March 26, 2020 Volume 23, Issue 2...private schools within the city of Thibodaux and who will be enrolled as a full-time student attending Nicholls State University, or Fletcher College

March 26, 2020 Volume 23, Issue 2

SPONSOR OF THE QUARTER:

Calvin Cooks Sr.144 Pecan StreetThibodaux, Louisiana 70301(985) 637-0813Individual

BizGoferKelsi Guidry 621 Parkside DriveThibodaux, Louisiana 70301(985) 242-4224Business Services

Onome IghoavodhaP.O. Box 575322New Orleans, Louisiana 70157(985) 448-4211Individual

of EVENTSNEW MEMBERS

MARCH27 Play it Forward!

POSTPONED 6:00pm to 9:00pm Bayou Country Children's Museum

28 CASA of Lafourche Crawdaddy's Crawfish Boil Off

CANCELLED 11:00am to 6:00pm Chackbay Fairgrounds

APRIL2 Paddle Bayou Lafourche 2020

CANCELLED 8:30am to 10:30pm Hosted by Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program

10 Good Friday Chamber office closed

16 Organizational Affairs Committee Meeting 8:15am to 9:15am, Chamber office

18 Relay for Life!

RESCHEDULED JULY 11 4:00pm to 11:55pm Warren J. Harang Auditorium

23 Governmental & Public Affairs Committee Meeting 8:15am to 9:15am, Chamber office

Business After Hours 5:00pm to 6:30pm Synergy Bank, 1070 S. Acadia Road

30 Wake Up Thibodaux Breakfast With City Council Members 7:15am, Rendezvous, 307 E. Bayou Rd.

®

2 Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday, March 26, 2020 | www.thibodauxchamber.com

www.thibodauxchamber.com | Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday, March 26, 2020 3

OFFICERSKASSIE BARRANCOTTO ... Chair of the BoardSynergy Bank

NAPOLEON ORTIZ ..........................Chair ElectThibodaux Regional Health System

REBECCA THIBODAUX .................... TreasurerSimply Non-Profits

SANDY HOLLOWAY ........................... SecretaryBESE President

DONALD BARRILLEAUX ..................Past ChairFirst American Bank

BOARD MEMBERS

INSIDE THIS ISSUEBOARDWelcome New Members ......................................................2President's Perspective ........................................................4From the Chair ........................................................................5Thibodaux in Time .................................................................6Thibodaux Updates ...............................................................7Nicholls News .........................................................................7Cover Feature .........................................................................11Member News ........................................................................12Financial Focus .......................................................................14Out and About with the Chamber .......................................15Census 2020 ............................................................................17Restore or Retreat..................................................................18Friends of Bayou Lafourche .................................................18

ON THE COVER: Rebecca Thibodaux with Simply Nonprofits(Cover photo by Sarah Declet, White Rabbit Photography)

318 East Bayou RoadThibodaux, Louisiana 70301

(985) 446-1187Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Thibodaux Chamber Insight is a publication of and produced by the Daily Comet for the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce that features business-re-lated features, columns, and articles mailed out to Chamber members. If you wish to join the Chamber or would like to sub-mit content for future issues please call the Chamber office at 985-446-1187. If you are interested in becoming an advertiser contact Marian Long with the Daily Comet at 985-857-2291.The views and opinions expressed in this publicati-on are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce Board of Direc-tors and Staff.

STAFF:TAMMY LEDET, President/[email protected]

SARAH RODRIGUE, Executive [email protected]

RICK RESO, Membership [email protected]

BEN JONES JR., Insight Managing [email protected]

RHONDALETTE STEIB-BURHAMLafourche Home for the Aged

BRANDY BRAUDGaubert Oil Company, Inc.

GUY CHABERTChabert Insurance Agency

MONIQUE CROCHETNicholls State University

SARAH DAIGLEJohn Deere Thibodaux, Inc.

BERNITA DEVILLELafourche Parish School District

TOMMY ESCHETECity of Thibodaux Mayor

CHRISTIE KLIEBERTLatter & Blum

PAUL LEDETChris Ledet's Homes

MIKE LEWISBig Mike's BBQ Smokehouse

MARK McLEANFletcher Community Technical College

NESTOR NAVARRONavarro International Group

TOM SIMONSRetired

DANIELLE STEINThibodaux Main Street, Inc.

ASHLEY WEBREDuplantis Design Group


TAMMY LEDETChamber President CEO

We look forward to this time of the year when we can award scholarships to some outstanding high school seniors. It is certainly a

way for us to give back to the community and more importantly back to our chamber members. Chamber members and their employees who may have high school seniors either graduating from public or private schools within the city of Thibodaux and who will be enrolled as a full-time student attending Nicholls State University, or Fletcher College in the fall of 2020 are eligible to apply as long as they meet the following criteria. Applicants shall demonstrate scholastic ability, leadership and school/ community involvement. He or she should have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for Nicholls State University applicants OR a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for Fletcher applicants. Each applicant will be asked to provide

a typed essay describing their career goals, college plans and why he or she feels they should receive the Chamber scholarship. A copy of the official high school transcript as well as a copy of an official high school attendance record will be required as part of the application process. Applicants will be encouraged to list their leadership roles, community service and extracurricular activities and honors throughout high school years. Each application will need to be signed by the applicant, parent/guardian, Principal and Guidance Counselor. Know of someone who is deserving and meets the qualifications? Don’t wait. The deadline to submit a completed application is Monday, April 30, 2020. Applications are available through our website www.thibodauxchamber.com or by calling the office at 985-446-1187. We also want to thank the Norman Swanner Foundation for funding one of the scholarships in the amount of $500.00. A Chamber Scholarship Review Committee will evaluate all applications and make the final selection of scholarship recipients. Interviews may be conducted

