LMR July 2024

07.24Louisiana Louisiana 

MUNICIPAL 

REVIEW 

VOL. 89 

ISSUE 7 

87TH ANNUAL 

LMA CONVENTION 

Shreveport-Bossier City

The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchange 

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for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org. 

Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana Municipal 

Association. Statements or Publication expressions of any of opinions advertisement appearing shall herein not be are considered those of the an authors endorsement and not of necessarily the product those or service of the involved. Louisiana No Municipal material 

from Association. this publication Publication may of be any reprinted advertisement without shall the not express be considered permission an of endorsement the editor. of the product or service involved. No material 

from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor. 

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 

Vice LMA President Past President at Large – Harry – Julius Lewis, Alsandor, Mayor, Mayor, Rayville Opelousas 

Vice President at Large – Belinda Julius Alsandor, Constant, Mayor, 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, Addis Baker 

Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, Baker 

LMR | JULY 2024

CONTENTS | JULY 2024 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S 

MESSAGE 

We Are Each Other’s Harvest 4 

THANKS TO OUR 

SPONSORS 

COnvention Sponsors 13 

15 

SITTIN’ PRETTY 

CITIES: SHREVEPORT 

& BOSSIER CITY 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

Thank You - For Everything 5 

87TH ANNUAL 

CONVENTION 

Welcome Letters 7 

GREECE CONNECTION 

La’s connections to ancient greece 

may surprise you, Part Two 24 

LAMATS 

Louisiana’s 107th Village, 

LaMATS! 26 

LMA NOTICE 

Notice of Proposed Amendments to 

the LMA Constitution 10 

RISK MANAGEMENT, INC. 

RMI Refunding $1M in Surplus 

Premiums 27 

22 

DENHAM SPRING 

MAYOR THROWS 

SOMETHING BACK 

CONVENTION 

INFORMATION 

Agenda & Registration 11 

LRPA 

LRPA Accepting Scholarship 

Applications 28 

lOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW EDITORIAL STAFF 

Managing Editor Anita Tillman | atillman@lma.org | AMCorp International 

Editor Charlotte Smith | Editor@LMA.org | AMCorp International 

Advertising: Ginger Eppes | geppes@lma.org | LMA CorporatE relations 

Design & Layout: FRANK NIXON 

Publisher: Louisiana municipal associatioN 

Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 6767 Perkins Road, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, 

LA LMR 70821- | JULY 4327, 2024editor@lma.org, www.lma.org, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057. Page 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 

We Are Each Other’s Harvest 

Gwendolyn Brooks was an 

American Pulitzer Prize winning 

poet who through her 

words created images of the 

everyday struggles of people. 

Being an elected official 

can certainly be a struggle at 

times, which is why our conventions 

each year afford us 

all the opportunity to grow 

from our shared experiences. 

Brooks once wrote, “We are 

each other’s harvest; we are 

each other’s business; we are 

each other’s magnitude and 

bond.” Wise words worth remembering 

as we head into 

our 87th Annual Convention; 

a time to harvest knowledge 

from each other, discuss best 

practices with each other, 

and bond as colleagues and 

friends. 

The LMA staff has been hard 

at work creating new courses 

and workshops for an engaging 

convention. From August 

1 - 3, our membership will gain 

a better understanding of subjects 

including the pros and 

cons of artificial intelligence 

(AI), how best to promote your 

communities as welcome 

ones for retail growth, navigating 

grant programs specific 

to local governments, how 

demonstration projects can 

serve as effective tools for testing 

and implementing new 

programs, and much more. 

I’m perhaps most excited 

about the new Villages, Towns, 

and Cities roundtable discussions 

that will be taking place, 

and I’d like to commend our 

LMA Second Vice President 

Broussard Mayor Ray Bourque 

for spearheading such a needed 

way forward. Mayor Bourque 

is a big part of the Mid- 

Sized City Mayors group, and 

although not an LMA affiliate, 

the organization is as committed 

as we are to the success 

of municipalities across the 

state. The organization 

has been 

offering these 

roundtable 

discussions 

as a resource 

for mayors 

throughout 

Louisiana. This 

year, a similar style 

of meetings began in 

the form of a newly developed 

Small Town Mayors Alliance, 

of which Mayor Bourque is a 

constructive part. They align 

themselves closely with the 

Mid-Sized City Mayors organization, 

with their main goal 

being the bringing of problems 

to the table in the hopes 

of collectively finding solutions. 

Bringing that channel to 

our convention is a wonderful 

opportunity for mayors across 

the board to know they aren’t 

alone and that they have support. 

I envision this being not 

only successful, but also a tradition 

we will long continue. 

I’m excited to announce Louisiana 

State Treasurer John 

Fleming as our Keynote 

Speaker at Friday’s Leadership 

Luncheon. A physician, entrepreneur 

businessman, military 

veteran, and former Congressman 

from Louisiana’s fourth 

district, I’m looking forward to 

hearing how the Treasury, under 

his leadership, will partner 

with local government. 

You’ll notice within this edition 

of our magazine that two 

proposed amendments to the 

LMA Constitution will be voted 

on at our Annual Convention 

Business Meeting. I want 

to take the time here to impress 

upon all members how 

crucial it is that your dues are 

paid in full before your vote 

can be counted. The LMA is 

for you, so ensuring 

your voice is heard 

makes a tremendous 

difference 

in how we 

move forward 

as an organization. 

So, please 

take the steps 

necessary to be a 

voice we hear clearly. 

I’m greatly looking forward 

to seeing everyone at our 

convention, and I thank 

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux 

and Bossier City Mayor 

Tom Chandler for welcoming 

us all. Charlotte Smith high- 

You 

are in Control. 

CenterPoint ® 

Fund 

Accounting and Payroll 

Barney Arceneaux 

LMA Executive Director 

lights these ‘Sittin’ Pretty Cities’ 

in this month’s magazine, 

and I hope you all read the 

story to know why the LMA is 

excited to be heading north. 

See you soon! 

Distributed By 

www.csasoftwaresolutions.com 

800.264.4465 

To get your FREE guide visit: 

www.csasoftwaresolutions.com/fundaccounting 

Page 4 


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

Thank You – For Everything 

“I would like to give thanks to 

God first and foremost. Without 

Him none of this would 

be possible. To LMA leadership 

and staff, and all our affiliates 

and subsidiaries, I also 

say thank you. As President, I 

appreciate your support and 

dedication.” Those were some 

of my words in my very first 

letter to you as President. I 

look back at them now, still 

as proud and as honored today. 

It’s funny how quickly 

time passes, and how I now 

find myself thanking you for 

the past year of support in the 

form of my goodbye. 

This last year as your President 

has been a privilege. To 

be able to take your concerns 

and advance them through 

the right channels has made 

me incredibly proud. On statewide 

and national stages, 

you’ve allowed me to be your 

voice. We also fought for you 

during this year’s Legislative 

Session, and our advocacy efforts 

were productive. I genuinely 

hope you’re as pleased 

with the outcomes as I am. 

We ushered in a year of change 

these past twelve months. We 

decided upon a new Executive 

Director in the hiring of Barney 

Arceneaux. It was important 

to me that our new captain 

had first-hand experience in 

municipal leadership, and hiring 

a man so strong within his 

own home city as mayor was 

the right call. I’m tremendously 

proud of that decision, as it’s 

been full throttle since Barney 

came on board. 

This year we saw a balanced 

budget, and that is a phenomenal 

achievement. I’m 

so grateful for that. I’d like to 

personally thank the entire 

leadership team and Board 

for their assistance in some 

very lengthy and at times difficult 

conversations, but in 

the end, we got it done. And 

I can’t leave out the dedication 

of George Murphy, the 

LMA’s Chief Financial Officer. 

No request was too large, and 

George has been an asset in 

getting us into the financial 

position we’re in now. 

The entirety of the LMA staff 

has been a welcome support 

network for me. I knew the 

role of LMA President would 

come with questions, but how 

many it came with was surprising. 

I hope all of our members 

know just how effective 

the LMA staff is in finding 

answers and solutions for our 

members daily. A lot goes on 

behind the scenes, and with 

such a confident, knowledgeable 

staff in place, we can only 

continue to progress. 

