

Palmer 

LaMATS Executive 

Director 

Palmer leads the Louisiana Municipal 

Advisory and Technical Services Bureau 

(LaMATS) - a subsidiary of LMA. He can 

be reached at cpalmer@lamats.net. 

Page 14 


LAFA Creating Statewide Economic Impact 

The Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance 

(LAFA), formerly Fort Polk Progress, was 

founded in 2008 and is an alliance of 

community, state, and federal leaders, 

business owners, retirees, and concerned 

citizens whose mission is to not only 

keep the economic impact of the military 

stable in our state but grow it and to provide 

a vital service to our nation. 

LAFA is focused on coordinating efforts 

to support the armed forces, the 

missions of military installations in the 

state, and the quality of life for members 

of the armed forces and families stationed 

in Louisiana. We are proud to live 

in a state where our nation’s security is 

a priority, and we are proud to support 

all service members, their families, and 

retirees. However, whatever support we 

offer our armed forces comes with another 

responsibility: being good stewards 

of our state’s resources. 

In a study prepared for Louisiana Economic 

Development, by Business Development 

Advisors (BDA), results 

showed that military-related spending 

in Louisiana creates $9.64 billion in annual 

economic impact across all regions 

of the state, according to a study commissioned 

by the State of Louisiana. 

Economic activity associated with that 

spending results in more than 77,000 

jobs and pays $348.7 million in state and 

local taxes. 

In terms of payroll employment, the 

military accounts for 3.75 percent of 

Louisiana jobs – about one out of every 

26 jobs in the state. The economic impact 

of military spending in Louisiana 

makes up 2.4 percent of the state’s gross 

domestic product. The $9.64 billion total 

represents a 25 percent increase in 

statewide economic impact in the four 

years since the last such study, which 

calculated the impact of military-related 

spending in Louisiana to be $7.7 billion 

for the 2016 fiscal year. 

Northwest Region – Barksdale Airforce 

Base directly contributes nearly 9,000 

jobs and over $570 million in payroll to 

the state’s economy. 

Central Region – Fort Johnson directly 

contributes nearly 15,000 jobs and 

almost $770 million in payroll to the 

economy. 

Southwest Region – Naval Air Station 

Joint Reserves Base (NAS JRD) New Orleans 

(Belle Chasse) directly contributes 

over 1,800 naval jobs and over $171 

million in spending to the economy. 

The US Coast Guard, Marine Forces Reserve, 

the 377 th Theater Sustainment 

Command and the Naval Information 

Warfare Center contribute a combined 

5,100 jobs and over $428 million in 

spending to the Greater New Orleans 

area. 

Statewide – The Louisiana National 

Guard (LANG) has facilities throughout 

the state and contributes over $536 million 

in annual spending to the economy. 

In 2018, Mayor Rick Allen signed the Intergovernmental 

Support Agreement 

between the City of Leesville and the 

United States Garrison Command at Fort 

Johnson, successfully creating approximately 

50 new jobs and taking over the 

grass maintenance at Fort Johnson. 

Also serving 

on the 

board of directors 

with 

Mayor Rick 

Allen are 

Hornbeck 

Mayor Clarence 

Beebe, 

Anacoco 

Mayor Keith 

Rick Allen 

Lewing, LMA First Vice President 

Misty Roberts 

with the 

Leesville Mayor 

City of DeRidder, Jim Tuck with the Vernon 

Parish Police Jury, Bryan McReynolds 

with the Beauregard Parish Police 

Jury, Ed Williams, and LeRoy Cooley with 

Merchants and Farmers Bank 

The Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance 

Office is located at Leesville City 

Hall, 508 S. 5 th Street, Leesville. Avon 

Knowlton, IOM, CCE is the Executive 

Director, and Christy Colton is the 

Membership coordinator. You can read 

more about LAFA by visiting www. 

armedforcesalliance.com. 

Avon 

Knowlton 

IOM at LAFA 

For more information, contact Knowlton 

by emailing avon@armedforcesalliance. 

com. 

Military-related spending in Louisiana creates $9.64 billion 

in annual economic impact across all regions of the state. 


Start Where Communities Are: 

How Local Infrastructure Hub Cohorts Build 

Local Capacity to Access Federal Funding 

Navigating the complex landscape 

of infrastructure needs 

and federal funding opportunities 

can often feel like you’re 

lost in an intricate maze without 

a map. You understand the 

corners and contours of your 

community, you’re attuned to 

its challenges and potential, 

and yet, transforming those 

needs into actionable projects 

feels like an uphill battle. 

Imagine a hometown community 

center that serves as 

a hub for learning, wellbeing, 

and connecting neighbors. 

Yet, it’s plagued by inefficient 

lighting, outdated HVAC systems, 

and lacks essential accessibility 

features. Our towns 

and cities are dotted with 

such spaces—lacking modern 

amenities and often failing to meet basic community needs. 

We know we can do better. 

Statistics underline the struggle. A whopping $2.59 trillion 

is the estimated cost of addressing America’s infrastructure 

needs, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

However, the struggle to meet these vast needs is not just 

about money. It’s about the capacity to navigate the complex 

and time-consuming world of federal funding. 

The Challenge: Navigating Federal Funding with Limited 

Resources 

Local government staff, already stretched thin maintaining dayto-day 

operations, are the leaders in their communities who 

implement these needed infrastructure upgrades, yet they are 

often overwhelmed by the daunting process of applying for 

federal grants. Just imagine trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while 

balancing on a tightrope—that’s the federal funding process 

in a nutshell. It’s especially hard for marginalized communities 

and community-based organizations (CBOs), who usually don’t 

have the luxury of dedicated grant-writing staff. 

