Town of Simmesport

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Welcome to the official website for the Town of Simmesport. If you have a question or comment, please feel free to contact us.

318-941-2493

townofsimmesport@simmesportla.com

There will be a special meeting of the Simmesport Town Council on Thursday, January 26, 2023. The meeting will begin at 6 PM and will be held in the council room of the Simmesport Town Hall. Click on the link below to see a copy of the agenda for the meeting.

January 26, 2023 Special Meeting Agenda Download

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

Ordinance Number 01-09-20023 was proposed at the meeting last night. A public hearing is set for February 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM to get the general public’s input on the ordinance. The public hearing will be held in the council room of the Town Hall. To see a copy of the proposed ordinance, click on the link below.

Proposed Ordinance 01-09-2023 AN ORDINANCE, IN GLOBO, TO RE-DEFINE, RE-ENACT, CLARIFY, UPDATE, AND SPECIFY THE VARIOUS ORDINANCES OF VARIOUS CHAPTERS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF SIMMESPORT TO ESNURE FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PROSPERITY OF THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF SIMMESPORT Download

December 15, 2022

The Town of Simmesport has received, and continues to receive, a substantial volume of comments, calls and emails regarding the Breakfast with Santa event that was sponsored by The Tiesha Kennedy Foundation on December 10, 2022. Most of these communications are broad in content and threatening in nature. Now that the employees of the Town of Simmesport are being threatened with physical violence we consider it essential to issue this release.

The Breakfast with Santa event that occurred on December 10, 2022, was not sponsored, or sanctioned by the Town of Simmesport. Ms. Tiesha Kennedy is an elected official by the people of the Town of Simmesport to serve on the Town Council.

The Tiesha Kennedy Foundation sponsored and hosted the event in review. Ms. Kennedy was not, in any way, acting as a representative of the Town of Simmesport at this event. Ms. Kennedy’s actions and responses at this event were of her own decision. Mrs. Kennedy is in control of her own private business activities.

In response to requests for action: The Town of Simmesport cannot take the action called for by the public because the administration of the Town of Simmesport does not have the authority to remove, discipline, or “fire” Ms. Kennedy from this elected by the people position.

The Town of Simmesport did not, and does not, have any affiliation or association with Ms. Tiesha Kennedy’s private foundation or the activities of her private foundation. Additionally, the Town of Simmesport has no authority to control or dictate the private activities of an elected official. Therefore, we deemed it necessary to allow Ms. Kennedy of her own choosing to respond. Ms. Kennedy is the only person that can answer for her actions or provide more information about the event or the videos from the event. The Town of Simmesport does not have any additional information about Ms. Kennedy’s activities.

We are asking the public to refrain from threatening the employees of the Town. These employees do not have the ability to address any of the public’s concerns with Ms. Kennedy. The Town of Simmesport ask that prayers be made for all parties involved.

On behalf of the Town of Simmesport, I do apologize to ALL who have been affected by this experience. It is our hope that this matter will not be the perception of our town in totality.

God help us ALL.

Rev. Dr. Leslie Draper III

Mayor-Simmesport, Louisiana

A non-profit organization called Avoyelles Sleeves Up is holding a free cancer screening event on February 7 and 8 of 2023. The Rapides Foundation’s mobile screening truck will conduct the testing. Registration for the screening is required and registration forms must be turned into Tabitha Washington at The Child Center in Simmesport by December 15th. You can also call 318-500-9327 for more information. For a copy of the registration form click on the link below or come by the Simmesport Town Hall and pick one up.

Cancer Screening Registration Form Download

The Town of Simmesport recently received the Community Achievement Award from the Louisiana Municipal Association. The award was given out at the annual convention in Lafayette, LA on July 30, 2022. Pictured above are (l to r) Councilman Patrick Wright, Mayor Rev. Dr. Leslie Draper, III, and Councilwoman Tiesha Kennedy.

September 12, 2000 Regular Meeting Agenda Download

The Louisiana Housing Corporation is offering free weatherization of homes through the weatherization assistance program. Click on the link below to fill out an application for assistance.

Weatherization Assistance Program Application Download

Bishop Joe Simon 1936 – 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of music legend and Simmesport native Joe Simon. Bishop Simon passed away on December 13 at the age of 85. His beautiful voice and service to God will be remembered by many around the world. His official obituary can be found by clicking this link: https://www.donnellanfuneral.com/obituaries/Joe-Simon?obId=23377468#/obituaryInfo

Cleco is offering a program aimed at homeowners and businesses to improve energy efficiency. Through this program you can ask for an energy assessment where Cleco-approved contractors will inspect your insulation, weatherizing, and other appliances and controllers to see if their efficiency can be improved. You may be eligible for reimbursements on some equipment. Go to the website above or call 318-373-6842 to find out more. Click on the link below to see a brochure about the program.

Cleco Power Wise Brochure Download

The Town of Simmesport won the 2021 Louisiana Municipal Association’s Community Achievement Award for municipalities under 3,000. The Town of Simmmesport has been working with Sustainability Partners to upgrade the 40-year old sewer plant. That project is now in Phase II and, hopefully, will begin construction soon. The LMA State Convention was held July 29-31 in Baton Rouge where officials from the more then 300 member municipalities meet for training and networking. Congratulations to all those who worked diligently on this project.

The Town of Simmesport received the top honor from the Louisiana Municipal Association for its Crisis and Recovery Plan. Simmesport was selected by the LMA for first place in the Economic Development category among municipalities under 3,000 population for its innovative financial plan to clear over half a million dollars of debt. In cooperation with Sustainability Partners, Simmesport was not only able to install wireless water meters, but also pay off over $612,000 in debt. Some of this debt put the Simmesport in serious jeopardy and well over half if the debts were incurred by previous administrations. Working with the leading-edge and ingenious financing solutions from Sustainability partners, Simmesport was able to eliminate this debt and the financing used to obtain the funds for this does not count as debt on the Town’s finances. Mayor Draper would like to thank the Town Council and the Town Administrative Staff for their hard work and dedication toward the implementation of this plan. Simmesport would also like to thank Sustainability Partners for their help in building this cooperative endeavor and for their commitment to the financial growth and quality of life for the citizens of Simmesport.

“To God be the glory”.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office is adamant about fighting waste and fraud in government. If you feel fraud is being committed, you can call the number above (844-503-7283) or click on the link below to enter a report online.