I enjoyed my many travels 

across the state this past year, 

as each gave me the opportunity 

to speak with you in a 

Derrick Johnson, Sr. 

LMA President 

Cheneyville 

more in-depth way. I think I 

always knew deep down that 

Louisiana is such a special 

place to be because of the 

people and the leadership 

working for those people. Seeing 

it for myself so many times 

this year made me see a bright 

future so clearly. So many of 

you are advancing your communities 

in progressive, new 

ways, and those innovative 

plans you’re putting in place 

will only help to secure Louisiana’s 

future as a major player. 

I thank you for having that 

passion and using it for the 

betterment of us all. 

I’ve enjoyed every moment of 

my presidency. I’ve learned a 

lot about navigating different 

areas of local government. 

Those lessons have made me 

a better mayor and a better 

man. Thank you for allowing 

me to grow under your care. 

I am indebted to you all, so 

again I say - 

“I would like to give thanks to 

God first and foremost. Without 

Him none of this would 

be possible. To LMA leadership 

and staff, and all our affiliates 

and subsidiaries, I also 

say thank you. As President, I 

appreciate your support and 

dedication.” 

LMR | JULY 2024 Page 5

L M A 87 TH AnA n u a l Convention 

87th Annual Convention 

It’s that time of year again, and plans are 

in place for our 87th Annual Convention! 

This year, we’ll meet in Shreveport, and 

we’ve got a packed program of workshops 

and training opportunities just for you. 

Online registration is now open, and 

we’ve created a website (https://www. 

lma.org/Convention/Home/Convention/Home_2024.aspx) 

specific to all 

things convention. From accommodation 

suggestions and assistance to 

exhibitor and sponsor information 

to Service Awards and Community 

Achievement Awards tips, we’ve got 

you covered. 

LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION 

87 th ANNUAL CONVENTION, AUGUST 1-3, 2024 

SHREVEPORT CONVENTION CENTER 

CITY OF SHREVEPORT 

TENTATIVE AT-A-GLANCE PROGRAM 

12:00 p.m.: Exhibits Close 

UST 1 

Convention 

Voting Credentials 

p.m.: Registration & Exhibits Open 

An important conference reminder is 

p.m.: Eats that & LMA Exhibits members must pick up their 

voting credentials at the convention 

registration desk between 8:00 a.m. and 

2:30 p.m. on Friday, August 2, or at the 

entrance to the meeting room prior to 

the start of the Annual Business Meeting. 

An elected official from each voting 

municipality must be present at the 

meeting when the roll is called in order 

to receive a ballot. Only elected officials 

p.m.: Meetings may sign of for Affiliate and receive and Related voting Organizations 

credentials, 

and only elected officials may cast 

ana Municipal the municipality’s Black Caucus-Local vote. Elected In order Officials to vote, 

Administrative the municipality Officers/Chiefs must of have Staff Meeting paid its 2024 

p.m.: Meetings LMA dues of Affiliate in full by and July Related 19, 2024. Organizations Only 

one vote per municipality may be cast. 

ized Cities Mayors 

p.m. : Page Opening 6 General Session 

me Remarks: Honorable M. Thomas Arceneaux, Mayor, 

Shreveport 

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Leadership Luncheon 

• Keynote Speaker: Honorable John C. Fleming, MD, Louisiana State 

Treasurer 

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Concurrent Workshop Sessions 

• LITACorp 

• Ethics for Municipal Officials 

• Walking the Hills & Valleys of Public Laws [Part 1] 

• Transforming Municipal Services with Innovative Cloud IT 

Solutions 


• Leveraging Temporary Demonstration Projects for Permanent 

Solutions 

• Asbestos Abatement with Blighted Property 


4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: LMA Annual Business Meeting 

LMR | JULY 2024 

4:00 p.m.: Meetings of Affiliate and Related Organizations

L M A 87 

87 TH 

TH AnA n u a l Convention 

Welcome! 

Greetings from the City of Shreveport. Thank you for choosing our beautiful city to serve as host for 

the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) 87’ Annual Convention, slated for August 1-3, 2024, at the 

Shreveport Convention Center at 400 Common Street in downtown. A unified voice for municipalities 

since 1926, the Association’s mission is to advocate, educate, and empower local governments to 

efficiently and effectively serve the citizens of Louisiana. Today, the Association represents 305 

LMA members consisting of 127 villages, 111 towns, 65 cities, and 2 parishes. The voice of municipal 

government cannot be overlooked at the State Capitol, and we are both pleased and honored to 

serve as host for this year’s convention. 

The Shreveport metro area features a number of big-city entertainment options and attractions, 

including the Aquarium, R.W. Norton Art Gallery, the Red River Entertainment District, Robinson Film 

Center, ArtSpace, the American Rose Center gardens, and Sci-Port Discovery Center, a children’s 

science center. Shreveport is also home to the world-famous Municipal Auditorium. 

Shreveport overflows with other cultural activities and adventures. The annual Film Prize for short 

films and the Music Prize are part of the Prize Fest that attracts thousands of visitors to Shreveport. 

Downtown festivals, such as the Red River Revel, Cinco de Mayo, Let the Good Times Roll, and the 

Mudbug Madness, anchor Shreveport’s entertainment scene. Wine lovers will enjoy the yearly Cork 

Wine Festival. A Farmers Market is held on Saturdays throughout the summer. 

In line with Shreveport’s eclectic identity, the food scene offers a variety of choices, from fine dining, 

offering unique Louisiana cuisine, to barbecue, steaks, crawfish boils, and po’boy sandwiches. There 

are hundreds of places to shop, and the city is easy to navigate. Shreveporters are warm and friendly 

and have open arms and open hearts! 

Again, we welcome you and anticipate that your experiences here are good and positive. 

MAYOR 


L M A 87 

87 TH 


Thomas H. Chandler 

MAYOR 

Office of the Mayor 

BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA 

620 BENTON ROAD 

POST OFFICE BOX 5337 

BOSSIER CITY, LA 71171-5337 

(318) 741-8501 

Welcome to Bossier City from 

Mayor Tommy Chandler 

On behalf of the City of Bossier City, it is my pleasure 

to extend a most sincere welcome to the Louisiana 

Municipal Association: 87 th Annual Convention. Our 

community has enjoyed a great partnership over the 

years and we are excited to be a part of the event this 

year. 

Mayor Tommy Chandler 

great place to work, play, and raise a family. 

I hope you will take some time to visit the great city of 

Bossier City and experience all we have to offer. After 

your visit I am sure you will agree that Bossier City is a 

Sincerely, 

Thomas H. Chandler 

Mayor 

Page 8 


L M A 87 

87 TH 



L M A 87 

87 TH 

At the 2024 Annual Convention of the Louisiana Municipal 

Association (LMA), the LMA Annual Business Meeting will 

take place on August 2, 2024, at 4:00 P.M. in the Captain 

Shreve Ballroom on the 2nd Floor of the Shreveport Convention 

Center, located at 400 Caddo Street, Shreveport, LA 

71101. 

Proposal One: The Executive Board is introducing an 

amendment to change language within Article 7 in accordance 

with Article 17 of the LMA Constitution: 

Article 7, regarding the Vice Presidents at Large, shall be 

amended in part to read: In addition to said members, the 

President of the Association may appoint not more than five 

members who are elected municipal officials of a member 

corporation. One (1) members representing a municipality 

whole population does not exceed 1,000; One (1) member 

representing a municipality whose population is above 

1,000 but does not exceed 5,000; One (1) member representing 

a municipality whose population is greater than 

5,000; and two (2) member representing municipalities at 

large. If so appointed, these appointees shall be Vice Presidents-at-Large. 

Article 7, following the last paragraph, insert: A municipal 

official shall not be eligible to serve on the LMA board in any 

position, elected or appointed, if that official’s municipality 

is on the audit noncompliance list or is under fiscal administration 

as defined by statute. The LMA executive director 

shall verify this status for any official whose status is at issue. 