Although the federal government has unlocked historic levels 

of funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 

(IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), accessing and then 

utilizing these resources effectively can be a colossal task. 

A Beacon of Support: The Local Infrastructure Hub Cohorts 

Understanding precisely where communities are is the first 

step to meaningful change. Enter the Local Infrastructure Hub 

Cohorts (LIH), launched with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, 

Waverly Street Foundation and Ford Foundation, to 

ensure that all communities can access federal infrastructure 

funding to drive local recovery, improve communities, and deliver 

results for residents. With the ambitious goal of bridging 

funding gaps across 12 Southeastern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, 

LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, and VA), LIH, driven by the Southeast 

Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN), offers not just direct 

support but also technical assistance to local governments 

and their partners. SSDN is working closely with partner organization, 

Elevate Energy, who is leading the effort in the Midwest. 

The focus is on equitable climate projects and initiatives 

Since its launch in July 2023, SSDN’s LIH program has already re- 

Page 16 



ceived applications from cities and CBOs 

for support in obtaining federal funding 

for projects that promise to serve as lighthouses 

of resilience and empowerment. 

Imagine an Energy Services “Concierge” 

that serves as a navigator for residents, 

guiding them through the maze of 

weatherization, energy efficiency, and 

renewable options. Visualize a statewide, 

cross-city energy project that manifests 

the collective power of communities 

pooling resources for a common sustainable 

future. 

Envision energy efficient homes, supported 

by revamped infrastructure, 

fair and just zoning rules, and comprehensive 

affordable housing strategies. 

Consider Resilience Hubs, strategically 

situated in existing community centers, 

embodying the very spirit and resilience 

of the communities they serve. 

And the reach extends further: from localized 

workforce training in emerging 

green industries to the reclamation of 

brownfields; from making affordable 

housing accessible to all, to laying down 

a network of low-income solar programming 

across states. Even local landfills 

are not mere waste dumps but potential 

sites for solar arrays, turning them into 

powerhouses of renewable energy. 

Your Key to Building Federal Funding 

Capacity 

Now let’s talk about you—the local governments 

and community-based organizations 

who can shape the next set of 

innovative projects that level the playing 

field for vulnerable communities. By applying 

to the LIH program, you are not 

just seeking funding. You are seeking a 

partnership aimed at realizing your community’s 

full potential to address climate 

impacts and build racial wealth equity. 

SSDN’s LIH program can offer 1:1 technical 

assistance with: 

• Grant Strategy: Identifying and 

aligning your community needs 

with federal funding opportunities. 

• Engagement: Ensuring community 

and stakeholder ownership in proposal 

planning. 

• Technical Exploration: Offering 

expertise on specific topics like 

energy efficiency. 

• Federal Proposal Development: 

Supporting drafting and submitting 

a proposal. 

The program also offers the option of a 

one-time capacity building award designated 

to a private partner or to a local, 

regional, or national non-profit to assist 

a team in developing a federal proposal. 

LIH offers a similar award to support a 

federal grant application for opportunities 

right now and into the future. 

Flexible options are available for support, 

ranging from technical assistance 

to direct funding awards that help build 

long-term community capacity. Applications 

are being accepted through 

mid-2024 and can be found, along with 

more information about LIH, on SSDN’s 

website at https://www.southeastsdn. 

org/programs/ssdns-federal-programs/ 

local-infrastructure-hub-cohorts/. 

Navigating the intricate maze of federal 

funding can be an exhausting ordeal, 

a challenge that can make even the 

most determined leaders feel as though 

they’re balancing on a tightrope. That’s 

precisely why starting where communities 

are—understanding their unique 

struggles and aspirations—is essential. 

The Local Infrastructure Hub Cohorts 

(LIH) build local capacity, offering not 

only the map to this complex maze but 

also the compass—direct assistance 

and technical know-how—that empowers 

communities to journey further than 

they ever thought possible. 

For more information, contact Nick Deffley 

at nick@southeastsdn.org. 

by Anita 

Tillman 

Managing Editor 

Anita is the CEO of AMCorp International 

and has served as the LMA’s Communications 

Consultant since 2016. She can be 

reached at anita@teamamcorp.com or by 

phone at 225-324-5444. 

Page 18 



LEGAL BRIEFS 

Holiday Havoc 

Veteran’s Day in November ushers in those joyous fall holidays 

that many of us adore, but our annual calendars are crowded 

with all kinds of holidays that correspond to various religious 

and cultural traditions. Not every holiday is a legal holiday. For 

example, we recognize February 14 as the popular holiday of 

Valentine’s Day, but it is not a legal holiday. You might expect 

Louisiana’s holiday law to provide a simple, concise distillation 

of legal holidays in our state. Unfortunately, it does not. 

Beyond providing clarity for employee scheduling and continued 

government operations, understanding legal holidays is 

important because those days trigger overtime holiday pay for 

police, firefighters, and other personnel. 

There are eleven federal holidays, and while Louisiana cannot 

be compelled to recognize them under the doctrine of state 

sovereignty, all eleven are also declared legal holidays in state 

law: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Washington’s 

birthday (a/k/a President’s Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 

Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans 

Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 

La. R.S. 1:55 intends to set forth Louisiana’s legal holidays, but it 

is a rambling 3,360-word statute containing a multitude of local-specific 

rules alongside holiday requirements for state agencies, 

school boards, courts, and banking institutions. In addition 

to federal holidays, the statute lists as “legal holidays” the Battle 

of New Orleans (January 8), Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Huey 

P. Long Day (August 30), and All Saints’ Day (November 1). The 

statute essentially provides an 

“opt-out” to the observation of 

Huey P. Long Day (along with 

Presidents’ Day and Memorial 

Day), but not for the Battle of 

New Orleans nor for All Saints’ 

Day, though they are not observed 

by state government. 

