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2010
Convention A Grand Success
The
2010 ORVA Annual Convention was extremely successful – over
100 leaders in the development of water and land resources
attended. The Convention was held in Monroe, LA, and was
hosted by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
The
Convention focused on multi-purpose development of water and
land resources in the Ouachita River Valley and featured
speakers in the fields of navigation, flood control, water
supply, recreation/tourism and fish and wildlife. Mayor Dave
Norris of West Monroe welcomed the attendees.
"The
speakers were outstanding and the quality of the information
disseminated was exceptionally applicable to the continued
development of water and land resources in the Ouachita River
Basin," said ORVA President and Mayor of Camden, AR,
Chris Claybaker.
"We can’t
thank the Monroe Chamber of Commerce enough for all the effort
they put in to making this convention such an overwhelming
success – and we look forward to working with them again in
the future," stated Ed Horton, Secretary-Treasurer of
ORVA.
U.S. Senator
David Vitter spoke during the afternoon session on August 24,
2010, and U.S. Representative Rodney Alexander spoke at the
noon luncheon on August 25, 1010. Louisiana State Senator Mike
Wadsworth spoke at the dinner on August 24, 2010.
The keynote
address was given by Mr. Sam Angel, ranking civilian of the
Mississippi River Commission (MRC). Supplemental remarks on
the Commission’s activities were given by Mr. Steve Gambrell,
Executive Director of the MRC.
Mr. Mike Ensch,
Chief, Operations Division, HQUSACE, discussed activities of
the Corps of Engineers Washington office; COL Jeffrey
Eckstein, District Engineer, Vicksburg District, Corps of
Engineers discussed flood control/navigation activities in the
Ouachita River Basin; Mr. Scott Angelle, Interim Lt. Gov.,
State of Louisiana covered water supply activities; Mr. Jim
Hutchinson, Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Office of Tourism
discussed tourism/recreation; and Mr. Ken Guidry, Executive
Director, Red River Waterway Commission discussed navigation
activities on the Red River that could be applicable to the
Ouachita River Basin.
At the
Navigation Committee meeting on August 24, USCG Commander
Scott Anderson spoke on the development of the Waterway Action
Plan, Mr. Russell Beauvais of the New Orleans District corps
spoke on the Old River Lock Maintenance Plan and Mr. Pat
Chambers of the Vicksburg District Corps addressed navigation
activities.
We
also thank the staff of Bountiful Foods Catering for the
superb food and service they provided. "I heard numerous
favorable comments from attendees on the outstanding quality
of the food and the prompt and courteous service
provided" stated John Stringer, Vice President, ORVA.
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