Proposal Two: The Executive Board is introducing an 

amendment to increase the membership dues of LMA Members 

in accordance with Article 17 of the LMA Constitution: 

The proposed amendment is a ten (10) percent increase in 


Notice of Proposed Amendments to the LMA Constitution 

membership dues, and amended Article 15 of the LMA Constitution 

would read as follows: Effective January 1, 2025, 

each municipal corporation which is a member of this association 

shall pay annual dues based upon its population 

according to the following schedule: 

Minimum Dues $137.50 

First 5,000 Population 

$0.1833 per capita 

Next 5,000 Population 








Next 150,000 Population $0.0917 per capita 

Next 250,000 Population $0.0733 per capita 

Maximum Dues $27,500.00 

All fractions of dollars shall be rounded out in favor of the Association. 

This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the 

Association by a vote of at least two-thirds of the municipal 

corporations present, provided such amendment has been 

submitted in writing to the Executive Director at least thirty 

(30) days prior to the date of the meeting. It shall be the duty 

of that officer to immediately notify the members of the Board 

of the proposed amendment. 

An affirmative vote by 2/3rd of the members present will be 

satisfactory to amend the Constitution. Before the vote, members 

will have a chance to speak at the open forum, however 

any questions you have can be answered by LMA staff prior to 

the Convention. 

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all in August! 

Barney Arceneaux 

Executive Director, LMA 

Page 10 


L M A 87 

87 TH 







THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Concurrent Workshop Sessions 

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Registration LOUISIANA & Exhibits Open MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION 


11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Eats & Exhibits 


THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 

Sponsored by: 



10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Registration LOUISIANA & MUNICIPAL Exhibits Open ASSOCIATION 


11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Eats SHREVEPORT & Exhibits CONVENTION CENTER 


Sponsored by: 


THURSDAY, 1:00 AUGUST p.m. – 2:00 1 p.m.: Meetings of Affiliate and Related Organizations 

City of Shreveport 

• Honorable Thomas H. Chandler, Mayor, City of Bossier City 

5:00 p.m.: Registration Closes 

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Kick-Off Reception 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 


87 th 8:00 a.m.: Registration & Exhibits Open 

ANNUAL CONVENTION, AUGUST 1-3, 2024 

• Distribution of Voting Credentials 


8:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Prayer Breakfast 


Hosted by: 



• Artificial Intelligence Programs 

• 12:00 Retail p.m. Ready: – 1:30 Is Your p.m.: Community Leadership Ready Luncheon for Retail Growth? 

• What is Rural Development Good For? Absolutely Everything! 

• Emerging • Keynote Workplace Speaker: Challenges Honorable for Municipalities: 

John C. Fleming, MD, Louisiana State 

Drugs/Marijuana Treasurer Wage, Hour, & Leaves of Absence 

11:00 a.m.-12:00 1:45 p.m. p.m.: – 2:45 Last p.m.: Chance! Concurrent Exhibit Workshop Viewing Sessions 

11:00 • LITACorp 

12:00 

a.m. 

p.m.: 

- 11:45 

Exhibits 

a.m.: 

Close 

Concurrent Workshop Sessions 


• OCD-LGA • Walking Grant Programs the Hills & Benefiting Valleys of Louisiana Public Laws Local [Part 1] 

Governments • Transforming Municipal Services with Innovative Cloud IT 

• Best Practices Solutions with LRWA 


12:00 p.m.: Exhibits Clos 

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Le 

• Keynote Speake 

Treasurer 

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Con 

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 • p.m.: Louisiana Registration Municipal & Exhibits Black Caucus-Local Open Elected Officials 

12:00 p.m.: Exhibits • Leveraging Close Temporary Demonstration Projects for Permanent 

• Chief Administrative Officers/Chiefs of Staff Meeting 

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Solutions Leadership Luncheon 

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Eats & Exhibits 

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Meetings of Affiliate and Related Organizations 


• LITACorp 

• Keynote • Speaker: Walking Honorable the Hills & John Valleys C. Fleming, of Public MD, Laws Louisiana [Part 2] State 

Sponsored by: 

Treasurer 

• Mid-Sized Cities Mayors 

• Ethics for Mun 

RSDAY, AUGUST 1 

1:45 p.m. 

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. : Opening General Session 

4:00 – 2:45 p.m. p.m.: – 5:00 Concurrent p.m.: LMA Workshop Annual Business Sessions Meeting • Walking the Hi 

0 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Registration & Exhibits Open 

• 

• Welcome Remarks: Honorable M. Thomas Arceneaux, Mayor, 

4:00 LITACorp p.m.: Meetings of Affiliate and Related Organizations 




0 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Eats & Exhibits 

Solutions 


• Walking • the Louisiana Hills & Municipal Valleys of Public Clerks Association Laws [Part 1] Executive Board Meeting 


• Transforming 

Keynote Speaker: 

Municipal 

Honorable 

Services 

John 

with 

C. Fleming, 

3:00 Innovative 

MD, 

p.m. Cloud 

Louisiana 

– 3:45 IT 

State 

nsored by: 

p.m.: Con 


5:00 

Solutions 

Treasurer 

p.m.: Registration Closes 


1:45 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 2:45 p.m.: Concurrent Workshop Sessions Sessions 

5:00 • p.m. – Louisiana 7:00 p.m.: Kick-Off Municipal Reception Black Caucus-Local Elected Officials 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Host City Reception and Dance 

• Louisiana 

• Chief 

Municipal 

Administrative 

Black Caucus-Local 

Officers/Chiefs 

Elected Officials 

of Staff Meeting • Leveraging LITACorp Temporary Demonstration Projects for Permanent Solutions 

• FRIDAY, Chief Administrative AUGUST 2 Officers/Chiefs of Staff Meeting 

• SATURDAY, Solutions Ethics for Municipal AUGUST 3 Officials 

2:00 2:00 p.m. – p.m. 3:00 p.m.: – 3:00 Meetings p.m.: of Affiliate Meetings and Related of Affiliate Organizations and Related Organizations 

• Asbestos Walking the Abatement Hills & Valleys with Blighted of Public Property Laws [Part 1] 

8:00 a.m.: Registration & Exhibits Open 

• 8:00 Walking Transforming a.m.-11:30 the Hills a.m.: Municipal & Registration Valleys Services of Public Opens with Laws Innovative [Part • 2] Walking Cloud IT the Hi 

• Mid-Sized Cities Mayors 

Solutions 


9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Concurrent Workshop Sessions 

p.m. – 2:00 • p.m.: Meetings Mid-Sized of Affiliate Cities and Mayors 

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. : Opening General Session Related Organizations 

3:00 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 3:45 p.m.: LMA Concurrent Annual Business Workshop Meeting Sessions 

8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.: Prayer Breakfast 

• Roundtable Discussions: Cities 

• 3:30 

• Louisiana p.m. 

Welcome Municipal – 

Remarks: 

5:00 p.m. Black Honorable Caucus-Local : Opening 

M. Thomas Elected General 

Arceneaux, Officials Mayor, 

Session 4:00 p.m.: • Meetings Leveraging of 

• Roundtable Temporary Affiliate and 

Discussions: Demonstration Related Organizations 

Towns Projects for Permanent 

• Chief Hosted City Administrative of by: Shreveport Officers/Chiefs of Staff Meeting 

Solutions • Roundtable Discussions: Villages 

p.m. 