Adding to the confusion, there 

are exceptions and callouts for 

certain municipalities, parishes, 

judicial districts, and congressional 

districts. Then there 

are convoluted rules for weekends 

and “half-holidays,” as 

well as statements regarding 

the effects of this matrix of holidays 

on judicial proceedings. 

The net result is that each local 

governmental entity must 

examine the statute to determine 

its applicable mandates 

and options. 

Municipalities have their own ordinances and policies regarding 

legal holidays within their boundaries and offices. As a practical 

matter, mimicking the state’s observation of these eleven holidays 

is generally safe territory: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther 

King, Jr.’s birthday, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 

Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving 

Day, and Christmas Day. Beyond that, municipalities must 

craft policies for managing employee schedules, weekend holidays, 

other state-declared holidays, and more through careful 

consultation with their municipal attorneys. It is important to 

note that municipal employers must also reasonably accommodate 

employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs, so consider 

the landscape of your workforce, too. Developing respectful, 

clear, and succinct holiday policies now will alleviate headaches 

and confusion later. 

Editor’s Note: the information 

provided 

in this column is not 

a replacement for 

consultation with 

your own municipal 

attorney, and it 

should not be considered 

legal advice 

for any particular 

case or situation. 

by Karen Day 

White 

LMA Executive 

Counsel 

White is a member of the LMA Legislative 

Advocacy Team and can be reached at 

kwhite@lma.org. 

Page 20 


MAP-IT Program Assisting LMA Members 

In the interest of serving Louisiana 

municipalities and recognizing the importance 

of technology in improving 

efficiency and communication, the 

Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) 

is pleased to offer technical assistance 

to its members who have no, or at best, 

limited technological assets. 

The stated goals 

of this program 

provide for every 

municipality 

with a need 

for technology 

assistance to 

receive a level of 

support from the 

LMA. 

The MAP-IT program will be limited to 

annually appropriated funds and administered 

on a first come, first served 

basis and/or by level of need, with the 

primary focus of using the majority of 

the funding resources to provide immediate 

assistance to small-size municipalities. 

With the generous financial support 

of the LMA Board, these information 

technology resources may be provided 

at no or limited cost to municipalities. 

The stated goals of this program provide 

for every municipality with a need for 

technology assistance to receive a level 

of support from the LMA. However, to 

meet the near-term goals, the first level 

of assistance should address the immediate 

need of those municipalities who 

currently have no, or severely limited 

technology capabilities. 

Cybersecurity has become an incredibly 

important addition to 

our MAP-IT program. This year 

we will be offering the following 

to our members who currently 

have no or severely limited 

cybersecurity capabilities: 

1. Cloud Backups for Disaster 

and Emergency Recovery with 

or without monitoring. 

2. EDR (Endpoint, Detection & Response) 

software with Ransomware 

detection capabilities. 

3. Educational software with security 

awareness online videos, testing and 

email phishing campaigns. 

4. Installation and setup of programs 

through LMA. 

Please call Tracy Melancon at 

225.344.5001 x 434, or your District Vice 

President for more information on how 

to participate. 

Participants will sign a Cooperative 

Agreement with LMA that states: 

• Municipalities will provide personnel 

to operate and maintain each 

computer component in good 

working condition. 

• Municipalities will attempt to resolve 

hardware, software and internet 

connection conflicts shall not 

be responsible for IT issue resolution 

after the initial installation. 

• Municipalities will ensure that all 

computer equipment, software, 

and related services are used solely 

for official business by enforcing 

existing local, state and federal laws 

that govern the use of government 

property and equipment. 

• Municipalities must be a member 

in good standing with LMA for the 

current year and for the previous 

two years. 

• Municipalities must submit a written 

request to the appropriate LMA 

District Vice-President justifying the 

need for the product or service. 

• Upon approval by the LMA district 

vice president, the request must be 

submitted, in writing, to the LMA IT 

Director. 

• Municipalities agree that LMA is not 

responsible for website updates 

or for payment of recurring costs 

of domain and/or website maintenance. 

• Municipalities agree that LMA is not 

responsible for the monitoring or 

the renewal of cloud products. Payment 

of recurring costs, updates, or 

consultant fees will be the responsibility 

of the Municipality. 

• Municipalities must provide a dedicated 

staff contact for assistance in 

sending and approving content to 

the web developer. 

by Tracy 

Melancon 

Louisiana 

Municipal 

Association 

Tracy Melancon is the IT Director for the 

Louisiana Municipal Association. She can 

be reached by emailing tmelancon@lma. 

org or calling 225-344-5001. 


RISK MANAGEMENT, INC. 

MPERS Litigation – 

RMI Issues Advisory on Resolution Settlement FAQs 

As you may already be aware, the Municipal 

Police Employees’ Retirement 

System (MPERS) has initiated litigation 

against several Louisiana municipalities 

across the state, alleging noncompliance 

with their protocols for signing up 

certain municipal law enforcement employees 

into their retirement system. 

The Louisiana Municipal Risk Management 

Agency, through its servicing 

arm, Risk Management, Inc. (RMI) has 

retained a seasoned and respected 

team of attorneys to represent those 

LMRMA Fund Members who carry Public 

Officials Errors and Omissions coverage 

through RMI. The defense costs associated 

with this legal representation 

will be picked up by RMI and the LMR- 

MA Fund for participating Fund member 

municipalities. These legal services 

will be provided by Randall B. Keiser 

of the Keiser Law Firm (Alexandria, LA) 

and Joseph B. Stamey of The Stamey 

Law Firm (Natchitoches, LA) 

Category: Resolution Settlements – FAQs 

Where can I find a copy of the amended resolution’s 

terms? 

