community
І leaders
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New Year—New Ventures
WRITTEN BY FREDDY DRENNAN, MAYOR OF SLIDELL
AS EVERYONE IS PLANNING for a prosperous 2012, I would like to take a few moments to share with you several exciting new developments coming up in the New Year. We will soon break ground on the Summit Fremaux shopping development. I have met with Mr. Bayer on many occasions over these past few months and he reports that several major retailers have agreed to lease space in the shopping complex. This is exciting news for the City of Slidell. You may have seen the signs at the mall about the upcoming renovations at Northshore Square. The owners have told me that they are planning a $16
million upgrade to the shopping center, with the addition of more stores and restaurants. If you’ve seen the renovations to the mall in Hammond, then you have a good idea of what the future holds for Slidell. I can tell you by the number of ribbon cuttings I’ve been to over the past year that the City of Slidell is blessed to have many new businesses coming to our city. I look forward to attending many more. Construction of the Slidell Municipal Auditorium is nearing completion. All I can say is that I cannot wait until our citizens can finally enjoy this beautiful, stateof-the-art facility.
Mandeville Starts New Year off With Savings
WRITTEN BY DONALD VILLERE, MAYOR OF MANDEVILLE
WE HAVE ACHIEVED A milestone in the City of Mandeville with regards to FEMA and our flood insurance premiums. In this historic breakthrough, FEMA has agreed to allow the City of Mandeville to utilize their own community based flood map, apart from the parish, which will reflect lower base flood elevations resulting in significant savings and reduced flood insurance premiums for citizens residing within our city limits. The new flood maps will become effective on May 16, 2012. The city will hold open house style meetings to inform citizens on what they need to know about obtaining new flood zone elevations and the requirements needed for possible premium changes. All meetings are from 7p.m. to 9p.m. and are as follows: January 11 (Council District 3 citizens) and February 1 (Council District 2
citizens) at the Treen Center. January 2 (Council District 1 citizens), Pontchartrain Elementary School gymnasium. While these meetings may be directed to particular districts, the basic information is the same and any questions will be answered. If you cannot attend on the designated night for your district, feel free to come to one of the other scheduled times. Check our website, www.cityofmandeville.com and click the “New Flood Maps” icon, for information including, a list of local surveyors available for new elevation certificates, and the tool to find your current elevation and proposed new elevation, as well as links to other flood hazard prevention websites. If you need further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me at my office, 985-626-1082, or Chris Brown, the City’s Flood Plain Administrator at 985-624-3104.
Sophisticated Woman | Janaury 2012
Eight Business Leaders to Take Reins of Chamber
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WRITTEN BY LACEY TOLEDANO, WEST ST. TAMMANY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP is extremely important to the vitality and growth of any volunteer organization. Our chamber is fortunate to have a Board of Directors and Executive Committee comprised of individuals who understand our purpose and mission. Together, they work to promote business in the community, provide programs and activities that benefit our 1,100 plus members, and strengthen the business climate of St. Tammany Parish. The 2012 Executive Committee has been recently elected. They bring combined years of experience in previous chairman or active committee member roles in membership development, finance and funding, public policy issues and communications. Our 2012 board chairman will be Kieran Weldon of Fauntleroy Latham Weldon Barre Architects. The
Executive Committee will also include: Amy Edwards, of Capital One, Chair-Elect; Larry Manshel, of ITC Printing and Promotions, Treasurer; John Donahue, Donahue Favret Contractors, Inc., Vice Chairman of Business Support; Melissa Hodgson, St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Vice Chairman of Communications; Tom Sheldon with Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company, Vice Chairman of Membership; and Reid Falconer of St. Tammany Parish Council, Vice Chairman of Governmental Affairs. Lisa Blossman of New Orleans CityBusiness and Northshore Report will remain on the Executive Committee as immediate Past-Chairman. On behalf of our membership, we thank these leaders for their commitment to serve as our Chamber plans to take on new programs designed to better serve the needs of our membership in 2012.