By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN — St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom addressed the large crowd gathered at Destrehan’s Ormond Plantation Wednesday morning for the River Region Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Parish Presidents Forum, speaking on three topics: transportation, partnerships with other parish agencies and shared regional projects.

The forum featured Robottom, St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre and St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel.

Regarding transportation, Robottom said the parish has “to find a blend between our industry, our residents and our businesses” when it came to certain roadway projects, including proposed expansion of Louisiana Highway 3127.

In other transportation-related talk, Robottom said she, St. Pierre, Roussel and Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin will travel to Omaha, Nebraska, soon to meet with Union Pacific and Canadian National officials to discuss the condition of River Region rail crossings.

On working with other agencies, Robottom spoke about several parish partnerships, including details of the parish’s relationship and work with the St. John Parish School Board.

“Where our children go will be where our parish goes,” Robottom said.

She highlighted the parish’s recent donation of land valued at over $800,000 to Reserve’s South Central Louisiana Technical College for facility expansions and a new building.

Throughout the forum, Robottom highlighted how important it was for the River Parishes to work together in a collaborative spirit.

“We help each other,” Robottom said. “That relationship is strong, it benefits each parish, it benefits the region and it benefits all of you in this room.”