Video dispute could lead to removal of zoning board member
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
A Donaldsonville councilman allegedly threatened a former mayoral candidate. Now, a zoning board member who posted a video of the incident is facing removal by the City Council.
Clem Brown, the councilman for district three, allegedly threatened mayoral candidate Glenn Price with violence following the conclusion of the May 19 meeting.
Price had made some criticisms in a Facebook video, and he alleged Brown was angered by them and yelled out after the meeting adjourned According to Price, Brown threatened to “put a hole in your head,” threw his papers down, and started walking toward Price.
“He was saying, ‘I’m going to take you behind the levee, and I’m going to f- you up, and just all kinds of stuff,’” Price said, adding he soon exited the building.
Brown declined to comment on the incident
Asked if Brown said he wanted to fight Price behind the levee, Brown’s brother and Council Chairman Charles Brown said he was “not going to say he didn’t.”
Ascension Community Theatre stages ‘Annie’
Tickets are on sale for Ascension Community Theatre’s production of “Annie.” The production is July 10-13 at Ascension Community Theatre, 823 N. Felicity Ave., Gonzales. For tickets, visit ci.ovationtix com/35620/production/1212133.
Cocktail Trail open
The Louisiana Sweet Spot Cocktail Trail is open through July 31 at participating bars and restaurants. Order a Sweet Spot Cocktail, receive a stamp on your trail passport, collect eight stamps and turn in your passport in for a chance to win prizes.
Passports are available at the Ascension Tourism office in Sorrento, at participating businesses or visit visitlasweetspot.com/cocktailtrail
Boogie Down the Bayou July 13
Louisiana VFW District 8 is sponsoring Boogie Down the Bayou on July 13 at the Gonzales VFW hall on Churchpoint Road
The event, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will include music by Mike Broussard & Night Train followed by The Mojoes Dance Band and Guests. In addition, the party includes food, a cash bar, live auction, 50/50 raffle and dancing. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door
YouthFest planned in Donaldsonville, Gonzales
Mark your calendar for the Ascension 4 YouthFest Back-2-School events.
Donaldsonville gathers to celebrates freedom
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Donaldsonville’s annual July 3 Independence Day Celebration welcomed residents with food trucks, musical entertainment and fireworks.
The popular event was presented by the Donaldsonville Downtown Development District and the city of Donaldsonville at Crescent Park.
Donaldsonville’s early July 4 celebration gives Ascension Parish residents a chance to enjoy festivities in a smaller and more intimate gathering for both the young and old.
The celebration which has been
held for decades, attracts not only Donaldsonville residents, but many out-of-towners.
Pierre Part resident Catherine Breaux, 80, has attended the Donaldsonville celebration for years.
“I love coming out here because the day is family oriented,” Breaux said.
“I was born and raised here, and I love the people.
“I haven’t missed a Fourth of July celebration here. I love it and have so much fun here.”
Daiah Reneau, 16, a senior at Donaldsonville High School, attended the celebration as a student worker representative of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. Reneau, who works at the Donaldsonville WAG Center said she enjoys working for the APSO.
“The sheriff’s office has welcomed me with open arms as a family,”
BY TROY LEBOEUF | Contributing writer
It’s summertime and along with weights
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Donaldsonville’s annual July 3 Independence Day celebration provided residents musical entertainment, food trucks and a fireworks display at Crescent Park.
PHOTO BY TROY LEBOEUF
Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Wanda August, left, and APSO student worker Daiah Reneau, 16, represented the APSO during the Donaldsonville Independence Day celebration. Reneau is a senior at Donaldsonville High School and is a student worker at the WAG Center
River Parish Community College’s Community and Alumni Relations
Coordinator Amy Tranchina, left, and Tarie Roberson, RPCC’s assistant vice chancellor of institutional advancement, attend Donaldsonville’s Independence Day Celebration.
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Reneau said. “I love going to things like this celebration. I’ve met many happy kids.”
The event also gave a dozen local businesses and vendors to interact with the community River Parishes Community College provided information about enrollment and promoted upcoming events.
“We came out to support and show love to the community,” Tarie Roberson, RPCC’s assistant vice chancellor of institutional advancement, said “Events like this in Donaldsonville help us network and interact with industries and the community at large.”
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Footage of alleged incident
Roberson also provided details about upcoming events such as the annual Scholarship Signing Day Banquet.
Roberson said the Aug. 12 banquet will be held at the Gonzales PACE Center and will recognize the achievements of scholarship recipients.
Food trucks for the Independence Day Celebration included 3J’s Smoke Shack, Sunshine Catering and Travel Zone Snow Cone
Musical entertainment was provided by Big Frank and Lil Frank.
The evening concluded with a fireworks display by Pyromania Fireworks.
