J. MITCHELL OURSO, JR:
Biographical Sketch
J. Mitchell Ourso, Jr. was elected as the first Parish President of Iberville Parish under the Home Rule Charter form of government in October of 1997, for an initial two year term. He was re-elected in October 1999, and again in October 2003.
President Ourso is a native of Iberville Parish, son of the late legendary Iberville Parish Sheriff Jessel M. Ourso and Eula Mae Leblanc Ourso, and the eldest of six siblings. He is married to the former Jelina Vaughn and is the father of three children, Jessie, Jessel III, and Gunnar. A 1971 graduate of Plaquemine High School, Ourso is a former part owner of Black Stallion Trucking Company.
Accomplishments
- Initiated a fixed asset program and a consolidated storage facility for the parish.
- Worked with the local fire departments and Property Insurance Association of Louisiana and consultants to upgrade the fire ratings in the unincorporated areas, which has resulted in lower insurance rates for our residents.
- Secured central fire dispatching for all ten fire departments through the Parish EOC/911 Center.
- Provided for the Parish Utility Department to manage and operate Water Districts #3 and #4 more efficiently.
- Has worked diligently to obtain funding for upgrades to the Water Districts in an effort to ensure that the water quality and service are continually improving to meet new DHH and EPA regulations.
- Worked diligently to ensure location of Diamond Plastics in Iberville Parish, as the first business to locate in the newly developed Industrial and Technology Park.
- Was instrumental in securing total state funding and construction of a new state-of-the-art Health Unit for Iberville Parish.
- Worked actively with state and local officials to secure funding for the construction of the Mike Zito Multipurpose Center. This 37,000 sq. foot facility will provide a site for new activities for this area.
- Was instrumental in working with the Chamber of Commerce, local officials and agencies on a parishwide Strategic Plan, and Master Land Use Plan.
- Worked with Shintech officials to secure a by-pass route for trucks entering and departing Hwy 1148.
- Constructed a new bridge over Bayou Plaquemine through careful fiscal planning on behalf of the parish, and with the help of Shintech Louisiana, LLC.
- Currently working diligently to secure funding on state and federal levels to build an extension of Hwy 1148 to tie into the new bridge. Once completed, this new highway and bridge will provide a much needed evacuation route for the residents of that area.
- Working closely with the Image Committee to clean up our parish, including litter and debris along our highways and waterways.
- Funded the clean-up of seven miles of Bayou Plaquemine, and is currently working on securing funds to clean up 27 miles of Bayou Grosse Tete.
- Secured funding through the state for the renovation of the Old Fire Station, located on Church Street in Plaquemine. This facility will house the Iberville Parish Tourism Department.
- Worked diligently and was successful in convincing the executives of Shintech, LLC to locate their newest plant expansion in Iberville Parish.
- Currently working on developing plans and funding for:
- Welcome Center in the Grosse Tete area
- Veteran’s Memorial Park
- Rifle Range
- Enterprise Blvd. – South (to connect) Hwy 3066 (Bayou Rd) & Hwy 77 Bayou Jacob Rd to Tennant Road, that has been on the drawing board for 20 years
- Upgrades to the Bayou Sorrel & Bayou Pigeon boat landings
- Parish-wide database for infrastructure inventory on all utilities/roads/drainage and mapping
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