The amended resolution can be found on the MPERS 

website, https://www.lampers.org/. 

Is the amended resolution only directed towards the 

employers set forth in Exhibit A? 

Absolutely not. The amended resolution is directed 

towards ALL delinquent municipalities/employers. 

Those listed in Exhibit A are merely ones who have to 

contribute to both MPERS and Social Security but 

whose employees individually have the right, under 

R.S. 11:157, to opt out of MPERS after being enrolled. 

In fact, MPERS mailed the amended resolution to about 

100 municipalities. 

Visit https://www.lampers.org/faqs?keys=&field_tags_ 

tid=161 for more information on the municipalities/ 

employers listed in Exhibit A. 

Will municipalities save under the terms of the amended 

resolution (compared to what the courts will award 

MPERS or what can obtained through individual negotiations)? 

Yes. Going forward, MPERS doesn’t plan to offer any 

settlement under any terms more favorable than the 

amended resolution’s. The example below shows why 

municipalities should rush to meet the relevant deadlines 

and take advantage of these terms as soon as possible. 

First, let’s illustrate what the employer would normally 

owe, absent a settlement. Under R.S. 11:2227(J)(2), 

any employer who becomes delinquent for a period 

in excess of one hundred and eighty days in the collection 

and remittance of the amounts due as monthly 

contributions is liable for the greater of (1) the amount 

of employer and member contributions owed plus interest 

charged at the legal rate from the date the payment 

became delinquent plus a 25% penalty and (2) an 

amount equal to the actuarial cost of a purchase of the 

service credit for which contributions were not timely 

paid, as calculated by the system’s actuary pursuant 

to R.S. 11:158(C). Further, the employer that failed to 

transmit the required contributions in a timely manner 

shall also reimburse the system any legal and actuarial 

fees paid by the system. 

Next, let’s turn to what would be owed under a settlement 

authorized by the amended resolution. One 

particular delinquent employer has a single employee 

that it failed to enroll since January of 2015. Under R.S. 

11:2227(J)(2)(c), as of September 30, 2023, the employer 

owed MPERS $267,510.63. That amount is obviously 

past due and increases each day. It must be paid in full 

Page 22 


The legal and financial exposures 

brought about by the MPERS litigation 

is so potentially severe to all possible 

targeted Louisiana municipalities, that 

we will be providing a detailed response 

to MPERS’s FAQs through our 

comprehensive email delivery system. 

While legal representation is 

being provided at no charge 

to Fund Member municipalities 

(pursuant to a reservation 

of rights), we are confident 

that ALL Louisiana municipalities 

will benefit from 

our analysis of, and response 

to, MPERS’s stated FAQs. 

If your municipality has been 

affected by the MPERS litigation, and 

your municipality is a member of the 

LMRMA Public Liability Fund for Public 

Officials E&O coverage, please call 

the undersigned with any questions or 

concerns. 

Risk Management, Inc. – Servicing 

Louisiana Municipalities for over 35 

years! 

Sincerely, 

Patrick Cronin, 

CPCU, AIC, AIM, AAI, ARM, CWCP 

General Manager – 

Risk Management, Inc. 

immediately, and the employer has already been sued 

by MPERS. 

If the employer entered into a settlement under the 

amended resolutions’s terms, that amount would be 

immediately lowered by the sum of $35,648.43 (judicial 

interest) and $46,289.94 (25% penalties), which 

is $81,938.37. That would leave the employee and the 

employer respectively owing principal amounts of contributions 

totaling $44,577.74 and $140,582.02. Those 

amounts would be able to be paid off over 48 months 

with interest at 6.75%, which would result in respective 

monthly payments of $1,062.31 and $3,350.13. 

However, to protect MPERS, the employer would have 

to pay MPERS the difference between the (1) the actuarial 

value of service credit for the employee (calculated 

through date benefits begin) and (2) the sum of the 

employee and employer contributions and associated 

interest paid by employer on behalf of employee, within 

30 days of receipt of request from MPERS, IF AND 

ONLY IF the employee sticks around and eventually applies 

for payment of benefits by MPERS for retirement 

or disability, or dies and his survivors become eligible 

for benefit payments. 

As you can see, the savings can be significant. But 

they start disappearing on December 2, 2023. 

What amount would be required to be paid for former 

employees not currently employed by another MPERS 

employer? 

Under a settlement pursuant to the amended resolution’s 

terms, the delinquent employer would pay (over 

up to 48 months) 25% of the principal amount of employer 

contributions for former employees who are not 

employed by another MPERS employer, with interest 

at MPERS’ assumed actuarial rate of return calculated 

with a beginning date of July 1, 2023. However, if any 

former employee applies for benefits, payment of the 

difference between the 25% of the employer contributions 

paid and the actuarial value of service credit for 

said employee (calculated through date benefits begin) 

must be paid within 30 days or upon terms agreed 

upon by MPERS and the member. 

This discount is actually larger than 75%. Remember, under 

R.S. 11:2227(J)(2), any employer who becomes delinquent 

for a period in excess of one hundred and eighty 

days in the collection and remittance of the amounts 

due as monthly contributions is liable for the greater 

of (1) the amount of employer and member contributions 

owed plus interest charged at the legal rate from 

the date the payment became delinquent plus a 25% 

penalty and (2) an amount equal to the actuarial cost of 

a purchase of the service credit for which contributions 

were not timely paid, as calculated by the system’s actuary 

pursuant to R.S. 11:158(C). Further, the employer that 

failed to transmit the required contributions in a timely 

manner shall also reimburse the system any legal and 

actuarial fees paid by the system. 

