Former Ascension Parish Councilman and former Executive Director of the Ascension Chamber of Commerce Martin McConnell recently announced his campaign to serve as the next mayor of Gonzales.

The office will be decided in the Oct. 4 elections.

McConnell said he feels that he has the business administration, government and financial experience necessary to manage the continued growth of Gonzales as well as the small-town values needed to keep the charm in Gonzales city life even as it grows.

An Ascension Parish native, McConnell lives in the home built by his grandfather in 1908 with his wife Isabelle and their two children, Julia and Remy.

“This is my home. This is where I was raised,” McConnell said. “I’ve spent a lifetime knowing what makes Gonzales great, and learning how to keep Gonzales great while it grows into a 21st-century community.”

Educated at East Ascension High School and Louisiana State University in Business Administration, McConnell has served as Vice President at United Community Bank for the past 10 years. He cited his work to help bring Tanger Outlet Center to Gonzales and his work with the Gonzales Marketing Team to encourage new business and industrial development in the area.

As mayor, McConnell vowed to work with both the city and parish councils to practice “smart growth” in Gonzales, managing traffic and drainage issues while reducing crime and maintaining and public services.

“Serving as a parish councilman for two terms has provided me with the experience necessary to understand the issues Gonzales faces and how to handle them effectively,” McConnell said. “As mayor, I will work closely with the Ascension Parish Economic Development Corporation, the East Ascension Drainage Board and other area agencies to keep Gonzales growing smoothly in the region.”

McConnell said he also intends to push for a new police station, so the Gonzales police force has the facilities and equipment needed to keep Gonzales safe.

“We can have everything we need here at home, and be smart about the way we manage our growth and the effects of development,” he said. “We want to shop and work and live in a clean, safe community and still know our neighbors. As mayor, I will make sure Gonzales continues to gain opportunities and conveniences without sacrificing safety or charm.”

As Vice President at United Community Bank, McConnell is a commercial lender, giving him experience financing business development and managing a multi-million-dollar loan portfolio. He said that as one of the original organizers of United Community Bank and after serving as Executive Director of the Ascension Chamber of Commerce for eight years, he feels he has proven his commitment to local economic growth.

McConnell also said he plans to focus on improving the quality of living for all generations in Gonzales while continuing the economic growth of recent years. By encouraging new retirement developments and expanding services for seniors,

McConnell said he hopes to establish Gonzales as a good place to retire. Bike paths and a cover for the city pool to be open year-round are among McConnell’s plans for improving recreational services in the community, with expanded adult sports programs and summer programs for children.

Having worked with Volunteer Ascension, the Ascension Council on Aging, the Gonzales Rotary Club, the Ascension Battered Women’s Advisory Committee and St. Theresa of Avila Church, Martin McConnell has been recognized for his work throughout the community. He has also led in the singing of Christmas carols at the Gonzales branch of the Ascension Parish Library and trained the Gonzales leaders of tomorrow through Leadership Ascension and free small business seminars.

McConnell also serves as a fundraiser for the United Way, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, the Arthritis Foundation, the Cancer Society and Boy Scouts of America. He said these efforts help him to understand the variety of needs within the Gonzales community and how to meet those needs through strong, caring leadership and partnerships with public, private and non-profit organizations.

“It’s the people that make Gonzales special,” McConnell said. “It’s their love of life. There’s never been a better time to be in Gonzales. We have more opportunities than ever. Our city deserves a mayor with a history of dedication to the community who has the business and financial experience to manage our growth. Our city deserves a mayor who understands how to make Gonzales a great home for family, for business, for life. It’s why I want to be the mayor of Gonzales.”

For more information, contact McConnell at 445-1432 or visit MartinMcConnell.com.