if necessary. Now onto some of the events we have planned for the upcoming weeks. Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 23rd for a Business After Hours at Synergy Bank, located on 1070 S. Acadia Road from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. It should be lots of fun! Speaking of fun, we thought we would change the name of our breakfasts to “Wake Up Thibodaux”. So, when you see this going forward, it will designate a regular Chamber breakfast, held at Rendezvous, beginning at 7:30 am. The first one planned will be held on Thursday, April 30th with our Thibodaux City Council Members, beginning at 7:30 am at Rendezvous. What a great opportunity to hear what they have to say about the City and for the specific areas they cover! Stay tuned for more exciting events coming your way. As always, don’t forget to check our website www.thibodauxchamber.com or follow us on Facebook. P.S. Don’t forget the CENSUS – April 1st!

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

STAY UP-TO-DATE ON COVID-19 NEWS AND RESOURCES

Ensure your email is current to receive updates from our Chamber by calling or emailing Tammy Ledet at 985.446.1187 or [email protected]

Note that you may add anyone from your staff to our email updates list


KASSIE BARRANCOTTO2020 Chamber Chair Whew…spring has sprung, corona has virus-ed, and everyone is as busy as ever. We started March with a bang with over 300 people in attendance of our joint luncheon with the other Chambers in our Bayou Region – Houma-Terrebonne, Lafourche, and Morgan City. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke

to a packed house on the topics that were important and relevant to the people and industries of our Region. The Chambers are committed to putting on informative events – both together and on an individual basis. This month I would like to touch on some of the events that the Thibodaux Chamber hosts for our members. The Chamber provides a variety of events at different times and locations throughout the year to try to accommodate all of our members schedules and interests. Our WAKE UP, THIBODAUX! breakfasts are typically held from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM. This year, they will be at Rendezvous – with the exception of our Nicholls State University Coaches Breakfast which is in October and held on campus. These events provide a delicious buffet style breakfast and allow members to participate in an event before starting their work day. We are very close to having all of our breakfasts lined up for the year so be on the look out for a full schedule. Our Business Luncheons are typically held from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and will be at The Bayou Country Club this year. In addition to our Thibodaux Chamber Luncheons, we usually have a few joint luncheons with the neighboring chambers - as I discussed at the beginning of this article. The luncheons are a good way to get out of the office and grab some lunch while being informed on topics important to our members. Our Business After Hours events will be held every other month this year and allow a member or group of members to showcase their business while providing networking opportunities. Our first Business After Hours was held at the Nicholls basketball game on campus with Big Mike’s Smokehouse providing the food. Our next Business After Hours event will be held at the Synergy Bank on South Acadia on April 23rd. Business After Hours are from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM so that members have the opportunity to participate in an event after their workday. If your business would like the opportunity to host one of these events, please contact us. These events are filling up quickly. In addition to these events, the Chamber hosts an Educational Series, Ribbon Cuttings, Political Forums, and other specialty events throughout the year. Our Educational Series are usually at the chamber office in a “Lunch and Learn” type environment. A brown bag lunch is provided and they are normally from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The Chamber also conducts other educational seminars as the needs present themselves at different times and locations that are convenient for the presenters and members. Ribbon Cuttings are held for Grand Openings or Re-openings or whenever members see fit. The Chamber crew comes with their signature “huge scissors” and “blue ribbon” to celebrate with our members. The dates and times are set by the business hosting the Ribbon Cutting. Political Forums are held during election times to allow our members to meet the candidates and educate themselves before they cast their ballot. Our President and CEO, Tammy Ledet, along with her staff and the Board of Directors, are working diligently to finalize our schedule of events for the year so stay tuned for that soon! We hope to see you at one or all of these amazing events and opportunities.

MARCH MADNESS

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PATTY WHITNEYBayou History Center, Inc. © 2020

Today I am focusing on some of the early French Governors of Louisiana from the beginning of the French Colonial Period. France, Spain and England were

all striving to develop colonies in the New World of North America. Spain had claimed the land along the Gulf of Mexico but had not settled there. The French wanted to link the basins of the St. Lawrence and Mississippi Rivers as part of their colony, which would force the English to remain on the Atlantic coast. René Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle was a French explorer and is given credit as being the first European to travel from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Mississippi River. This expedition occurred in 1682. La Salle, however, failed to find the mouth of the river, a critical necessity for building a fort to guard the new colony. There resided in Canada a prominent family headed by Charles le Moyne, who was titled with two estates, Longueuil and Chateâuguary. His wife was Catherine Thierry (sometimes known as Catherine Primot), and they had fourteen children, most of whom were soldiers and sailors. The third son of Charles and Catherine was Pierre Le Moyne, who was known as Sieur de Iberville. In 1698 Iberville was tasked by the French Minister for Naval Affairs and Colonies to find the mouth of the Mississippi River and build a fort to block entry by other nations into the river. He left France with four ships in October of that year and entered the Birdfoot Delta of the Mississippi in March of 1699. He built a temporary fort named Maurepas in the area of what is today Ocean Springs (Old Biloxi), Mississippi, left behind a garrison of 81 men, and returned to France. He made two more trips to the French colony he named after King Louis XIV, building a second Fort Maurepas 40 miles up the Mississippi River on his second trip, and building a fort at Mobile on his third trip. Iberville left Louisiana for the last time in April of 1702. When Iberville left for France after his first expedition, he left a gentleman known in history only as Monsieur De Sauvolle as the commander of the newly built Fort Maurepas. In January of 1700, Sauvolle became the first Governor of the Louisiana Territory. He died suddenly on August 21, 1701. Factually, there is very little that is known about Sauvolle. When Sauvolle died, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, a younger brother of Iberville, became the second Governor of French Louisiana, a position he held until 1713. Bienville had continued