MPERS contends that it can go back even further than 

10 years, per attorney general opinions. However, we 

are only seeking to go back at least 10 years (since January 

1, 2013), and the amended resolution terms effectively 

negate all prescription arguments by effectively 

only going back 2.5 years (25% of 10 years) and then 

not even requiring the full R.S. 11:2227(J)(2) amount to 

be paid. 

What amount would be required to be paid for former 

employees currently employed by another MPERS employer? 

Under a settlement pursuant to the amended resolution’s 

terms, the delinquent employer would pay (over 

up to 12 months) 100% of the principal amount of employer 

contributions, with interest at MPERS’ assumed 


actuarial rate of return calculated with a beginning 

date of July 1, 2023. However, if any of these former 

employees applies for benefits, within 30 days of notice, 

the former employer must pay MPERS the difference 

between past due payments credited and actuarial 

value of service credit (calculated through date of 

retirement). 

This discount is still very large. Remember, under R.S. 

11:2227(J)(2), any employer who becomes delinquent 

for a period in excess of one hundred and eighty days 

in the collection and remittance of the amounts due as 

monthly contributions is liable for the greater of (1) the 

amount of employer and member contributions owed 

plus interest charged at the legal rate from the date 

the payment became delinquent plus a 25% penalty 

and (2) an amount equal to the actuarial cost of a purchase 

of the service credit for which contributions were 

not timely paid, as calculated by the system’s actuary 

pursuant to R.S. 11:158(C). Further, the employer that 

failed to transmit the required contributions in a timely 

manner shall also reimburse the system any legal and 

actuarial fees paid by the system. 

What’s the deadline for municipalities to enroll their 

employees and still be eligible for an amended resolution 

settlement? 

Eligible employees are required to be enrolled on the 

first day of employment that they become eligible 

for MPERS membership. This is mandatory, and no Louisiana 

municipalities are exempt from this requirement. 

However, not all municipalities having been following 

state law (in fact, some municipalities are particularly 

unfriendly to their own police officers and continue to 

refuse to enroll them in the retirement system, even 

after being sued by MPERS), despite over 4 years of 

outreach by MPERS. This robs the officers of valuable 

benefits, and also increases the employer contribution 

rates for all law-abiding MPERS municipalities. 

That said, to be eligible for a settlement pursuant to the 

amended resolution terms, a municipality must enroll 

all MPERS-eligible employees on or before December 

1, 2023, and begin paying employee and employer 

contributions for all enrolled employees no later 

than the payroll beginning on July 1, 2024. 

What’s the deadline for municipalities to get required 

records to MPERS and still be eligible for an amended 

resolution settlement? 

To be eligible for a settlement authorized by the 

amended resolution, sufficient records (for the period 

beginning January 1, 2013 and ending on the last day 

of the month that fell before the month in which the 

records are provided to MPERS) must be received by 

MPERS on or before December 31, 2023. 

Municipalities that either chose not or do not have 

sufficient payroll records to provide will not be able to 

take advantage of the amended resolution’s settlement 

terms. Since many initial records sent by municipalities 

to MPERS are insufficient and thus require MPERS to 

request additional records, waiting until the deadline 

in the resolution to provide any records is not a good 

strategy for any municipality seeking to take advantage 

of the settlement terms which enable both MPERS 

and the municipalities to avoid the cost of litigation. 

What happens if we don’t meet both the records and 

enrollment deadlines? 

Municipalities must meet both deadlines. If yours 

does not, it will NOT be eligible for a settlement under 

the amended resolution’s terms. MPERS will file suit 

against your municipality and/or mayor, and the municipality/mayor 

will have to pay whatever amount the 

courts order it to pay (or else they can negotiate a settlement 

directly with MPERS, which will be much more 

costly than one under resolution settlement’s terms). 

We’ve been working on getting all municipalities in 

compliance for over 4 years now. It’s time to get this 

done. 

Will MPERS really sue a municipality and/or a mayor 

for not accepting a settlement pursuant to the amended 

resolution’s terms? 

Absolutely, MPERS is essentially legally obligated to do 

so. MPERS has already sued Stonewall, Richwood (settled), 

Killian, Cotton Valley (settled), New Orleans, 

Moreauville, Cottonport, Baskin (settled), Simmesport, 

Elton, Greensburg, Ferriday (twice), Dodson (settled), 

Springfield, Cheneyville, Glenmora, Roseland, Forest 

Hill, Zwolle, Grayson, Melville, and Grand Couteau. 

MPERS is mandated to hold accountable municipalities 

and public officials who don’t honor the benefits that 

its municipal police officers are promised under Louisiana 

and federal law (which include disability and survivor 

benefits, not just retirement benefits). 

Fortunately, other municipalities (including but not 

limited to Port Barre) had the good sense to settle before 

being sued. Those municipalities may have settled 

under more favorable terms than the resolution’s. 

However, after years of certain municipalities’ noncompliance, 

the resolution’s terms are now the best that 

MPERS can offer. 

Notably, MPERS has had to make public records requests 

of many of these and other municipalities to 

determine which officers (if any) need to be enrolled 

and what amounts the municipalities owe under state 

law. Of course, these municipalities were required 

under Title 11 to report the requested information to 

MPERS monthly, regardless of any public records request, 

but failed to do so. 

Sadly, some municipalities have violated state law 

yet again by failing to respond to MPERS’ requests. 

Page 24 


In fact, some of those same municipalities (namely, 

Cheneyville, Grand Isle, Lecompte, and Springfield) 

subsequently made (mostly pointless) public records 

requests of MPERS, all while failing to provide or 

fully provide responsive records to the public records 

requests that MPERS made of them to try to enforce 

their compliance with the retirement laws. 