• 

– 3:00 

Honorable • Retirement 101 for Municipalities with Police Departments 

• p.m.: Meetings 

Thomas 

Welcome of 

H. Chandler, 

Affiliate 

Mayor, 

Remarks: and Related 

City of Bossier 

Honorable Organizations 

City 

• Louisiana 

Asbestos 

Municipal 

Abatement 

Clerks 

with 

Association 

Blighted 

M. Thomas Arceneaux, Mayor, 

4:00 Property 

Executive Board p.m.: Meetings of Af 


5:00 p.m.: Registration 

• Mid-Sized Cities 

City Closes 

Mayors 

of Shreveport 


9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. : Guest Tour 


• Louisiana Mun 

5:00 p.m. p.m. – 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. p.m.: : Opening Kick-Off General Reception Session 

4:00 

5:30 

p.m. 

p.m. – 8:30 

5:00 

p.m.: 

p.m.: 

Host 

LMA 

City 

Annual 

Reception 

Business 

and 

Meeting 

Dance 


FRIDAY, • Welcome 9:45 AUGUST a.m. Remarks: - 210:45 a.m.: Honorable Concurrent M. Thomas Workshop Arceneaux, Sessions Mayor, 

4:00 SATURDAY, p.m.: Meetings AUGUST of 3 Affiliate and Related Organizations 


• Mayors & Police Chief Relations 5:00 p.m.: Registration C 


8:00 

• Railroads 

• a.m.: Honorable Registration • Thomas Artificial & Exhibits H. Intelligence Chandler, Open Mayor, Programs City of Bossier City 

8:00 a.m.-11:30 • Louisiana a.m.: Registration Municipal Clerks Opens Association Executive Board Meeting 

• Recreation 

5:00 p.m. 

• 

– 

Retail Ready: Is Your Community Ready for Retail Growth? 

• What LMR 7:00 

is | Rural JULY p.m.: 

Development 2024 Kick-Off Reception 

• What Municipal Leaders Need 5:30 to Know p.m. Abou – 8:30 PFAS 

Good For? Absolutely Everything! 

Page p.m.: 11 Hos 

p.m.: 

• 

Registration 

Distribution 

Closes 

of Voting Credentials 

5:00 

9:00 

p.m.: 

a.m. – 

Registration 

10:30 a.m.: Concurrent 

Closes 

Workshop Sessions 

• Emerging Workplace Challenges for Municipalities: 

8:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: 

p.m. Drugs/Marijuana 

Prayer Breakfast 

Wage, Hour, & Leaves of Absence 

• 12:00 Roundtable p.m.: President’s Discussions: Brunch Cities 

FRIDAY, – 7:00 p.m.: AUGUST Kick-Off Reception 2 

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Host City Reception and SATURDAY, Dance AUGUST 3 

• Roundtable Discussions: Towns 

• Transforming M 

• Leveraging Tem 

• Asbestos Abate 

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: LMA

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Host City Reception and Dance 



:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Prayer Breakfast 

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Host City Reception and Dance 

osted by: 

L M A 87 

ICIPAL SATURDAY, ASSOCIATION 

AUGUST 3 

8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Registration Opens 

TION, AUGUST 1-3, 2024 

NVENTION CENTER 

:45 a.m. - 10:45 • a.m.: Roundtable Concurrent Discussions: Workshop Sessions Cities 

HREVEPORT 


• Artificial • Intelligence Roundtable Programs Discussions: Villages 

GLANCE PROGRAM 

ions 

ions 

r, 


87 TH 

• Retail • Ready: Retirement Is Your Community 101 for Municipalities Ready for Retail with Growth? Police Departments 

• What is Rural Development Good For? Absolutely Everything! 

• Emerging 9:00 a.m. – Workplace 4:00 p.m. : Challenges Guest Tour for Municipalities: 

Drugs/Marijuana Wage, Hour, & Leaves of Absence 


1:00 a.m.-12:00 10:45 p.m.: a.m. - Last 11:45 Chance! a.m.: Concurrent Exhibit Viewing Workshop Sessions 

1:00 a.m. - 11:45 • a.m.: Mayors Concurrent & Police Workshop Chief Relations Sessions 

• Railroads 

• OCD-LGA • Grant Recreation Programs Benefiting Louisiana Local 

Governments • What Municipal Leaders Need to Know Abou PFAS 

• Best Practices with LRWA 

12:00 p.m.: President’s Brunch 

• Presentation of LMA Service Awards 

• President’s Award Presentation 

7:00 p.m.: Annual Banquet 

Louisiana Municipal Association 

• Presentation Louisiana 

87th of 2023 Annual Community Municipal 

Convention Achievement Association 

August Awards 

• Closing Dance 87th 

1-3, 2024 

Annual Convention August 

1-3, 2024 

SHREVEPORT 

SHREVEPORT 

CONVENTION 

CONVENTION 



• Keynote Speaker: Honorable John C. Fleming, MD, Louisiana State 

Treasurer 

CENTER 

CENTER • LITACorp Municipality: 

Municipality: 

_____________________________ 

_____________________________ 

400 

400 

Caddo 

Caddo 

Street 

Street 

Shreveport, Mailing Address: _____ ________________________ : _ 

Shreveport, • Louisiana 

Louisiana Ethics for Municipal Mailing Address: Officials 

_____ ________________________ : _ 

__ City/Zip 

__ City/Zip 

• Walking the Hills Work 

Work 

Phone: 

Phone: & Valleys of Public Laws _ 

_ 

E-mail: 

E-mail: [Part 1] 

TO 

TO 

AVOID 

AVOID 

HIGHER 

HIGHER 

ON-SITE 

ON-SITE 

FEES, 

FEES, 

_ 

• Transforming 

GUEST 

Municipal 

INFORMATION: 

Services with Innovative Cloud IT 

REGISTER NOW! 

GUEST INFORMATION: 

Solutions 

• The The registration registration fee fee includes includes one one (1) (1) guest. guest. 

MAKE YOUR HOTEL 

RESERVATIONS BY JULY 

10! 

REGISTER ONLINE AND PAY WITH 

YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD AT 

WWW.LMA.ORG 

Complete one form per delegate. 

Payment of of convention registration fees must accompany 

registration forms. The LMA will not bill for registration fees. 

No faxed or emailed registrations will be accepted. 

Please print or type all information legibly: 

Please print or type all information legibly: 

DELEGATE OTHER [A delegate is an elected/appointed official or municipal employee.] 

DELEGATE OTHER [A delegate is an elected/appointed official or municipal employee.] 


Name: _________________________________________ 

___ _______________ 

Title 

__________ 

Name: __ _________________________________________ 

___ _______________ 

Title 

__________ 

_ _ __ 

First name/nickname to appear on badge: 

First name/nickname to appear on badge: 

__________________________________________________________ 

__________________________________________________________ 

EARLY BIRD REGULAR LATE LATE && ON-SITE 

NOW THRU JUNE 20 20 JUNE JUNE 21 21 –– JULY JULY 18 18 BEGINS BEGINS JULY JULY 19 19 TOTAL TOTAL 

Delegate $250.00 Delegate $300.00 Delegate $350.00 Delegate $__ $__ ___ ___ ____ ____ 

_ _ 

Other $300.00 Other $350.00 Other $400.00 Other Other $ __________ $ ___ 

___ 

____________________________ 

____________________________ 

_________________________ 

_________________________ 

_______________ 

_______________ 

• A guest guest cannot cannot be be an an elected/appointed official official or or a a municipal municipal employee. employee. 

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.: Concurrent Name: 

Workshop First Sessions 

First name name to to appear appear on on badge: badge: ___________________________ 

_ • Leveraging Temporary Demonstration Projects for Permanent 

Solutions 



Louisiana Municipal Association 

Annual Convention Registration 

Post Office Box 4327 

Baton Rouge, LA 70821 

Telephone: (800) 234-8274 ▪ (225) 344-5001 ▪ www.lma.org 

REFUND POLICY: 


An administrative fee of of $75 will be be charged for for all all cancellations, including 

medical emergencies. No refunds will be be given after Thursday, July July 18 18 (two (two 

weeks prior to to the start of of event). Refunds will will be be issued only only if if the the LMA 

office receives your cancellation request in in the the form of of a a letter on on your your 

official letterhead mailed, emailed, faxed, or or delivered to to our our office with with a a 

postmark date no no later than Thursday, July 18, 18, 2024. Telephone requests 

for refunds are not acceptable. There will will be be no no exceptions to to this this policy. 

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: LMA Annual Business Meeting 

• Roundtable Discussions: Cities 


• Roundtable Discussions: Villages 

• Retirement 101 for Municipalities with Police Departments 

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. : Guest Tour 


• Mayors & Police Chief Relations 

• Railroads 

• Recreation 

• What Municipal Leaders Need to Know Abou PFAS 

12:00 p.m.: President’s Brunch 

• Presentation of LMA Service Awards 

• President’s Award Presentation 

7:00 p.m.: Annual Banquet 

• Presentation of 2023 Community Achievement Awards 

• Closing Dance 

This is a TENTATIVE convention agenda, subject to change. 