exploration after Iberville had returned to France the first time. He ran across English ships at a point on the Mississippi River, which was eventually named English Turn. When Iberville returned to Louisiana and was informed about the presence of the English in what they considered French territory, he ordered Bienville to build a fort at the site where the English ships were encountered. Bienville did so, and Fort de la Boulaye was built. Also on the urging of Iberville, Bienville built another fort where he moved the majority of the settlers. This fort was known as Fort Louis de la Mobile and is located in the area around what is now Mobile, Alabama. He also established a deepwater port on nearby Dauphin Island, since the bay and river around Mobile were too shallow for ocean-going vessels. The population of the settlement fluctuated, and the French government noticed that French soldiers were fraternizing greatly with women from local Indian tribes. The government feared that this could lead to conflicts and divided loyalties, so notices were made discouraging these relationships, and in 1704 Bienville arranged for 24 young French women to be brought to the colony to become wives for the soldiers. They traveled to the New World with all of their worldly possessions in small suitcases known as “cassettes,” which gave rise to their becoming known as the “Casquette Girls.” After a great flood in 1709, Bienville again re-located the settlement, this time to a downriver site at the present location of Mobile. In 1712 Antoine Crozat was appointed to administer the Louisiana colony as a monopoly. He sent a new governor in 1713. Governor Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac was a poor manager and did not increase the growth of the colony. He was disliked greatly in the colony, as he quarreled with his subordinates and was obnoxious to the Indians. He was recalled to France in 1716 and was imprisoned in the Bastille for four months. When Cadillac had taken over, Bienville moved west and established Fort Rosalie at the present site of Natchez, Mississippi. When Cadillac left, Bienville again took over as governor, serving for less than a year. Governor Jean Michel de Lepinay arrived in Louisiana in 1717. Lepinay had many of the same problems as Cadillac. He was especially unpopular for banning the sale of liquor to the Indians, something which was a profitable part of the colony’s commercial interests. Lepinay’s term of office, however, was cut short when Crozat relinguished control of the colony to John Law and his Company of the Indies. Under Law’s control, Bienville again became Governor of Louisiana, this time serving from 1718 until 1724. It

was during this time that Bienville established the City of New Orleans in the Spring of 1718. As the new site grew, Bienville began moving supplies and troops from Mobile to La Nouvelle Orléans in honor of Philippe II, the Duke of Orleans, the Prince Regent of France. The little town was to become the capital of French Louisiana in 1723. Bienville had moved the capital of the colony several times. In 1719 it was moved from Mobile back to Fort Maurepas (sometimes known as Old Biloxi). This proved to have problems with shifting sand bars, so the capital was moved during that same year to a site across Biloxi Bay, which site became known as Bilocci (sometimes called New Biloxi). Following custom,

See GOVERNORS, page 19

SOME EARLY FRENCH GOVERNORS OF LOUISIANA

Relay for Life of Thibodaux

Warren J. HarangMunicipal Auditorium

310 N Canal Blvd Thibodaux,

Louisiana 70301

Saturday, July 11, 2020 4 PM – 12 AM

RESCHEDULED

DATE

TOMMY ESCHETECity of Thibodaux Mayor

As the colors of purple, green and gold fade away, it is apparent that we have experienced another safe, fun-filled Mardi Gras season here in Thibodaux.

Thanks again to all our local krewes, the Thibodaux Police Department and our Public Works and Parks Departments for all the hard work and efforts they make to put on such a great show for our citizens, visitors and friends.

As technology changes, we always attempt to “keep up with the times”. LED lighting has gone from our kitchen to our Christmas decorations to our security lights and now the City is preparing to bring that technology to our street lighting. We have field tested and selected new LED fixtures which will replace all of the lighting on Canal Boulevard from the Percy Brown Road to Rienzi Drive. These fixtures produce a cleaner and brighter light with less energy consumption and therefore less cost. It is our hope that we can enter into a discussion with Entergy to devise a plan to eventually replace all of their street lights with the new LED fixtures also.

On another note, the State will soon complete construction on the reconfiguration of the intersection at Canal Boulevard and East and West 7th Streets. This reconfiguration will include new protected left-hand turn lanes, and new video controlled mast arm traffic signals. Although many of us have travelled this intersection over the years without incident, the proposed improvements will enhance the safety of travel in this area and lead to less crashes in the future. This entire project was made possible through a grant received through the Louisiana DOTD Local Road Safety Program. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience this project has caused due to many unforeseen delays.

The final phase of our North Thibodaux Wastewater Treatment Facility has begun and will hopefully allow us to bring this integral part of our wastewater treatment system in service near the end of 2020. This facility will not only accommodate the continued development of the North Canal Boulevard corridor, it will also provide adequate wastewater treatment for any potential annexations in the future. In addition to future developments, this facility will reduce the load within our system which is introduced into our older South Thibodaux Plant. Thanks to the City Council for enduring the long process and assisting me with the development of this facility over the past 8 years.

Finally, I challenge every resident and business owner to monitor the efforts of our legislators in Baton Rouge as the new session begins. Education and tort reform are the topics most discussed prior to the session. These legislative efforts have the potential to improve our public education system and enhance the opportunities offered in higher education. In addition, our skyrocketing insurance costs could be held in check by appropriate and long overdue tort reform. There was a day when advertising dollars were spent mostly by car dealers and supermarkets. Now those dollars are spent by personal injury attorneys advertising on TV, billboards and the internet. There is a reason that is happening!

