Year-End applause for Avoyelles

By: Jacques Goudeau

Not all change is good, but Avoyelles Parish has been making a great deal of positive change lately. That kind of change can only happen with creativity, hard work, tolerance of criticism from those who do nothing, failures along the way, perseverance and celebration of success.

In this Christmas season, I would like to applaud some of those who worked tirelessly (and in most cases thanklessly) for the betterment of the parish.

Cottonport

St. Mary’s Church and Father Ray, for restoring the old church on Front Street (CYO) in Cottonport. Not only did they preserve our history and culture for future generations, but they did so by saving 10 times what it would have cost to tear down and build a new metal building. Bravo to all involved, it looks beautiful.

Bunkie

Michelle Reynolds with Move Bunkie Forward, Bunkie Mayor Brenda Sampson, and the Kojis family for all of the incredible revitalization work and activities being done in downtown Bunkie. There is so much happening it is hard to keep track of it all. Of course, I can’t mention Bunkie without mentioning Chuck Normand, principal at Bunkie High School. Chuck has literally brought the school from worst to first in the parish.

Marksville

With the new Police Jury tightening their belts this year, there was no funding to have the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Avoyelles Courthouse and the event was going to be canceled. Of his own initiative, Carl Chapman formed and led a committee of five volunteers to do it all: fundraising, planning, installation of wonderful new lighting, promotion, and even emceed the event. It was spectacular, and has been the talk of the town this week, so much so that the Police Jury already committed $2,500 to support next year’s lighting.

The Solomon Northup Committee and Couvillion Construction, for building a beautifully detailed plaza to frame the Solomon Northup sculpture to be placed in front of the courthouse. The committee ensured the sculpture and plaza, true works of art, tells the complete story of the triumph of justice, with white and black men working together to ensure the preservation of liberty. It will be a deeply moving and inspiring site for all Avoyelleans, and it will be unveiled on Jan. 4, 2026 at 2pm.

Alec Jeansonne, for renovating and repurposing a building in downtown Marksville where he has created a thriving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio. It seems to have more and more kids inside each night I pass. And yes, there is even an octagon ring for real sparring matches. Lord knows our kids need discipline these days.

Moncla

Jimmy Landry and Polly Campbell, for making progress on reducing litter. What seemed like an impossible problem to tackle, they spearheaded efforts to clean up our parish and worked with parish officials and promoted the cause. Demonstrating their perseverance, it took several years, but we now have a litter abatement officer dedicated to enforcing dumping and litter laws, and the difference is noticeable. This problem was not for the faint of heart to solve. Polly also is involved with a variety of healthy food initiatives, and Jimmy has worked tirelessly on the Spring Bayou Restoration Team for years. They both must be gluttons for punishment.

Mansura

I am admittedly biased on this one, my wife Melissa Goudeau, as well as the fellow board members and staff, for reinvigorating the non-profit Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC). As well as the staff. A few years ago, when she first took on the volunteer position of president of the board, the center that my mother and father started 20 years ago was only months away from closing. I am proud to say not only that it is now self-sustaining, but they recently received a 4-star rating (out of 5) from the state, a feat very few centers achieve due to strict state regulations and standards. It is now positioned to continue delivering the highest-quality education to children from all walks of life for years to come. It has quite literally taken her blood, sweat, and tears, but she did it with grace and determination.

New blood

There are numerous critically important elections that will shape Avoyelles Parish for a generation, and we need fresh, energetic, and creative leaders.

Politics are slowly changing for the better here, and the “good old boy” way of doing things is becoming obsolete as the people are demanding more from our leaders. This is evidenced by the many new police jurors elected last cycle and Home Rule Charter to be voted on next year.

Of course, politics will never be completely by the book, but malfeasance among our leaders can certainly be minimized if we the people hold them accountable.

Notice that many of the people applauded are volunteers. There are many others who deserve applause, so please give a pat on the back this Christmas season for those people in your life who are always donating their time, effort, and resources working on community betterment.