As Vice President of Governmental Relations, I have been either monitoring or actively participating in several issues of importance to our community.
It was Chamber research which identified a number of issues that need addressing in LGC's Home Rule Charter. The Lafayette City-Parish Council has scheduled an election for this fall to seek voter approval on an amendment to the Charter that allow Council redistricting based on 2010 Census number. We were the ones who brought this critical point to the attention of the LCG powers that be.
Additionally, I have been proactive in raising public awareness of LCG Charter issues; participating in town hall meetings called by Parish President Joey Durel as well as independent presentations to civic and private groups. My research efforts are ongoing; both on the Charter and the impact of the 2010 Census on local government.
I was a participant in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters to be broadcast on Acadiana Open Channel. The topic was "Services and Growth in Lafayette Parish” and the discussion was recorded and will be aired several times in the coming weeks.
Participating on the panel were Don Broussard, Water Operations Manager for Lafayette Utilities System, Richard Poche, Lafayette City- Parish Recreation Commission Chairman, Ben Berthelot, Director of the Department of the Community Development for Lafayette Consolidated Government for community development, and I addressed the status of comprehensive planning.
On the subject of comprehensive planning, as a Chamber representative on the Technical Transportation Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, I'm playing an active role in moving the process forward. This involves not only committee work, but an ongoing monitoring of the existing planning and zoning process within LCG. Last week, I attended a Zoning Commission meeting and this week is the regular monthly meeting of the MPO TTC.
Also, I attended the initial workshop on next year's operations budget for the Lafayette Parish School System. The Lafayette Parish School Board is facing a $15-million dollar shortfall in the current budget and has the challenge of adjusting the upcoming spending plan to reflect decreases in revenue.
On the School Board schedule this week is the presentation of a Master School Facilities Plan in which both Rob Guidry and I have played a role in monitoring as part of the Chamber's support of public education. The study, conducted by CSRS, has been underway for over a year and the final report will be presented to the School Board on Wednesday of this week.
Another facet of our involvement in the education process is as a charter member of the Lafayette Public Education System Committee; a coalition of civic and private organizations dedicated to improving public education in Lafayette Parish. LaPESC is in the formative stage and the Chamber has three members on board as our representatives. LaPESC conducts its monthly meeting on Monday of this week which I'll attend so that I may report what happens at a future meeting the Chamber's Education Division.
Again, the Chamber is a charter member in an organization which addresses a broader geographic agenda; the Acadiana Regional Alliance. The group is in its second year and getting traction on issues of common interests to those business-member organizations in Jeff Davis, Acadia, Vermilion, Iberia, St. Martin, St. Landry and Lafayette Parishes. The ARA Executive Committee, on which I serve, has its monthly meeting this week at the Zagis USA, LLC, cotton textile plant in Lacassine.
And, finally, on my agenda this week is the bi-monthly meeting of the Lafayette Parish Council of Governments. Although I'm no longer an elected official, COG welcomes me as a representative of the Chamber knowing that we as an organization work for the best interests of the Parish.
Whew … sounds like a lot on our plate; and that's just my efforts. Rob and other staff members are just as active representing you within the community and on the regional, state and national level.