CITY OF THIBODAUX UPDATES


DR. JAY CLUNENicholls State University President

I was pulling out of the driveway of our house when news broke of the first case of COVID-19 in Louisiana. Allison and I were on our way to Katy, Texas, to cheer on our men and women’s basketball teams in the Southland Conference Championships. We stopped at Steamboat Bill’s

Seafood Restaurant in Lake Charles and talked about what might happen. We made it as far as the Ikea in Houston before we had to stop. I spent five hours in the Ikea parking lot on calls about the immediate future of our campus. Before I went to bed, the NBA suspended their season. By the time we woke up, the Southland Conference had canceled the tournament. Eventually, all spring sports would be canceled. I tell you this story to showcase how fast this situation is evolving and changing. I will not use this space to give you the latest change that we have made on campus because by the time you read this, it will probably be out-of-date. Since we returned, our focus has remained on the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Every action we take, every initiative we put in place is to ensure not only the health of our community, but also the continuity of our mission. This is a very different campus than we are used to seeing. It is devoid of students. But our mission remains the same. And even though the circumstances have changed, we are fully committed to educating and graduating our students. Our classes and labs are being taught online through the use of Zoom, Moodle, YouTube and ProctorU. Our staff are meeting and working from a distance. Together, they are answering questions from the community and pushing this university forward. Stay safe. Wash your hands. Avoid large crowds. If you feel ill, contact your medical provider and distance yourself from people. We are all Colonels now, and must look out for each other. I encourage you to visit nicholls.edu/emergency. This is our central hub for campus updates, information related to the virus and frequently asked questions. We will also post updates and information to the Nicholls Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

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8 Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday, MARCH 26, 2020 | www.thibodauxchamber.com

• Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). • SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance. • Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities as well as updated on our website: SBA.gov/disaster.

• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

• These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

• SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-

case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible. • For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail [email protected].

• Visit SBA.gov/disaster for more information.

Please also check in with the local banks for more information.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.


Nicholls State University recognized an advocate for campus women and veterans, the student body president and a former professor as the 2020 Women of Achievement Award winners. Brandy Burbante, cataloging librarian at the Ellender Memorial Library, received the faculty/staff award. Emma Bourgeois, Student Government Association president, received the student honor. Linda Stanga, retired instructor of English, receiving the community award. Awards were presented Thursday at the 2020 Bonnie J. Bourg Lecture Series and Women’s History Month Luncheon. Each winner has contributed to future opportunities for other women, served as a role model for women on campus and contributed to the advancement of their field on campus. In addition to her role with the library, Burbante spends her free time advocating for women and students on campus through the American Association for University Women and Nicholls State Veterans Organization. Burbante is a faculty advisor for

the AAUW where she mentors and supports female leaders on campus. In November 2019, she organized an AAUW Veterans Day panel featuring student and alumni women veterans. A senior health science major from Thibodaux, Bourgeois has been involved in student government since she arrived on campus. Before serving as the SGA President, she was elected as a freshman senator and senator for the College of Nursing and Allied Health. She chaired the SGA Judiciary and Campus Affairs committees before serving as

vice president. She is also a member of Phi Mu. For nearly four decades, Stanga was a staple on the Nicholls campus teaching English and writing courses. During her tenure, she organized the Fletcher Lecture Series which brought internationally recognized writers, radio hosts and filmmakers to campus. She has remained active in the community after her retirement from Nicholls in 2018 as a member of the TaWaSi Civic Club.

2020 WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS HONORED FOR CAMPUS IMPACT

Brandy Burbante, Faculty/Staff Award Emma Bourgeois, Student Honor

Linda Stanga, Community Award

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MEET REBECCA THIBODAUX

BY BEN JONES, JR.Managing Editor

Rebecca Thibodaux is the owner of Simply Nonprofits, a nonprofit management consultancy company thathelps organizations to start, manage, and grow. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce.

Rebecca graduated from Nicholls State University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. In 2015, she completed a certification in Nonprofit Management from Louisiana State University.

In 2008, She started working for a nonprofit management consulting company in Napoleonville which got her started in her current industry. “I was mainly responsible for coordinating educational workshops for several nonprofit clients. After a few years in that role, I was offered an executive director position for one of those clients. In 2013, the opportunity to manage my own clients became a reality. After almost a year of working part-time in both positions, I was able to transition to full-time consulting work and to officially start Simply Nonprofits in 2014.”

As previously mentioned, Simply Nonprofits is a nonprofit management consulting company that helps organizations to start, manage and grow. “We help launch new ventures, manage projects, events, and communications with specific attention to the needs that are unique to nonprofits,” said Rebecca. “We have the capacity to coordinate all day-to-day operational activities for our clients. However, we are flexible and can do as little or as much as our

clients need. The most rewarding aspects of our work are when we are able to help nonprofits get started, secure additional funding that maybe they weren’t anticipating, and knowing that the work we do every day ultimately serves the community and those who need our clients’ services.”

If Rebecca could have given herself a piece of knowledge or advice when she first started out she said, “There is a phrase, I’m not sure who first said it, but it says ‘Plan your work and work your plan.’ When I first started with my own business and even with my clients, I tended to want to just jump in and do all the things, sometimes without carefully considering potential setbacks, etc. I’ve learned that being intentional about determining what goals I’d like to accomplish and how to accomplish them has helped me to be much more effective in business.”

As far as the best advice she recently received that she still follows today, Rebecca commented, “sometimes we should just ‘let things play out.’ For someone who is a planner, this advice causes me to squirm a bit. But, as I test the waters more and more with this advice, I find that attempting to force situations in my need to see them through is not always best. Patience, something as little as a pause in my speech or as big as an extended season of waiting - it’s something not many are willing to attempt but has proven well worth the effort as well.”

