City thanks Plaisance for his 16 years on Abbeville Council

Francis Plaisance will admit that he did not have a complete understanding of the inner workings of local government when he first joined the Abbeville City Council in 2006.
“All I thought you did was flip a switch and the lights came on,” Plaisance said with a laugh.
Next week, he will leave with a much better understanding, and an even greater appreciation.
Plaisance attended his final meeting as councilman at large on Tuesday. He has served in that capacity for four consecutive terms. With Abbeville set to swear in a new administration and council next Thursday, Plaisance took the opportunity to reflect on the past 16 years, 12 of which included serving as mayor pro-tem.
“Serving as Councilman at Large has been a rewarding experience that I will cherish always,” Plaisance said. “At City Hall, there were many challenges that we faced, especially during hurricane season, and we faced them together.”
Teamwork also paved the way for employee raises in ’06 and ’19, Plaisance said, as well as the negotiation of an electrical contract that has helped save citizens money.
“Abbeville’s utility rates are not increasing, as they are in surrounding areas, due to a contract, negotiated by me and Councilman (Brady) Broussard Jr., with our electrical provider,” Plaisance said. “The current rate is based on the cost of natural gas, which has risen recently to as high as $9, but our negotiated rate is “locked in” at $1.37 until May 31, 2024.”
While it is not under the city’s umbrella, Plaisance has used his 25 years with the Louisiana Cattle Festival, including the past 20 as president, to promote Abbeville.
“It has given me the opportunity for promoting tourism for our city,” Plaisance said. “Through the festival, we have been able to host many celebrities and dignitaries throughout the years, focusing on our beautiful city and its unique culture and hospitality.”
Plasiance said he is also proud of his role in the creation of the Cake & Ice Cream Festival as well as the “Bobby Charles” sign that welcomes people to the city on U.S. Hwy. 167.
“As Councilman at Large, my greatest personal achievement,” Plaisance said,
“with the help of Mayor (Mark) Piazza and City Council members, is the 11-year creation of Lafitte Drive-In Park, a beautiful family park with fishing, walking trail, picnic tables, barbecue pits, benches and many more possibilities. The upcoming fishing pier with a gazebo (handicap accessible) is part of a $400,000 grant that I helped to secure. (Main Street Manager)Charlene Beckett also obtained park grants for exercise stations along the trail, and, most recently, trash cans.
“Now, moving forward, I offer my services as a volunteer to oversee Lafitte Park’s operations each day.”
On Tuesday, the council honored Plaisance with a proclamation and plaque for his years of service on the council. Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., with whom Plaisance has worked for 16 years, made the presentation.
“We would like to thank you for everything you have done for the city of Abbeville,” Touchet said. “Councilman Plaisance, we have worked together over these times. We have had some good times and we have had some times where we have been on opposite ends. If there is one thing I know about Councilman Plaisance, when he put his mind to something, he was straight on and did what he had to do for his constituents and those projects that he was involved in.”
Plaisance ran for mayor of Abbeville in March, something he said had been a long-time goal. While he came up short, Plaisance said he wishes all the best to the Mayor-elect Roslyn White and the new council.
Plaisance said, “I thank God, the citizens of Abbeville, the Mayor, the City Council, city employees, and my family for the privilege of serving for 16 years, in the city that we love so much.
“I wish the best for the new administration.”