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President Cooper Announces Presenting Sponsors for 24th Annual Holiday Of Lights

President Cooper Announces Presenting Sponsors for 24th Annual Holiday Of Lights

“St. Tammany Health System | Ochsner and WDSU-TV are pillars within our community and we are excited they will help us spread holiday cheer in St. Tammany,” said President Cooper. “Each year, the Holiday of Lights brings our community together to celebrate the joy of the holiday season. I am proud to continue our Parish tradition with the Holiday of Lights, which is only possible with these sponsorships and the support of the Tammany Trace Foundation.”

The free, open-to-the-public festivities on Koop Drive kick off with a lighting ceremony and parade at 6 p.m. on December 1 before continuing with performances from schools and local organizations across St. Tammany Parish on December 1, 2, 8 and 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

After December 9, lighted displays will be available as a drive-thru experience from dusk to dawn through December 31. The month-long event is free and open to the public.

“The Tammany Trace is vital to our community as it provides an avenue for physical fitness which enhances health and wellness,” said St. Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman. “Our sponsorship of the Holiday of Lights to support the Tammany Trace Foundation, underscores our vision to strengthen the health of our community with compassion, innovation, and partnership. We are proud to be a partner in this annual event.”

“Whether you are a young family pushing a stroller or retirees enjoying a bike ride, the Tammany Trace is the perfect place to begin to live a healthier lifestyle. Ochsner is a proud partner in supporting the Trace through the Holiday of Lights, and we look forward to two weekends of fun and performances at the Trailhead,” said Dr. Tim Riddell, CEO of Ochsner Health’s Northshore and Mississippi Gulf Coast Region. “The Trace connects communities from Slidell to Covington, and is an incredible outlet for all of our residents to enjoy the outdoors and healthy activities.”

"We are truly delighted to be a presenting sponsor for the 24th Annual Holiday of Lights,” said WDSU President and General Manager Mike Neelly. “In the spirit of community, unity, and festivity, WDSU continues its tradition of illuminating hearts and homes.

Monitor St. Tammany Parish Government’s social media channels for exciting updates about new additions to this year’s festivities.

All performances will air live on St. Tammany Parish Government’s public access TV channel, STPG-TV. The full performance and food vendor schedule as well as a few special surprises will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information or to view sponsorship information, please visit the Holiday of Lights website.

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PRESIDENT COOPER BREAKS GROUND ON LARGEST WATER INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN ST. TAMMANY HISTORY

Cooper Administration's Infrastructure Improvements to Move Forward with Northshore Lawmakers Efforts

ST. TAMMANY, La. - President Mike Cooper ceremoniously broke ground on the largest water infrastructure improvement project in St. Tammany Parish history, a $23 million investment in the Cross Gates Water systems, on Monday.

The initiative will be completed in several projects, starting with the Meadowlake Interconnect, which includes a new water main to connect Cross Gates and the Meadowlake water systems to provide secondary sources and an additional well connection for the Cross Gates water system.

“Our commitment to providing stronger, more resilient and reliable water infrastructure has never been stronger,” said Cooper. “I am proud of our staff, Team Tammany, who worked hard to bring these dollars to St. Tammany and all who helped bring this unprecedented investment to fruition. This is yet another example of how vast the benefits can be for our citizens when we work together with our local, state and federal partners.”

In all, the improvements include two new water towers, 30,000’ of new water main, a 1,000 gpm water well, two new permanent generators and remote monitoring technology for the Cross Gates Water Systems. All of the aforementioned improvements are actively being moved forward in various stages.

The new water tower construction is expected by early 2024.

"I am excited to see the work started to improve water quality and reliability in the St. Tammany Utilities water system,” said state Sen. Sharon Hewitt. “Being a resident in this area, I know how important this project is and am proud to have brought $23 million in state funding to get Phase 1 underway."

Funding includes $15.7 million from the state through the Water Sector Program Grant Awards and $7.1 million from St. Tammany Parish. Both contributions are derived from American Rescue Plan Act funding.

"Today's groundbreaking marks the commitment of both the St. Tammany Legislative delegation and Parish President Cooper's Administration to providing much needed improvements to the water system for the Cross Gates community,” said state Rep. Mary DuBuisson. “This is why we created the Water Sector Program, so that communities will have the necessary system upgrades that will provide our citizens confidence in their water."

