Mayor's Office - Town of Maringouin

Mayor – Maurice Harris

This is his first term as Mayor. Maurice has been happily married for 15 years to Ursula Fowler Harris.

He has three children: Marlaisha, Maurice, Jr. and Makeriah. Maurice is a 1994 graduate of North Iberville High School. He received his Bachelor’s in 2002 and Master’s in 2007 in both Nursing from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge. Maurice has been in nursing for 17 year. He is currently employed as a nurse at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Hospital.

Maurice is also a member of Maringouin Volunteer Fire Department and Maringouin First Responders. He is a member of Mt. Gideon Baptist Church where he is an associate minister, deacon and choir member.

Maurice is willing to put forth every effort to keep the town moving forward. He has spent countless hours volunteering his time, resources and energy helping in the community. He is interested in the needs of the people and will be neutral and unbiased when considering the outlook and needs of the council members and the community. He will treat every individual with dignity and honor and without prejudice. His goal is to recognize the involvement of every individual and, build a strong and connected community. Maurice’s passion is helping others any way he can.

Sam Watson - Alderman

Sam Watson serving his second term as Alderman for the Town of Maringouin. As a lifelong resident of the Town of Maringouin he has 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Watson worked as an engineer at DOTD for 38 years, where he was supervisor for 29 years. He also served in the United States Armed Forces in the Vietnam War. Watson also exude leadership as god fearing man he was Grand Knight- K.P.C. Council #119, he also serves on the parish Council and finance Committee for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Watson has always been a staple in the community he also was the former President of Boarder of Director of (I.P.R.D.). Sam Watson thank you for your service as Alderman for the Town of Maringouin.

Clarence Wiley- Alderman

Alderman Clarence Wiley is serving as a second term Alderman for the Town of Maringouin. He is a lifelong resident of Maringouin.

Clarence Wiley is a native of Maringouin, who attended grade school and high school in this great community. After graduating from North Iberville High School, he was determined to effectuate positive change in this community. Clarence worked as an entrepreneur and technical jobs while carrying a full load of classes, at Baton Rouge Community College. Clarence earned a trade as an Equipment Operator. His vision for the community encompasses a wide variety of ideas. His main focus is that we provide for the children in our community. He believes that the children are our future and we must invest in them.

Cherise D. Gougisha -Alderwoman

Cherise D. Gougisha is a native and lifelong resident of Maringouin, Louisiana. Cherise is the daughter of the Late Aldrich “Tudy” Dupree and Sadie Dupree. She is married to Warren Gougisha Sr. and, they have 3 children and they are proud grandparents of 3 grandchildren. Among her accolades she is a high school graduate of Shady Grove High School, studied business management at Southern University, and she graduated from Bob Brooks Real Estate School. Also she is the first elected female to ever hold office in the town of Maringouin. She was voted Mayor Pro Temp for 8 years while holding office for 16 years. She has been a hard working women by working the banking industry for 20 years, a license realtor for 5 years and worked in criminal justice for 5 years. She is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Cherise Gougisha would like to thank you for giving her the privilege for being your councilwoman.

Jerome "Gillis" Martin - Alderman

Jerome “Gillis” Martin serves as an Alderman for the Town of Maringouin. Martin is the Son of Yolanda Crump, and is the Grandson of Gertrude Crump and Charles Crump Sr. As a lifelong resident of Maringouin he graduated from North Iberville High School in 1996. Martin is a family man married, to Shelane Harris for 10 years with 2 children the he adore. Martin has worked at Pacific Union Railroad for 19 years. Martin exude excellence in his community by volunteering at the Maringouin Fire Department, an lending a helping hand where he is needed. Also he is a child of god as a devoted member at One Accord Ministries. Martin makes a great Alderman because he isn’t a politician he is a leader. Jerome Martin thank you for your service as Alderman you are greatly appreciated.

Veronica "Bonnie" Hill - Alderwoman

Veronica “Bonnie” Hill is proudly serving her first year as Alderwoman for the Town of Maringouin. She is a lifelong resident of Maringouin, Louisiana.

She received her Bachelor of Science and Master degrees from Southern University-Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Business Education. She is also a 39 year employee at Southern University-Baton Rouge as a Computer Facilitator.

Veronica has always shown love for her community. She believes that maintaining a strong relationship with the people she cares about is a very important aspect of her life. She participates and volunteers in activities for the school, church and community to help ensure that the community prospers. Veronica believes in helping other to further their education, so she implemented the North Iberville Scholarship Fund. She wants to maintain a positive relationship with the community by making a personal commitment to honesty, integrity, accountability, respect and dedication. Her life mission is to be good in the things she does, how to treat others, and the decisions she makes. She says her strengths come from the confidence and beliefs she has in God.

Veronica’s missions include the following:

Provide quality programs and municipal services for residents of the community
(Tutoring and Computer Classes)
Work hard to continue economic growth
Beautification of the town with street lights, sidewalks, street and welcome signs
Sponsor an Annual Health Care Fair
Work together with town officials to provide services to the elderly in the town

Veronica is married to Burnell J. Hill, Jr. She has six Children: Gary, Kinte, Keira, Karnika, Kristy and Arien

Seven Grandchildren: Michael, Keri, Jeremiah, Nyla, Kendon, Kennedy and Kamrin

Daughter-in-law: Stefanie — Son-in-laws: Jason and Joe

She is a active Member of Mt. Gideon Baptist Church.

