The City of Slidell announces a temporary road closure on Bonfouca Drive for scheduled construction work on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The affected area will be between Grandview Drive and Lookout Place.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during this time. Local traffic will need to seek alternate access points to reach their destinations.

The City of Slidell apologizes for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause and appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during this necessary construction work.

Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert, the City of Slidell, and the members of the Slidell Commission on the Arts would like to congratulate Cindy Strecker for being selected as the Arts Evening 2025 Poster Artist. Her artwork, “Perched” will be featured on the Arts Evening poster and publicity materials.

“Cindy’s work beautifully captures the natural charm and artistic spirit of our community,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “Her art reflects the exceptional talent we have here in Slidell. I encourage everyone to join us on April 5 for a great evening of art, music, and community celebration in Olde Towne Slidell.”

Strecker, a versatile artist who was born in Southern California and raised in Louisiana, has cultivated a lifelong passion for creative expression. Working across multiple mediums including watercolor, acrylics, oils, colored pencil, and pen and ink, she seamlessly transitions between two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork, bringing her unique vision to life through each piece. Her portfolio showcases a diverse range of subjects, from coastal wildlife and pet portraits to architectural studies and captivating landscapes.

A self-taught artist, Strecker’s natural talent and commitment to her craft have shaped her unique artistic voice. She shares her love of art through private art classes, helping others discover their own creative potential. Her journey proves that authentic passion, combined with dedication to one’s craft, can lead to remarkable artistic achievements.

“I’m honored to be selected as the Arts Evening poster artist,” said Strecker. “As an artist who has displayed both my artwork and the works of my incredibly talented art students at Arts Evening, it’s very special to have my work selected to represent this year’s event.”

The 30th annual Arts Evening takes place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell. One of the largest cultural festivals on the Northshore, this family-friendly event features over 50 artists displaying their works at over 30 locations in Olde Towne. In addition to art, there will be live entertainment; antique, boutique and unique shopping; fine and casual dining and surprises on every corner of Olde Towne. Admission is free.

Strecker will be selling signed copies of the event poster during Arts Evening. For more information about the artist, visit her website at www.flyingfishart.com.

For more information about Arts Evening, call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For the latest information about City of Slidell news and events, visit MySlidell.com or follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

Dear Citizens,

As we enter Mardi Gras season, I would like to invite you, your family, and your friends to come experience Mardi Gras in Slidell. Grab your lawn chairs, ice chests, and king cakes, and head out to the parade route to enjoy all the parades rolling through Slidell:

Friday, Feb. 14 • 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Titans

Saturday, Feb. 15 • 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Bilge (Eden Isles)

Saturday, Feb. 15 • 6:00 p.m.
Krewe of Poseidon

Sunday, Feb. 16 • 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Antheia

Saturday, Feb. 22 • 10:00 a.m.
Krewe de Paws (Olde Towne)

Saturday, Feb. 22 • 7:00 p.m.
Mona Lisa and MoonPie (Olde Towne)

Sunday, Feb. 23 • 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Dionysus

Friday, Feb. 28 • 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Selene

Tuesday, March 4 • 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Kidz (Olde Towne)

Sunday, March 9 • 1:00 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Olde Towne)

I am proud that many families choose to celebrate Mardi Gras here in Slidell. It’s wonderful to see so many smiling faces along the parade route. I ask that everyone be respectful and help us maintain the fun, family-friendly environment that people enjoy in Slidell.

Come enjoy the best that Slidell has to offer during Mardi Gras season.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Mayor Bill Borchert

Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert is asking citizens to stay off the roads.
The number of car accidents being reported is increasing. Most grocery stores and restaurants are closed, with the exception of a few gas station convenience stores. If you don’t need to be on the road, please stay home! This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of our first responders.
Roads are covered in ice and several inches of snow, and it looks like the snow will continue falling until this evening. With temperatures staying below freezing, the roads will remain icy and extremely hazardous.
If you don’t have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, driving in these conditions will be incredibly dangerous. Now is not the time to drive around and sight see. Stay off the roads.
Let’s work together to keep everyone safe!
Dear Citizens,
Slidell is currently under a Winter Storm Warning, and we are anticipating significant impacts from this weather event. The forecast predicts 4 to 8 inches of snow on Tuesday, with temperatures dropping below freezing every night this week.
Hazardous road conditions are expected through Wednesday and possibly into Thursday. I urge all citizens to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of our first responders.
While we are not currently anticipating widespread power outages or communication disruptions, I encourage everyone to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.
Follow the 4 P’s to stay safe during this winter storm:
  • Protect People: Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.
  • Protect Plants: Bring outdoor plants inside or cover them to protect them from freezing temperatures.
  • Protect Pets: Bring your pets indoors to keep them warm and safe.
  • Protect Pipes: Wrap any exposed pipes and let faucets drip overnight to prevent freezing and potential damage.
Our city crews and first responders are prepared to respond to this storm, but we need your cooperation to ensure everyone’s safety. Stay at home and off the roadways and keep informed by monitoring weather updates from trusted news sources.
Stay warm and stay safe, Slidell!
Sincerely,
Mayor Bill Borchert

