Changes

==Political career==

==Political career==

   

   

From 1976 to 1984, Berthelot served on the Gonzales City Council and as mayor pro tem. Elected mayor at the age of thirty-two in 1984, he advocated for reduced taxes and sound municipal finances. After his first election, he was unopposed for reelection for his last five terms.<ref name=berth/>Berthelot recalls that when he became mayor, the city had to borrow $75,000 from the Bank of Gonzales at 4 percent interest to renovate two water towers. "We now have $20 million (unrestricted) in reserve. We’re probably in the best financial shape of any city our size in the United States," said Berthelot late in 2008 as he prepared to turn over his office to Barney Arceneaux, the current mayor.<ref name=mayor>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklycitizen.com/news/x1369589608/Gonzales-mayor-leaving-after-8th-term-in-office|title=Annabelle Armstrong, "Gonzales mayor leaving office"|publisher=weeklycitizen.com|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

From 1976 to 1984, Berthelot served on the Gonzales City Council and as mayor pro tem. Elected mayor at the age of thirty-two in 1984, he advocated for reduced taxes and sound municipal finances. After his first election, he was unopposed for reelection for his last five terms.<ref name=berth/>Berthelot recalls that when he became mayor, the city had to borrow $75,000 from the Bank of Gonzales at 4 percent interest to renovate two water towers. "We now have $20 million (unrestricted) in reserve. We’re probably in the best financial shape of any city our size in the United States," said Berthelot late in 2008, as he prepared to turn over his office to Barney Arceneaux, the current mayor.<ref name=mayor>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklycitizen.com/news/x1369589608/Gonzales-mayor-leaving-after-8th-term-in-office|title=Annabelle Armstrong, "Gonzales mayor leaving office"|publisher=weeklycitizen.com|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

   

   

Berthelot credits the [[conservative]] approach to finances that has sustained Gonzales: “When interest rates were double digit, we invested and made money on our interest. The lifeblood of our city is the 2 percent in sales tax we receive, totaling over $10 million a year. This is the main source of revenue." Gonzales is the commercial center for the River Parishes, with some 100,000 shoppers in the city on a daily basis.<ref name=mayor/>Berthelot learned after his election that he was a great-nephew of the founder and first mayor of Gonzales, Joseph "Tee-Joe" Gonzales. Berthelot's father, J. O. Berthelot, also served on the city council and was known for his anti-litter eradication efforts. The family resided two blocks from city hall.<ref name=mayor/>

Berthelot credits the [[conservative]] approach to finances that has sustained Gonzales: “When interest rates were double digit, we invested and made money on our interest. The lifeblood of our city is the 2 percent in sales tax we receive, totaling over $10 million a year. This is the main source of revenue." Gonzales is the commercial center for the River Parishes, with some 100,000 shoppers in the city on a daily basis.<ref name=mayor/>Berthelot learned after his election that he was a great-nephew of the founder and first mayor of Gonzales, Joseph "Tee-Joe" Gonzales. Berthelot's father, J. O. Berthelot, also served on the city council and was known for his anti-litter eradication efforts. The family resided two blocks from city hall.<ref name=mayor/>

   

   

In 2011, Berthelot was elected to succeed fellow Republican Mert Smiley in the legislature; Smiley instead was narrowly elected as the Ascension Parish assessor. In the primary held on October 22, Berthelot was the runaway winner, 6,766 votes (71.4 percent).  Another Republican, Coral Lambert, trailed with 1,377 votes (14.5 percent). A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Gary J. Lacombe, finished in third place with 1,331 votes (14.1 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

In 2011, Berthelot was elected to succeed fellow Republican Mert Smiley in the legislature; Smiley instead was narrowly elected as the Ascension Parish assessor. In the primary held on October 22, Berthelot was the runaway winner, 6,766 votes (71.4 percent).  Another Republican, Coral Lambert, trailed with 1,377 votes (14.5 percent). A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Gary J. Lacombe, finished in third place with 1,331 votes (14.1 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10222011/10222011_Legislative.html|title=Primary election returns, October 22, 2011|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

 

==Personal life==

==Personal life==