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Slidell Public Art in Full Bloom: New Camellia Tree Sculpture Spruces Up Roundabout

Slidell’s newest piece of public art is now on display at the roundabout at Robert Blvd. and Brownswitch Road.

“Slidell’s Community Camellia Tree” is an eight foot tall iron and glass sculpture depicting a camellia tree in full bloom. It’s an artistic collaboration between welder Jamie Gomez, owner of JG Land and Marine, and artist Solange Ledwith of Swamp Girl Glass. Gomez constructed and welded the base, trunk and branches and Ledwith created the beautiful glass camellias that adorn the tree.

In addition to the sculpture, new landscaping will be added to spruce up the roundabout.

“I would like to thank the artists and everyone who worked so diligently on this project, said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “We are so fortunate to have a thriving art community in our city. This piece of art is a great addition to all the murals around our city. We are honored to support our art community and are looking forward to more public art in Slidell.”

In 2020, the City of Slidell commissioned several local artists to paint murals around the city as part of the “Celebrate Slidell Public Art Project.” The murals not only celebrated Slidell’s culture and community, but also recognized the bravery of first responders and health care heroes in the midst of a pandemic. The new camellia tree is the first sculpture in the public art series and is hopefully the first of many that will be installed around the city.

“Helping to beautify our city and encouraging public art in our community is important to me,” said Solange Ledwith, artist and owner of Swamp Girl Glass. “It was great collaborating with Jamie and I would like to thank the City of Slidell for allowing us to be a part of this project.”

Glass camellias are still being added to the tree and members of the community have a chance to be a part of this unique public art project. Individuals can sponsor a camellia for $100 and it will be added to the camellia tree. Proceeds from sponsorship will help fund future public art projects. Checks made out to the City of Slidell can be delivered to Swamp Girl Glass located at 1060 Front Street or mailed to the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs, PO Box 828, Slidell, LA, 70459.

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Lionel J. Washington Community Pool at Possum Hollow Park opens Memorial Day; COX donates $20k to help maintain the pool

On Tuesday, May 24, Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and members of the Slidell City Council gathered at Possum Hollow Park to rename the city pool the Lionel J. Washington Community Pool. Mr. Washington’s family also joined city administrators for the dedication ceremony.

“Lionel wasa trailblazer and a pioneer in our community,” said Cromer, “He was the first African-American person on the Slidell City Council. He served on the council for 24 years and was as an educator with St. Tammany Parish Public School System for 35 years. He was instrumental in getting the CDBG money for this community pool back in the 1980s. Swimming and water safety education were important projects for Lionel and this pool that he helped bring to our city adds to his legacy in our community.”

COX Business also made a donation to the Slidell Boys and Girls Club to assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the community pool.

“We are dedicated to creating meaningful partnerships with the City of Slidell and the community. The Boys and Girls Club plays a vital role in providing safe and educational environments where students can connect with one another,” said Leigh King, Vice President of Cox Business Louisiana. “Some of the best memories for adults were created spending time at their community pools, and Cox is excited that we could invest in making summer fun for children.”

“We are grateful to COX for the investment they have made in Slidell,” said Cromer. “We look forward to a continuing partnership with COX for the benefit of our community.”

The Lionel J. Washington Community Pool opens at 12 p.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. The pool is open during the summer, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 12 to 6 p.m. The cost is $1 per person.

Group swim lessons through Lakeside Swim Club are also available at the community pool  for $125 for six lessons. For more information, please call Nicole Beebe at (228) 363-2601.

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New regulations announced for portable storage containers and solid waste disposal in the City of Slidell

The Slidell City Council recently amended two sections of the city’s Code of Ordinances concerning the use of portable storage containers and the disposal of solid waste at construction sites.

Effective March 31, 2022, anyone wishing to use a portable storage container inside the city limits must first obtain a permit from the city’s Planning Department.

Other storage container restrictions include:

  • No more than two portable storage containers may be placed on the property, unless permitted by the planning department
  • Container must not be placed on unpaved surface and must not obstruct or interfere with public sidewalks, streets, or rights-of-way
  • The containers cannot remain on the site for more that 90 days, but the planning department can issue up to two 45-day extensions
  • Permit approval must be posted to the side of the storage container

To read the entire ordinance regarding portable storage containers, please visit: https://library.municode.com/la/slidell/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH7BUBURE_ARTIINGE_S7-3POSTCO

Also, effective as of March 31, 2022, in the event a property is vacated or a tenant is evicted, and the contents that are disposed of cannot fit within a standard trash can, a dumpster with the appropriate permit is required. Dumpsters may remain onsite for the following periods. A Louisiana licensed contractor has up to 6 months and two 45-day extension periods when permitted by the Planning department. Any other person has up to 90 days, and up to two 45-day extension periods when permitted by the Planning department.

