Morgan City Council opens new term with swearing in

The Morgan City Council opened a new term Monday with a swearing-in ceremony, including one for a new council member, and a look back at accomplishments in the 2021-25 term.
The new member is Eriq Blanchard, who won election Nov. 5 over longtime District 5 councilman Lou Tamporello.
Blanchard is a businessman and former police officer who ran on a new-generation platform. His daughter Savannah was at his side as he took the oath of office.
Tamporello had served five four-year terms.
“That’s an amazing feat for any office,” Mayor Lee Dragna said.
Each of Tamporello’s council colleagues took a moment during Monday’s meeting at Municipal Auditorium to praise his service.
The Rev. Ron Bias spoke of Tamporello’s compassion.
“If I had a question,” said Steve Domangue, “I went to Lou.”
“You always voted with your heart,” Tim Hymel said.
The Nov. 5 elections returned Bias to office in a three-candidate field for a sixth four-year term. Bonnie Leonard also won election after serving as an interim appointment in April.
The council members also voted to make Leonard mayor pro tem for the coming year.
Her oath of office was administered by District Judge Ed Leonard, who shared the swearing-in duties with 6th Ward Morgan City Court Judge Kim Stansbury.
Dragna, Domangue and Hymel qualified for re-election without opposition.
Dragna opened Monday’s meeting by talking about city accomplishments over the last four years.
He said he hired one person when he came into office, a grant writer. Hannah Roy has since left the city government for a private sector job, but she made her mark.
The city received a grant that will be used to build a new swimming pool, Dragna said. Grants have helped Morgan City launch a $12 million upgrade of the water system, adding capacity to handle future growth, and a $7 million grant for improving the natural gas system.
Also in the last term, Dragna said:
•87% of voters approved a half-cent sales tax for police officer and firefighter training and pay.
•The city purchased the Shannon Elementary building and uses its gym for basketball and, in the future, for pickleball.
•The city opened two playgrounds and increased participation in youth sports programs.
•The city built a pavilion at Lake End Park and moved toward building a new marina.
•The city spent $500,000 on façade and weatherization grants to local people.