Detailed information on events, dates, and times will be provided as activities 

are confirmed. 

4:00 p.m.: Meetings of Affiliate and Related Organizations 

• Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association Executive Board Meeting 

Page 12 



L M A 87 

87 TH 


Louisiana Municipal Association’s 

87th Annual Convention 

Platinum Sponsors 

Gold Sponsors 


L M A 87 

87 TH 


Silver Sponsors 

Bronze Sponsors 

Page 14 


Sittin’ 

Pretty 

C ities 

Shreveport & Bossier City 

Next month, we’ll all be tipping our 

hats to Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux 

and his team, along with 

Bossier City Mayor Tom Chandler 

and his team, as we make our way 

to Shreveport for our 87th Annual Convention. 

We were last there in 2017, and a lot has 

changed. The city has grown in several areas including 

population, accessibility, industry, and 

entertainment. It’s become a Silicon Valley-esque 

hub (with a thriving arts and foodie scene) 

tucked neatly in the far northwest corner of the 

state. And these mayors are certainly proud! 

I recently spent some time with Mayor Arceneaux 

to chat about those changes and how 

Shreveport is a city that’s sittin’ pretty. With a 

population just shy of 175,000 to care for, the 

mayor and his administration are hard at work 

making sure it stays that way. 

Mayor Arceneaux, everyone has their 

favorite thing or things about where 

they live. What are yours in relation to 

Shreveport? 

I think it’s the people and the fact that 

we are large enough to have significant 

amenities, fine dining options, 

a symphonic orchestra, an opera, an 

abundance of live music options, and a 

lot of jobs. It’s the kind of city that’s big 

enough to live in and have your space, 

but small enough to know everybody as 

well. It has the feel of a small town while 

being a mid-sized city. It is the heart of 

a metropolitan area that’s much larger, 

so it allows the city to feel that when it 

wants to be. 


Shreveport’s Symphony Orchestra is an active and thriving one. 

What’s something you wish 

people knew more about? 

Our options when it comes to 

restaurants! We have a number 

of locally owned restaurants 

that are unique and 

wonderful, and they’ve put us 

on the map for being a foodie 

town. I think most people 

would associate that with 

South Louisiana, but we have 

outstanding cuisine here. I 

don’t think many people realize 

that, and they’re pleasantly 

surprised when they do! 

The LMA last held their annual 

convention in Shreveport 

in 2017. How has the 

economy grown since then? 

Our economy has certainly 

grown, you’re right, and our 

relatively low unemployment 

rate shows that. From an economic 

standpoint, Shreveport 

is a single unit, but our economy 

is so integrated with Bossier 

City, and that’s a healthy partnership 

for us both. There have 

been additions to Barksdale 

Airforce Base, we’ve added a 

cybersecurity center, we’ve begun 

to repopulate the General 

Motors plant that had closed. 

It’s seeing new industries including 

SLB doing technical 

services work as part of their 

The Little Theatre in Shreveport 

is the longest consecutively 

running one in the country. 

global technology and innovative 

energy services. They occupy 

one million sq. ft. out of the 

three million available. We’re 

doing well! 

Is there a specific market 

that sees an increase annually 

more than any other? 

Right now, without a doubt, it 

has to be technology. Shreveport 

is a city moving in the 

direction of becoming a more 

technology-based area, and 

I’m very excited about that. I’d 

like to see even more technology 

companies coming into 

the area, as they’re generally 

low-carbon footprint jobs with 

higher salaries for our citizens. 

They are the jobs of the future, 

and the future’s already here. 

I’m also proud of what we’re 

doing to steadily entice entrepreneurial 

businesses to 

take advantage of what that 

could mean for them. We’re 

helping startups utilize the 

Angel Investors Funds, which 

are private equity investments 

that can make an enormous 

difference for entrepreneurs. 

You cannot begin any type 

of business without funding 

in place, but banks and other 

financial investment compa- 

Page 16 


nies are incredibly specific in 

what criteria they’ll accept 

when it comes to administering 

funding, so many of these 

Louisiana Rural Water Association 

companies wouldn’t be able to 

get started if they were relying 

solely on that type of funding. 

These Angel Funds allow for 

more risks to be taken when 

&Bellemin 

it comes to investing in someone’s 

idea, and those risks (and 

use in the following issues: LWR-R0018 

ideas) are paying off. 

So, just how has the employment 

rate improved 

since 2017, and do you see 

it as an upward trend? 

ONSULTANTS 

2018 Roster Edition 

Official Publication of the 

Authorized Signature: 

Date: 

Artwork Contact: 

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux (left) and Bossier City Mayor 

Thomas Chandler (right). 

I think we’re definitely on an 

upward trend when we look 

at where we are currently. Recently, 

a businessman named 

Curtis Jackson began making 

a lot of investments in this 

city. Some people may know 

him as the musician, 50 Cent. 

We’re about to see a regeneration 

in our television and 

film industry, and although 

mainly a musician, Mr. Jackson 

saw that Shreveport was 

an excellent location for his 

own television and production 

company, G-Unit Studios. 

He’s now the impetus for production 

support industries to 

come into the area as well. 

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for all of us in Shreveport. To 

my knowledge, he had a contact 

here, and he was looking 

Naylor, LLC for - Gainesvillea place to set up shop. I 

5950 NW didn’t 1st Place draw him here, but I’m 

Gainesville, certainly Florida, 32607 delighted he came. 

I really feel we’re about to 

explode in the areas of television 

and film production, 

and his interests stem far beyond 

just the entertainment 

industry. Mr. Jackson is also 

interested in community and 

economic development, and 

that’s nothing but a positive 

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That must mean a great deal 

for Shreveport and its potential 

for a AD ‘Louisiana COPY Arts 

Hub’ moniker. 

Fax: (352) 331-3525 

Oh, absolutely! Mr. Jackson 

has stated that he’s modeling 

G-Unit Studios after what Tyler 

Perry has done in Atlanta. His 

intentions and investments 

are bringing that to Shreveport, 

and any attention to 

something arts-specific will 

boost all areas of the arts in 

general. We already have the 

oldest, consistently running 

little theatre in the entire country, 

a top-tier symphony and 

orchestra, and local talent in 

abundance which can be seen 

on any night of the week in 

any live music and arts setting. 

And Mr. Jackson sees that. He’s 

come into Shreveport putting 

his money where his mouth 

is. He hasn’t come here asking 

for incentives, or with an 

ultimatum to have things his 

way, but with his pen and his 

checkbook, and he’s making 

investments. 

Earlier in our conversation, 

you mentioned how seeing 

the increase of industries 

with a low carbon footprint 

is something you support. 

How are environmental 

concerns taken into account 

with new businesses 

in the area, and how are 

older, existing businesses 

complying with environmental 

protocols? 

We don’t have a lot of chemical 

and petrochemical plants, 

and the ones we do have are 

paying strict attention to being 

compliant. Our biggest 

employers are Barksdale and 

the healthcare industry, and 

LMR | JULY 2024 8/21/14 8:33 PM 

Page 17 

707693_Thornton.indd 1

Mayor Tom Arceneaux (right) shares a smile with Shreveport’s latest investor Curtis Jackson, known 

better as global recording artist and actor 50 Cent. 

they are environmentally 

friendly industries. It makes us 

very fortunate in this state to 

be able to claim that our biggest 

economic proponents are 

environmentally healthy. 

How important is the idea 

of having more varied industries 

within a city? 

The greater diversity in your 

economy, the healthier you’re 

going to be in lean times. A 

lot of industries can be highly 

‘boom or bust.’ That’s a wonderful 

feeling for any municipality 

when that boom hits, 

but what about when the 

price of gas and production 

drops? The economy is going 

to drop significantly, too. But 

the more diversified and recession-proof 

a community is, 

the healthier that community 

is. So, encouraging industries 

that show a consistent, steady 

increase, rather than those 

‘boom or bust,’ ones helps us, 

in turn, to keep things consistent 

and steady. 