Once entirely completed, which is required by 2026, the investment will create resiliency and provide consolidation for the entire Cross Gates Water System, which benefits more than 8,100 citizens in Cross Gates, Meadow Lake, Ozone Pines, Southern Manor Mobile Home Park and Lazy Wheels Mobile Home Park.

In addition to providing new infrastructure, the consolidation will provide secondary water sources, offer much needed storage capacity and fire protection and provide resiliency during severe weather events.

At the groundbreaking on Monday, October 23, President Cooper personally thanked the entire Northshore legislative delegation and the St. Tammany Parish Council for their efforts in allocating the funding for these projects.

In addition to Water Sector Phase 1 funding, St. Tammany Parish Government actively pursued and was awarded $62 million for Water Sector Phase 2, which focused on creating resiliency, consolidating water systems and improving water quality within Department of Utilities systems in Slidell and the Madisonville/Covington areas.
 

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October 24th & October 26th On-Site Sewer Ordinance Public Meeting Notice

In March of 2022, Parish President Mike Cooper created the Undertreated Wastewater Task Force to address the environmental and public health impacts from poorly treated wastewater discharged from on-site sewage disposal systems (OSDS). The Task Force included stakeholders from State & Parish Agencies, as well as academic, environmental & community leaders.  The proposed ordinance grew out of the Task Force discussions and the acknowledged need for better management of OSDS.  

Because the EPA and DEQ have listed most of the waterways in St. Tammany as impaired from the discharges of OSDS, the ordinance proposes to require the inspection of the systems every 3 years. Exemptions will be made for systems that have no off-site discharge.

The goal of the OSDS Ordinance is to bring heightened awareness to the public of the need for proper sewage treatment and highlight the need for responsible ownership and operation of these systems.  By improving in these two areas, the Parish will improve public health and the environmental conditions that currently impair quality of life and limits economic development.

The proposed ordinance was introduced by the Parish Council earlier this year. The public meetings are being held prior to consideration of adoption.

Two public meetings will be held next week regarding the on-site sewer ordinance, which focuses on the importance of proper sewage treatment and the need for responsible ownership of on-site sewage disposal systems (septic tanks).

      -Towers Building, Slidell
        October 24th, 2023
        6 PM

      -Council Chambers, Koop Drive, Mandeville
        October 26th, 2023
        6 PM

 

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PRESIDENT COOPER ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL 2023 WASTE DROP-OFF DAY

 

ST. TAMMANY, La. - President Mike Cooper has announced an additional 2023 Waste Collection Day will be held on October 28, 2023 at the Oak Harbor Park and Ride in Slidell. Participants must pre-register to drop off waste as the event is limited to the first 200 registrants.

“Household waste drop-off days are incredibly important for many families in St. Tammany Parish,” said President Cooper. “I am proud of our team, who worked hard to provide another drop-off day this year. I encourage all of our citizens to reserve their time slot and start gathering your household waste for us to dispose.”

The October 28 event will be held from 8:00 a.m. – Noon at the Oak Harbor Park -n- Ride Facility located at 98 Harbor Center Boulevard in Slidell. To register your time, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848A9AA22A3FCC70-44402627-waste

The following items will be collected:

  •   •Tires (no more than 4). No rims on tires.
  •   •Batteries
  •   •Glass
  •   •Computers / Electronics / Televisions / Monitors
  •   •Documents to be shredded on-site (limited to 3 copy paper-sized boxes).

No paint, liquid wastes or appliances will be accepted. Pre-registration is required to drop-off waste.

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President Cooper’s Proposed 2024 Budget, Featuring Record Infrastructure Investment, Introduced by Council

Cooper Administration's Infrastructure Improvements to Move Forward with Northshore Lawmakers Efforts

Parish President Mike Cooper’s proposed 2024 budget, which includes a third consecutive record infrastructure investment totaling $57 million, was introduced by the Parish Council Wednesday evening.

“This proposed budget further renews my administration’s commitment to addressing our citizens’ top concerns of infrastructure and drainage, while putting measures in place to require smarter growth,” said President Cooper. “I want to personally acknowledge our staff, Team Tammany, who have worked with officials, community stakeholders and citizens to identify needs and prepare a budget that reflect their values.”

Some of the projects include the assessment of proposed new roads across our Parish, necessary repairs to the Tammany Trace, new stormwater detention ponds to support our existing drainage systems, projects which will improve our water systems, coastal protection and restoration measures, as well as many additional, long-overdue improvements so that St. Tammany Parish remains the top place to live, work and play in Louisiana.

