Metairie, LA - As part of a worldwide movement to reduce injuries and save lives, Hammond is the first city in Louisiana and the 18th in the United States to be recognized by the International Safe Community movement. Safe Communities America, a program of The National Safety Council, is the Safe Communities Affiliate Support Center as well as a Certifying Center for the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center. As the U.S. voice of WHO's Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion, Safe Communities America encourages and supports those communities aspiring to the International Safe Community designation.

While the City of Hammond's safety improvements have been profound, the community feels there is more they can do to make their city safer. This is why they sought to become a Safe Community America.

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Team Hammond celebrated the 17th annual lighting of Zemurray Park Friday evening. The lights in Zemurray Park have become a Christmas tradition in Hammond. Shown at Friday's ceremonial "flipping of the switch" are Hammond City Councilman Lemar Marshall, Mayor Mayson Foster, Councilmen Mike Williams and Bobby Martin, Team Hammond electrician Janice Russo, Recreation Director Joey Keener, and Council President Johnny Blount. The lights will remain on until Christmas Day.

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WHO reps tour Hammond as part of Safe Community Determination

Megan Mosher
Daily Star Staff Writer

Two representatives from the World Health Organization are eyeing Hammond to assess the city's attention to safety.

Carol Eamer from Calvary, Alberta, Canada, and Carrie Nie from Dallas are in town in conjunction with the Safe Communities program. Their visit is one of the last steps toward the city's achieving WHO's Safe Community designation, said National Safety Council Marketing Manager Claude Maher.

If Hammond receives the Safe Community designation, it will be the first in the state and the 16th in the U.S.

Eamer and Nie spent Wednesday touring City Hall, the Tangipahoa Tourism Office, Southeastern Louisiana University, downtown Hammond and the veterans' clinic.

Today they will continue their tour with the parish government substation and the Hammond Northshore Regional Airport, and they plan to wrap up the visit early in the afternoon.

Having arrived at midnight Tuesday, they had not had time Wednesday morning to see much of the town, but their comments were positive.

"It's a beautiful little town," Eamer said. "I know it's a city, but it has a small town feel to it."

"It has a real sense of community to it," Nie said.

Maher described Eamer and Nie as very qualified individuals who have been in the business of safety or aligned with the Safe Communities program for over 20 years.

In 2009, the National Safety Council approached several Louisiana communities about the possibility of applying for the designation.

So far, only Hammond has stuck with the lengthy process, Maher said.

Mayor Mayson Foster said he was a little skeptical about participating at first, but he soon decided it was something the city needed to pursue.

"Not so much for the recognition, but to make darn sure we are a safe community," he said.
About 50 members of the community, city department head and dignitaries cordially welcomed the visitors Wednesday morning.

Fire Chief John Thomas related that Hammond had already formed a safety committee and the Safe Communities program brought all the efforts together.

"We were doing it all along," said Thomas, the committee chair.

Some of the efforts have included training city employees to be CPR certified, creating the "No Fall Zone" coalition and pursuing grants for a safety research center to be located in Hammond, he said.

Fire fighters receive 20 hours of training a month, provide fire extinguisher safety classes to communities and businesses, are present with fire safety information at most activities and regularly educate children about many safety issues through the Fire Prevention Bureau, he said.

Police Chief Roddy Devall also bragged on how safe the police department is. He cited officers'
training hours, the specialty training in narcotics and street crimes and the quality of the department's equipment.

"If you compare the size of Hammond and the size of Dallas, we're as equipped as the Dallas police department is," Devall said.

Each police officer has a bullet proof vest and carries a 45 millimeter Glock pistol, Devall said. They also carry a shotgun and are allowed to carry an extra duty weapon.

"They do have to qualify on each weapon they carry," he said.

The police cars are equipped with cameras and LED lights for public safety. All officers carry radios linked to their names so they can be located, Devall said.

Kent Souileau with the city government garage, said he enforces every safety measure in the work space, keeps the welding equipment and chemicals separate, and stresses the use of jack stands and safety glasses. He said employees take care to properly maintain the vehicles and closely follow the specs so no accidents occur due to equipment failure.

