Category Archives: Ascension

Nashville Business Journal

Women of Influence: Karen Springer; Saint Thomas Health, Ascension Health Nashville Business Journal Karen Springer serves as the Tennessee ministry market executive and president/CEO of Saint Thomas Health and senior vice president of Ascension Health. Saint Thomas Health is comprised of nine hospitals in Middle Tennessee and is part of St.

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Women of Influence: Karen Springer; Saint Thomas Health, Ascension Health - Nashville Business Journal

Ascension Crittenton Hospital in Rochester Hills on Tuesday became the first hospital in the 141-hospital St. Louis-based Ascension Health family to receive a new name under the nonprofit health system's rebranding strategy.

Over the next 12 months, 14 other Ascension hospitals in Michigan will add Ascension to the beginning of their names, Ascension executives said in a statement.

For example, Providence Hospital in Southfield will soon be known as Ascension Providence Hospital and St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit will become Ascension St. John Hospital.

In 2018, the name of metro Detroit's five-hospital St. John Providence Health System name will be retired and folded into the management of Ascension Health Michigan.

Last September, Gwen MacKenzie, Ascension's senior vice president and Michigan market executive, told Crain's about the health care rebranding and management integration plan that will tie all properties under one surname and reporting structure.

Ascension medical groups, nursing homes and other sites of care also will prominently feature the Ascension name. Ascension's other 126 hospitals in Wisconsin and 22 other states will also change their names in the coming year.

Other regional Ascension hospital groups include Borgess Health in Kalamazoo; Genesys Health in Grand Blanc; St. Joseph Health System in Tawas City; and St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw.

Last year, Ascension eliminated local hospital and regional boards and created the Southeast Michigan Hospital Board, the West Michigan Hospital Board, the Mid-Michigan Hospital Board and the Michigan Market Board that oversees all Ascension properties in the state.

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Ascension Crittenton Hospital is first to be renamed in Ascension ... - Crain's Detroit Business

Director Keith Dixon sums up Tracy Letts' "August: Osage County" in one sentence.

"We put the fun in family dysfunction," Dixon says.

He can't help laughing, partly because of his quip and partly because of some comic moments produced by the dysfunction in Letts' Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

The show is billed as a dark comedy, though its dramatic moments can sometimes overshadow the laughter. Audiences can judge for themselves when Ascension Community Theatre opens "August: Osage County" on Thursday.

"This story is about a lot of things," Dixon says. "It's about adult children's relationships with their parents, it's about what happens when you hold secrets for a long time without airing grievances, and it's about how it doesn't always mean you're the winner if you're the last one standing."

The play is Dixon's return to directing area community theater since leaving his job as Theatre Baton Rouge's artistic director in 2014 to take the same position at Spokane Civic Theatre in Spokane, Washington.

He returned to Baton Rouge in 2016, where he's now the communications and development director at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum.

"It feels good to be back directing in a theater," he says. "And this isn't just any play this is a big one."

The play will be performed on a thrust stage, where the audience is positioned three-quarters of the way around the stage.

"It's like we're making them a part of the family, too," Dixon says.

"August: Osage County"

won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with six Tony Awards, including one for Best Play, in the same year.

"Some of our audience members might know the play from the (2013) movie starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts," Dixon says.

The story takes place over several weeks, opening with patriarch Beverly Weston hiring a young Native American woman as a caregiver for his drug-addicted wife, Violet. Beverly disappears, the family gathers, personalities clash and secrets surface.

Then comes the bombshell of Beverly's whereabouts.

"I don't want to give away a spoiler," Dixon says. "But it's a major turning point in the play."

The story calls for seven actresses and six actors, who all play a big part in the story. Dixon has only praise for his cast.

"I have seven amazing women in this show, which is primarily about them," Dixon says. "But I don't want to take away from the men in the family, because they play an integral role in driving the plot. The six men I have in these roles are great."

Dixon also cautions his potential audiences that the play has strong language.

"It's definitely an adult play, but even though the situation is extreme, the audience will be able to relate to it, because it's about family and family conflict," he says.

