UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE

UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
September 21 ULEDF Meeting to Focus on Deconsolidation Vote
Upcoming Events
Bridge Ministry/Upper Lafayette 5K
Run
Pelican Park
September 17, 2011, 8:00am
September Membership Meeting
Holiday Inn
September 21, 2011 11:30-1:00pm
Quest for Your Best
October 18, 2011 11:00-1:00
Oakbourne Country Club
On October 22, 2011, voters in Lafayette parish will have the opportunity to cast their ballots
on deconsolidation. Should we continue the existing form of consolidated government, or
should the City of Lafayette have its own independent form of government that was in existence
in 1992, and is currently in existence for the five municipalities of Broussard, Carencro, Duson,
Scott and Youngsville. The issue is complicated and has arisen due to the growing population
of the areas of Lafayette Parish outside of the city limits whose elected Council Representatives
have exerted a growing influence on how the city of Lafayette is governed and how its dollars
are spent.
Please join us at our September 21, 2011 meeting, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the
Holiday Inn on 2032 NE Evangeline Thruway, where we will host a meeting that allows both
view points, pro and con, to be discussed. Our guest speakers include Bruce Conque and Don
Bacque, both Charter Commission members and on opposite sides of the fence, along with
Mike Hefner, demographer, who will present information about possible alternatives to an up
or down vote. Lafayette Tax Assessor Conrad Comeaux will also make available a summary of
tax dollars and how the monies are contributed and spent within the parish. ULEDF has not
taken an official stand on the vote, but our foundation does want our members and friends to
be as informed as possible when casting their vote.
Bruce Conque
Don Bacque
Please rsvp to jan@upperlafayette.com if you would like to attend or reserve a table. Tickets are
$25 per person or tables of eight may be purchased for $200, payable by check or credit card.
We ask that you rsvp by September 16 so that adequate arrangements may be made. We look
forward to seeing you there!
For a simple chart and answers to frequently asked questions on this issue, please visit the
League of Women Voters site at http://www.lwv-lafayette.org/voterinfo/Deconsolidation.html
for information. We urge you to vote, always, and in an informed manner.
Mike Hefner
Letter from the President: Mr. Adrian Baudoin
Despite the lingering heat and humidity, summer’s gone, kids are back at
school, and our community now needs to get to work on a couple of pressing
issues - the form of our city/parish government and a new superintendent for
our school system.
ULEDF Board of
Directors & Staff
Adrian Baudoin, President
Beau Phares, V. President
Todd Citron, Sec/Treas.
Dr. Ross Judice, Past Pres.
Amos Batiste
Don Dupuis
Cherie Hebert
Ed Krampe
Andre Moreau
Dwight Prudhomme
Dwight “Bo” Ramsay
Herbert Schilling
Monty Warren
Deborah Young
Jan Swift, Director
The Lafayette Parish School System is searching for a new superintendent.
The process is designed to be open and heavy in community involvement.
Public forums are being held to allow our community to participate in the
process. This selection process is critical for us to insure that Lafayette provides the best educational opportunities for our young people.
Back in April, the Charter Commission made its final report to the CityParish Council recommending that the consolidation question be brought
Mr. Adrian Boudin
to a vote of the people. Since 1996 the city and parish have operated under a
Acadiana Computer Systems
consolidated form of government. Next month, in October, we will all have a
chance to cast our vote. To help our membership make an informed choice,
we will host a discussion at this month’s meeting to be held at the Holiday Inn on the Thruway on September 21st
at 11:30 a.m. Please make plans to attend.
While all that hard work is going on, take time out for a little fun on Saturday morning, September 17th to
participate in our first annual Run Upper Lafayette event to benefit Bridge Ministry. Meet at Pelican Park in
Carencro at 8:00 a.m. for a 5K run/walk. There will be music and snacks so come on out and support the Bridge
Ministry’s vital work for our area while having a great time.
We appreciate your continued support, and we encourage you to invite your friends and colleagues to join
ULEDF. You’ll find more information about membership levels in this newsletter. We hope to see you at our
September events!
Volume 34, Page 1
September 2011
www.upperlafayette.com
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
Quest for Your Best presents, “The Personal Path to Leadership”
Upper Lafayette is proud to present its second annual
Quest for Your Best Personal Development Series to be
held October 18, 2011, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at
Oakbourne Country Club. Our symposium will focus
on the personal stories of three dynamic leaders in our
community who exemplify leadership and inspire their
corporate teams to excellence.