On Monday, January 20, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., Bill Borchert officially took the oath of office to serve as Mayor of the City of Slidell. The ceremony took place at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium and was open to the public.

This transition followed the resignation of former mayor Greg Cromer, who accepted a new position with the State of Louisiana as a Legislative Affairs Officer at the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) earlier in January. Cromer had nearly a year and a half left to complete his term as mayor. In accordance with the city’s home rule charter, Borchert, who received the most votes for council-at-large in the last election, assumed the role of mayor until a special election in October 2025 to fill the remainder of Mayor Cromer’s term.

“I want to thank Mayor Cromer for his years of service and dedication to our community and wish him the best of luck in his new role,” said Mayor Borchert. “I am excited about continuing the great things that Mayor Cromer has accomplished for the City of Slidell over the last six and a half years. It has been an honor to serve the people of Slidell as a councilman for the last 16 years, and I look forward to continuing to serve the great citizens of Slidell as mayor.”

Mayor Bill Borchert, a proud Slidell resident for over 50 years and a graduate of St. Paul’s High School and Louisiana Tech University with a degree in engineering, has dedicated his career to improving the Slidell community. As a councilman, he spearheaded major initiatives, including expediting the construction of the I-12 Sound Barrier Wall along Country Club Estates, reforming retiree benefits to save taxpayers $16 million, and securing federal grants to enhance infrastructure at Heritage Park and build the Slidell Municipal Marina. His leadership in disaster relief, through efforts such as providing over 120,000 hot meals to Gulf Coast communities with the St. Margaret Mary Men’s Club Disaster Relief Team and housing volunteers after Hurricane Katrina, has earned him national recognition, including a $25,000 grant from Catholic Charities USA. Bill and his wife Laura have also raised over $20,000 for nonprofits through charity events.

A passionate supporter of the arts and cultural development, Borchert has help to revitalize Olde Towne Slidell’s economic and cultural landscape with projects like Antique Umbrella Alley and the Camellia Glass Bloom Tree. As mayor, he aims to prioritize completing the Tammany Trace into Heritage Park, revitalizing youth sports, and improving drainage infrastructure to mitigate flooding. Bill and Laura, along with their three daughters and two grandchildren, remain actively engaged in the Slidell community, supporting local businesses, arts, and civic efforts. Mayor Borchert welcomes input from residents as they work together toward the city’s continued growth and success.

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer announced earlier this month that he will resign as the Mayor of the City of Slidell to accept a new role with the State of Louisiana as a Legislative Affairs Officer at the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). His final day in office will be Monday, January 20, 2025.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I am stepping down as your Mayor. It has truly been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” said Cromer. “Serving the citizens of Slidell has been the best and most rewarding job of my career. I am proud to say that the City of Slidell is in better shape now than it was when I took office six years ago, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated city employees who have played a vital role in our success. Together, Team Slidell has achieved great things for our community, and I am confident that Slidell’s future remains bright.”
During his time as mayor, Cromer’s administration spearheaded numerous infrastructure improvement projects throughout the city and made significant investments in recreational facilities, including the complete renovation of the Henry J. Calamari Tennis Courts on Second Street, and new pickleball courts and a state-of-the-art skatepark at John Slidell Park. These accomplishments reflect Mayor Cromer’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Slidell residents.
Looking ahead to his new role, Mayor Cromer expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to continue to serve the Slidell community.
“I want to thank the citizens of Slidell for their trust and support throughout my time as mayor. I look forward to continuing to serve you by advocating for the needs of our region and the needs of those throughout the state in my new position with the DOTD.”
In accordance with the city’s home rule charter, Slidell City Councilman-at-Large Bill Borchert will assume the role of interim mayor. Borchert, who received the most votes for his position in the last election, will take office on January 21, 2025.
Join us on Monday, January 20, at 12 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium as Bill Borchert takes the Oath of Office and becomes the next Mayor of the City of Slidell.