Menetre Park Boat Launch to Close, Red Bean-About, Rutland Street

Menetre Park Boat Launch

Construction of the new boat launch at Menetre Park (4th Avenue) will begin soon. The launch will be closed during construction (most of the winter).

The new launch will include an L-shaped pier on the south side of the ramps. This will allow boaters to tie up their boat away from the ramps while loading and unloading gear.

In June of 1965, Mayor Giles Pennington reported in the St. Tammany Farmer that construction of the new boat ramps was going well under the supervision of Ernest Cooper. Two years later, Cooper would defeat Pennington by 12 votes to become mayor.

Oh, and always use your seat belts.

Downtown Paving Projects

Prior to repaving any roadway, the City assesses the subterranean infrastructure (particularly sewer lines and subsurface drainage). The hope is to make as many repairs as feasible BEFORE covering it with a new layer of asphalt. This process is tedious, time consuming and common sense.

We are now satisfied with the subterranean infrastructure below Rutland, Gibson and Hebert Lane and /or the plan to make repairs under them during the asphalt overlay phase. A bid this past summer came in substantially over budget. We are in the process of re-bidding.

Side note: "Rutland" was not named Rutland due to the large number of ruts. Lockwood, Kirkland and Theard streets were named after early investors in the town of Wharton. It is suspected that so was Rutland but, per Mr. Jack Terry, there is no hard evidence to that fact. So, maybe it was because of the ruts.

New Hampshire, Columbia, Florida, Lee Road and Lockwood

Smoke testing of these streets revealed a large number of failures in the sewer collection system … primarily where lines running from the property owner connect with the main sewer lines.

Our engineering department conceived the idea that these be repaired at the same time the street is being milled down for overlay. A scope of work to that effect is being created.

No timeline.

Slow it Down, Eastbound

I have communicated to DOTD that the speed limit on 21st Ave. (LA Hwy 21) in front of the Covington branch library of 35 mph should be lowered. The 35 mph drops to 15 mph at the red bean-about which I perceive to be too great of an immediate change. They disagreed and indicated the speed limit from Tyler to Jefferson will remain at 35 mph.

I now ask our drivers to approach the red bean-about from West 21st Ave. carefully and at a slower speed.

Additionally, drivers should take note that the first set of hash marks one reaches is a pedestrian crosswalk. Stop here if there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk (which is seldom). DO NOT STOP here if there is not a pedestrian in the cross walk.

The second set of hash marks is the entry to the red bean-about. When you pass the pedestrian crosswalk, you are still NOT in the actual driving oval. Hence, drivers entering the red bean-about from South Jefferson shall not yield to you. Also, you still have to yield to drivers to your left who are in the driving oval.

Put another way, drivers entering the red bean-about from West 21st Ave. do NOT automatically have the right-of-way all the time, every time (including the gentleman that waved to me last week using just a single finger ; ).

Pastor Alfred Young

Per the St. Tammany Farmer, "For decades, the Rev. Alfred Young Jr. guided northshore residents on a path to a better life and now, there’s an actual pathway bearing his name.

The beloved Young, who passed away in 2022 at age 66, was recently honored in Covington as a section of 30th Avenue was officially renamed Reverend Alfred Young Jr. Memorial Avenue." For the complete story Click Here.

Zumba With the Mayor

Sunday, November 17th

Noon - 1:30pm, Bogue Falaya Hall

Fun Facts: 20% of participants are >70 years old, 50% > 60, 20% are men and 10-15% have autism. After 3 minutes you will realize, "No one here really cares what I look like." After 30 minutes you'll realize, "I just got my heart rate up and broke a sweat." After 45 minutes, if you're new to Zumba, your workout will be complete. Let's not over do it your first time out.

Saying "I can't dance" is not a valid excuse. We're not the Saintsations. Church? Join us at 12:30 or 12:45. You'll still get a workout.

Oh, and it's free.

Menetre Park Boat Launch

Our boat launch at 4th Ave. is named after Emile J. Menetre, Mayor of Covington from 1945 to 1965. The southern gentleman and nephew, Ralph Menetre, suggested a new sign and we obliged. A couple of years ago, we enjoyed a wonderful morning celebrating the rededication with one of our city's iconic families.

Granddaughter Jamie Seynard and nephew Ralph did the honors.

The family was forced to listen to me speak.

Replies to this e-mail go directly to Mayor Mark.

Rooted in History, Focused on the Future

Mayor's Page| by Mayor Mark