Rebecca was enticed to join the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce as a member and now serving on the Board of Directors because she saw the opportunity to network for her business but also to learn from other gifted leaders within the community.




The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University invites you to feast like a king this spring at their annual Dinner of the Century fundraiser. Held in the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans, the dinner will be on April 5. An hor’s d'oeuvres reception will kick off the evening at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m. Nicholls students will assist chefs from the Royal Sonesta and Restaurant R’evolution in recreating a spread that would have been presented to the future King Edward VII of Great Britain. The 1895 menu was served at Highclere Castle, better known as Downton Abbey. “We enjoy recreating historic menus for occasions such as this,” said Chef John Folse, namesake of the culinary institute. “A gala dinner can easily become just another gala dinner; but, a historic recreation of a dinner served to royalty, well, that’s a taste of history.” Inspired by King Edward’s extravagant lifestyle, the evening’s menu will highlight English traditions that have influenced Louisiana cuisine and dishes worldwide. At the reception, guests will be treated to caviar on crème fraîche, shrimp toast, English tea cucumber sandwiches and quail breast with chutney. Dinner will include queen soup, an English garden salad, lemon sole Dugléré, roasted pheasant and compote of pear Chantilly. Tickets are $250 per person, $3,000 for a 10-seat benefactor table or $5,000 for a 10-seat corporate table. Proceeds will go toward the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute Building Fund. Roaring twenties or cocktail attire are recommended. In addition to the celebration of English cuisine, the DeFelice Family of Pascal’s Manale Restaurant will be inducted into the Lafcadio Hearn Hall of Honor. The Lafcadio Hearn Award is given to culinary professionals who have had a long-term, positive influence on the cuisine and culture of Louisiana and the nation. Hearn, who died in 1904, wrote a series of books and articles that introduced New Orleans to the world and helped document Creole cuisine for future generations. A family business from the beginning, the restaurant was first opened by Frank Manale in 1913. His nephew Pascal Radosta took over sole ownership in 1937 and later added his name creating the culinary institution we know today. It was Pascal’s youngest brother, Jake, who propelled the restaurant into worldwide fame when he created one of the most iconic New Orleans dishes, barbecue shrimp, in the 1950s. In 1988, Pascal’s youngest daughter, Virginia DeFelice, and her family purchased the restaurant and continued to operate it until November 2019. The DeFelice Family joins other influential chefs and restaurateurs in the Hall of Honor, including Ruth Fertel, Leah Chase, Ella Brennan, Frank Brigtsen, Drago Cvitanovich and T.J. Moran, among others. For more information or to reserve seats visit www.nicholls.edu/culinary/doc or contact Hillary Charpentier at 985-448-4234 or [email protected].

DINNER OF THE CENTURY OFFERS GUESTS CHANCE TO FEAST LIKE A KING

Fletcher Technical Community College’s Veterans Center recently received a donation of goods from the South Louisiana Veteran Outreach (SLVO). In addition to a television, the organization delivered school supplies, a refrigerator stocked with water and other drinks as well as frozen food items. The SLVO is also donating two new desktop computers for the Veterans Center. They will be delivered as soon as this week. “These individuals have already sacrificed so much and put their lives on the line for our country,” commented Misty Rogers, Coast Guard Veteran and Fletcher Nursing Student. “Seeing them working in the community to give back to fellow veterans is the epitome of selflessness. I am blown away by their generosity, and so grateful for them.” “We want to see veterans in the community finish their education and we are proud to assist in any way we can,” commented Brok Torbert, President, South Louisiana Veteran Outreach. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Houma-Terrebonne, Fletcher’s Veteran’s Resource Center provides services for active military, veterans, and their dependents, including information on a tutoring stipend, assistance with registration and admissions, information on the VA and the VA Work-Study Allowance, a textbook lending library, and coffee, water, and snacks. The Veterans Resource Center is located in room 234 in Schriever.

FLETCHER’S VETERANS CENTER RECEIVES DONATION FROM SOUTH LOUISIANA VETERAN OUTREACH

The South Louisiana Veteran Outreach recently donated a television, stocked refrigerator, snacks, and school supplies to the Veterans Center at Fletcher Technical Community College. First row, left to right, Misty Rogers (Coast Guard Veteran and Nursing Student); Evelyn Skidmore (Army Veteran and Nursing student); and Joy Lymous (Fletcher Alum/Spouse of Army Veteran/LaVetCorp Navigator). Back row, left to right, Dex Martin, SLVO Treasurer; William Johnston, SLVO Board Member; Brok Torbert, SLVO President.

Mr. William Lopez, M.S. Dean of Liberal Arts, CDYC & Business at Fletcher Technical Community College, was recognized recently by the City of Thibodaux for the 16 years of service he has provided to the City of Thibodaux as part of the Civil Service Testing and Selection Process for the Thibodaux Police Department promotion and police officer recruits. Mr. Lopez is a retired Lieutenant of the Louisiana State Police, Troop C. He was the head of the Criminal Justice Program for Nicholls State University and Fletcher Community Technical College. “We are so proud to have Mr.

William Lopez as a member of the Fletcher family,” commented Fletcher Chancellor, Dr. Kristine Strickland. “Bill has demonstrated over the years his dedication to educating our future law enforcement and criminal justice workforce and more broadly, a commitment to the betterment of our community. His recognition by the City of Thibodaux is well deserved and we are lucky to have him as a member of our community.” “I am humbly honored that I was considered for this certificate of appreciation,” commented Mr. Lopez. “It has been my pleasure to serve in

this capacity as a representative of State Police, Nicholls State University and most recently Fletcher Technical

Community College. I am grateful for this recognition.”