It's a gathering where parents still see their adult children as young children, where siblings forge mixed relationships of love and resentment and where addiction is an obvious, yet hidden, issue.

"They've been holding on to so much," Dixon says. "And in the end, it's also about letting go."

An Ascension Community Theatre production

WHEN: Thursdays through Sundays, Aug. 3-6 and Aug. 10-13. Performances at 7 p.m.;Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Ascension Community Theatre, 823 Felicity St., Gonzales

TICKETS/INFO:$22.50-$25. (225) 647-1230 or actgonzalesla.wixsite.com/actsite.

Follow Robin Miller on Twitter, @rmillerbr.

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Ascension Community Theatre's 'August: Osage County' puts the 'fun' in family dysfunction - The Advocate

Donald Trump is not much of a man. He feels sorry for himself, he whines, he gropes women; he bullies the weak. He brags and he lies. As a young man this self-proclaimed athlete collected five draft deferments rather than wear his countrys uniform. He doesnt even work out. The motto emblazoned on Trumps bogus coat of arms should probably be faithless, which makes it odd that he has picked as his chief of staff a general steeled in a service whose motto is ever faithful. (The Trump coat of arms was reportedly lifted from another family, with the motto integrity replacedinevitablyby Trump.)

John Kelly, retired Marine four-star and new White House chief of staff, has been throughout his career everything Trump is not: He has endured more than Trump could imagine, and has displayed virtues that Trump may not understand and certainly has not exhibited, among them candor, courage, and discipline. Which is why some observers have welcomed Kellys hiring as evidence that perhaps the president is learning, that maybe now we will have a disciplined White House that will focus on the business of public policy. Maybe the early morning tweets will diminish or even stop.

Trumps pick of Kelly is probably better understood in a broader and darker context. That includes a speech that he gave the same day to New Yorks Suffolk County Police Department calling on cops to bang suspects heads into squad cars; the brusque, uncoordinated dismissal of transgender service personnel by presidential tweet; a speech a week earlier at the commissioning of USS Gerald R. Ford urging sailors to lobby their representatives; a harangue to 30,000 Boy Scouts that included a rant about loyalty, and that earned him an astonishing rebuke from the head of the Boy Scouts of America; and a longer history of toying around the edge of inciting violence, to include the assassination of his opponent in the last election.

As the coils of the Russia investigation grow tighter, as his failures in Congress mount, Trump reaches for what he knowsdemagoguery of the rawest sort. He reaches as well for what he thinks of as his base, which includes (he believes) the military, many of whose leaders are actually quietly appalled by what he represents. He has picked Kelly not because of his political or administrative skills but because he thinks of him as a killera term of praise in his lexicon, which is why he likes referring to his secretary of defense as Mad Dog Mattis, a nickname the former general rejects. Kelly will not organize Goon Squads for Trump, but the president would probably not mind if he did. More to the point, Kellys selection, and that of a foul-mouthed financier from New York as Trumps communications director, tells us not that Trump is planning on moderating his behavior, but rather on going to the mattresses. He just may have picked the wrong guy for that mission, thats all.

Kellys decision to take the job lends itself to multiple explanations. It may be an irresistible call to duty by someone who thinks of the president mainly as commander-in-chief; it may be an act of deep, quiet patriotism by someone who intends to shield the country from Trumps lawless worst; it may reflect personal ambition, or mere hankering for as difficult a management challenge as one could imagine; or it may reflect a sneaking admiration for the boorish businessman who has successfully slapped around the politicians of left and right that many officers, and Marines in particular, despise as cowardly and corrupt. Kelly once handed a ceremonial saber to the President while unfunnily suggesting that he use it on the press. In April, he said the following: If lawmakers do not like the laws theyve passed and we are charged to enforce, then they should have the courage and skill to change the laws. Otherwise they should shut up and support the men and women on the front lines. A less supine Congress might have noticed the discourtesy and reacted sharply to being told to shut up.

