City of Gonzales Mayor hosts CRPC meeting

City of Gonzales Mayor hosts CRPC meeting

Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Pictured are City of Gonzales Public Works Director Alvin Broussard, Gonzales Councilmen Neal Bourque and Harold Stewart, State Representatives Clay Schexnayder and Johnny Berthelot, Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux, former Gonzales Councilman David Guitreau, and Ascension Parish Government representatives Ken Dawson and Lester Kenyon.

Pictured are City of Gonzales Public Works Director Alvin Broussard, Gonzales Councilmen Neal Bourque and Harold Stewart, State Representatives Clay Schexnayder and Johnny Berthelot, Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux, former Gonzales Councilman David Guitreau, and Ascension Parish Government representatives Ken Dawson and Lester Kenyon.

Gonzales, LA – On Monday, September 21, the City of Gonzales hosted a quarterly Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC) meeting. City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux is a commission member, and City of Gonzales Chief Engineer Jackie Baumann is a Technical Advisory Committee member.

Dr. Eric Kalivoda gave a speech on behalf of the Department of Transportation and Development, outlining the state’s role in infrastructure.

Dr. Eric Kalivoda gave a speech on behalf of the Department of Transportation and Development, outlining the state’s role in infrastructure.

The meeting saw guest speaker Dr. Eric Kalivoda, Deputy Secretary with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, discussing strategies used by DOTD in the development stages of state-wide and local government infrastructure planning. Kalivoda stressed the importance of the state’s role in transportation as it pertains to both state and local roadways and waterways – ensuring that Louisiana is well connected to the rest of the country and the world through better road systems and ports, providing for the movement of people, goods and services between and through urban areas, maintaining a basic farm to market network in rural areas and assisting local government officials in addressing local transportation needs.

City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux is seen talking with State Representative Clay Schexnayder.

City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux is seen talking with State Representative Clay Schexnayder.

City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux couldn’t have been happier with the planned progress Gonzales has made recently in all of these areas, and was delighted to host the meeting at the Gonzales Civic Center.

“It’s always an honor to host one of our CRPC meetings,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “The men and women who make up this organization are not only talented, but forward thinking in their mission. We recently adopted our Master Growth plan that takes a strong look ahead at the next 20 years in terms of infrastructure upgrades and additions. We’re on the right track, and that can only make for a better, more accessible Gonzales.”

State Representative Johnny Berthelot joined former City of Gonzales Councilman David Guitreau and current City of Gonzales Councilman Neal Bourque for a discussion after the meeting.

State Representative Johnny Berthelot joined former City of Gonzales Councilman David Guitreau and current City of Gonzales Councilman Neal Bourque for a discussion after the meeting.

The Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC) is a Council of Governments serving eleven parishes:  Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.  Through planning and communication, CRPC coordinates and collaboratively addresses regional issues related to transportation, land use, economic development and the environment.

After 36 years of service to CRPC, R.J. Goebel officially retired at the meeting.

After 36 years of service to CRPC, R.J. Goebel officially retired at the meeting.

Commissioner Jamie Setze also gave a heartfelt speech recognizing fellow, and newly retired, Commissioner R. J. Goebel for his 36 years of service to CRPC.

The meeting concluded with the passing of a resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application and execution of grant contracts with the State Department of Commerce under the Economic Development Administration for the “Capital Region Operations and Resource Center.”

GSA Consulting Engineers acted as drink sponsors throughout the social hour and meeting. Pictured are Aleaha Shaheen Morgan, David Curtis and Steven Bourg.

GSA Consulting Engineers acted as drink sponsors throughout the social hour and meeting. Pictured are Aleaha Shaheen Morgan, David Curtis and Steven Bourg.

Once the meeting was adjourned, it was time to treat all out of parish visitors to what Gonzales does best, which is making jambalaya. We’re not called the Jambalaya Capital of the World for nothing, and this treat was made by City of Gonzales employee and master jambalaya maker Doty Gautreau. The City of Gonzales also wishes to extend their thanks to GSA Consulting Engineers for provided beverages throughout the social hour, meeting and dinner.

City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux also wishes to thank the numerous City of Gonzales Council members and staff who attended to find out more about how CRPC is helping our local community.

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