Ginger Fortson and Nash Bono, directors of Planning and Grants and the Building Department, respectively, told how the zoning ordinances and code enforcement helps keep citizens safe by taking care of situations such as vacant housing.

Southeastern Louisiana University President John Crain said expressed pride in the university's safety and relationship with the city.

Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess and state Rep. Steve Pugh praised Hammond for dedication to the process of earning safe community designation.

"Hammond deserves it because they work hard to make it a home town," Pugh said.

"This is a great place to come and raise a family," Burgess agreed.


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The seven-member Charter Review Committee reported to the Hammond City Council its eight recommendations for consideration by the Council for changes to the City Charter. Those recommendations are:

One. Summary. Amends Article II, Section 2-01, Subsection B, Paragraph 1 of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to the terms of members of the Hammond City Council. The amendment makes a substantive change, as follows: Limits council members to serving only three consecutive terms.

Two. Summary. Amends Article II, Section 2-04, Subsection A of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to the compensation of the presiding officer of the council. The amendment makes a substantive change as follows: Provides for an additional salary of $500 per month.

Three. Summary. Amends Article III, Section 3-05 of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to the absence or disability of the mayor. The amendments makes a substantive change, as follows: Allows the city council to appoint a person, except for current city council members, to serve as acting mayor if the director of administration is unable to serve, and requires any person serving as acting mayor to be compensated at the same rate as the actual mayor if the period of service should exceed thirty (30) days.

Four. Summary. Amends Article IV, Section 4-02, Subsection E of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to the city attorney. The amendment makes a substantive change, as follows: Allows the council to hire a separate legal advisor under certain circumstances upon its own motion.

Five. Summary. Amends Article IV, Section 4-04, of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to the Police Department. The amendment makes a substantive change, as follows: Provides for the qualifications of the police chief; requires certain education, experience, and other requirements to be satisfied in order to serve as police chief.

Six. Summary. Amends Article IV, Section 4-05, Subsection C of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to the Fire Department. The amendment makes a substantive change, as follows: Provides for the qualifications of the fire chief; requires certain education, experience, and other requirements to be satisfied in order to serve as fire chief.

Seven. Summary. Amends Article VII, Section 7-02, of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, pertaining to conflicts of interest. The amendment makes a substantive change, as follows: Expands the prohibition against conflicts of interests to include interests in Limited Liability Corporations.

Eight. Summary. Amends Article VII, Section 7-04 of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Hammond, to change the word “repeal” to the word “replace” throughout the section.


The recommendations may be adopted by the council, rejected by the council, or amended by the council, and if adopted, a public hearing and an election on each proposal must be submitted to the voters as directed in the current charter. The date for such election has not been set.


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At its noon meeting on Wednesday, the Hammond Rotary Club recognized Don Holtgren, City Administrator, as the 2010 Outstanding Employee for the City of Hammond. This recognition continues the tradition of Hammond Rotary for over twenty years of naming a non-civil service employee for exceptional service to the city.

Rotary President Ron Taylor exclaimed his excitement for "Mr. Don" in receiving the award. Taylor stated that he had known him for several years, had worked with him, and even dressed at his house on the day of his wedding.

In his introductory remarks, Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster praised Holtgren for his work under three mayors-Charles McKaskle, Louis Tallo, and himself. Foster praised Holtgren's loyalty to the city and especially his dedication, stating that even during his recent illness, Holtgren would either call in every day and would come to work when able.

Holtgren, a graduate of Kansas State University in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, is married to the former Debbie Blomquist and they have two sons, Jason and Ryan.


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The City of Hammond has introduced its budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. A public hearing will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the Hammond City Council Chambers, 312 E. Charles St., at 5:30 p.m. Comments may be sent to <a href="mailto:mayor@hammond.org?subject=2011-2012 Budget" title="">mayor@hammond.org</a>

<a href="/content/services/forms/administration/budget.pdf" target="_blank">Click here to view budget</a>


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Louisiana Federation Garden Club judges, Hammond Garden Club Members and City of Hammond Personal

Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. presenting the City of Hammond with a plaque for winning the District VI Cleanest City Contest in Category H after the Cleanest City Judges toured the city on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 for the State competition.