His occasionally contemptuous attitude towards the press and Congress, though, is only one reason why it is highly unlikely that Kelly will succeed. Trump will remain Trump, and the various denizens of the White House are unlikely to treat Kelly with much more deference than they treat one another. He will discover that he is no longer a general, or even a cabinet secretary, but a political functionaryneither more nor less.

There was a reason why he spent 42 years on active duty rather than run for mayor of Boston. He probably already knows, but if not he will soon learn, that he will be as dispensable as his predecessor, that Trump hates any of his subordinates being too powerful or too visible. And worst of all, he will soon find himself wrestling with the moral corruption that being close to this man entails. You cannot work directly for Trump while adhering to a code of honesty, integrity, and lawfulness. Sooner or later Kelly will have to defend the White Houses jabber about fake news, alternative facts, and witch hunts. He will have to ascribe to Trump virtues that he does not possess, and deny the moral lapses and quite possibly the crimes that he has committed.

There is one further reason to find this appointment depressing. It contributes to the continuing decay of American civil-military relations. Those of us who were relieved to see James Mattis as secretary of defense, H. R. McMaster as national-security adviser, and Kelly himself as secretary of homeland security, felt that way partly out of appreciation for the virtues of all three men, but also, very largely, out of relief that their sanity might contain their bosss craziness. But it is inappropriate to have so many generals in policy-making positions; it is profoundly wrong to have a president regard the military as a constituency, and corrupting to have the Republican Party, such as it is, act as though generals have if not a monopoly then at least dominant market share in the qualities of executive ability and patriotism. It is unwise to have higher-level positions in the hands of officials who have openly expressed disdain for Congressnow a dangerously weak branch of government.

Trump, who has no idea how many articles there are in the Constitution, neither knows nor cares about any of the niceties of civil-military relations. To their credit, Kelly, Mattis, and McMaster have thought long and hard about these issues. But like any of us they have their individual limitations, and like any of us, their characters can be eroded by the whirlpool of moral and political corruption that is Donald Trump. The Marines live by a hard code, and John Kelly has endured tests of character more difficult than most of us can conceive. But his hardest tests lie ahead, and neither he nor anyone else can be sure that he will pass them.

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The Downsides of John Kelly's Ascension - The Atlantic

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Addiction impacts all aspects of a person's life, from physical and mental health to relationships, finances, and career. While abstaining from drug and alcohol use and maintaining sobriety are key components of recovery, they do not work alone. In order to uphold these goals, clients must change their thought patterns and promote positive thinking. In a new statement to the press, Ascension Treatment Centers details the importance of keeping a positive attitude and living one day at a time in recovery.

"It's not unusual for the mind to be racing in addiction recovery," says a spokesperson for Ascension Treatment Centersin Palm Springs, California. "It is trying to process everything that happened before, is happening now, and may happen in the future. But it is important to calm the mind and focus on the here and now, taking each moment and day as it comes. Getting too wrapped up in thoughts can lead to negative thinking and increased stress, which can increase the risk of relapse."

At Ascension Treatment Centers, clients learn to engage in strategies to stay in the present and work through challenges and feelings as they arise. Letting problems fester can lead to more issues later. One major glitch in thinking can be cravings. When cravings strike, it's all the mind can focus on. Recognizing that these thoughts do pass and do not have to be acted upon is important. Providing a distraction for the mind such as playing a game, listening to music, reading, or doing a crossword puzzle can help subdue urges until the craving passes.

"It is important for clients to recognize negative thinking and potentially unhealthy situations," the Ascension press statement notes. "This means avoiding people who are a bad influence, removing oneself from tempting environments, and focusing on creating healthy routines, relationships, and spaces."

There are many ways to clear and calm the mind, breaking the cycle of negative thoughts or a racing mind. One option is to talk it through with someone else. Recovery support groups and therapy sessions are a wonderful place for working through challenges and seeing issues from a different perspective. Others who have experienced similar situations can provide their insight or re-frame problems in a new way. Friends and family can also be an effective sounding board and listening ear. Getting thoughts and feelings out of one's head and into the world can relieve stress.