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Mr. William Lopez, M.S., Dean of Liberal Arts, CDYC & Business at Fletcher Technical Community College was recognized at the February Thibodaux City Council Meeting. Left to right, Kelly Chighizola, Civil Service Director for the city of Thibodaux; Chief Bryan Zeringue, Thibodaux Police Department; William Lopez; Tommy Eschete, Thibodaux Mayor.

Nicholls State University and Fletcher Technical Community College signed three agreements Tuesday, including an emphasis on preparing students to enter the early childhood education field. Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune and Fletcher Chancellor Dr. Kristine Strickland signed the agreements at Fletcher’s main campus in Schriever. The goal of the accord is to ensure credits transfer between the two institutions for various programs, including early childhood education and petroleum engineering. “Chancellor Dr. Strickland and I decided early on that we were not going to compete,” said Dr. Clune. “We decided we were going to benefit one another, complement one another, be completely transparent with one another and share everything. There are so many things we can work on together to better the Bayou Region.” One memorandum of understanding connects Fletcher’s applied science in care and development of young children program with Nicholls’ birth-to-five/early interventionist program. The second will connect Fletcher’s integrated production technology program with Nicholls' petroleum engineering technology and safety management program.

“Across the board in the state of Louisiana, birth to five education as a major is a top priority,” said Dr. Scot Rademaker, dean of the Nicholls College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “I think this agreement between Nicholls and Fletcher will help bolster that and help us prepare students ready to go into the early childhood education field.” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is prioritizing the state’s early childhood education during his second term. “This program is perfectly timed to align with that new emphasis and the importance of educating our youth,” said Dr. Strickland. “Investing in and focusing on early childhood is where we create opportunities for our children and their futures. Dr. Clune and Dr. Strickland also completed an update to the two school’s cross-enrollment agreement. “We know people want a pathway to achieve not only an associate's degree but a baccalaureate degree and beyond,” Dr. Strickland said. “And it is through the strong foundation that has occurred over the years and continues in our partnership with President Dr. Clune and his entire staff that we can say to our community, that all the options you need for education are right here in your backyard.”

NICHOLLS, FLETCHER FINALIZE CROSS-ENROLLMENT AGREEMENTS


MARGUERITEKNIGHTFinancial Advisor Morgan Stanley

How you can mitigate the different types of risk in your portfolio When you invest your money, you probably know you’re taking on a certain amount of financial risk. Unlike depositing money in a bank, where it is often insured and can earn a steady amount of interest, investing doesn’t offer financial certainties. You could earn a great deal of money on your investments, but you also face the risk of losing money. In general, the more financial risk you’re willing to take on in an investment, the greater your chance of potentially earning higher returns. Higher financial risk will also increase the losses you might face on your investments. However, investors also face risks they don’t necessarily get to choose when they’re selecting investments. “Market risk” is one of those. Defining market risk Market risk refers to financial factors that can impact an overall economy. Market risk can affect the economy of just one country—such as the U.S.—or it can affect international economies, too. Whenever a geographic area faces a widespread recession, governmental change, natural disaster or other major factors, that area’s financial markets will usually reflect the impact. Generally, some amount of market risk is inevitable with every investment. Even the most experienced investors can’t completely eliminate market risk. However, smart investors may be able to soften their potential financial losses during a down market by diversifying their portfolios and using what are called market risk “hedging strategies.” First, though, it’s important to understand the typical market risks all investors face.The 4 most common market risks When it comes to market risk, you’ll

likely hear about these primary factors: • Interest rate risk: When overall interest rates shift, your investments can be affected, too. Fixed-income investments like bonds tend to be most directly impacted by interest rate changes. If interest rates go down, bond prices typically tend to swing upward. And when overall interest rates go up, bond prices tend to fall. Investors who own a lot of bonds or bond funds can face significant market risk whenever interest rates shift. • Equity price risk: Equities, or stocks, tend to be riskier than many other types of investments. Equity price risk just refers to the chance that a particular stock will decrease in value after an investor buys it. • Currency risk: Whenever there’s a significant change in the price of different countries’ currencies compared to each other (their exchange rates), currency risk is an issue. For example, your investment in a European stock might face some losses because the Euro – US Dollar exchange rate changed. Currency risk is always a concern for investors who have international holdings. • Commodity price risk: Commodities are raw materials, such as corn, crude oil, cotton and steel. These materials are used directly and sold to produce other products. Big price changes in key commodities can affect investors who invest directly in commodities or in companies that rely heavily on these materials. Commodity prices can be affected by a wide range of factors, including severe weather, supply and demand, currency exchange rate, and regulatory changes.Strategies for reducing market risk There’s no way you as an investor can completely eliminate exposure to overall market risk. However, there are things you can do to help your portfolio weather any big market moves. One way is to diversify your investments. Consider putting money into different asset classes (such as equities, bonds, commodities, real assets). Within equities, you can try investing in different industry sectors

(such as technology, health care and energy). You can also diversify by investing in index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest in thousands of different types of companies. With so many factors to consider, a Financial Advisor can help you sort through the options to develop a diversified investment strategy that reflects your individual risk tolerance and broader financial goals. The bottom line: The more you understand the basics of market risk, the better you can prepare your investments to face it.Disclosures Article by Morgan Stanley and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. Marguerite Knight is a Financial Advisor in Houma, Louisiana at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (985) 360-4044. This article has been prepared for informational purposes only. The information and data in the article has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice and has been prepared without regard to the

individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. The strategies and/or investments discussed in this article may not be suitable for all investors. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market The value of all types of securities, including index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, may increase or decrease over varying periods. Marguerite Knight may only transact business, follow-up with individualized responses, or render personalized investment advice for compensation, in states where she is registered or excluded or exempted from registration,https://advisor.morganstanley.com/marguerite.knight© 2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC# 2890319 01/2020

UNDERSTANDING MARKET RISK WHEN YOU INVEST

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE CHAMBER

Networking during a Joint Chamber Luncheon featuring John Bel Edwards were Jessica Rosado, Sara Barrilleaux, and Melanie Becnel, all with Bayou Community Academy, Inc.

