Music, municipalities come together for Louisiana Municipal Association District H Conference

A districtwide meeting for a state support coalition brought together its municipalities to appoint new leaders — and to greet a surprise guest.

The Louisiana Municipal Association District H meeting at the Addis Community Center brought together from Iberville and seven other parishes to discuss the direction of the state in the next year.

The start of the meeting Monday night included a surprise appearance from Addis native — and now national celebrity — John Foster, who emerged runner-up in the 2025 “American Idol” competition.

2025 "American Idol" runnerup John Foster made a surprise appearance in his hometown of Addis for an appearance at the Louisiana Municipal Association District H meeting.

After performing four songs, including a gospel hymn, the focus shifted to governmental business.

Aging infrastructure, along with budget cuts on the state and federal level, rank among the biggest challenges for the municipalities throughout the state.

With those challenges, grant acquisition becomes a chief priority.

“These events are great networking opportunities, and everyone goes through things no matter how big or how small you are … you don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Addis Mayor David Toups said. “We all have the same wants and needs.:”

Longtime Grosse Tete Mayor Mike Chauffe and first-year Plaquemine Mayor JB Barker attended the event, along with their respective council members.

Plaquemine Mayor JB Barker chats with Addis Mayor David Toups duiring the Louisiana Municipal Association District H meeting in Addis.

Chauffe — who was first elected to the Grosse Tete Board of Aldermen in 1988 — is now in his fifth term as mayor.

Ray Bourque, mayor of the rapidly growing Acadiana city of Broussard, will serve as the 2025-26 president.

Longtime Baker Mayor Darnell Waites was named state chairman for the next year, while Toups was appointed District H chairman.

Grosse Tete Mayor Mike Chauffe addresses the Louisiana Municipal Association District H members during their district meeting June 17 in Addis.

Toups has served as Addis Mayor since 2013, after he succeeded Carroll Bourgeois, who led the city’s government for 31 years.

During those years, it grew from under 700 residents in 1982 to 7,500 by the time Bourgeois retired in 2013.

“As far as growth, we’re pretty much done,” Toups said.  “Sugar Mill II and the other subdivisions, most are closing in, so now it’s about maintaining and serving the citizens so that they have good roads to ride on, as well as good drainage.

“We don’t need any growth — we’re happy right where we are,” he said.