For more information about events in Donaldsonville, visit www.louisianamainstreet.org/ donaldsonville-downtown-development-district.
The details emerged last week when Board of Adjustments Member Shentelle Daigle, who ran against Clem Brown last fall and lost by 23 votes, published a video of the alleged incident In the footage, Charles Brown can be seen holding back Clem Brown, who is yelling. When the group sees Daigle filming, Councilman Michael Sullivan Sr says, “don’t be filming that. Don’t film that.” Daigle can be heard saying the video is “not live, but I have a right to record ” She kept the video private until June 23, the day before the council was set to vote on a new ordinance restricting the recording of meetings. Unanimously passed by the council, that ordinance threatens violators with up to 30 days in jail.
and fellow board member Trevis Fernandez. Fernandez also ran for city council last fall, losing to Charles Brown by 88 votes.
The council was set to vote on removing Daigle and Fernandez Monday, but tabled the vote without discussion and abruptly adjourned. Charles Brown, who left the meeting immediately afterward, said the council still intends to remove them but failed to provide written notice to the two, which is required by state law
In the footage, Charles Brown can be seen holding back Clem Brown, who is yelling
When asked why the council wanted to remove both individuals, he said Fernandez missed meetings and Daigle works against the city government.
“We’re trying to work with them. And so, as a result of misleading the public and literally not working with the city government, why would we have you be a part of something? You’re not even trying to be a part of the solution,” Charles Brown said.
Her recollection of the incident largely matched Price’s account.
“What happened was so out of line, like he literally threatened a man’s life,” Daigle said. “He threatened to bring him behind the levee.”
Facing removal
The council now wants to remove Daigle
Daigle said the council has tried to control the board, adding that her role within the city’s democracy isn’t to simply follow the council but add a check to its power
“Why do we have checks and balances? Why do we have another board?” she asked. “You know why we have it? Because we don’t want it to be as political.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@theadvocate. com.
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Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com OFFICE: (225) 388-0215 CELL: (225) 603-1998
RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125
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CALL: (225) 388-0738
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OPEN HOUSEPUBLICMEETING
LA 44 at Lowe’s Avenue Roundabout State H.015101
ASCENSIONPARISH
TheAscension Parish Government,incoordinationwiththe LouisianaDepartment of Transportationand Development (LADOTD),is conducting an OPEN HOUSEpublicmeeting forthe proposed roundaboutonLA44atLowe’s Avenue
Thepurpose of this meetingistogiveinformation andobtaininput from interested parties.Representatives from AscensionParish, MeyerEngineers,LTD,and LADOTD will be availabletoanswer questionsand discussissuesrelated to theproject. In addition, a stationwillbeset up to displayinformation concerning theproject.
Thepublicmeeting will be heldon Wednesday, July 23,2025, from 5:00-7:00PM at thefollowing location:
AscensionParishGovernmentComplex Rooms109 and110 615E WortheySt Gonzales, LA 70737
Attendeesmay submit writtencommentsatthe meeting. Comments mayalsobemailedtothe AscensionParishGovernmentatthe addressprovided. Comments must be post marked by August6,2025, to be included in thetranscriptofthismeeting
Should yourequire additionalinformation or specialassistancedue to adisability to participateinthispublicmeeting,pleasecontact theAscension Parish Government by internet,mail, or telephoneat leastfiveworking days priortothe meeting. Contactinformation is as follows:
Internet:www.ascensionparish.net
Mail:Ascension Parish Government CommunicationsDivision 615EastWorthey Street Gonzales, LA 70737
Telephone: 225-450-1021
If youare unavailable to attend this meetinginperson, please find all presentation materialsatthe followingwebpage: https://www.dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-planning/environmental/project-pages/district-61-baton-rouge/
Please note allpresentationmaterials will be available no laterthan July 9, 2025
Sid’s Light Show was one of the vendors at the Donaldsonville Independence Day Celebration. Layce Phiel, daughter of Sid Phiel, traveled with her father from Covington. Sid’s Light Show has been a vendor at the event for the past 12 years.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Catherine Breaux, left, of Pierre Part, and Mary Haynes and Virginia Medley, both of Donaldsonville, attended the July 3 Independence Day celebration in Donaldsonville. Breaux, 80, grew up in Donaldsonville and has attended the event for years.
AROUND
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The first is set for July 26 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center’s Rev Center
The event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include free school supplies, games, and arts and crafts.
West bank residents can attend the back-to-school event at 10 a.m. Aug. 2 at the Hickley Waguespack Center, 1201 Maginnis St., Donaldsonville.
Food distributions set Ascension Parish’s Commodity Distribution is set for the second Tuesday of each month in Donaldsonville and the second Wednesday of the month in Gonzales.