Quick Links

Administrative Staff

Public Works Director
Lee Butler, III

Legal Counsel

Gerard T. Morgan

Town Clerk
Carolyn Marino

Maringouin Police Department:

Valerie Pryer, Police Department Clerk
Officer T. Davis

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This is his first term as Mayor. Maurice has been happily married for 15 years to Ursula Fowler Harris.

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Four Year Strategic Plan

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Goal 1: Maintain a Structurally Balanced Budget

To the Citizens of the Town of Maringouin: Enclosed is the 2016 operating budget for the Town of Maringouin. The purpose of the budget message is to identify objectives for the coming year as well as the underlying assumptions made in the projection of the revenues and related expenditures of the operations of the Town. The budget is presented on a “line item” basis. Each item of revenue and expenditure is identified for your review. The 2016 budget has been prepared to maintain all funds with positive fund balances as of September 30, 2016. The summary of all funds shows that 2016 revenues will be $2,499,700. On the other hand, expenditures of $3,617,171 are projected. The financial stability that is necessary for services needed by the Town is achieved by sales tax revenues and utility charges, which approximate 60% of total operating revenue. Budgeted charges for services related to utility operations total $775,000. Specifics concerning the funds are as follows: General Fund Revenues for 2014 is expected to experience a decrease of $76,000. Sales tax is projected to be decrease by approximately 4%, or $50,000 for 2016 which is projected based on historical collection levels.

Other general fund budgeted revenues are consistent with 2015 projected revenues. Expenditures are projected to be $2,345,520, an increase of approximately $887,000 from 2015 projected expenditures. This increase is directly related to capital outlay expenditures related to the construction projects for a new governmental complex and a splash park. 3 Special Revenue Fund – Fire Protection Special revenues of $177,000 of sales taxes and other revenues are projected for collection in the 2015 fiscal year for fire protection. Expenditures are projected at $173,251 for 2016, which is a decrease of $31,200 from the projected 2015 expenditures. Enterprise Fund Revenues from user fees generated from the Town’s utility systems for 2016 are expected to be approximately $775,000. The expenses relating to maintenance, capital outlay, debt service and other administration are projected to be $1,098,400.

Conclusion: These are exciting times for the citizens of the Town as the critical needs of the community are identified and addressed for resolution. Funding for such services has been a paramount concern of the Mayor and the Town Council. The challenge presented to us is to make the appropriate decisions that will result in the best use of the resources available.

Goal 2: Create Jobs

Description: Create the number of high-wage jobs created by partnering with the Parish government. This creation of jobs focuses on professional, technical, skilled trade and managerial jobs within the Parish of Iberville. The Parish seat serves as the central point of the plant industry. This business endeavor will improve economic trajectory towards greater opportunity, prosperity and competitiveness for all citizens.

Goal 3: Affordable Housing

Description: Participate in the development and preservation of new and/or rehabilitated quality and affordable housing unit. Encourage public-private partnerships to dramatically increase the number of available quality and affordable housing units across the community.

Goal 4: Provide services, information, and data regarding Town's business to be readily available on line

Description: Increase number of online services offered by the Town of Maringouin. Increase the Open Data, Open Metadata and Open Content about city assets and services available online.

Goal 5: Ensure Healthy Living with Our Residents, Elderly and Youth

Description: Improve the health of Maringouin residents by developing initiatives to support a better understanding in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This will create a program that is focused on becoming a healthier town, narrowing the gap in health disparities among its residents and achieving health equity for all residents.

Goal 6: Revitalize Home Structures and Facilities

Goal 7: Increase Educational Attainment

Description: Attain, Educate and Encourage more working age adults with college degrees and technical skills from our community. This goal for educational attainment is to partner with Community Colleges, Technical Skill Programs, and local educators and community activist to provide ample opportunities for developing creativity and creative thinking, skilled workers, engaged citizens and civic leaders for our community.

Goal 8:Revitalize Our Parks and Enhance Recreatonal Opportunities

Description: Continue to provide our community parks with new or renovated amenities and programs while continuing to support the Iberville Parks and Recreation and the newly created Maringouin Community Center located on Lions Avenue. There are current plans for the creation of the Water Splash Park, a state of the art facility that will help to enhance the community. The completion of Water Splash Park is scheduled for Spring 2016. The governing board also has plans for a walking trail located on Church Street and Landry Drive.

This walking trial will enable residents to help make their communities more liveable; improve the economy through tourism and civic improvement; preserve and restore open space; and provide opportunities for physical activity to improve fitness and mental health.

Goal 9: Increase Aweareness in the Arts (Music, Culture, Literature)

Description: Help develop a fire service delivery model that is operationally efficient, consistent for all citizens, and financially sustainable. The goal of the fire department is to continue to work with Emergency Preparedness of our parish.

Goal 10: Destroy Abandoned Structure

Description: Promote programs to encourage visual and performing artists. Ensure that artistic, literary, musical experiences are available to residents. Continue to foster relationships with Parish leaders to ensure that these programs are available.

Goal 11: Deliver Better Fire Protection

Description: Text regarding the current status of project.