08/15/2025
The City of Harahan, a small city with seemingly large politics. In a city where any and all decisions are treated as do or die, how can there be any room for change?
After spending five weeks working interning for Mayor Baudier, I now recognize that Harahan–– a city I have viewed as relatively stagnant for the majority of my life–– has lots of change coming due to the initiative of just one person and the help of his staff.
Though the mayor has and will continue to face setbacks and roadblocks, he has not been inhibited from beginning Harahan’s change for the better through his constant gaining of insight and his consistent commitment to relationship-building.
If there is one thing the mayor consistently does, it is learn. Baudier inherited a fairly problem-ridden city, and instead of sitting there twiddling his thumbs, he got straight to work. Utilizing his background as a business man, he knew that all permanent solutions come at a cost–– though having been a councilman for 10 years, he knew that Harahan’s modest budget could not cover many permanent solutions. Instead of making do, he headed to Baton Rouge for the legislative session and learned to lobby on behalf of the city. This knowledge literally paid off big time–– Baudier has obtained millions of dollars for the city’s infrastructure, recreation, and beautification projects. After spending countless hours in the capitol for the past several sessions, over time the city has been granted $6,325,000 in capital outlay, $256,000 from the Delta Regional Authority Grant, $3,400,000 from the CARES Act, and millions more.
Aside from learning how to get money to solve the city’s issues, he also has had to learn how to actually solve these issues. For example, the mayor has dedicated himself to learning everything about Harahan’s sewer system and infrastructure. On one of my first days, he brought me to the sewer plant on Dickory Avenue, gave me an in-depth tour, and explained how each and every part of the machine worked and why. He explained how the entire plant worked, how each section looks when it is in good condition versus bad condition, how each pump and line works in connection to the plant, and all of the updates he has worked on and why. I never expected to learn so much about the sewer system while interning for the mayor, nor had I ever even thought about the sewer system before, but he taught me so much about it that I could write (and actually have written) a research paper on the topic. I could really tell that he sat with the city’s certified contractors and spent time just picking their brains in order to learn all that he knows. It truly goes to show his belief that you cannot fix what you cannot comprehend, and that he is not afraid to admit what he does not know and then go out there and commit himself to understanding it.
Additionally, the mayor’s pursuit of knowledge goes beyond just finding ways to resolve problems, but finding ways to make real advancements. Throughout his time in office, the city has torn down and rebuilt 29 houses–– both improving public safety and raising property values. Recently, we took a trip to LSU’s LA House Research and Education Center, where we toured a fully hurricane fortified house. In addition to exploring ideal HVAC systems, fortified roofing, proper insulation, and hurricane-resistant building techniques, the tour also emphasized the benefit of incorporating ADA standards into home design— highlighting the practicalities for aging couples and how these features come in handy during emergencies. Though he made jokes about how the tour made him angry because he had just finished renovations on his own home, he definitely left with important knowledge for current and future residential projects as well as advice for residents.
The city is going through many changes right now because it has an administration that is constantly learning. Whether it is patrolling the city to gain a firsthand knowledge of issues, picking up the phone to hear more about how to help a resident, or sitting with certified officials to learn more about a city process–– the mayor is out doing it and learning it. Knowledge is power, and the city is definitely gaining more and more day by day.
Aside from always striving to learn more, Mayor Baudier builds relationships wherever he goes. The "City of Friendship," has, for decades, been more of a remote island–– relying only on itself and shying away from giving or receiving help from its neighbors. But the mayor prides himself on his ability to build and value relationships, allowing the city to see firsthand the power of friendship.
For as long as I can remember, Harahan has operated on its lonesome, not exactly separate from Jefferson Parish but not as fully involved with the parish as the neighboring cities. While autonomy is not inherently negative, it is true that “working together is success,” as Henry Ford said. Over these past few weeks I have spent interning, I have attended a few meetings held by the parish. The meetings I attended focused on disaster preparation and response, combining a mixture of parish-led, informative presentations with open discussions among the municipalities. So, everyone was able to share their own experiences and advice, as well as learn from each other’s strategies. On top of this open interaction between municipalities, the parish awards attendance points to the municipalities for participating in these meetings. These points qualify the municipalities to benefit from the Program for Public Information (PPI), which combined with many other Parish programs, provides the municipalities with education on flood protection. Because of Harahan’s involvement, residents actually benefit from lower flood insurance rates. This kind of cooperation between Harahan and the parish shows how staying connected and engaged can lead to real improvements for people. It is clear that residents gain more when the city is actively working with the parish.
Beyond the parish, Mayor Baudier has fostered great relationships with our legislators. On the state level, our Senator Kirk Talbot and Representative John Ilg have been massive proponents of Harahan's recent growth. The majority of all of the improvements that have been happening around the city—such as the renovations to the Senior Center, the construction of the Park of Heroes, the many updates to Harahan Playground, the roadwork, improvements to the sewer infrastructure, and the work at Royland Playground—are thanks to the help of our state legislators. Without these relationships, the city would not have been able to take on even half of the projects it has.
Similarly, the city has branched out to even the federal level, as Mayor Baudier was the only mayor personally invited to Senator Bill Cassidy’s re-election announcement. Having strong ties at the state and federal level means that Harahan is not overlooked when it comes to funding and support. These relationships open doors and give the city the support necessary for improvements. Thanks to this support, Harahan has been able to take on projects that really matter to residents— and that kind of progress is only possible when the city and its leaders work hand in hand with those who represent us. After all, our legislators have proved not only to be great friends to Mayor Baudier, but also to the City of Harahan.
While it is not fair to say that Harahan is perfect, Mayor Baudier diligently works to improve the city in every way possible–– and from what I have experienced working with him, I do think that the city has been changed for the better. As his administration enters its final year, the impact of his dedication is undeniable: the legacy he’s laid will benefit Harahan for years to come.
— Mia Peppo