Unfortunately, not only are they hurting their own police 

officers and their families (there is almost certainly 

at least one deceased officer of some delinquent municipality 

who was never enrolled in MPERS and subsequently 

killed in the line of duty and whose spouse or 

children are not receiving benefits because of it), they 

are also increasing the employer contribution rates for 

all participating municipalities. 

MPERS is an expensive plan compared to Social Security. 

Can’t you just let it slide? 

No, both state and federal law mandate that we DO 

NOT let it slide. MPERS is a qualified pension plan (specifically, 

a governmental plan) under Internal Revenue 

Code § 401. 

The IRS requires MPERS to operate strictly in accordance 

with the terms of the state statutes and certain 

federal laws. Specifically, MPERS must cover the employees 

that the state statues describe as being eligible 

and, when they are eligible, MPERS must provide 

those employees the contributions or benefits set out 

in those statutes. If MPERS doesn’t, it risks losing its status 

as a qualified plan, which could result in harsh tax 

consequences for ALL MPERS members. MPERS cannot 

do this without the cooperation of and contributions 

from ALL employers of eligible employees. 

Besides, we think that providing strong disability, survivor, 

and retirement benefits to police officers is actually 

a good thing! We commend the Louisiana Legislature 

for making these benefits mandatory, no matter the 

size of the municipality. 

Also, the municipalities skirting the law are making 

MPERS’ employer contribution rate higher by not sharing 

in the burden. And some of these municipalities 

don’t even have legal authority to contribute to Social 

Security. Their employees should only be in MPERS and 

MPERS only. 

So, are you saying that we need to act quickly? Will the 

deadlines be extended? 

Yes, you need to act very quickly. No, MPERS will absolutely 

NOT extend deadlines any further. Please 

send us sufficient records and enroll all of your eligible 

officers well before the deadlines described above. 

We do not care if your insurance company’s lawyers are 

waiting on writs or appeals because they said they can 

get you “hometown cooking.” An amended resolution 

settlement is not a right. In our opinion, it’s just an intelligent 

option. 

These FAQs will be unpublished after 12/31/23, because 

all municipalities eligible for an amended resolution 

will be determined shortly thereafter. Any delinquent 

municipality who misses deadlines will be 

sued unless it negotiates an individual settlement 

with MPERS, which will it cost more than an amended 

resolution settlement. 

But can’t tough-talking attorneys get us a better deal 

than the amended resolution’s terms? 

Only if they can convince the courts, which MPERS’ 

attorneys feel is highly unlikely. Also, the municipality 

that hires them will likely end up paying both their 

own and MPERS’ attorneys fees. And even if the toughtalking 

attorneys’ fees are paid by an insurance company, 

it’s still not “free.” Increased attorneys’ fees can raise 

both the municipalities’ insurance rates and the MPERS’ 

employer contribution rate. 

Also, it hasn’t worked out for them so far. The best they 

have done is file venue exceptions, thinking they could 

get “hometown cooking” by moving the case from the 

19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish 

to the municipality’s judicial district court. Even if successful, 

will it really work out better for the municipality 

if the case is heard at a courthouse closer to the police 

officers and families who are being shortchanged? All 

it does is delay and increase the costs of a real solution 

to the problem. And it sticks law-abiding municipalities 

with the bill in the meantime. 

MPERS’ attorneys believe, aside from shortchanging 

their own police officers and those police officers’ families, 

hiring tough-talking attorneys (whether directly or 

indirectly through an insurance company) may be the 

worst thing that some municipalities have ever done. 

That said, municipalities should definitely have their attorney 

advise them on this issue and help resolve the 

matter. Good attorneys know how to identify a problem 

and figure out how to resolve it smoothly. They 

don’t see a client in a deep hole and jump in and help 

dig it even deeper. 

Do the amended resolution’s terms cover public records 

requests penalties and attorneys’ fees that are 

awarded to MPERS? 

Absolutely not. We look forward to receiving those 

funds and will use them to provide benefits to police 

officers and their beneficiaries. 

I received a proposed amended resolution settlement 

as well as a calculation. It gives a deadline sooner than 

12/1 or 12/31. Do I need to act sooner? 

Yes, please read the letter carefully. It likely contains a 

date by which MPERS will file suit against your municipality 

if the amended resolution is not agreed to by 

then. 


Hometown Happenings: December 2023 

It’s December in Louisiana! Time for cooler temps, festive foods, and enjoying the sights of our Louisiana 

streets dressed up in their holiday finery. Grab your friends, family, and some hot cocoa, because in December 

we’ve got everything from parades to festivals to markets, which is sure to get us all in the spirit of celebration. 

Logansport Christmas Festival 

November 18 – December 31, Logansport 

logansportchristmasfestival.com 

Christmas at Kiroli 

November 24 – December 24, West Monroe 

monroe-westmonroe.org/events/christmas-at-kiroli-2/ 

Natchitoches Christmas Festival 

November 18 – January 6, Natchitoches 

natchitocheschristmas.com 

How do you celebrate Louisiana’s oldest community-based 

Christmas celebration? With 6 weeks of events and activities! 

Every Saturday, Natchitoches brings you live music, arts and 

crafts, and then lights up the sky with fireworks. The event 

boasts 300,000 lights and a beautiful Cane River Lake backdrop, 

you’ll definitely want to see what 95 years of holiday history 

has for its visitors. 