To read the entire ordinance regarding disposal of solid waste, please visit: https://library.municode.com/la/slidell/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH23SOWA_S23-5DIWANOCLGATR and https://library.municode.com/la/slidell/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH23SOWA_S23-18TILI

For more information, please contact the City of Slidell’s Department of Planning at (985) 646-4323.

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City of Slidell breaks ground on city section of Tammany Trace

The City of Slidell broke ground on Thursday, March 24, on the Tammany Trace to Heritage Park project at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bayou Lane. Mayor Cromer, members of the Slidell City Council, and elected and city officials were present.

The project includes the installation of a ten-foot-wide recreational trail from Heritage Park to the east end of Strawberry Street. Upon completion of this project, St. Tammany Parish Government will complete the connection to the Trace to the existing path at Gause Blvd. W.

The City of Slidell is funding a portion of this project through a FHWA Recreational Program for Louisiana grant. The total cost of the project is approximately $681,000.

For more information about City of Slidell news and upcoming events, you can sign up for our email news list on our website at MySlidell.com or visit the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

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Public Master Plan Meeting for Olde Towne Slidell scheduled for Thursday, February 17 at the Slidell Auditorium

The City of Slidell and Olde Towne Slidell Main Street will host a Public Meeting to discuss a Master Plan for Olde Towne Slidell on Thursday, February 17 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium.

Philip Walker, principal of The Walker Collaborative, will present at the meeting. He has been an integral part for the master plan for cities such as Covington, La.; Fairhope, Al.; and Natchez, Ms. For more information, please visit www.walkercollaborative.com.

 

 

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Slidell receives $4.7 million in ARP support – solicits input from citizens

The City of Slidell, Louisiana will be receiving nearly $4.7 million from the American Rescue Plan to strengthen support for vital public services.

Several important improvements around the city will be prioritized with these funds:

  • Aeration at the Terrace Avenue Waste-Water Treatment Plant will be rehabilitated
  • New water and sewage facilities will be installed from Lindberg Drive across I-10 to the E. I-10 Service Road
  • Several pump stations around the city will be rehabilitated
  • City operating systems and software for online payments and application submissions will be upgraded
  • A kiosk will be installed outside of the city administration building to allow for contactless, after hours payments

Funding for the American Rescue plan can be used to:

  • Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control
  • Replace lost revenue for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs
  • Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses
  • Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic

More information about the requirements of the American Rescue Plan can be found at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds

If you have any comments, please send an email to comments@cityofslidell.org or attend the public forum on Monday, November 1, at 6 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium.
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Slidell mourns loss of Slidell City Councilman Val Vanney

Val Vanney Jr. – Slidell City Councilman District D, 2014-2021

It is with great sadness that the City of Slidell announces that Slidell City Councilman Val Vanney Jr. passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

“Our prayers go out to Ms. Bonnie and the Vanney family,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “Val was a true public servant who was wholly dedicated to his district and his community. He always voiced his constituents’ concerns and represented them to the best of his ability in the Slidell City Council. He will be greatly missed in our community.”

Councilman Vanney was elected in 2014 to serve the residents of District D and was re-elected without opposition in 2018. Before serving on the Slidell City Council, Vanney was the owner of Val Vanney’s Marine, Vanney’s Seafood, and V & A Homes, LLC. Vanney also served in the National Guard and on the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Reserve from 1967 to 1980.

“On behalf of the Slidell City Council, we express our condolences to the Vanney family,” said Kenny Tamborella, President of the Slidell City Council. “Val was a true advocate for the residents in his district and the citizens of the City of Slidell. He was dedicated to Slidell, the city that he loved and called home.”

Vanney is survived by his wife Bonnie Vanney, son Val Vanney III and granddaughters Victoria and Alexandria Vanney.

To many, Vanney was affectionately known as “Uncle Val.” He expected only the best from everyone and had no problems expressing his opinion. Even if he disagreed with you, his no-nonsense demeanor would usually fade away to a smile or a pat on the back.

Rest In Peace, Uncle Val.

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