Moderated by Elise Bouchner of Excelerant, we will welcome Bud Barrow, CEO of Our Lady of Lourdes
Regional Medical Center; Danny Clark, Chief Merchandising Officer of Stuller, Inc.; and David Welch,
CEO of Stone Energy.
Tickets for Quest for Your Best are $35.00 per person or $275 for a reserved table for eight. Interested
parties may rsvp to laura@upperlafayette.com
David Welch
Stone Energy Corp.
Danny Clark
Stuller Inc.
Bud Barrow
Our Lady of Lourdes
Elise Bouchner
Excelerant
Upper Lafayette Businesses Recognized in Top 50 ABIZ
For several years running, prominent Upper Lafayette businesses and valued members of ULEDF have been recognized for leading the pack
in gross revenues. The publishers of the Independent Weekly and ABiz held their annual luncheon on September 1, 2011 to salute the top 50
privately owned businesses, as well as the top publicly traded companies that operate in our region. ULEDF member Whitney Bank is serving as
sponsor of this highly popular event honoring this elite group of businesses.
Successful and outstanding in performance as leaders in Acadiana’s economy, we are proud to congratulate the following businesses who support
Upper Lafayette and make our mission to be a catalyst for positive growth and development possible:
Acadian Companies, Hub City Ford, Inc., Schilling Distributing Co., Inc., Home Furniture Co., Inc., McDonald’s of Acadiana, Inc., and
Fenstermaker & Associates (recognized in top 50 Privately Held Companies.)
Stone Energy Corp., IberiaBank Corp., MidSouth Bancorp and Home Bancorp (recognized in top Publicly Traded Companies. )
Volume 34, Page 2
September 2011
www.upperlafayette.com
Professional Arts Pharmacy
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
Upper Lafayette Organizes 5K Run/Walk to Benefit Bridge Ministry of Acadiana
Pelican Park in Carencro will be the setting of Run
Upper Lafayette, our first annual 5K Run/Walk to
be held Saturday, September 17, 2011. Partnering
with Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Upper Lafayette
is organizing the event while working closely with
the Bridge’s staff member Jennifer Reynaud, and
founding board member, Nelson Warner. All
proceeds will go directly to Bridge Ministry of
Acadiana, a non-profit Christian ministry
outreach in the Four Corners area of Lafayette.
Check in is at 7:00 a.m. The one mile fun run
commences at 8:00 am, with the 5K immediately thereafter. A $25.00 entry fee entitles each
participant to a dri-fit t-shirt with the Run Upper
Lafayette logo, printed by Sideline Sports. The fee
for race day entrants is $30.
Participants may register on-line at Bridge
Ministry’s website at http://www.bridgeacadiana.
com/run-upper-lafayette.aspx. Please check out the Bridge’s mission and programming while on the site.
Run Upper Lafayette will commence at Pelican Park and wind around side roads that do not experience heavy traffic flow. Certified as a US
Track and Field event, we are being assisted by local Cajun Road RunnerTodd Delahoussaye, who is well known in running circles. Drinks will
be provided by Acadiana Bottling, and jambalaya is being prepared by Prejean’s Restaurant. Musical entertainment is being provided by The
Nathan Sam Bank by Surge Productions. Volunteers to help coordinate race day activities include Madame Cindy Barry (Lafayette High French
teacher) and the Lafayette High School Serteens. With our local youth involvement, we hope to recruit many young runners who will spread
the news about Upper Lafayette to their peers!
Special thanks go to our sponsors: Festival Acadiens, the Jim Lambert Law Firm, and our own ULEDF member IberiaBank! For more
information, email jan@upperlafayette.com
Delta Media Open House
Delta Media hosted The Carencro Bear 2011 Kickoff Luncheon on July 29, 2011 at its headquarters at 3401 NW Evangeline Thruway in Carencro. Celebrating Mustang 87.7 as Carencro Football’s home station, the crowd was wowed by delicious food catered by Chili’s of Carencro, the
Carencro Golden Bear Broadcast sponsor. Sean Trcalek, Delta Media Director of Development, welcomed the guests and spoke of the power of
local broadcasting to pump up local excitement for the home team!
Carencro Head Football Coach Brent Indest gave an inspiring talk about the upcoming opportunities the team will face this season. While he spoke engagingly about his dynamic new staff,
some of whom are former Carencro players, and the old school discipline he brings to his team,
the most memorable moments of Indest’s talk were when he spoke of his love for the players.
Many members of his team have jobs and work double time to make their grades and succeed
in school; Indest’s moving account of his involvement in the players’ lives left a lasting impression of the heart behind the football team. Best wishes to Coach Indest and the Carencro
Bears!
Delta Media is also home station on Saturdays for the LSU Tiger Football games on Cool 107.1!