Christmas Wonderland in the Pines 

November 25 – December 31, Jonesboro 

jonesborola.net/christmas-wonderland-in-the-pines 

Victorian Christmas at the Joseph Jefferson Home & Rip Van 

Winkle Gardens 

November 27 – December 31, New Iberia 

https://www.iberiatravel.com/events/victorian-christmasjoseph-jefferson-home-rip-van-winkle-gardens-7 

Christmas Open House at The Biedenharn 

November 30 – December 2, Monroe 

monroe-westmonroe.org/events/ 

christmas-open-house-2/ 

Christmas in the Country 

December 1-3, St. Francisville 

facebook.com/citcstfrancisville/ 

Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita 

Christmas Parade 

December 2, West Monroe 

monroe-westmonroe.org/events/kiwanisclub-of-greater-ouachita-christmasparade-2/ 

Natchitoches Christmas Festival 

Christmas on the River Festival Day 


monroe-westmonroe.org/events/ 

christmas-on-the-river-festival-day/ 

Page 26 


Miracle on Washington Christmas Festival 

December 2, DeRidder 

facebook.com/MiracleOnWashingtonChristmas/ 

Grand Cane Christmas Parade & Market 

December 2, Grand Cane 

discoverdesoto.com/event/grand-cane-christmas-parademarket-front-porch-tour-homes 

Stonewall Christmas Parade 

December 2, Stonewall 

https://www.tourlouisiana.com/festivals-and-events/12406/ 

Stonewall-Christmas-Parade 

Abbeville’s Annual Christmas Stroll 

December 7, Abbeville 

vermilion.org/events/abbevilles-annual-christmas-stroll 

Christmas Market on the Alley 


monroe-westmonroe.org/events/christmas-market-on-thealley-2/ 

Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Night 

December 20, Monroe 

monroe-westmonroe.org/events/coca-cola-christmas-trucknight/ 

NOLA ChristmasFest 

December 21-30, New Orleans 

nolachristmasfest.com 

Christmas Round The Cabin 

December 9, Merryville 

merryvillemuseum.org/index. 

php/2019-christmas-around-thecabin/ 

Merryville’s Historical Society & 

Museum welcomes you to their 

annual Christmas event at Burke’s 

Historical Log Cabin in Downtown 

Merryville December 9. Founded 

in 1981, the society would love to 

share Christmas in a rural Louisiana 

setting. Throughout the day, guests 

will enjoy live music and theatre, 

a visit from Santa, and shopping 

from local vendors. Make sure you 

stay for the parade in the evening, 

a highlight of their event. 

Delcambre Christmas 

Boat Parade 

December 9, Delcambre 

iberiatravel.com/events/delcambre-christmas-boat-parade 

With so many parades happening all over the state, and 

not enough time to check them all out, maybe something 

different is what you’re after. This month, Delcambre brings 

you their annual Christmas Boat Parade. Check out the lighted 

shrimp boats along the docks with the whole family. 

Christmas in the Ozarks Parade 

December 9, Mansfield 

https://www.explorelouisiana.com/events/holiday-events/ 

mansfield-christmas-parade 

Delcambre Main Street Christmas Parade 

December 10, Delcambre 

iberiatravel.com/events/delcambre-main-street-christmasparade 


New LMA Trainings Offer Deep Dive into PRL 

Part of working in municipal government 

is compliance with Louisiana’s 

Public Records Law. The legal mandates 

of the PRL are often misunderstood and 

the lack of fluency can result in unnecessary 

work and headaches for records 

custodians, not to mention lawsuits 

brought by PRL requestors. Though we 

try to provide PRL training at each of our 

events, there are always demands for 

more detailed and intensive training on 

the topic. 

We are sensitive to the needs of our 

members, so we are excited to announce 

that there will be two regional 

day-long training sessions to help municipal 

leaders master PRL compliance. 

Each “Public Records Law Boot Camp” 

will run from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 

p.m., with attendees having one hour 

for lunch on their own. 

Page 28 


ONSULTANTS 

Thanks to our partnership 

with the Police Jury Association 

of Louisiana, these sessions 

are provided at no cost. 

However, registration is required 

for planning purposes, 

so please pick which date 

works best for you (or you 

can attend them both!) and 

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY by 

visiting the LMA website and 

searching under Events. Non- 

LMA members are welcome 

to attend the training as 

well and may register for the 

events by using the QR Code 

at the end of this article. 

Custom Water 

Treatment Programs 

Designed by Professionals Since 1990 

POTAB 

ABLE 

WASTE 

WA 

ATER 

The first training will be held 

at the Gonzales Civic Center 

in Gonzales on Wednesday, 

November 8, and the second 

will take place at the Main 

Street Community Center 

Corrosion Inhibition Iron & Manganese Control Enhanced Disinfection NSF Certified 

EPA Approved Chlorine dioxide for Stage 2 compliance assurance DBP reduction 

Sludge Dewatering Polymers Dechlorination Technical Support/Service Testing 

in Pineville on Monday, December 

11. Please note that if 

registration numbers require, 

the trainings may be moved 

to an alternate area venue to 

accommodate all registrants. 

These detailed PRL trainings 

are perfect for municipal 

clerks, municipal attorneys, 

other public records custodians, 

and interested municipal 

leaders, as well as 

their parish counterparts. 

Each daily session has been 

approved by the Supreme 

Court for 7.5 hours of CLE 

credit for attorney attendees. 

We look forward to seeing 

you there! 

FAX: (225)654-9533 

P. O. Bory, 

707693_Thornton.indd 1 

8/21/14 8:33 PM 


LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANTS 

LAMSA Explores Houma, Louisiana’s Bayou Country 

The Louisiana Association of Municipal 

Secretaries & Assistants (LAMSA) was 

excited to hold its Fall Conference from 

September 20-22, 2023, in Houma, Louisiana. 

