FRANKLIN – Tourists flocking to St Mary Parish saved local taxpayers $265 per household in 2023.

While three St Mary Parish Councilmen lauded the visitor bureau’s efforts, this research along with more details, still wasn’t enough to convince St Mary Parish President Sam Jones, that the Cajun Coast Tourism Bureau could be doing a better job for the region.

Armed with most of her board and a representative from La. Lt Gov Billy Nungesser’s office, Carrie Stansbury opened a defense before the St Mary Parish Council on Wednesday, to reply against comments Jones said last month about her and the visitor bureau, where he stated the name “Cajun Coast” is not working anymore for the parish, and questioned why the office has a $2.6 million budget, and, “isn’t doing anything more than what they’re currently doing.”

Stansbury said over 95 percent of the Cajun Coast’s organic traffic to its website has been related to searches of the word cajun, and of that amount, 76 percent of the traffic has been related to the words cajun coast and tourism.

Also, a recent keyword audit of cajun and cajun coast translated to over 297,530 searches per month to the bureaus website.

“There were 766,623 trips taken to St Mary Parish in 2023, along with 1,918,104 one day visits,” she said.

“Along with 1,918,104 one day visits, that equal 165,000 people per month.”

Stansbury said foreign travel is also up 50 percent in St Mary Parish.

“I have always tried to represent the whole parish, from the west to the east, and to make the best decisions at the time I’ve made them. I, along with my staff and board, are always open to new ideas.”

Vicki Melius, governmental affairs director for the lieutenant governor, said Nungesser, “highly values Stansbury and direction with the Cajun Cost.”

“The Cajun Coast has the lieutenant governor’s full support, and he values the economic impact the bureau generates for St. Mary Parish, and the state.”

Kim Walden, Cajun Coast Board Chairman, was the third to speak.

“The Cajun Coast Tourist Commission, is not a parish entity. It is a political subdivision of the state, and there would have to be an act of the legislature for it change.”

Walden said the board continually operates under a strategic plan, has been fiscally responsible and holds meaningful conversations with each other.

“This entire board is passionate about St Mary Parish,” she said.

“You should not make us a target, nor should we be considered a bank for the parish. In fact, we should be appreciated for not being a drain to the parish.”

“We have evidence that we are advancing tourism in this parish, and we would appreciate the support of the parish president in going forward.”

After Walden spoke, Councilman Rev. Craig Mathews said she was somewhat bewildered and asked her if anyone from the council was questioning how the tourism bureau conducts its affairs.

Walden said no one from the council has questioned the commission’s business, however they have been receiving reports that Parish President Jones wanted to dismantle the board, fire Stansbury, and bring the tourist commission under the control of the parish.

Mathews said, “Well it sounds like meaningless rhetoric to me, that isn’t going to go anywhere.”

“However, should that change, I have no problems in going on record, supporting a resolution that the Cajun Coast continues operating in the same manner that it does now.”

Councilman Patrick Hebert asked Walden and Stansbury if they have had any communication with Jones since he has been in office, and they both said no.

“I don’t think you guys need to be attacked by anyone. I travel quite often for my business, and I have heard many comments throughout the years, like, ‘Wow- you guys are always doing something with tourism.”

Councilman-at-large Dean Adams thanked Walden and Stansbury and the board members for attending the meeting.

“We need to get more energetic and passionate folks like them on all of our other boards, so that we can improve and grow our parish.”

When Jones began his remarks, he told Walden that she was incorrect and that the Cajun Coast Tourism Board is not a state entity.

He then recalled situations from when he was Mayor of Franklin, and when he served as State Rep. when Stansbury had either told him no, or when tasks were taken too long to be completed.

“Two years to make two signs? We won World War II in four years! Two years is ridiculous!” Jones said.

“I asked for $1,000 to advertise the City of Franklin in foreign magazines. I was told we don’t do that. So I teamed up cities in three other parishes, and did so. That was the start of the Main Street Program in Louisiana, 40 years ago.”

Jones said he also received numerous requests for help with tourism activities, “because these folks could not get any help from the Cajun Coast.”

Turning to Stansbury and Walden, Jones said, “Your research is inadequate. These numbers do not reflect tourists. The people in our hotels are working in the parish, not visiting.”

“All I am saying is let’s do something with some of this money, instead of sitting on it. $2.6 million, wow!”

“We don’t need any more studies. We can’t wait any longer,” Jones said.