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Charles Langlinais, who over decades of public service led the transformation of the quiet village of Broussard into a dynamic city, quite often sought my opinion. Most of the time it was on some version of the question, “Have you absolutely lost your mind?”
He didn’t mince words when he disagreed with you.
Neither did I in the days when we first met. I was still young enough to be absolutely sure that the views I expressed in a regular political column were sound, well-reasoned, astute, and undeniable.
That led to some serious debate, usually over the phone, sometimes over a big breakfast somewhere (we were both early risers). Every now and then he showed me that I might — just might — be wrong. Less often, he would concede that it was slightly — only slightly — possible that I could have a valid point. Most often we agreed to disagree — but always agreeably.
That’s how we came to be friends and remained friends over four decades or more.
Other friends, neighbors, and officials who were interviewed by the media after his death on January 24, all spoke of his single-minded dedication to the community where he was born. They also invariably described him as hard-headed.
Broussard public works director Mel Bertrand, for example, told The Acadiana Advocate, “Charlie was very headstrong and very passionate about Broussard. If he thought he was right, he thought he was right, and he would not sway away from that. It was good and bad. He was very reluctant to cave in, to admit when he was wrong. He wanted what was best for Broussard, and he would fight you tooth and nail for it.”
That led to some mighty clashes and controversies, particularly with officialdom in Lafayette over issues arising when the lines or interests of the two communities met, or more likely butted, each other.
But, at least in my experience, his arguments, though sometimes heated, were always about the issues involved, never the personalities. Our debates never threatened our friendship.
He was Broussard’s mayor from January 1991 to December 2018. During those 25 years he used his expertise as a surveyor and real estate developer to convince businesses and other developers that the town’s location on U.S. 90 between Lafayette and New Iberia made it the ideal place to work and live.
The first to agree with him were oil service and supply companies. Then came substantial retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, Stine, and Albertson’s. Some of them came because of the innovative tax strategies he developed. Some came just because he talked them into it.
Under his administration, the town did away with its property tax to lure new businesses. To replace that revenue, he became an expert in the use of a sophisticated tool called tax increment financing, innovating ways for Broussard to pay for development projects with the revenue generated by the development itself. Those ideas paid off not only in bringing business to town, but in street and drainage work and the other things needed to sustain municipal growth.
Over the years, the growth began to build a synergy and momentum that brought still more growth. Charlie was sometimes leading it from the front, sometimes pushing it from behind, but always keen on keeping it moving one way or the other.
Still, hard-driving and passionate as he was, he was someone who was easy to like, with a ready smile and sometimes a canaille gleam in his eye. I think some of his reputed stubbornness came from the fact that he just liked to argue for argument’s sake. He enjoyed it.
The mayor was a thoughtful man who liked people, especially his neighbors in Broussard, and one who took time to have fun and enjoy a good laugh. Bertrand was one of those who recalled Charlie’s booming laugh. “I used to love to tell Charlie a joke because I’d love to hear him laugh,” Bertrand said. “I’d stand back and just watch him laugh.”
Charlie summarized his philosophy at a gathering of friends in December 2018 after his last Town Council meeting as mayor.
“You’ve got to get involved and not complain about situations,” he said. “You’ve got to contribute. I’ve always tried to get … people around me to be involved. Instead of moaning and crying how bad it is, be a part of the solution.”
Charlie continued to be involved with his community even after leaving office, and I suspect that he is still trying to help resolve tangled situations. I can see him at the Pearly Gates explaining to The Keeper how to put together a tax package to expand the road to them, helping traffic flow and at the same time fixing a drainage problem.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

On Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Le Pavillon at Parc Lafayette, Delcambre’s Krewe de Mystical Waters celebrated it’s 22nd bal masque, themed - Imagine: Peace Love and Mardi Gras.
Peace: a celebration of the summer of love, a time of free love, drugs and rock and roll. The entire show was dedicated to the music that personified the emotions and vibes of that time in history.
Throughout the show, we continually met two wandering hippies in search of the king and queen of the ball. To begin the performance, The Woodstock Guru, Swami Satchidananda, (portrayed by King Ches) welcomed members and guests and the audience then enjoyed memorable tunes from that era culminating with a dynamic performance from rock royalty Janis Joplin.
Love: King Ches opened this portion of the show entertaining the audience with his Tik Tok version of how he met his queen, his love and wife Tammy. He jokes that he met her on Aisle 7 at Rouse’s, which has some truth to it as they met at Graham Central Station which is presently Rouse’s. During this segment of the show, the Beatles performed a medley of some of their most popular tunes and Sonny and Cher delighted the crowd with their hits “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On”. Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras would not be complete without visiting the Mardi Gras capital of the world, New Orleans.
The first New Orleans experience was a tarot reading for our two hippie friends from Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau who foresaw a future of a wild night with a chance of getting lucky, but she also drew the card of darkness. The “getting lucky” prophecy was fulfilled with a visit to the red light district stopping off at the “House of the Rising Sun.” Our two hippie friends, maybe a bit under the influence, had an eerie experience at a local museum with what appeared to be moving picture frames, but then craziness ensued at the Audubon Zoo with wild animals filling the ballroom. Fulfilling the prediction of darkness, the witch warrior conjured up evil spirits leading to human sacrifice.
The evening culminated with the formal presentation of Krewe de Mystical Waters’ 19 th King and Queen, Chester Gordon and Tammy Bertrand Gordon.
Tammy is a native of Delcambre , Louisiana. She has been employed with twin parish port for over 10 years. She is very involved in her community and currently serves on several community-based boards. Tammy enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and always having a good time. Tammy’s favorite time of the year is Mardi Gras.
Chester “Ches” Gordon is a native of the Mississippi delta town of Yazoo City, which has significantly shaped who he is today. Yazoo is situated where the delta meets the hills and is surrounded by cotton fields, magnolia trees, delta blues, soul food and juke joints that will forever be ingrained in his small town upbringing. Ches has worked at M & J Valve Services for over 15 years. He enjoys traveling, golf, fishing, cooking, camping, working out and spending time with his family.
CHes and Tammy have been married for over 20 years. They have three children, Tori, Olivia and Flynn. 1 granddaughter, Elizabeth and a grandson, Jon Tyler, arriving in March.
Tammy and Ches feel blessed to live in the greatest small town ever, Delcambre, Louisiana.

