11/16/2025
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK COMMISSION PRESIDENT
“Pay attention to those who justify poor behavior. The City of Bogalusa has a standing tradition of Christmas in the Park, featuring lights in Cassidy Park. This event has always relied on community members who volunteer for an array of displays and dedicate their time to supporting the logistics behind the event. In recent years, serving on the Christmas in the Park Commission has become one of the many controversies of small-town politics.
Bogalusa has another community-sponsored holiday event, Christmas on Austin Street. In my opinion, it is simply another opportunity for community members to enjoy the festivities with lights and activities. I genuinely look forward to December 13, 2025, when Bogalusa will offer both events. Many of you attend both, and that is what Bogalusa should be about. I have great respect for the Arata family, and they have always been willing to support me in creating a successful park experience. Now, if several of my colleagues and I were to gain access to materials designated for that event, recruit other individuals to help us undermine their plans and desires, and then celebrate our actions by thanking ourselves on social media, that would be a poor reflection on my humanity.
I come from the school of the chain of command. Regardless of whether I believe in the mission, if it is my job to carry it out, I will respect the people charged with making those decisions and do my job to the best of my abilities.
Witnessing factions of people on Facebook trying to justify insubordination, acts that they would not tolerate, is a sad thing on the Sabbath. No one on the commission is ungrateful for the people of Bogalusa for their help. It's hurtful that you didn't HELP US because you didn't even consult us on what help we needed. Ask yourself why no one on the commission was aware of this? We have no idea what you have done
or commitments you have made. You made it clear you have no respect for your fellow citizens in creating joy, cheer, and bringing families together.
I'm always a person who believes we can overcome adversity in the pursuit of our mission. I ask you, as a leader, to allow me to assign you a mission, and you work with me to the best of your ability, not succumbing to sabotage. A few of you have expressed your continued desire to help, and that should be funneled through the Christmas in the Park Commission. Solicitation for services that DO NOT include my signature is unauthorized by bad actors. As I said, I am in contact with the Mayor who appointed us and will follow up with the City Council.
Please share this within your networks, as I have more information forthcoming on how we can proceed to work together on a jolly good time.”
Roniqua Watkins
Christmas in the Park Commission President