St. Thomas More football games will be hosted on 103.7 and Westminster Football on 107.1.
TV station KLWB will host Southland Conference games every Saturday so we can all catch
McNeese football games and others of interest. We urge you to support Delta Media’s great
lineup of talent and continue to tune in for great music and television entertainment. ULEDF
also wants to thank Delta Media for filming Upper Lafayette, On the Move and its commitment
to making our show possible!
Pictured from left to right: Delta Media Director of Sales John Rockweiler, Coach Brent Indest, “Voice of the Bears” Barry Schuermann,
and Delta Media Director of Development
Sean Trcalek.
Volume 34, Page 3
September 2011
www.upperlafayette.com
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S Celebrates 25th Year!
Acadiana is blessed with many non-profit agencies that meet the needs in our community. A few, however, stand out for their bold programming and ability to truly make a difference in the lives of individuals who have nowhere else to turn. Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.
(the acronym for Concern for AIDS Relief, Education and Support), is one such
organization. Claude Martin, CEO of Acadiana C.A.R.E.S., recently gave Jan Swift of
ULEDF a tour of its recently remodeled facility and explained the group’s objectives and accomplishments
over its 25 year history.
C.A.R.E.S.’ mission is to provide education and services for HIV prevention, and care for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Martin explained
that HIV is linked to unstable housing, substance use including intravenous
drug use, mental illness and lifestyle issues. Many living with HIV are unable to
go to their families because they are afraid of being rejected, which leads to
further health problems as the condition progresses. Educational outreach
targeting high-risk individuals is an important component of C.A.R.E.S.’
mission to reduce the spread of HIV.
Good management and diversification of profit-generating services
has increased C.A.R.E.S.’ ability to provide services to those most in need
and least able to afford care. Ten years ago, C.A.R.E.S. had 11 employees
and one housing program for people with
HIV in Lafayette; today, it runs 11 housing
programs that helped 780 unduplicated clients in 2010. Substance abuse counseling, case management, housing, medication, transportation and financial
assistance are among the many services C.A.R.E.S. provides. See http://www.
acadianacares.org for more information.
C.A.R.E.S. is located on five acres at 809 Martin Luther King Drive. Set back in a secluded area at the
site of the former Lafayette Guest House, the facility has 76,000 square feet of offices, living areas and lush
community spaces. The property was donated to C.A.R.E.S. in 2006 by local accountant John Wright and
other principals in a nursing home consortium. C.A.R.E.S held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, August
20, 2011, at the facility to showcase $1.5 million in capital improvements made to A Place of CARES. Amazingly, clients constructed about 65% of the improvements. A weeklong celebration of its 25th anniversary
culminated with a ribbon rutting, the dedication of an American flag presented by Congressman Charles
Boustany’s office, an old fashioned barbeque, and other festivities.
“It’s been a slow process, but we’ve been able to create a continuum of care for people with HIV,”
Martin said. And not only for people living with HIV—substance abuse treatment, counseling, case management, and housing prevent people from getting HIV. “The ultimate goal is self motivation and independence.” Upper Lafayette salutes our member, Acadiana C.A.R.E.S., and congratulates you on your 25th year
of compassionate service.
Volume 34, Page 4 September 2011
www.upperlafayette.com
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
Louisiana Wholesale Florists Celebrate 50th Anniversary
Founded in 1961 and marking its 50th year in business, the Louisiana Wholesale Florists (“LWF”) celebrated its golden anniversary recently
by hosting a series of events at its Upper Lafayette location at 151 High Meadows Blvd. off of Pont Des Mouton Road. The well attended event
featured workshops by prominent florists, all day shopping, and luncheon and evening events geared for entertaining its members. Jan Swift of
ULEDF was lucky enough to serve as a judge in the LWF annual Gumbo Cookoff, along with KATC TV3’s Maddie Garrett and Stormy McDonnell, and well-known local restaurateur, Pat Dupuis of Pat’s Downtown. The judges all enjoyed the opportunity to taste test great gumbo, and
had to eat quite a bit of the delicious entries before selecting the ultimate winning gumbo by Jimmy Caruso!
LWF’s general manager, Merlin Leger, has been with the organization since 1962, which in itself is a testament to his commitment and love of
the floral industry. He works alongside Mike Howerton, Cindy Comeaux and other dedicated professionals who oversee an annual payroll of
approximately $600,000 in Lafayette alone. LWF continues to flourish and enjoys a second location in Baton Rouge, serving the state of Louisiana
along with the original headquarters in Lafayette. Congratulations to Louisiana Wholesale Florists and best wishes for continued success!