Distributions are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Frank Sotile Jr Pavilion in Donaldsonville and at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
All recipients must be prequalified by visiting the Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 E. Ascension Complex Blvd. in Gonzales or Donaldsonville courthouse, 300 Houmas St., in Donaldsonville. Call Layne Melancon at (225) 450-1006 or email layne.melancon@fmolhs.org.
Mark your calendar Volunteer Ascension is holding a Mad Hatter’s Gala Oct. 16 at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center to raise money for its mission.
n Celebrate the Christmas holiday Dec 20 with the Krewe of D’ville’s Christmas parade.
n The annual Krewe of D’ville Mardi Gras parade is set for Feb. 1 in Donaldsonville.
n Gonzales are residents are working to start a Juneteenth event on the parish’s east bank. A planning committee has formed and is looking for volunteers. For more information, call Trachae Gayden at (225) 7171378 or email shaygayden12. gmail.com.
Contact Darlene Denstorff at (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate. com or ddenstorff@ theadvocate.com.
Ascension Catholic huddles up during 7-on-7 action at Lutcher High School.
St. Amant football takes part in 7-on-7 drills at Lutcher High.
PHOTOS BY TROY LEBOEUF
St. Amant High takes the field at Lutcher High for football in 7-on-7 drills.
Donaldsonville High players in 7-on-7 football action.
Kaitlyn Chase, bachelor’s, summa cum laude
Nadiya Kathryn Colbert, master’s Daniel Compton, bachelor’s, magna cum laude Brianna Leigh Cooley, bachelor’s Zachary M. Diez bachelor’s Mia Elizabeth Drumm, bachelor’s Raiyel M. Duhe, bachelor’s Evan James Duplessis, bachelor’s Lauren Juliet Duplessis, bachelor’s Joshua Douglas Gatz, bachelor’s Carter Joseph Gautreau, bachelor’s Amber Michelle Goodlow, bachelor’s Nicholas Paul Goscha, master’s Hunter J. Grenfell, bachelor’s Mason Hammond, bachelor’s Allysia McKenzie James, master’s Ameyah Johnson, bachelor’s, summa cum laude Christopher S. Johnson, bachelor’s Natalie Lynn Jordan, master’s Connor E. Kuriger, bachelor’s Taylor Victoria Laux,
bachelor’s DaMadison M. Liotta, bachelor’s Jackson Martin, bachelor’s Lorena Martinez-Manzano, bachelor’s Kirk Liam McBrayer, master’s Emma C. McCarthy, bachelor’s Gwyneth Patrice Miller, doctorate Elise Deanna Millet, bachelor’s Brianna Lynn Moseley bachelor’s Phil Nguyen, bachelor’s Mikayla Renee Nijoka, bachelor’s Jacob Cory Parent, bachelor’s, summa cum laude Emma R. Phillips, master’s Kaci E. Riley, bachelor’s Kelsey D’Lynn Robillard, bachelor’s Pur’Joy Nicole Robinson, bachelor’s Kale Bly Rougeau, master’s Ella Reine Roussel, bachelor’s Nicholas J. Saia, bachelor’s Caelan Riley Savoy, bachelor’s Madelyn Marie Thom-
assee, bachelor’s, cum laude D’Andre T. Williams, bachelor’s PRAIRIEVILLE Sophia Nassim Abbahou, bachelor’s, cum laude Ethan Tabiolo Amedee, bachelor’s Lamees M. F. Ammuri, bachelor’s Molly E. Anderson, bachelor’s Ashtan Tracy Andrus, bachelor’s Alexandra G. Arnold, bachelor’s, summa cum laude Hunter S. Arnold, bachelor’s Avery Sinclair Aucoin, bachelor’s Taalib Amani Auguste, bachelor’s Fatimah Avendano, bachelor’s Fatimah Avendano, bachelor’s Alexandra Elizabeth Ball, bachelor’s, cum laude Erika Layne Baumann, bachelor’s, Charles Lee Beam, bachelor’s Landon Kade Becnel, bachelor’s Joseph Scott Black II, master’s Cameron Trishelle
Jambalaya Festival crowns queens
Bonds, bachelor’s Rachel Victoria Bourgeois, bachelor’s Walker Ryan Brassette, bachelor’s Kodey Alexandra Broussard, doctorate Donovan Asher Brown, bachelor’s, summa cum laude Mason Paul Brown, bachelor’s Savannah Brooke Burd, bachelor’s Claire Marie Callais, bachelor’s, summa cum laude Andrew Dwight Carson, master’s Kyle Patrick Carver, bachelor’s, summa cum laude Brianna Renee Chaney, bachelor’s, magna cum laude Peyton Mcvea Contine, bachelor’s
PROVIDED PHOTO