MEET ERNEST
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
As an attorney, Ernest Burguières’ expertise in civil law,including contracts, litigation, and labor law, gives him the ability to advocate for all citizens and employees of the City of Mandeville.
An attorney who has maintained a civil law practice for over 35 years, Ernest Burguières received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from New Orleans’ Loyola University in 1975. After taking a break to work with a surveyor placing oil rigs in South Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, Ernest entered Loyola’s School of Law in 1977, and in 1978 he enrolled in a dual program offered for the first time by Loyola University’s Graduate School for Business Administration, completing both degrees concurrently and becoming one of Loyola’s first recipients of an M.B.A. and Juris Doctorate in 1980.
Ernest began his legal career with a New Orleans law firm and practiced in the field of labor law representing management, banking and finance, and municipal finance clients, in areas including international trade, administrative law, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. In 1986, Ernest started his own general civil law practice and continues to represent individuals, companies, and select municipal bodies, primarily in areas of contract and labor disputes, general business matters, litigation, and successions.
Appointed twice as an administrative law judge to the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission (1994 – 1996 and 1997 – 2004), Ernest also served as Commissioner of Conservation, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, for the State of Louisiana. In the latter position, Ernest successfully managed a $13 million dollar budget and over 170 employees from 1994 – 1996, resuming his private practice in 1996.
Ernest has also served on the Board of Directors of a family company and, during his undergraduate years, spent two summers as an apprentice at the Porsche Factor in Stuttgart, West Germany. Conversant in Spanish, Ernest spent his early years in Central America and Mexico, which fostered his intense interest in international affairs as they relate to the growth and development of Southern Louisiana.
A full time resident of Old Mandeville since 2003, Ernest is married to D. Winn Venable and was elected to the Council representing District III from 2012 to 2016.
EFFECTIVE AND PROVEN LEADERSHIP
“When issues are openly debated, citizens become more engaged, and the Council and City collaborate.”
Understanding that an open debate of the issues is a key component of the legislative process, Ernest works hard to ask the tough questions, helping all parties work together to find common ground, and will continue to focus on issues important to our community.
- At the forefront on flooding and drainage issues, leading the valve installation project and advocating for a shoreline protection study to provide the best options to protect Mandeville.
- A hawk on City budget matters and unfunded/underfunded mandates.
- Continue to support the protection of Mandeville’s Historic District, regulations he helped to draft and enact.
- Encourage adaptive reuse of properties along the Girod Street corridor.
- Believing in transparency and best practices, will push for more disclosure of the City’s contracting process.
- Promote common sense approaches to policies, especially city employee health insurance and compensation matters, to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and effectively.
- Work to help the Council coalesce into a studious and reflective body that takes its oversight duties seriously.
- Unafraid to speak up and unwilling to remain silent to the idea “because that’s the way we have always done it.”
- Encourage regular and open debate of all issues, ensuring that no decision is “rubber stamped” and that everyone has the opportunity to be heard.
- Successful in bringing citizens together on areas of common interest.
- Available in person, by phone, and by email to discuss issues and concerns.
WHY I AM RUNNING FOR COUNCIL AT LARGE
“I believe Mandeville is the jewel of the Northshore. If we choose to ignore the pressures facing our community, we run the very real risk of losing our residents, our businesses, and our city.”
ISSUES AFFECTING MANDEVILLE:
FLOODING. Flooding from storm surge continues to be an important issue amongst all residents. A city commissioned storm surge study, completed in 2014, outlines several layers of protection, including projected costs. Waiting for the Federal Government or our cash-strapped State to fund these projects means we will wait... and wait. I believe it is time for our residents to consider taking control of our destiny through a careful and considered review of the options, to prioritize them, and identify funding sources. Flooding, which arises from both natural conditions and past development activities, will continue to impact on our community until we decide to make changes.
DRAINAGE. The City lacks a comprehensive drainage study that goes beyond seeing concrete as the solution for every issue. Current water management practices (“living with water”) includes recognizing the large role subsurface drainage plays in a coastal community such as Mandeville. Incorporating subsurface considerations for all improvements is vital to a more sustainable relationship with the water that surrounds us. Waggoner and Ball Architects in New Orleans have been part of a large study of water management issues in the New Orleans area (http://livingwithwater.com) which identifies different methods for dealing with water. Some of these methods have already been put into practice in Holland and other European countries and are well worth our consideration.
AMBIANCE AND LIFESTYLE. For most residents, Mandeville is a haven of tranquility that we sometimes take for granted. Oak trees are sacrosanct. Preserving the dwindling number of historic structures is paramount. Walkability and that neighborhood feeling we all enjoy means minimizing the suburbanization endemic to the Southshore is a constant struggle requiring a delicate balancing act. I believe that preserving Mandeville for the next generation is a laudable goal, and that we can be respectful of our history while acknowledging that we live in the 21st century.
FINANCIAL STABILITY. While Mandeville currently enjoys a cash reserve that is the envy of many communities, we also face several unfunded mandates that must be addressed before they become a crisis threatening our ability to fund them. Planning for our financial long-term well-being now will help to make this funding transition less drastic, and includes bringing a sober eye to all city expenditures, including infrastructure investments and employee costs to ensure that every dollar is wisely spent.
TRANSPARENCY. When provided with timely information, citizens become more engaged and less cynical about government. I have tried to push out as much information as I can to inform citizens about matters that may be of concern. While not everyone is interested in the same issues, I always welcome everyone’s input and strive to find common ground so that your voice is heard.
“As an attorney, I am an advocate for open communication and helping people. I’m running for Council At Large as your voice for the future of our community. Will you help me? I can’t do this without you.”
Vote: Saturday, March 23rd|Early Voting: March 9th - March 16th
Paid for by the Ernest for Council At Large Campaign