Larger industries can benefit 

towns and cities greatly, 

but what about the 

mom-and-pop businesses 

that can add such character 

to an area? 

Those businesses are extremely 

vital. For example, let’s say 

we have 750 businesses that 

each hire one local person. 

That’s 750 jobs for people who 

are grounded in our society, 

culture, and economy. They 

tend to be more stable in those 

positions. And that stability 

will beat out companies that 

come into areas hiring people 

based on incentives. Because 

I think we can all agree that 

when the incentives are gone, 

that industry may be gone 

too. So, supporting our momand-pop 

shops is something 

we will always do, and we will 

always encourage our citizens 

to do it as well. 

How has Shreveport revitalized 

itself, and are there 

plans in place for continued 

revitalization? 

I’ve been working on adding 

legal tools to our anti-blight 

toolbox in an effort to encourage 

redevelopment. The 

Shreveport Implementation 

and Redevelopment Authority 

is a nine-member board appointed 

by me and confirmed 

by the council. They are continuously 

working on ways 

to repurpose facilities and 

properties, and they have the 

authority to contract for those 

spaces and properties. Having 

that board in place and adding 

legal tools for people who 

need to better understand all 

the ins and outs, is an excellent 

way forward. 

Why should people choose 

to give Shreveport a visit? 

They should visit because we 

have a number of wonderful 

attractions, fantastic outlets 

for entertainment, and 

great places to eat. Troupes 

of actors and behind-thescenes 

magic makers are 

offering the highest quality 

of community group performances. 

We have a very 

significant amateur actor 

community because people 

here love to do it. And 

that entertainment blood 

was before the new studio! 

We’ve grown so much that 

the Municipal Auditorium 

is steadily booked a long 

way in advance. So, there’s a 

lot to do here. Oh, and you 

won’t go home hungry! 

So now onto the upcoming 

87 th Annual Convention! 

How has Shreveport been 

preparing, and why is it 

such an honor to be a host? 

We’ve been working closely 

with Visit Shreveport/Bossier 

and the staff at our Convention 

Center, and I have a 

senior staff member who’s 

assigned to making sure this 

goes off without a hitch – no 

pressure, right?! We’re also 

collaborating with our sister 

city, Bossier. They’re a godsend 

and another great place 

to live, work, and play. 

It’s an honor to host the LMA’s 

Convention because we get 

the opportunity to showcase 

our community and to let 

people know there’s another 

side to Louisiana. North 

Louisiana can be a fun place 

to be, and a lot of our friends 

in the south may not realize 

that. It’s a part of Louisiana 

full of family-oriented events, 

it’s self-sustaining, and we 

have great people, food, and 

music. It’s an absolute honor 

to share that with our friends 

and to be able to offer a few 

surprises as well. 

Page 18 


A rendering of the G-Unit Studio development. 

Surprises? We like surprises! 

All I’m going to say is that it’s possible 

that someone (or maybe some two) famous 

people who have performed at our 

Municipal Auditorium will also be performing 

at the convention. But that’s all 

I’m going to say about that! 

We are just really very honored and excited 

to have the LMA and our fellow 

members here. We’re looking forward 

to putting our best foot forward. There’s 

no doubt in my mind that everyone will 

benefit from some productive learning 

while having a great time here! 

And what about Bossier City Mayor 

Thomas Chandler? As co-host of this 

year’s convention, it seemed only fitting 

to get his take. 

I want to welcome the LMA and say we 

are excited and pleased to have you in 

our cities. I join with Mayor Arceneaux in 

our commitment to do whatever is needed 

to make sure that your visit to Shreveport–Bossier 

will be a great experience. 

While here and in Bossier City you will 

be welcomed by our amazing tourism 

ambassadors, Visit Shreveport Bossier. 

I strongly encourage you to visit our casinos, 

East Bank District, and of course 

our shopping venues. We in Bossier City 

like to think that you can enjoy the very 

best food that you can find anywhere 

right here in our cities. Most importantly, 

during your stay here we are proud 

that you will get to experience our most 

respected and valuable resource - the citizens 

of Bossier City. Get ready to experience 

culture, fun, and food while being 

made to feel welcome by a community of 

people who are friendly in the “Great City 

of Bossier City.” 

I’ll be honest – having been transplanted 

into South Louisiana, namely Baton 

Rouge, I fall into a category of people 

who think we have all we need on offer, 

just an hour in any direction. I’ve 

never really ventured into the northern 

section of the state, as with a step-dad 

from Eunice and having a penchant for 

the Big Easy, a quick trip across either 

the Atchafalaya or Pontchartrain was 

about as far as I’d go. But there’s something 

very infectious about listening to 

these mayors speak of their beloved 

Shreveport-Bossier City corner of the 

world. I can see it, taste it, and hear it 

through their passionate prose, and it’s 

pulling me in. So, I plan on making the 

most of my few days there next month. 

I truly hope you do too. Because I’ve 

got to say – it sounds fabulous! 

by Charlotte 

Smith 

Editor 

Smith is a Senior Communications 

Consultant for AMCorp and is the Editor 

of the Louisiana Municipal Review. 

Contact: charlotte@teamamcorp.com 


Things to Do in Shreveport 

Since you’ll be in the northern part of the state 

for our 87 th Annual Convention, we thought you 

might want to spend some time getting to know 

the Shreveport/Bossier City a little bit better. 

Check out the below for some interesting things 

to do while in the area, printed with permission 

from explorelouisiana.com. 

The Shreveport area, tucked in the northwestern 

corner of the state, is a grand mix of some 

of Louisiana’s best southern food, culture, and 

music. Find inspiration for your trip with our top 

ideas. To learn about even more things to do in the 

area, visit the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and 

Tourist Bureau. 

The Shreveport Aquarium 

More than 3,000 animals call the Shreveport Aquarium 

home. Located on the city’s beautiful downtown riverfront, 

the aquarium focuses on immersive experiences, inviting 

families to walk through a specialized dome gallery where 

you can see some of the facility’s hundreds of species swim 

above your head. 

Asian Gardens 

of Shreveport 

The Asian Gardens 

of Shreveport is a 

lush oasis that represents 

15 different 

Asian countries, inviting 

guests to stroll 

through beautifully 

landscaped gardens 

full of plants, flowers, 

statuary, and 

more on multiple 

levels. 

Lakes and Adventure Parks 

While Shreveport and Bossier City form north Louisiana’s 

largest metro area, there are plenty of gorgeous surrounding 

natural areas worth exploring. Your range of outdoor 

adventures is great, whether you spend a day fishing on the 

Cypress Black Bayou or Caddo Lake, or go zip-lining over 

alligators at the Gators & Friends Adventure Park. 

The Agora Borealis 

The Agora Borealis is an art gallery and market in a historic 

building in downtown Shreveport. This is northern Louisiana 

creativity at its most local, where you’ll find paintings, pottery, 

sculptures, and more alongside furniture and jewelry. 

Page 20 


Artspace 

Artspace is not just a gallery or museum, it’s a venue for 

creativity in all forms. The self-described “arts center” hosts 

concerts, exhibitions, poetry readings, and more, with a constantly 

changing roster of events that showcase creatives 

from hundreds of northern Louisiana artists, plus works 

from Cuba, Ireland, and other international destinations. 

Louisiana State 

Exhibit Museum 

You can tell you’re somewhere 

special before you 

even step inside the Louisiana 

State Exhibit Museum. 

The Art Deco-era museum’s 

portico, built in the late 

1930s, features massive frescoes 

that introduce visitors to 

the themes of the museum 

itself — Louisiana’s history of 

labor and the economic forces 

that made the state’s culture 

so unique. The museum’s galleries feature remarkably 

detailed dioramas depicting life in the swamps, sugarcane 

and rice plantations, factories, and oilfields. 

Southern University Museum of Art 

As the only museum in North Louisiana dedicated to preserving 

the art and culture of the African and African American 

Diaspora, the Southern University Museum of Art 

makes art, artifacts, and other treasured collections easily 

accessible to the public. 