In addition to more than $16 million being allocated to the 14 Council districts, some of the proposed projects include the following:

    •Roadway improvements:
            -Helenbirg Road in Covington
            -Dixie Ranch Road in Slidell
            -Jim Parker Road in Pearl River
    •Drainage projects for construction:
            -Ozone Woods in Lacombe
            -Spanish Trail Heights in Slidell
            -Pruden Creek in Covington
            -Rosedown Way in Mandeville
    •Bridges to be replaced:
            -Rousseau Road Bridge in Covington
            -Middle Pearl Drive Bridge in Slidell
            -Chris Kennedy Road Bridge in Pearl River
            -Smith Road Bridge in Covington

“I appreciate the Council’s partnership in identifying roadways that will impact citizens daily. As I have said from the beginning and reflected through our daily work, we must move away from a segmented approach and move forward as one Parish and implement projects and plans that benefit everyone.”

The budget was introduced by the Parish Council at its Special Meeting on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Public hearing will be held at a later date, prior to adoption later this year. 

To view the proposed budget, click here.
 

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President Cooper Reaffirms the St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier Will Be Rebuilt

The St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier in Slidell will be rebuilt, President Mike Cooper reaffirms.

The Pier was destroyed by Hurricane Ida days before it was scheduled to re-open after an expansion project. Since then, St. Tammany Parish Government has been working with FEMA to not only rebuild the pier, but make it stronger.

If we were to only replace the Pier as it was, it would leave the structure vulnerable for future storms to ravage the Pier again and again. Instead, we proposed building a stronger, more sustainable facility utilizing structural concrete, for which we are still awaiting final approval from FEMA.

While approval is pending, we have been designing the stronger Pier so we will be ready to begin as soon as we gain approval. We have called FEMA weekly to push along the process. This is a $3 million project, so it is imperative that we await federal funding. The project includes the Pier, restrooms, parking and more.

While the process is ongoing, St. Tammany Parish Government is designing coastal protection for the area, which includes a breakwater, as well as a boat ramp, additional parking, dredging of the cove and more.

“Let me be totally clear. We will rebuild the Fishing Pier in Slidell, but it must be more sustainable,” said President Cooper. “Our intentions are to revitalize this Pier for citizens to enjoy, without fear of damage from future hurricanes. Resiliency has been a driving factor in my administration, whether it is infrastructure, development, or the St. Tammany Parish Fishing Pier.”

We are hopeful to begin construction in 2024 with completion in 2025.
 

 

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President Cooper Announces Recipients of 17th Annual President's Arts Awards

President Cooper Announces Recipients of 17th Annual President's Arts Awards

President Mike Cooper is pleased to announce the recipients of the 17th Annual President’s Arts Awards presented by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs.

“These artists are instrumental in making our Parish vibrant, enjoyable and the place that we proudly call home,” said President Cooper. “I am delighted to honor the artists who have displayed their talents and contributed to our Parish’s culture. I also appreciate the Commission, who are dedicated to celebrating our native artists. Congratulations to all of our talented artists, and thank you for your incredible work and service to St. Tammany!”

The honorees are:

Performing Artist – Lydia Gazzo

Visual Artist – Paulo Dufour

Literary Artist – Carroll Devine

Musical Artist – Dr. William Horne

Culinary Artist – Keith Young

Patron of the Arts – Frank Richerand

Outstanding Service Award – Cindy Pulling

President’s Award – Friends of the Dew Drop

Native Son Award – Brian Edwards

Lifetime Achievement Award – John Snell

The celebration will be held at Northshore Technical Community College in Lacombe on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

“The Commission, along with the help of St. Tammany Parish Government, is excited to host this annual event. It is a collaboration of local talent on display, along with our finest talents being celebrated, which culminates in an inspirational evening,” said Commission of Cultural Arts Chair, Laura Prisco. “We are lucky to live in a parish where the arts are supported, encouraged, and flourish.”