Special thanks to our wonderful 

sponsors: AMS, Cenla Environmental 

Science, LaMATS, CLECO, Foley & Judell, 

LLP, Innovative Office Systems LLC, Kel- 

Ar Energy Consulting, Kincade Recreation, 

LAMP, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, 

Quick Court, Southern Pipe & 

Supply, and The Solinsky Group. 

Members were excited to regroup and 

network with their counterparts and 

long-time friends statewide. LAMSA 

welcomed thirteen first-time members 

to their full house of participants. The association 

has enjoyed a steady increase 

in membership this year, bringing its 

roster to 282 members. 

The conference began with a tour of 

the Finding Our Roots African American 

Mobile Museum. This museum was 

damaged by Hurricane Ida and has since 

moved into a 34-foot RV. Inside this nonprofit 

museum are photos, memorabilia, 

and artifacts depicting 

different 

aspects of African 

American history 

in Terrebonne 

and Lafourche 

Parishes. Museum 

President Margie 

Scoby said the RV 

will visit schools, 

libraries, and other 

spots around the 

two parishes. After 

touring the museum, 

attendees 

were able to participate 

in the “Paint 

da Boot” activity 

led by the Terrebonne 

Fine Arts 

Guild. Members 

were tasked with 

painting and customizing 

the infamous “white shrimp 

boots.” Down in the Bayou Country, 

these white rubber boots serve a very 

important purpose. Whether you are 

fishing or trawling on a boat, walking 

through the marsh, or just doing yard 

work, the classic “shrimp boot” will keep 

your feet dry and they are a part of our 

culture. I hope everyone enjoyed painting 

their Cajun Reeboks, Cocodrie Converse, 

or Swamp Nikes! 

On Thursday, LAMSA President Constance 

Barbin welcomed us all, and we 

were off to start our full day of educational 

sessions. The morning session 

included an informative presentation 

by LITACorp Executive Director Leslie 

Durham and concluded with a dynamic 

presentation regarding parliamentary 

procedure by Nicole Learson, PRP. 

The morning sessions were packed 

with helpful hints, tips and tricks, and 

interesting information on applying for 

grants, and all things related to parliamentary 

procedure. Ladies remember… 

we don’t have “OLD business, we have 

UNFINISHED business!” 

Before we recessed for lunch, five members 

were awarded the prestigious 

Page 30 


designation of becoming 

Certified Municipal Assistants: 

Kayla Bannister, Town 

of Mansura; Tronda Gallow, 

Town of Grand Coteau; 

Madonna LeBlanc, City of 

Pineville; Azizah Hamilton, 

City of Natchitoches; and Joycie 

Stewart, City of Monroe. 

Congratulations ladies! 

The conference reconvened 

after lunch and LAMSA President 

Constance Barbin introduced 

LAMSA’s favorite 

speaker, Cliff Palmer, Executive 

Director of LaMATS, and 

Paul Holmes. They informed 

us all about the many beneficial 

services offered by La- 

MATS, and the importance of 

our relationship with the Louisiana 

Municipal Association as 

a vital resource for municipalities. 

As usual, Cliff’s presentation 

was interspersed with 

amusing antics which are always 

thoroughly entertaining 

and enjoyed by all. 

Next up was Mr. Gary Thibodeaux 

of the Louisiana Board 

of Ethics who gave one hour 

of mandatory ethics training. 

Following our required 

training, we heard from Lt. 

Michael Morrison of the Terrebonne 

Parish Sheriff’s Office 

who discussed what we 

need to do in case of an active 

shooter. Mass shootings 

have become more common 

across the country in recent 

years. Lt. Morrison described 

actions to take to prevent 

and prepare for potential 

active shooter incidents, as 

well as how to manage the 

consequences of an active 

shooter incident. He stressed 

to always take note of the 

two nearest exits and to be 

aware of your environment 

and possible dangers. 

After a very busy day of 

meetings, members were 

asked to hop on the “party 

bus” and head on over to the 

Bayou Terrebonne Distillers 

to wind down, enjoy some 

local cuisine from Lumiere’s 

Blues and Bistro, and dance 

to the sound of Johnny Chauvin 

and the Mojo Band. 

On Friday morning, President 

Barbin introduced the 

Mayor’s Panel which included 

Mayor Julius Alsandor of 

Opelousas, LMA President 

Mayor Derrick Johnson of 

Cheneyville, Mayor Lionel 

Johnson, Jr. of St. Gabriel, 

Mayor Kevin Kately of Parks, 

and Mayor Barry Plaisance of 

Lockport. LAMSA members 

learned about the history of 

their respective cities, their 

main resources, and upcoming 

projects on which they 

are working. The mayor’s 

panel has been a longtime 

favorite of LAMSA conferences, 

helping us to become 

acquainted with mayors 

around the state and learn of 

the issues they are presented 

with, how far they have 

come, and how they have attained 

their goals which are 

much like our own. 

The conference closed out 

with Mrs. Lisa Maggio, a resident 

of Loranger, who was 

riding her horse in Mississippi 

when a lightning strike 

made the horse rear and fall 

off a 10-foot embankment on 

top of Maggio. She discussed 

how it was an arduous journey 

to the emergency room 

after her horse fell onto her, 

and another kind of journey 

for her to go from several 

broken bones to walking and 

ballroom dancing again. 

Afterward, members enjoyed 

a gift exchange, evaluated 

the conference, and gathered 

their certificates. President 

Barbin closed the conference, 

announcing that we would 

meet in the spring, March 20 

-22, 2024 at Margaritaville in 

Bossier City. 

For more information on 

LAMSA, contact Kristine 

Scherer, LAMSA Conference 

Coordinator at 504-259-1068, 

or email at lamsa@currently. 

com. 


PRESORT 

STANDARD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

BATON ROUGE, LA 

PERMIT #319 

Page 32

LMR November 2023

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