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From Left to right Buddy Ridgel, Glenda Bice, Glenda Nelson, Bobby Crosby, Phyllis Mire, Kathy Bedenbaugh, Yvette Hebert, Mayor Mayson Foster, Jean Gilstrap, Barbara Coates, Peggy Dunn, Linda Broussard, Gail Diebold, Carlese Armstrong, Juanita Pearson, Howard Edwards, Melanie Stein and Sylvia Dileo


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The Louisiana Garden Club Federation recently named the City of Hammond as a district champion in the "Cleanest City" competition.

The district win marks Hammond's fifth straight, said Mayor Mayson Foster.

The Judges indicated they were once again impressed with the attention to detail the city exhibited.

Foster thanked TEAM Hammond for once again partnering to capture the district title.

"This was a true TEAM effort, and we owe our success once again to the work of our TEAM Hammond members, Keep Hammond Beautiful, the Hammond Garden Clubs, and of course the citizens who show such civic pride in our community," Foster said.

Hammond will compete for its fifth straight state championship in what Foster has dubbed a "five-peat" for the state's Cleanest City title.


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The incoming City Government was recognized at the Inauguration Ceremony held in the City Council Chambers January 4th .

Pictured left to right are Council District 5 Representative Mike Williams; Council District 4 Representative Lemar Marshall; Mayor Mayson Foster; Council District 3 Representative Dr. Robert J. "Bobby" Martin; Council District 2 Representative Jason Hood; and Council District 1 Representative Johnny Blount. In its first action, the City Council elected Mr. Blount as President of the Council and Mr. Williams as Vice President.

The City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 in the Council Chambers, 312 E. Charles St., Hammond.


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The Administration of the City of Hammond gathers to "switch on the lights" in Hammond's Zemurray Park. Pictures left to right: Mayor Mayson Foster; Council Vice President Johnny Blount; Councilman Mike Williams; Council President Jason Hood; and Councilwoman Kathy Montecino.

The Park will be open to visitors every evening, and the miniature train will run Friday 6-9; Saturday 5-9; and Sunday 5-9 through December 23rd. Admission is free to all events.

The Hammond Police Department got a call from a resident stating that two white male subjects came to her residence and advised that the city hired them to do some work on the water. The complainant advised that the males advised her that the water had oil in it. The complainant let the two male subjects inside her residence and one male subject went to her water faucet while the other walked around the house.

The complainant advised that one subject told her that she should notice a difference in the water and both subjects left the residence. The complainant advised that she walked through her house and noticed some money and jewelry missing.

One subject is described as a white male 6' 0" and weighs about 230. The other white male is described as being tall and slim. The City of Hammond has not contracted with anyone to do anything with the water.


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FOUR-PEAT---City officials and volunteers gathered Wednesday afternoon as representatives from the Louisiana Garden Club Federation presented the City of Hammond with its fourth straight Louisiana State Cleanest City award. Hammond City Council President Jason Hood accepted the award on behalf of the city and credited the people of Hammond for making this milestone possible. Hood said that Hammond has championed the cause of banning litter and that as a result, the city is a more attractive, desirable place to live, work, and play.

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Hammond has won for the fourth time in a row the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc., State Division H, Cleanest City. The judges from the LGCF visited the city on May 7 and notified Mayor Mayson Foster about 6:00 pm that the city won again.

"I knew that we were up against some amazing competition in Eunice, Morgan City, Pineville and Bastrop, " Foster said. "I know all of their mayors, and I know that being selected over them makes this win all the more gratifying. Congratulations to them as well for their great job."

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The 2010 St. Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcons were honored by the Hammond City Council Tuesday night for being the state basketball champions in class 2A.

Thousands visit Hammond's Smokin' Blues and Bar-B-Que in Downtown.