To find more information about the Presidents Arts Awards and the Commission on Cultural Affairs, visit www.stpgov.org/cca

The St. Tammany President’s Arts Awards is held annually to recognize outstanding artists in St. Tammany Parish. The recipients are selected in 10 categories by the Parish President and the Commission on Cultural Affairs. It is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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President Mike Cooper Announces Dredging of Pearl River Navigational Canal

President Mike Cooper Announces Dredging of Pearl River Navigational Canal

Parish President Mike Cooper is proud to announce St. Tammany Parish Government will dredge the Pearl River Navigational Canal near the West Pearl River, following permitting approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Today marks a long overdue and fantastic day for our boaters, fisherman and hunters on the beautiful West Pearl River,” said President Cooper. “For years, our citizens had limited access to the West Pearl River from Lock #1 due to the buildup of sediment along the canal. I want to thank our consultants who helped us gain the permits, our staff, Team Tammany, who helped push the project forward, and our Parish Council and all stakeholders who helped advance this critical project.”

The Department of Public Works started clearing the canal to provide temporary relief to the mouth of the Pearl River Navigational Canal. Contractors are finalizing plans to begin the long term $2.2 million project, which includes dredging and stabilization of the banks to limit the buildup of sediment. This initiative not only opens up access to the West Pearl River, but also makes it safer for our boaters.

“I want to thank St. Tammany Parish Government for its work in getting approval for this section of the Pearl River Canal to be dredged,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “Our Marine Unit has been limited to utilizing only small flat boats due to the shallow waters in that portion of the river. The sometimes-extreme shallowness of that area often leaves less than a foot of water, requiring our boat operators to run on plane while navigating dangerously close under low lying trees and branches when responding to search and rescue missions on that part of the West Pearl River. Having that area dredged will allow the Sheriff’s Office to have more resources available to respond to those citizens who are in need and in a much faster manner.”

In the coming weeks, boaters will also be able to launch from the North Lock #1 boat launch thanks to funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). The effort is part of St. Tammany Parish’s 16 ongoing GOMESA projects which will provide recreational opportunities, coastal protection and increased resiliency for our Parish’s coastline.

“This project was started by my husband several years ago with a study on how to clear the Pearl River,” said Councilwoman Cheryl Tanner. “I appreciate everything that President Cooper’s staff has done for this project. This is a great day!”

For photos and video of the dredging, please click here.

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President Cooper Launches STAT: St. Tammany Parish’s New Alert System

President Cooper Launches STAT: St. Tammany Parish’s New Alert System

Parish President Mike Cooper has enhanced St. Tammany Parish’s emergency preparedness efforts with the launch of STAT (St. Tammany Alert Telecommunications), a new alert system for emergencies, severe weather alerts, hurricane evacuation notices, boil water advisories, road closures and more.

“In times of crises, accurate information is incredibly important,” said Cooper. “STAT allows us to send targeted notifications directly to our citizens through texts, calls and emails. St. Tammany Parish is better prepared for emergency situations because of our efforts and this technology.”

STAT has the capability to notify affected residents for possible “threat to life” level alerts, such as immediate severe weather warnings and even boil water advisories, regardless of sign-up status.  However, residents may select and set individual desired alerts, such as hurricane, severe weather and flooding watches, road closures, as well as other options.  Residents can also select their preferred means of communication – phone call, email or text.  St. Tammany Parish residents should visit www.stpgov.org/STAT or download the Everbridge app. To sign up, first select “Enroll” from the side menu. Then, use the search bar to enter your ZIP Code. You will then select St. Tammany Alert Telecommunications (STAT) and create your account.

STAT replaces Alert!St.Tammany. Citizens need to enroll in STAT if they would like to receive and customize their emergency notifications. This does not apply to Emergency Alert System notifications that are sent to phones and televisions.

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President Cooper Issues a Parishwide Burn Ban

President Cooper Issues a Parishwide Burn Ban

Parish President Mike Cooper has issued a burn ban in St. Tammany Parish for two weeks, due to extreme heat and severe lack of rainfall that has created significant fire potential.

“This is an effort to protect property and the health of our citizens,” said President Cooper. “After consulting with our meteorologists and fire safety experts, this burn ban is absolutely necessary as conditions are approaching record highs for fire potential. I appreciate our first responders, who have unanimously supported this initiative, and who are working tirelessly through this stifling heat.”

We have only experienced similar conditions twice in the last 23 years (2000 and 2015). The extreme dry conditions mixed with record high heat has produced above normal significant fire potential for the month of August. This risk could possibly extend to October if we do not return to adequate rain fall and lower temperatures.

“We have conditions similar to those areas in the west that have severe fire threats,” said Emergency Operations and Homeland Security Director, Clint Ory. “Until the heat is reduced and substantial rainfall occurs, we have a high risk of fire.”

The burn ban will be reassessed in two weeks.

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