|
The Cane River National Heritage Area Commission is the management entity that guides heritage area activities. The nineteen-member commission represents the wide variety of institutions, organizations, and interests that intersect in the national heritage area. As a government agency, the commission has authority to hire people, administer grant programs, develop loan programs, and set priorities, but it has no zoning or land-use powers and no power of eminent domain.
The commission members were appointed by the secretary of the interior and are therefore, representatives of the secretary and the federal government. All of the commissioners volunteer their time. Officially, their appointments last three years, after which they can be reappointed or replaced. The following list identifies the current members of the commission.
Robert B. DeBlieux (Co-chair)?recommended by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Inc.
Saidee Watson Newell(Co-chair)?recommended by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches
Laura Gates (Superintendent, Cane River Creole National Historical Park)?designee for the director of the National Park Service, ex oficio
Randy LaCaze?recommended by the mayor of Natchitoches
Jason Stagg ?recommended by local business and tourism organizations
Mary Lynn Wilkerson?recommended by local business and tourism organizations
Betty Jones?recommended by the governor of Louisiana
Will James?recommended by the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury
Rufus Davis?recommended by the Los Adaes/Robeline community
Amanda Chenault?recommended by the Concerned Citizens of Cloutierville
Terrel A. Delphin Jr.?recommended by the St. Augustine Historical Society
Edward Ward Jr.?recommended by the Black Heritage Committee
Sharon Gahagan?recommended by the Natchitoches Historic District Commission
John Vandersypen?recommended by the Cane River Waterway Commission
Gloria Jones?heritage area landowner and resident
Victor Jones?heritage area landowner and resident
Ann Brittain?recommended by Museum Contents, Inc.
Kathleen M. Byrd?recommended by Northwestern State University of Louisiana
James L. Durham?recommended by the Natchitoches Sportsman?s Association
Cane River National Heritage Area Commission Staff
The Cane River National Heritage Area Commission staff works at the direction of the nineteen-member commission to implement projects and programs in the national heritage area. Currently, the staff consists of:
Cynthia Sutton, Executive Director
Katherine Johnson, Program Manager
Patricia Antley, Administrative Office Manager
Jean Carter, Heritage Ranger/Office Assistant
Kate Baldwin, Northwestern State University MAHR Graduate Assistant
|