Donald Barrilleaux, First American Bank, and Eric Gravois, Eugene Gravois Services stop for a photo during a Joint Chamber Luncheon featuring Governor John Bel Edwards this month.

On hand during a Joint Chamber Luncheon featuring John Bel Edwards were Tyler St. Germain, First American Bank and Billy Naquin, Thibodaux Regional Health System.

Enjoying a Joint Chamber Luncheon were from left: Holly Nichols, Statton Frank, and Marguerite Knight, all with Morgan Stanley; and Grady Gaubert, Gaubert Oil.

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses chamber members during a Joint Chamber Luncheon held at Cypress Columns.


On stage during the Joint Chamber Luncheon featuring Governor John Bel Edwards were from left: Chuck Weaver, Jr., South LA Financail Services (Houma-Terrebonne Chamber 2020 Chair), Chandler LeBoeuf, Fletcher Technical Community College ( Lafourche Chamber 2020 Chair), Donna Meyer, St. Mary Chamber President, Kassie Barrancotto, Synergy Bank (Thibodaux Chamber 2020 Chair), Lin Kiger, Lafourche Chamber President, Gov. Edwards, Tammy Ledet, Thibodaux Chamber President, Jason Watson, Patterson State Bank (St. Mary Chamber 2020 Chair), Bill Ironside, EATEL Business (sponsor), Ben Borne, Synergy Bank (sponsor), Richard Zuschlag, Acadian Ambulance Services (sponsor), and Nicol Blanchard, Houma-Terrebonne Chamber President

Chamber members applaud Governor Edwards during a Joint Chamber Luncheon on March 3, 2020.

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Louisiana Prepares for the 2020 Census

A head count is conducted every 10 years since 1790, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

• A Census count is constitutionally mandated for re-apportionment of Congress.

• Census results are used for Redistricting at national, state, and local levels.

• After 2010, LA lost 1 congressional seat.

• Over $675 Billion/year is distributed to state and local governments using Census numbers (Over $4 Trillion over the decade).

• Census data guide decision making on all levels of government and will determine the need for future government services over the next decade.

• NEW INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO INCREASE ACCURATE, SELF-RESPONSE

Allowing people to respond anytime, anywhere, via phone or internet. Tests have shown internet self-response is the most cost effective and accurate way. Reengineering Field Operations- The Census Bureau is eliminating paper and incorporating the use of handheld data collection devices.

• In 2010, 74 percent of households in the United States filled out and mailed back their 2010 Census questionnaires- 65 percent in LA Mailed back theirs.

• In 2010, 47 of the 64 Parishes had Mail Response Rates that were lower than 70 percent.

• The Census provides Low Response Scores by Census Tracts. This score is a tract’s predicted nonresponse rate.

• The map of Low Response Scores allows us to identify areas likely to need additional targeted outreach and field follow-up.

• More 2020 Census info, go to https://2020census.gov/

• One way to ensure success and an accurate Count in the 2020 Census is by forming a Complete Count Committee (CCC).

• Local governments, businesses and community leaders form CCC’s to encourage participation in their community. They develop an outreach plan tailored to the unique characteristics of their community. Then they work together to implement the plan.

• Form or join a CCC in your area and help us spread the word about Census jobs and our jobs website- https://2020census.gov/jobs

•

Contact your Census Bureau Partnership Specialist, Nilima Mwendo, 678-938-9168, [email protected], or the Census at Atlanta Partnership Staff 470-889-6530, [email protected] for more information, resources, or to schedule a CCC Workshop.

For Job information, contact Recruiting at Atlanta Recruiting 1-855-889-8932


SIMONE MALOZ

Do you remember the year 2000? We survived Y2K, the first Harry Potter book was released, a girl from Kentwood said “Oops I did it again,” and postage stamps cost only 33 cents. The last year of the old millennia was also the year that Restore or Retreat began! The birth of Restore or Retreat, Inc. (ROR) brought

