Kickin’ back with hip boot joe
July 14, 200863 on NSU’s spring Honor Roll
July 16, 2008
St. Mary Parish Public Buildings Inspector Wendell C. Bogan became parish’s 13th annual “What Manner of Man” recipient at a recent awards in Franklin.
The town’s Martin Luther King Committee selected the 63-year-old Verdunville native because of his strong faith and convictions, said Diane Wiltz, co-chairman of the fundraising event.
“I humbly accept this award,” Bogan told the record crowd of 150 people, “but no man is an island. I did not do this all by myself. I had a lot of help.”
“Public service is not easy. You never get paid for the work you do in public service and, sometimes, it hurts your family and friends because of what people say about you,” he added. “Still, I say to every young person … in fact, I say to everyone, never give up on your dreams.”
Wiltz compared Bogan’s service as the Morgan City Housing Authority’s director (from 1982 to 2002) to Jesus as remained calm in the wake of a storm aboard his disciples’ boat.
During his tenure at the Housing Authority, allegations of wrongdoing were lodged against Bogan and his staff. The accusations were eventually proven untrue.
Bogan’s efforts on behalf of the parish were lauded by longtime associate Jim Firmin. A Morgan City architect, Firmin and Bogan worked together to acquire more than $2 million in grants to refurbish parts of the Morgan City Housing Authority’s five developments.
Firmin called his friend a “bridge of understanding” between the black and white communities.
Bogan and his wife Maxine have four children and six grandchildren. He is a former training non-commissioned officer, having served in Alaska during the Vietnam Conflict.
Past recipients of the “What Manner of Man” award include: Edward Minor, 1996; Joshua McDaniel Sr., 1997; Alberta Williams, 1998; Oscar Watson, 1999; Almetra Franklin, 2000; Willie Peters, 2001; Joseph Davis, 2002; Charles Middleton, 2003; Herbert Joseph, 2004; Hilliard Buckner, 2005; the Foulcard Family, 2006; Simon Daniels, 2006; and Reggie Harrell, 2007.
Proceeds from the MLK Committee banquet will be used to erect a statue of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King in St. Mary Parish.
Wendell C. Bogan accepts the 13th annual “What Manner of Man” Award from the Martin Luther King Committee of Franklin at its recent banquet at Forest Restaurant. A member of St. Mary Parish’s Planning and Zoning Department, Bogan previously served as director of Morgan City’s Housing Authority. * Photo by HOWARD CASTAY JR.
