Parish mayors report on progress to Chamber StoryCommentsShareShare Print Create a hardcopy of this page Font Size: Default font size Larger font size Previous Next Mike Dowty | The News Mayors Breakfast Brand new Killian Mayor Craig McGehee addresses a Chamber of Commerce audience at a Mayors Breakfast at Forrest Grove Plantation that also featured Denham Springs, Walker, Livingston and Port Vincent administrations. Looking on are attorney Brian Abels, the event sponsor, and emcee Shannon Bernard with the Chamber. . Posted: Sunday, July 14, 2013 12:00 am Parish mayors report on progress to Chamber By Alice Dowty The Livingston Parish News The Livingston Parish News | 0 comments DENHAM SPRINGS — Five municipal officials addressed the Chamber of Commerce Wednesday at a breakfast meeting sponsored by the Boyer, Hebert, Abels and Angelle law firm. Killian Mayor Craig McGehee, Livingston Mayor Derral Jones, Denham Springs Mayor Jimmy Durbin, along with Port Vincent Mayor’s Assistant Mary Gourdon, and Walker Chief of Staff/Public Works Director Fred Raiford were each given about five minutes to introduce themselves and comment on their communities. Questions were not taken from the audience. McGehee, a former Killian alderman, took over as mayor last week, while former mayor Gillis Windham was sworn in as an alderman. McGehee said he was glad Windham stayed in town government. “He knows where all the ordinances are buried,” McGehee quipped. McGehee won a round of applause for describing himself as “a conservative Republican. That’s probably all you need to know.” The newly installed mayor described events that bring visitors to the town, saying that most involve the Tickfaw River, or are linked to fundraising for the Police Department and Dive Team. Killian covers 11 sq. miles with a population of 1,206, according to the 2010 Census. Denham Springs, covering 6.03 sq. miles, has a population of 10,215. Mayor Durbin, who has held public office 24 years, said he has witnessed a residential community become a commercial center. The Amite River plays a relatively minor role in community life today. Durbin said he is gratified to see new businesses coming to Florida Blvd. west of South Range. Tractor Supply Company is applying for permits to build on a 19,100 sq. ft. site at 246 Florida Blvd., near the Range Avenue intersection, Durbin said. The Tractor Supply business will occupy one of four tracts on 8.25 acres acquired for $1.2 million by DHS X Ventures, an Alabama-based developer, Durbin said. A restaurant is expected to occupy one of the remaining three lots, Durbin said. A new Natural Resources Conservation Service building housing federal and state agencies, including a Wildlife and Fisheries office, is also planned for Florida Blvd., next to Aqua-Marine. South Range Avenue continues to evolve, with new businesses replacing old, in the Livingston Square Shopping Center and also near the I-12 on-ramp. Demolition of the former Chinese Inn restaurant at 2341 South Range will make way for a 5,000 sq. ft. Chick-fil-A restaurant, Durbin said. Taking down a 50,000 sq. ft. building in Livingston Square, just south of the Range Avenue Corridor split, created two lots for new development. A CVS Pharmacy will be built in part of the area that formerly served as a parking lot. Durbin said the state Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has agreed to reinstall a signal light at the shopping center entrance after commercial activity picks up. Durbin also referred to temporary inconveniences caused by the closure of Cockerham Road in the Freshwater Elementary School area, where a turn lane is being built. The Town of Livingston recently experienced traffic delays as another lane was added to La. 63. Livingston Mayor Derral Jones told Chamber members that he would “resist the temptation” to discuss work on the town’s growing infrastructure. Jones is in his fifth term as mayor, “which shows I’m not too bright,” he said. Town residents want what most parish residents want: “growth and prosperity without changing things,” Jones said. Livingston covers 3.1 sq. miles in the middle of the parish, between Florida Blvd. and Interstate 12. Town Hall overlooked 5 acres of woodland 15 years ago, Jones said. Now that area is a park, playground, and walking trail that provides a gathering place for community celebrations. “Over 1,000 people came to our Fourth of July program this year,” Jones said. “That’s saying something for a town with a population of 1,700.” About 200 birthday parties were held at the park pavilion last year and groups such as Head Start use the area regularly, Jones said. “We have miles of sidewalk,” Jones said, and “one of the finest baseball facilities in the parish.” About 1,040 children registered for last year’s summer program. Walker Chief of Staff and Public Works Director Fred Raiford, who stood in for Walker Mayor Rick Ramsey, agreed that sidewalks were an important way of bringing people together as well as making the city safer for pedestrians. Walker is nearing completion of its goal to use sidewalks to link parks and schools. Walker Mayor Rick Ramsey was in Lake Charles Wednesday,
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:30:32 +0000
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