Russell Kiger Sr.
July 9, 2010
Betty Jean Griffin
July 13, 2010
In today’s fast-paced society, many norms of the past get lost in the shuffle.
But what ever happened to Mayberry where families sat around the dinner table together and passed down stories from years gone by?
It was longing for the return of those good ol’ days that spurred Thibodaux Mayor Charles Caillouet to begin his “Senior Mayor For a Day Program” in 2003.
“When my grandparents came in from New Orleans every Sunday, there were stories about their family, stories about what’s happened in the past, and that’s how history was passed on,” said Caillouet. “As time developed since then with television, computers and so many other things taking place, we as a society and family unit have changed to the point we rarely ever eat together so you don’t have the history passing from generation to generation.”
Caillouet felt inviting seniors to City Hall to become “Mayor for a Day” could provide staff interesting information and stories from Thibodaux’s past.
“It became a great source of getting this information verbally, so hopefully some of us will be able to pass it on to our descendants, and the history of the businesses and buildings of the city of Thibodaux will continue,” said Caillouet.
More than 100 “Mayors” later, the program is still going strong.
But over time, Caillouet said learning experiences from the program have extended to participants as well.
“A number of ‘Senior Mayors’ would contact us after and say, ‘I didn’t know what it took to run the city of Thibodaux,’ and they were really amazed at all the details that came into how things work,” said Caillouet. “So then it became a two-way street. We were receiving information from them about the history of Thibodaux and their history in Thibodaux, but we were also educating them as to what it actually takes to run the city.”
“Senior Mayors” must be at least 65 years old and can be nominated by friends, family or organizations.
Caillouet presents each Senior Mayor with a plaque and a key to the city before they preside over a city staff meeting.
For many, it is an enlightening experience. For others, it’s quite daunting.
“The staff meeting was quite impressive, because it showcased the wonderful work that is going on in the city of Thibodaux,” said Eva Jacobs, who served as ‘Senior Mayor’ in early June. “I was able to listen to the reports of each department head, and I got that beautiful mural immediately of all of the nice things going on in the city.”
After the staff meeting, Caillouet gives each “Mayor” a tour of City Hall, followed by a car tour of the city’s current projects.
He then treats each “Mayor” to lunch at a Thibodaux restaurant of their choice, where he said he really gets a chance to learn about the history of Thibodaux from their perspective.
“I learned a number of things about buildings and businesses that I never knew existed here,” said Caillouet.
Former “Mayor” Robin Long, who served the city Nov. 17, 2009, said his favorite part of the day was the staff meeting.
“Things happen, and you don’t know what goes on behind the scenes to make those things happen,” said Long. “I kind of laid back and took it easy. It was just overwhelming all the stuff that goes on. You just take those things for granted. You don’t know what goes on.”
But some ‘Senior Mayors’ take an active role in trying to make their community a better place through the staff meeting and in conversations with Caillouet.
Prudent Faucheaux Jr., who served as “Mayor” June 15, used the platform to alert Caillouet’s staff about three potholes near his home.
“Those three holes were fixed within the week,” said Faucheaux.
With yesterday’s induction of Thibodaux’s newest “Mayor,” Francis Thibodaux, Caillouet is optimistic the program will remain intact as long as he is in office.
“That generation really gave a lot of heart and soul into developing this community and never thought, ‘One day, I could be mayor,'” said Caillouet. “Of all the programs I’ve started in Thibodaux, this is the most rewarding because I can see the enjoyment they get out of it.”
COURTESY PHOTO Thibodaux Mayor Charles Caillouet presents past “Senior Mayor” Eva Jacobs with a plaque and key to the city. Jacobs is one of 120 seniors who’ve presided over the city since the program’s inception in 2003..