landowners, port commissions, parish governments, restoration advocates, levee experts, business owners and residents together for one purpose. Modeled after the LA 1 Coalition, which started a few years earlier, the plan was for ROR to focus on one thing and one thing only: to save our irreplaceable region. Although we have faced many challenges—and opportunities—since we began, our mission remains the same: Restore or Retreat (ROR) is a non-profit coastal advocacy group created by coastal Louisiana residents and stakeholders who recognize that the Barataria and Terrebonne basins are the two most rapidly eroding estuaries on Earth, and that this erosion represents an economic and ecological crisis. With a growing membership of businesses and individuals, ROR seeks to identify and expedite the implementation of aggressive, large-scale restoration projects to protect this irreplaceable region. ROR has worked daily to advocate for such projects as freshwater and sediment diversions into the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins, marsh creation, shoreline and barrier island restoration. We have also called for heightened federal and state attention to the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins though several different planning processes, including the State Master Plan and post-BP spill planning efforts like RESTORE Act and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Process. We have increasingly worked on community outreach and engagement, with highlights that include hosting Community Conversations ahead of the 2017 Master Plan and partnering with the Louisiana State Library to put the Master Plan in every public library in Louisiana available for check out. We have also focused on how to pay for large scale restoration projects with creative coastal financing and look forward to continuing our “Financing the Future” work. We have tackled issues like growing a coastal workforce through our “Working for the Coast” partnership with Chevron and Fletcher to ensure the Bayou Region is part of the opportunities available through the growing water management sector. Finally, we strive to be a resource for the community on all issues coastal, so it is not uncommon to see us hosting a webinar on the Water Resources Development Act, speaking to a Kindergarten class about our coast or touring the basin with visiting leaders and stakeholders. We simply could not do this without our steadfast partners and supporters, many of which have been with us since the beginning. Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Bollinger Shipyards, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, LOOP, South Central Industrial Association and Capital One are a few committed supporters, not to mention our national partners at the Walton Family Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, and the BHP COAST Program. What will the next 20 years bring to us in the Bayou Region? Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.” This year, Louisiana will spend nearly $1 billion on our coastal program, with over $1 billion invested already in Lafourche and Terrebonne (each.) Over $2 billion will be spent in the following two years as well, with the bulk of that on construction, equating to not only increased restoration and protection for our region, but jobs and opportunities. We know you share our concern for this region’s future, and we thank you for your past generosity and support. Cheers to another 20 years for our coast, community and culture!

RESTORE OR RETREAT UPDATES

RYAN PERQUE

With Bayou Lafourche running through 3 parishes across 106 miles, its appearance, uses, and ecology change drastically from one end to the other. However, the bayou as a whole is absolutely critical to our region in several aspects. Primarily, as our source of drinking water for 300,000 people across

Lafourche, Terrebonne, Ascension, and Assumption Parishes.

Because of our proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, ground water (water wells) is not an option for us due to the salinity levels deep in our soil. This is why we rely on surface water (rivers, bayous, etc.) for our drinking water. Additionally, it is vital that these surface waterways be clean freshwater in order to be properly treated. As an example, Bayou Lafourche was not a viable source of water for the City of Thibodaux at one time. Prior to the formation of the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District in the 1950s, the City of Thibodaux received its water via a pipeline all the way from the Mississippi River. Yes, a pipe ran all the way from St. James Parish to the City of Thibodaux despite the city’s water plant being on Bayou Lafourche. Today, the City of Thibodaux along with Ascension Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafourche Parish, and Terrebonne Parish are able to pump water from Bayou Lafourche to treat and distribute to their residents and businesses.

The repercussions of an unusable Bayou Lafourche is not pleasant to think about. The costs alone associated with creating alternate water sources would be a major hurdle for our local governments. Fortunately, Bayou Lafourche is thriving! The Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District along with our parish government bodies and municipalities are doing their part to ensure that the bayou remains a viable and healthy water source. These projects not only increase the amount of water that can be placed in the bayou but also allow for protective measures in the case of emergencies. We are seeing higher water qualities, less invasive vegetation, and more recreational use. It’s an exciting time to see the comeback of Bayou Lafourche!

WHAT IS THE WATER IN BAYOU LAFOURCHE WORTH?

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GOVERNORS | Con’t from Page 6

Fort Maurepas was burned in order to prevent enemy forces from occupying the vacant premises. When flooding in New Orleans forced the realization that levees would be needed at that site or a new site at a higher elevation would be needed, there became a dispute about keeping the capital at Biloxi or relocating to New Orleans. Biloxi had problems with common storms, shifting sands, and poor agricultural soil; whereas, New Orleans could be used as a deepwater port, opening up commerce for agricultural products from the fertile delta lands. New Orleans won, and 1723 was the first full year that New Orleans served as the capital of the colony. On January 16, 1724 Bienville was recalled to France to answer charges of malfeasance which had been brought against him by his political enemies. Bienville’s cousin, Pierre Sidrac Dugue de Boisbriand, was named as interim governor upon the recall of Bienville. Boisbriand served in this capacity for one year, from 1725-1726,

and he was replaced by Etienne de Perier, who served as Governor during the time of the colony’s transition back from a monopoly to royal provincial status in 1733. In 1733 Bienville again returned to Louisiana to serve as Governor. He held that position again until 1743, when he resigned and returned to France for the last time. He died in Paris on March 7, 1767. There were four other French Governors of Louisiana before the colony was turned over to Spain in 1765. Pierre Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil succeeded Bienville and served until 1753. He left New Orleans to become Governor General of Canada. He was followed by Louis Billouart, Chevalier de Kerlerec, who served from 1753 until 1763. Kerlerec had 25 years of distinguished service in the French military, for which he was rewarded by King Louis XV with the position of Governor of Louisiana. He was also charged with malfeasance and returned to France, where he was jailed in the Bastille. It was during Kerlerec’s term of office that much of the Louisiana

Territory was ceded to Spain under the secret treaty at Fountainbleu. With Kerlerec returning to France, King Louis XV appointed Jean Jacques Blaise d’Abbadie as Governor. Since the treaty ceding the colony was kept secret, D’Abbadie was considered a French Governor. He was informed of the transfer in 1765 and was ordered to return to France. Before he could return and before the Spanish occupation forces arrived, D’Abbadie died on

February 4, 1765. Charles Phillipe Aubry, then served as transitional governor between the French and Spanish regimes (1765-1766). Thus ended the first group of French Governors of Louisiana. The next governors were appointed by the Spanish.

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Documents

March 26, 2020 Volume 23, Issue 2...private schools within the city of Thibodaux and who will be enrolled as a full-time student attending Nicholls State University, or Fletcher College