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Merlyn Toups Reaux, 75, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Erath with Father Clinton Sensat officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, February 11, 2023 beginning at 12:00 PM until the time of services. A rosary will be prayed at 1:00 PM.
A native of Henry and resident of Erath, Mrs. Reaux died on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital in Lafayette surrounded by loved ones. When her children were young, Merlyn found joy working with her husband to fundraise for organizations that supported their community and children’s schools. She most enjoyed being a Grammy to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as creating beautiful heirloom dresses for her family to treasure for generations to come. Her loving presence and warm hugs will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Relie Reaux, and the beautiful family they created. Three daughters and a son, Maleigha Trahan (Rogers) of Ocean Springs, MS, Christine Hebert (Kirk) of Erath, Joey Reaux (Martie) of Erath, and Jillian Bourque (Waylon) of Erath; nine grandchildren, Brittlyn Carzoli (Jake), Kaitlyn Trahan, Saul Hebert, Kayleigh Hebert, Raylie Reaux, Catherine Hebert, Spence Hebert, Sadie Bourque, and Rees Reaux; two great-grandchildren, Brooks and Callen Carzoli.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Lena Toups; and her sister, Juliette Langlinais.
Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette Street, Maurice, LA 70555 is in charge of arrangements.

Abbeville Garden Club members held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 16, 2023 at the Vermilion Parish LSU Ag Center. Beth Albertelly served as hostess of the event, with Jeanell Duhon and Joyce Thibodeaux serving as co-hostesses.
Horticulturist Richard Hebert, owner and proprietor of Hebert’s Garden Center in New Iberia, was the January Program Speaker. Hebert shared his knowledge and expertise concerning “Issues with Cold Weather for Plants in Our Landscape”.
Topics concerning plants in our landscapes discussed included: When to Protect Our Plants, How to Protect Our Plants, What Plants to Protect, What to Do After a Freeze and the Long-Term Effects of Cold Weather for Our Plants. Hebert stressed the importance of having a plan of protection before winter approaches, knowing what you need for protecting your plants during a freeze, which plants to protect and what to do after a freeze.
President Susan Wilhelm delivered her President’s Report then called for reports from officers and various committee chairmen.
Club members went on to discuss upcoming activities in their business meeting. Plans for upcoming Arbor Day activities and Keep Abbeville Beautiful activities for the coming year were discussed, including the Louisiana Garden Club Federation District III Cleanest City Contest in March, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful “Love the Boot Week” April 17 – 23, 2023. The Abbeville Garden Club plans to work with Keep Abbeville Beautiful and The Vermilion Reach Group in the quest for a litter-free environment.
The Flower Show Spotlight was presented by Accredited LGCF Flower Show Judge Susan Wilhelm. The focus of her presentation was Arboreal specimens, branches of large trees or shrubs which may require a height of up to 30 inches to show the beauty of their mature form.
Wilhelm demonstrated proper grooming and staging techniques for arboreal specimen exhibits. She also displayed a variety of plant materials which can be collected from one’s own yard to be used in Horticulture Exhibits for LGCF Flower Shows. Wilhelm is a member of LGCF Southwest Judges Council and President of Abbeville Garden Club.
Horticulture Hints were provided by Horticulture Chairman and Master Gardener Denise Files. These hints focused on plants that have met the challenge of diverse South Louisiana growing conditions. Examples of these include the reliable, hardy, carefree bulbs Paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) and the native plant Gulf Coast Pentstemon. This coastal native is great for butterflies, bees, and birds and survived the 2022 December freeze.
Files also focused on the advantages of living in South Louisiana where a variety of vegetables can be planted in January and February, such as: beets, lettuce, radish, rutabaga, and turnips from seed; broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, Swiss chard, and shallots with transplants; and Irish potatoes from pieces.
Abbeville Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc., District III. Within this organization, members can attend NGC Schools which provide an opportunity for attendees to increase their knowledge of the environment, expand interest in gardening, embrace creativity in floral design, and beautify homes and communities using landscape design principles.
The next AGC monthly meeting will be held at the LSU Ag Center on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 at 5 p.m. For more information on joining the Abbeville Garden Club, please visit the Abbeville Garden Club Facebook Page.