“We are working on strategies to prevent and dispel the kind of activity we had late night downtown over the weekend,” Arceneaux said. “We’re examining what ordinances the establishments may have violated so that we can enforce those, and then developing strategies for breaking up the kind of activity that was there.

Arceneaux traveled with Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis and Vicksburg, Miss., Mayor George Flaggs Jr. to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers, Amtrak officials and others about a federal grant to build terminals in those cities along the proposed route.

“Most people seem to be pleased with what we are doing,” Arceneaux said. “Some of it is just dumb luck. I receive good luck as well as anyone else. Some of the groundwork was laid before I got here, and I am grateful for that.

These were not new taxes for city residents. The oldest of these millages was enacted in 1941, the most recent in 1970. Because they were allowed to expire instead of being renewed, voters must approve them again when they are on the ballot on April 29.

“If you look at some of the other states and where their growth comes from, it doesn’t come from who’s elected or occupies any seat in the capital at any given time,” he said. “It comes from communities filled with local business leaders who demand and drive change.

“We are pleased to have completed this acquisition and look forward to finalizing the plans for this project,” said Greg Guida, co-CEO of Foundation Gaming. “Now that we have completed the transaction, we will be focusing on the design and development process, which will include re-branding the property.

The dogs featured in the show include a variety of breeds, including Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, standard poodles and Boston terriers. Attendees will learn each animal's backstory as they walk the runway. The winner will be selected by popular vote..

The mayor said they are also working with Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific on the project. Those two companies are scheduled to merge, and which one the cities ultimately work with will depend on the timing of that merger and the passenger rail project, Arceneaux added.