The St. Tammany Parish Library’s Madisonville Branch was recently named for longtime former Madisonville Mayor Peter Gitz.
On December 13, more than 150 people gathered to congratulate Gitz in a ceremony that included remarks by Gitz, Louisiana State Representative Reid Falconer, St. Tammany Parish Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Trilby Lenfant, Madisonville Mayor Jean Pelloat, and Library Board Vice President Dr. Argiro Morgan.
“Mayor Gitz has made a tremendous contribution to the Town of Madisonville as both a leader and as a citizen,” said Parish President Pat Brister. “He has helped shape this community into the place it is today- a place full of history that has a family friendly atmosphere- and it is fitting to name this public gathering place after him. Congratulations to Peter Gitz and his family.”
Louisiana State Representative Reid Falconer presented a bill to the State Legislature in April to name the four-year-old building after Gitz. Legislation is required to name a public building after a living person.
“It was a particular honor for me when Ms. Brister asked me to handle the legislation that would name this fine building after Mr. Pete,” said Falconer.
Gitz served the Town of Madisonville for nearly forty years as mayor and was instrumental in the town’s donation of 1.5 acres so that the new library could be built after Hurricane Katrina damaged the historic building on Cedar St. that the library was occupying.
“Pete you deserve to be congratulated for your hard work, honesty and utmost dedication,” said Madisonville Mayor Jean Pelloat. “This is one of those times when a good thing happens to a good person.”
More than 65,000 people visited the Peter L. “Pete” Gitz Library last year to participate in an event, find a good book or to enjoy the beautiful building made possible by the efforts of the former mayor.
“It’s Christmas time. What a perfect season to honor a gentleman who was Santa Clause for this library,” said Library Board Vice President Argiro Morgan.