R.W. Norton Art Gallery and Botanic Gardens 

“Diverse” is perhaps the best way to describe the R.W. Norton 

Art Gallery. Its massive collection of art, rare books, decorations, 

and garden plants is anything but garden variety 

— everything from John James Audubon nature prints to 

16th-century tapestries to an astounding azalea collection. 

Orlandeaux’s Café 

Formerly known as 

Brother’s Seafood — 

the oldest continuously 

operated African-American 

family-owned restaurant 

in the United States — 

Orlandeaux’s Café and its 

previous iterations have 

been serving Shreveport 

guests “Just the Way You 

Like It” since 1921. And how 

does Shreveport like it? Cajun and Creole-style, of course! 

Try the zesty gumbo, piled-on po’boys, and/or a plate of 

famous stuffed shrimp or fish dipped in the restaurant’s 

legendary tartar sauce. 

Herby K’s 

No visit to 

Shreveport 

would be 

complete 

without 

a meal at 

Herby K’s. 

Dining at this historic restaurant (the city’s oldest) is more 

than a meal - it’s a rite of passage. The place is most famous 

for its open-faced Shrimp Buster po’boy, a butterflied fried 

shrimp sandwich served on toasted French bread and 

served with fries, slaw, and the highly addictive Shrimp 

Buster sauce. 


Denham Springs Mayor 

Throws Something Back 

By Charlotte Smith 

One of my favorite writers is Maya Anjelou. 

I find her wise with wording, and 

much of her prose has served as a sort 

of guidebook for how I (hope) that I live 

my life. One specific quote of hers has 

always stood out as an example of who 

I want to be and hope that I am: “I’ve 

Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry 

learned that you shouldn’t go through life 

with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You 

should be able to throw something back.” 

So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise 

that I love it when I find out our 

members feel the same way. 

Our friends at LaMATS recently alerted 

us to an urgent need for assistance from 

the Village of Epps. An accident meant 

their only reliable means of law enforcement 

patrols was no more, and they 

found themselves in desperate need of 

a replacement vehicle. As any municipal 

official knows, things don’t always come 

swiftly when you need them most, as 

paperwork and protocol can dictate 

the need for speed. But every now and 

then, the stars align, and the impossible 

becomes possible. Enter the City of Denham 

Springs and Mayor Gerard Landry. 

“We saw the call when it went out, and 

we were getting ready to surplus two 

Tahoes. Suddenly we realized there was 

a better option.” 

That better option was gifting the Village 

of Epps with not only the one police 

cruiser they needed but two. 

“We had one unit that was a 2010, and 

it was definitely on its last leg. It was 

costing us far more to maintain than we 

could afford. We also had a new Dodge 

Durango, which was unfortunately totaled 

in an accident. I reached out to 

Paul Holmes at LaMATS to see if and 

how they could help us. Then one day, 

I got a call from Denham Springs’ Police 

Chief. They had two vehicles, a 2010 and 

a 2013, that had been listed as surplus. 

I asked how much they wanted, and he 

said he’d need to talk to Mayor Landry 

and the Council. The next thing I know, 

I’m being told they’d like to donate both 

of them to us. What a blessing! So, we 

went down to pick them up, and we’re 

currently maintaining them so they can 

be used for a long time. This has been 

“We have to help 

each other, and not 

just with education, 

but with things and 

items we’re able to 

pay forward.” 

a godsend. An absolute godsend,” said 

Epps Town Clerk Molly Cooper. 

That donation was no small gesture, and 

Mayor Landry was happy to do it, having 

been the beneficiary of such kindness 

himself. 

“In 2016, right at the height of the Great 

Flood, we were gifted with an 18-wheeler 

full of used furniture from Gretna 

Mayor Belinda Constant. We lost absolutely 

everything during the flood, and 

80% of our homes and businesses were 

severely affected. But suddenly, out of 

nowhere, we were looking at everything 

we could possibly think of. There 

were chairs, tables, and boxes of new 

Page 22 


supplies. I’d never met Mayor Constant, 

yet here she was, gifting us with such 

generosity. We were all so very grateful. 

As it turned out, we actually had an 

overabundance of items, and Dry Prong 

needed furniture for their City Hall as 

well. So, we paid it forward.” 

We can all find ourselves with surplus 

items from time to time, and Mayor 

Landry encourages all LMA members 

to think of who may benefit from them 

the most. LaMATS is a fabulous resource 

with its Surplus Property program, but 

what about items that we want to just 

give away? 

“As members of the LMA, we’re all in 

this together. We have to help each 

other, and not just with education, but 

with things and items we’re able to pay 

forward. The ability to be in a position 

where you can help people - not just our 

constituents - but people in other municipalities 

who’ve had difficult times 

– is a wonderful position to be in. Just 

think about all the things out there that 

we can do to help people. God asks us 

to do that, and it’s the right thing to do.” 

Doing that right thing was suddenly 

very clear when Mayor Landry heard of 

Epps’ call for help. 

“When you look at the Village of Epps, 

it’s got a population of about 372 people, 

and it sits on about one square mile. 

That makes the possibility of income 

very restrictive, especially if the economy 

is highly sales tax-driven. It makes 

it very difficult, and we knew we could 

make it easier. So, we did.” 

Mayor Landry is no stranger to recovery 

efforts, and his passion for getting 

things done quickly and efficiently has 

seen him noticed on state levels. Just a 

few short weeks ago, he was asked to be 

the speaker at an upcoming Louisiana 

Planning Association Awards Luncheon 

on October 17. 

“When I got the call to speak, I had no 

hesitation in agreeing. I have a passion 

for recovery and a sincere want to help 

people navigate their own recovery 

efforts. As a society, we must stop depending 

on the government to fix everything. 

With God’s help - and our willingness 

to help - we can overcome the 

challenges presented to us” 

As I was talking to Mayor Landry, he 

mentioned an out-of-the-blue text he’d 

received just the night before. Mayor 

Constant had been attending the LMA’s 

Municipal Day event, and District 71 

Representative Roger Wilder sent a photo 

of himself with both her and her husband. 

It included the words, “Gretna says hello!” 

After all that time, Gretna was still thinking 

about the people of Denham Springs. 

And when you think about it, isn’t that 

what really makes the world go around? 

The generosity of the human spirit, and 

the kindness of people? There’s something 

comforting in knowing that’s what 

makes the LMA go around as well. 


Louisiana’s 

Connections 

to Ancient 

Greece May 

Surprise You 

Part Two 

Last month, we shared Part 

One of an interesting, and 

sometimes overlooked, connection 

in Louisiana’s history. 

This month we share 

with you Part Two. We’d like 

to thank Shreveport’s KTAL 

News (www.ktalnews.com), 

specifically digital reporter 

Jaclyn Tripp, for granting republishing 

permission. 

but Becky as long as you can 

do without me, I want to stay 

in the army,” wrote Achilles of 

Athens, Louisiana, to his wife, 

who was waiting for him 

back home in Athens in 1861. 

John Achilles Harris was a 

member of Company D in 

the 18th Louisiana Infantry 

during the Civil War. Surviving 

letters sent home to 

Becky follow him through 

the war, from training near 

Tangipahoa in 1861 to the 

Battle of Atlanta in 1864. His 

story is worth the read, no 

matter how you feel about 

the Civil War. And read you 

must if you want to find out 

if he, like the Achilles of ancient 

times, lived or died in 

battle. 

Homer’s The Iliad & 

The Homer Iliad 

As if it’s not odd enough 

to have Achilles of Athens, 

there’s also The Homer Iliad. 

This anti-Confederate, pro- 

Union, and abolitionist newspaper 

was published by W. 

Jasper Blackburn in Homer, 

Louisiana, before, during, and 

after the Civil War. Blackburn 

Achilles the Greek Warrior 

& Achilles the Civil War Soldier 

from Athens, Louisiana 

Achilles is one of the main 

characters in Homer’s ancient 

poem The Iliad. Of all the soldiers 

in the Greek army, Achilles 

was indisputably the best. 

