BY ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Roughly four months after compiling a group of 70 community leaders to examine the operations in key areas of parish government in St. John the Baptist Parish, Parish President Natalie Robottom is ready to release the group’s report at a public meeting in LaPlace this evening.

The Presidential Advisory Committee will release and discuss their recommendations during a public forum at LACE, the Reception Place, 516 E. Airline Highway, starting at 6 p.m.

The final report is the culmination of a series of meetings among eight subcommittees that began in June. The subcommittees addressed governmental ethics reform, public safety, employment and economic development, community development and neighborhoods, recreation and health and human services, infrastructure and capital improvements, and human resources. The advisory committee was one of Robottom’s campaign promises while seeking office in a special election in April to replace former Parish President Bill Hubbard.

Those meetings were compiled into a final report, which was turned over to Robottom’s office on Aug. 19. Robottom said she and her staff spent the next several weeks compiling the eight separate reports into one uniform packet. A preview of the final report was unveiled to parish employees at a meeting last week.

“We wanted to get their take on some of the recommendations because some of it affects them directly,” Robottom said. “No one has been left out of what we are trying to do.”

Robottom said the goal of the advisory committee was to create a 5-10 year plan for the future of the parish. She said the final report would be something that could continue seamlessly no matter who was in office.

“Anyone can pick this plan up and utilize it efficiently,” Robottom told the employees. “We want to make your jobs easier and provide the support and equipment you need.”

Robottom said Wednesday’s public meeting is an opportunity to allow for questions, comments, and suggestions from parish residents before the plan is set in motion.

For more information regarding the advisory committee and its members, visit www.sjbparish.com/pac.asp.