MONROE -Twelve municipal governments were announced as winners of the 2012 Community Achievement Awards. This prestigious award, conducted for the 45th year, goes to municipalities that display outstanding improvements and accomplishments for their communities.
These awards are categorized by basic service, community development, and economic development. Each category is presented in four population subcategories. Alexandria, Covington, Grand Isle, St. Gabriel, Hammond, Pearl River, New Iberia, Ruston, Shreveport, West Monroe, Woodworth, and Ville Platte received their community achievement awards on Saturday, August 3, at the annual banquet of the LMA 76th annual convention at the Monroe Civic Center Complex.
In addition, the City of Westwego was named the LMA's 12th "Best of Show in Community Achievement" for its Sala Avenue Restoration Project. After Hurricane Katrina, this city began its mission to restore the downtown historic district. $2.7 million in funding from capital outlay was used to repair 1,500 feet of drainage to mitigate flooding issues and improved streetscape paving, lighting and landscape for the district. Another $250,000 was used to improve the farmers and fisheries market along with the art center and performing art center. Thus making this project nearly $3 million in community development improvements. The end result is an improvement in the overall image of the main street area that serves as a basis for the continued restoration of other historic structures in the downtown historic district.
The competition is co-sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, and Louisiana Municipal Association.
Entries submitted were judged by a committee of judges from the Louisiana Economic Development, Capital Region Planning Commission, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, Louisiana Main Street, and the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall.
Dr. Brookie Allphin, communications and governmental consultant, said the awards pay tribute to the "vision and ingenuity of elected municipal officials and those who assist them in planning and improving citizen services, community life, and economic conditions."
"We congratulate all of the municipalities which competed in this year's Community Achievement Awards Program," said LMA Immediate Past President Mayor Hilda D. Curry. "Louisiana's mayors and municipal officials work long hours and endure significant sacrifices to achieve tangible and measurable progress for their towns and cities."
The award winners and honorable mentions in each category and population group are as follows:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Municipalities with population 3,000 and under:
Winner -Town of Grand Isle- Grand Isle Fishing Pier
Honorable Mentions - Town of BASILE, W.W. Stewart Community Center; Town of WISNER, Community Center
Municipalities with population 3,001 to 10,000:
Winner - City of ST. GABRIEL, Jake Lane Housing Rehab Project
Honorable Mentions - City of FRANKLIN, Safe Routes to School; City of LEESVILLE, New Community Services Director position for Community Development
Municipalities with population 10,001 to 25,000:
Winner- City of HAMMOND, Zemurray Park Restoration
Honorable Mentions- City of DERIDDER, Veterans' Park spray park; City of ZACHARY, Zachary Community Food Pantry
Municipalities with population 25,001 and over:
Winner - City of ALEXANDRIA, Safe Alex Project
Honorable Mentions - City of LAKE CHARLES, Lake Charles Transportation and Customer Service Center; Parish of TERREBONNE, Promote Parish Pride Project
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Municipalities with population 3,000 and under:
Winner - Town of PEARL RIVER, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and Community Benefit
Honorable Mention - Town of MANSURA, Gravity Sewer Improvements Project
Municipalities with population 3,001 to 10,000:
Winner - City of COVINGTON, Covington Business Resource Workshop
Honorable Mention - City of SCOTT, City of Scott First Annual Boudin Festival; Town of VIVIAN, Airport Improvements
Municipalities with population 10,001 to 25,000:
Winner - City of WEST MONROE, Sparta Wastewater Reuse Project
Municipalities with population over 25,001:
Winner - City of SHREVEPORT, Central Artstation Restoration
Honorable Mention - City of MONROE, the New Monroe Regional Airport Terminal
BASIC SERVICES:
Municipalities with population 3,000 and under:
Winner - Town of WOODWORTH, Woodworth Municipal Building Project
Honorable Mentions - Village of CHENEYVILLE, Sewer System Emergency Generators; Village of ROSEDALE, Water Tower
Municipalities with population 3,001 to 10,000:
Winner -City of VILLE PLATTE - Ville Platte Initiates Important "Green" Program
Honorable Mentions - City of PATTERSON, New Water Plant; City of WINNFIELD, Safe Drinking Water
Municipalities with population 10,001 to 25,000:
Winner - City of RUSTON, Outdoor Warning Sirens project
Municipalities with population 25,001 and over:
Winner - City of NEW IBERIA, New Iberia Public Park Improvements