Later legends would call him 

invulnerable, with the exception 

of his Achilles heel, and 

women would come to think 

him irresistible. But without 

question, his name has been 

linked to heroic courage and 

choosing to die in battle and 

receive glory in death instead 

of living a long life with 

one’s family and evaporating 

into eternity, forgotten. 

This is where things get weird 

in Louisiana history. 

“Becky, you wish me at home, 

Page 24 


intentionally named the newspaper after 

Homer’s epic poem the Iliad, and yes, 

Homer was named after Homer. 

Magee says Greek studies served an 

important role during this period in 

American history because Greek names 

played important roles were meant to 

remind us that we are a republic. 

But in the days leading up to and 

during the Civil War, the republic became 

divided. 

Achilles and the Iliad became pieces of 

a much larger story that is Homerian 

history, and the same can be said in ancient 

Greece or in Civil War-era northern 

Louisiana. 

Urania the mythological Greek muse 

& Urania, Louisiana 

Urania was one of the nine muses in 

Greek mythology, and this particular 

muse was focused on astronomy, astrology, 

and universal love. 

In the late 1890s, the man considered 

to be Louisiana’s first conservationist established 

the town of Urania, Louisiana 

in what is now La Salle Parish. Henry E. 

Hardtner was a lumber magnate who 

took the name Urania from Greek mythology. 

Approximately 700 people live 

within Urania’s borders today. 

Magee says that after we became a nation, 

our founding fathers were out to 

build a new city that was strictly a capital. 

They hired the greatest architect of 

the day, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, and connected 

him to Thomas Jefferson. 

The Lincoln Memorial bears a striking 

resemblance to the Acropolis. 

Eros the Greek God of Love & Eros, 

Louisiana 

In Greek mythology, Eros was called the 

god of love. His characteristics are also 

similar to those of Cupid, the ancient Roman 

god. 

Only two towns in the United States are 

named Eros, and one of them is in Jackson 

Parish, Louisiana. The other just so 

happens to be in Arkansas. The Arkansan 

Eros is named after the Greek god of 

love, but Louisiana’s version is not–but 

then again, it is. 

Eros, Louisiana, dates back to a lumber 

mill built in 1898 and a woman named 

Pearl Collins who loved astronomy. She 

was reading about the 433rd asteroid 

documented, and she already wanted 

her community to have its own post office. 

So what did she do? Collins applied 

for her community to be named Eros after 

the asteroid. 

But the asteroid was named after the 

Greek god of love, so you decide if Eros, 

Louisiana, was named after Eros, the asteroid, 

or Eros from Greek mythology. Either 

way, Collins received approval for the 

post office’s name on October 23, 1899, 

and Eros has been called Eros ever since. 

Greek Mythology & Mardi Gras Krewes 

There’s no better time than Mardi Gras 

to see Louisiana’s Greek heritage on full 

display. From the Krewe of Endymion, 

named for the Olympian god of fertility 

of eternal youth, to the Krewes of Bacchus, 

Orpheus, Sparta, Centaur, Hermes, 

Muses, Morpheus, Athena, Proteus, and 

many more, there are plenty of opportunities 

to see at least one parade that 

celebrates the link between Louisiana 

history, Greek history, and the establishment 

of this democracy. 


LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 

Louisiana’s ‘107th Village,’ LaMATS! 

For a few days each year, Louisiana 

adds one more quaint 

little community to its list of 

106 incorporated villages. 

And just like the others—from 

Anacoco in Vernon Parish to 

Wilson in East Feliciana—the 

LaMATS Village in the LMA 

Annual Convention’s vendor 

area welcomes all visitors with 

a friendly smile, a tasty treat, 

and many helping hands. 

Established more than twen- 

Page 26 


ty years ago as the technical services 

arm of the Louisiana Municipal Association, 

LaMATS helps local governments 

of every size better manage their revenue 

collection, procurement needs, 

community partnerships, public safety 

concerns, and so much more. 

Through one of our most popular features, 

LaMATS Purchasing Services or 

LPS, we connect city leaders to trusted 

vendor partners who provide a plethora 

of goods and services, many with 

negotiated contract pricing. Respected 

vendors like Kincade Recreation, Musco 

Lighting, and Precision Concrete Cutting 

of Louisiana can help to revitalize 

your city infrastructure. Spectacular 

signage and decoration by Evangeline 

Specialties can enliven your municipal 

events and keep your public informed. 

Our friends at GovDeals can help you 

find the perfect source for a specialty 

purchase, and Government Capital 

Corp. can help you finance it. 

All these valued partners and more make 

up our lively “LaMATS Village,” the designated 

home for everything LaMATS that 

awaits you at LMA’s 87 th Annual Convention, 

August 1-3 in the Shreveport 

Convention Center. Come by the Village 

and meet our dedicated staff, including 

Executive Director Cliff Palmer, Procurement 

Consultant Paul Holmes, and Project 

Coordinator Claire Shaw—maven of 

the now-famous Louisiana Trivia Board 

Game (play if you dare!) 

And while you’re there, let us introduce 

you to each of our participating vendor 

partners, including one of our newest, 

F&D Custom Challenge Coins, hailing 

from Harvey, Louisiana, and providing 

high-quality commemorative tokens 

and pins to celebrate your city’s unique 

character! 

We look forward to seeing y’all down in 

the Village! 

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. 

RISK MANAGEMENT, INC. 

RMI Refunding $1,000,000 in Surplus Premiums 

As mentioned in numerous LMRMA/ 

LMA Board meetings and enewsletter 

articles, the LMRMA II (A&H Fund) was 

shut down on July 1, 2023, with the intent 

of distributing surplus premiums 

to qualifying Fund members. 

Recently, the Louisiana Department 

of Insurance granted approval for RMI 

to distribute the first round of surplus 

premium checks, totaling $1,000,000, 

to Fund member municipalities who 

placed Accident/Health coverage with 

the Fund before it began to solely 

provide dental coverage. Based on 

this approval, checks are being mailed 

and some municipalities will soon 

$ 

be receiving refunds 

exceeding $125,000! 

After monitoring the A&H Fund for another 

year to confirm that all claim obligations 

are met, RMI will send the final 

disbursement to qualifying Fund members 

in June of 2025. 

by Patrick 

Cronin 

General Manager, 

RMI 

Cronin leads Risk Management, Inc. (RMI) 

- a subsidiary of LMA. He can be reached at 

pcronin@rmila.com. 


LRPA Accepting Scholarship Applications 

Applications for the Mayor Jimmy Williams 

Memorial LaMATS Scholarship for 

the Certified Playground Safety Inspector 

(CPSI) Course are now being accepted. 

This scholarship is open to all qualified 

Louisiana town or village park and 

recreation professionals. 

The CPSI Course is a comprehensive 

training program that teaches participants 

how to identify and mitigate 

hazards in playgrounds, parks, and recreational 

facilities. This certification is 

highly regarded in the industry and is a 

valuable asset for any professional looking 

to enhance their skills and knowledge 

in playground safety. 

The Mayor Jimmy Williams Memorial La- 

MATS Scholarship will cover the full cost 

of the CPSI Course, including the training 

material, course fee, and exam fee. 

The late Jimmy Williams 

“Mayor Williams 

was an enthusiastic 

supporter 

of not just the 

green spaces 

in his community, 

but in the 

pleasure that 

comes from 

them across the 

state,” said LRPA 

Executive Director 

Susanne Diez. 

“It is an honor to see this scholarship not 

only serving parks and recreation professionals 

but also his memory.” 

To apply for the scholarship, please 

complete the application form and submit 

it along with a recommendation 

letter. The completed application needs 

to be received by 

September 10, 

or postmarked 

by September 3. 

Please mail the 

completed form 

with the letter of 

recommendation 

to Louisiana Recreation and Park Association, 

Attn. CPSI Scholarship Committee, 

P.O. Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. 

You can contact Susanne Diez, LRPA 

Executive Director at sdiez@lma.org or 

225-332-7632 for more information. 

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity 

to enhance your skills and advance 

your career in playground safety. Apply 

now and take the first step towards becoming 

a certified playground safety 

inspector! 

PRESORT 

STANDARD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

BATON ROUGE, LA 

PERMIT #319 

Page 28

LMR July 2024

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