The Louisiana municipal governments took home the Louisiana Municipal Association’s (LMA) most prestigious award for outstanding municipal improvements and accomplishments.
The initiative has produced phenomenal results, a cleaner and healthier community for residents and businesses, new businesses arriving to serve the needs of the growing population, increased property values and new sense of community pride.

Announcement of LMA’s 2007 Community Achievement Awards was made Saturday night, August 9 at the annual banquet of LMA’s 71st annual convention at The Cajundome Conference Center. The convention drew some 1,600 delegates, spouses, dignitaries, exhibitors and guests.
the LMA’s annual awards program recognizes municipalities for outstanding achievement in basic services, community development and economic development. Within these categories, awards were presented in four population subcategories.

The competition is co-sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Economic Develpment, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, Louisiana Fire Prevention Bureau and LMA.

Entries submitted were judged by a committee of judges from Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana workforce Commission, the state’s Planning Commissions, Louisiana Fire Prevention Bureau and Louisiana Industrial Development Executive Association.

Dr. Brookie Allphin, communications and government consultant, said the awards pay tribute to the “vision and ingenuity of elected municipal officials and those who assist them in planning and improving citizen services, community life and economic conditions.”

“These awards truly reflect the hard work, dedication and sacrifice necessary to secure progress for the modern American municipality on a path of progress,” Allphin said.

The Honorable Mention in Economic Development for municipalities with population 3,001 to 10,000 was The City of Vinton, Love’s Travel Plaza and Vinton Water and Sewer Extension Project.

“These municipal improvements reflect the vision, leadership and hard work of the officials and leader of these communities should be a source of deep pride for every Louisianian,” said LMA Immediate Past President Clarence R. Fields, mayor of Pineville. “We congratulate all of the municipalities which competed in this year’s Community Achievement Awards Program” said Mayor Fields. “Louisiana’s mayors and municipal officials work long hours and endure significant sacrifices to achieve tangible and measurable progress for their towns and cities.”