Changes

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/>

   

   

Shortly after the attack on the [[World Trade Center]] on [[September 11]], [[2001]], Mayor Berthelot and Gonzales Police Chief Bill Landry delivered a fire truck donated by the state of Louisiana to municipal firefighters in [[New York City]]. The two appeared at the time on [[NBC]]'s ''The Today Show'', then with host [[Katie Couric]].<ref name=mayor/>

Shortly after the attack on the [[World Trade Center]] on [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]], Mayor Berthelot and Gonzales Police Chief Bill Landry delivered a fire truck donated by the state of Louisiana to municipal firefighters in [[New York City]]. The two appeared at the time on [[NBC]]'s ''The Today Show'', then with host [[Katie Couric]].<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>

Berthelot and his wife, the former Paula Chauvin, have three children, Shelly, Kelly, and Brad, and five grandchildren, Payton, Reid, Lennon, Gabe, and Grant.<ref name=berth/> The Berthelots have a camp at Graveyard Island on the Belle River.<ref name=mayor/>

Berthelot and his wife, the former Paula Chauvin, have three children, Shelly, Kelly, and Brad, and five grandchildren, Payton, Reid, Lennon, Gabe, and Grant.<ref name=berth/> The Berthelots have a camp at Graveyard Island on the Belle River.<ref name=mayor/>

Berthelot is know for his [[Rotary]] International-endorsed jambalaya recipe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gonzalesla.com/forms/jambalayarecipe.pdf|title=Jambalahya Recipe by Mayor John A. Berthelot|publisher=gonzalesla.com|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

Berthelot is know for his Rotary International-endorsed jambalaya recipe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gonzalesla.com/forms/jambalayarecipe.pdf|title=Jambalahya Recipe by Mayor John A. Berthelot|publisher=gonzalesla.com|accessdate=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

   

   

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]