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(Photos courtesy of the Hammond Daily Star)</center>

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Senior Celebration
Health and Consumer Fair
April 14, 2010
9:00-1:00
Florida Parishes Arena
Amite, LA
Sponsored By:
Tangipahoa Voluntary
Council on Aging
And
Tangipahoa Parish Government
And Sheriff Daniel Edwards
985-748-7486
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Signing the anti-cigarette butt month Proclamation is from left Reuben Johnson, Litter Officer; Don Holtgren, City Administrator; Robert Fields, Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee; Dori St. Cyr, Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee; Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster; Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee Chair Harold Edwards; Anette Kirylo, Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee; Carlise Armstrong, Hammond Parks and Grounds. March 23rd will be the judging for the District E Cleanest City Award sponsored by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation. Hammond is seeking its fourth straight title as Cleanest City in the State of Louisiana.

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<center>Please Join Us
Grand Opening of New Community Center
Michael J. Kenney Recreation Center
Hammond Area Recreation Department

Friday, March 19, 2010 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies at 1:30 pm

Entertainment by Hammond Recreation Line Dancers & The Golden Tones
Refreshments & Door Prizes

601 West Coleman Avenue
Hammond
RSVP 985-277-5906
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The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Community Services awarded a grant totaling $250,000 to the City of Hammond. The Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) program provides funding for technical assistance and training activities at no cost to interested grassroots, non-profit, faith based, social service and community based organizations. Aegis Systems, LLC is the Consultant retained to develop, provide, implement and deliver the curriculum and technical assistance to eligible non-profit organizations. The SCF program process will be discussed at the next Quarterly Non-Profit Workshop scheduled Friday, January 22, 2010. The 2 year program has components for agency assessment, individual development plans, coaching and mentoring activities. Each agency determined eligible to participate will receive technical assistance in the following areas: leadership and organizational development, fund development including grant writing training, and community outreach. The application and detailed announcement will be posted on the City of Hammond website.

The Quarterly Non-Profit Workshop will be held at Regions Bank, 2nd Floor Conference Room.
Other speakers on the agenda are Michael Allen for Channel 17 and Tina Bouzon, Program Manager of the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorset Brown Foundation. To RSVP please contact Megan MacMenamin, Grants Administrative Assistant at 985-277-5647 or email address:
Macmenamin_me@hammond.org. Thank you.


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NEW YEAR, NEW CONTRACTOR---The City of Hammond welcomes Parish Disposal, Inc. (PDI) as the new provider for residential garbage collection service, starting Monday, Jan. 4. Under the new residential garbage collection contract which goes into effect Jan. 1, the city will now offer curbside garbage collection through PDI, as well as weekly recycling pick-up, courtesy of the Baton Rouge Recycling Foundation. The combined cost of the two-prong service contract is less than what customers were paying previously on the old garbage contract, which ends Dec. 31. Shown in front of one of the two new PDI trucks which will be used to collect residential garbage are Hammond Street Department employee Bobby Crosby, Street Department Superintendent Buddy Ridgel, City Administrator Don Holtgren, Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster, PDI owner Harold Barber, and PDI employees Dustin Fortenberry and Jason Creel.

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Nov. 30, 2009

Contact: Frank Saxton, Northshore Community Foundation, fsaxton@northshorefoundation.org,
985-624-7160

<center><b>Northshore Community Foundation funds, assists Hammond master planning</center></b>

Hammond - Working with a leading town planning firm and the city, the Northshore Community Foundation will facilitate town meetings this week that will lead to a master plan for Hammond’s growth and future.

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Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster (second from left) and members of the Hammond City Council were present Friday as the city received a ceremonial check in the amount of $800,000 from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Dr. Harold Leggett for improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant. Shown accepting the check are Hammond City Council President Mike Williams, Foster, Leggett, Councilwoman Kathy Montecino, and Councilman Jason Hood, along with Rep. Scott Simon. The project was one of the first approved by the state in response to President Obama's call for "shovel-ready" infrastructure improvements being funded through the national and state recovery funds.

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<center>Left to right: Lisa Wascom, Mayor Foster, Bob Anders, and J.P. Turner</center>