Maddie Garrett, Stormy McDonell, Merlin Leger,
Pat Dupuis,Jan Swift
Jimmy Caruso accepting his award
Mercredi Show Concert at Carencro’s Pelican Park
The popular Mercredi Show begins its 2011 fall session on September 7, 2011 at
Carencro’s Pelican Park. This free, family-friendly outdoor concert series is scheduled
from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm every Wednesday through October 19th. The concert series
showcasing popular local bands is also held in the spring during March and April each
year. The Mercredi Show concept is an outgrowth of a similar event in Dieppe, Canada,
Carencro’s sister city.
Run by the Carencro Parks and Recreation Commission, the event is funded by local
taxes dedicated to recreation programs in Carencro, coupled with generous sponsorships
underwritten by local businesses. Anyone interested in sponsoring should contact
Carencro’s Recreation Commission at (337)896-8481. One of Upper Lafayette’s many
wonderful attractions, the Mercredi Show is magnifique!
Wednesday, September 7- Geno Delafose & French Rocking Boogie
Wednesday, September 14- GTO & D-Street Brass
Wednesday, September 21- High Performance
Wednesday, September 28- Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Road runners
Wednesday, October 5- Pine Leaf Boys
Wednesday October 12- Don Rich & The Don Rich Band
Wednesday, October 19- Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns
Volume 34, Page 5 September 2011
www.upperlafayette.com
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
September Community Events
9/7
11:30-1:00 pm
LEDA Networking LuncheonPetroleum Club RSVP LEDAluncheon@lafayette.org
9/7
6:00-8:30 pm
Mercredi Show at Pelican Park Concert Stage- Geno Delafose & French Rocking Boogie
9/8
7:30-8:00 pm
Upper Lafayette on the Move TV Show
Acadiana Open Channel Cox 16& LUS 4
9/14 6:00-8:30 pm
Mercredi Show at Pelican Park Concert StageGTO & D- Street Brass
9/17 Check in 7:00 am
Run Upper Lafayette 5K Run/WalkPelican Park
9/21 11:30- 1:00 pm
September Meeting
Holiday Inn
Cost is $25
RSVP to jan@upperlafayette.com
9/21 6:00-8:30 pm
Mercredi Show at Pelican Park Concert Stage- High Performance
9/22 7:30-8:00 pm
Upper Lafayette on the Move TV Show
Acadiana Open Channel Cox 16& LUS 4
9/22 9:00 & 1:00 pm
UL Lafayette Career Fair- Fall 2011
9/28 12:00- 2:00 pm
Social Media Best Practices Seminar
100 Central St.- Opportunity Machine
9/17 6:00 pm
UL vs. Nicholls State University
Cajun Field
9/28 6:00-8:30 pm
Mercredi Show at Pelican Park Concert StageLeroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners
Special Thanks to Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Members!
PLATINUM
Acadian Ambulance Service
Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc.
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket
Aries Marine Corporation
ASH/Badger Oil Company
Home Furniture
Hub City Ford, Inc.
IberiaBank
McDonald’s of Acadiana
MidSouth Bank
Our Lady of Lourdes
Republic National Distributing Company
Schilling Distributing Company
The Southwest Group
Whitney Bank
Beau Box Commercial Real Estate
SILVER
Ace Plumbing, Inc.
Allstates Building Systems
American Safety & Industrial Supply
Aspen Clinic
BBR Creative
Edward Jones/Bob Crist
Master Builders & Specialist
Mello Joy Coffee Company
Oakbourne Country Club
Steven Santillo, APLC
Stirling Properties
Terry J. Rogers, LTD
Walters Funeral Home
BRONZE
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.
Acadian Hills Country Club
Jean Breaux, Jr. & Associates
Alan Broussard
David Courville–Architect
Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering
GOLD
Atmos Energy
Fenstermaker & Associates
Home Bank
Honda of Lafayette
Opelousas General Health System
Stone Energy Corporation
BRONZE CONT’D
Derek Development Corp, LLC
Joey Durel
ECGC Women’s Business Center
House of Faith Church
Lafayette Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency
Lynn Guidry–Architect
Lowry’s Printing and Copying
Flo Meadows
Melancon I-49 Storage Center
Northwood United Methodist Church
Petroleum Club of Lafayette
Pope John Paul II Academy
Rayne State Bank/ Buddy Webb
Richard Leblanc/Leblanc’s Auto Wholesale
Ron J. Gaubert Realtors
Ken Simeral
SLEMCO
Sylvan Learning Center
Volume 34, Page 6
September 2011
www.upperlafayette.com