Taking a break and staying active can help as well. Engaging in physical activity, be it running, biking, or yoga can allow people to better process their thoughts. In addition, exercise releases endorphin which are natural mood boosters, and working out helps burn off excess stress and tension which can reset the mind.

"We encourage clients to try different activities and find what works best for their needs," says an Ascension Treatment Centers spokesperson. "The beautiful weather in Palm Springs is perfect for getting outside and connecting with nature. Disconnecting and enjoying the beauty of one's surroundings can help to boost mood and positive thinking. Clients can focus on living in the present and taking each day as it comes."

Ascension Treatment Centers works with individuals struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, including those local to Palm Springs and beyond. The clinical program is always individualized to the client and provides holistic services meant to lay a foundation for lifelong recovery.

Those interested in learning more about comprehensive treatment can visit Ascension Treatment Centers on the Web at http://www.ascensiontreatment.com.

ABOUT:

Based in Palm Springs, California, Ascension Treatment Centers provides compassionate clinical care to those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. Individuals who seek recovery will find a completely individualized treatment plan, one designed to meet their specific needs and to lay a foundation for lifelong recovery. Ascension Treatment Centers provides a full continuum of care, ranging from detox and residential treatment to intensive outpatient (IOP) and sober living. Ascension is known for its intimate and caring approach. More information is available online at the Ascension Treatment Centers website, http://www.ascensiontreatment.com/about/.

Ascension Treatment Centers 555 South Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 318-0626

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Palm Springs Rehab Center

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SOURCE Ascension Treatment Centers

http://www.ascensiontreatment.com

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Ascension Treatment Centers Supports Clients in Changing Thinking to Drive Long-Term Recovery - PR Newswire (press release)

Would you rather slave 9 to 5 or hustle 24/7?

For Kyle Cicero, co-owner of Ascension Physical Therapy, the answer is simple. He knows that true success in any area of life requires a dedicated amount of hustling. And that is exactly what he spends most of his days doing.

A single session of physical therapy following an injury in high school first sparked Ciceros interest in the field. He admitted being attracted to the more hands-on, patient friendly profession of physical therapy and decided to pursue that as a career.

A 2006 Carroll College graduate, Cicero is also proud to have been a member of two of their NAIA championship football teams. Cicero later attended Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and graduated in 2011 with a doctorate of physical therapy. He has been practicing in the Helena area ever since.

After working for Heuiser Physical Therapy for a few years, Cicero made the bold decision in January 2016 to open his own practice, Ascension Physical Therapy, along with business partners Anna Larson and Jeff Shirley. At Ascension, Cicero specializes in low back pain and spine care, post-operative care, shoulder pain, knee pain, and any other physical therapy needs of his patients.

For Cicero, the greatest rewards from his physical therapy practice come from offering his patients a place to be comfortable during a stressful time and watching them walk through the door smiling and free of pain.

In addition to his physical therapy practice, Cicero also spends his days hustling with a new business venture in the CrossFit industry, which Cicero has been part of for several years. He was first introduced to CrossFit in 2010 while attending physical therapy school.

I instantly fell in love with it, said Cicero.

What stood out most to Cicero about CrossFit was the sense of community it creates. Unlike traditional gym settings where members pop in their headphones and tune out everyone else, CrossFit is a group effort each day. Cicero explained that members perform the same workout of the day with several other people right beside them who offer support and encouragement to one another. All of the workouts are also based on functional movements, which Cicero appreciates as a physical therapist.

Its more motivating and creates a better overall lifestyle, said Ciceroof CrossFit.

Ciceros passion for CrossFit compelled him to later acquire a CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1) Trainer Certification in 2015 to coach others. His background in physical therapy makes Cicero very safety oriented when it comes to his coaching. Since he understands what the body can and cannot do, he trains his clients to properly perform dead lifts and other movements to prevent injury. Cicero explained that he is considered the CrossFit physical therapist in town, as hes worked with patients who have sustained injuries from CrossFit workouts.

Cicero was also instrumental in the founding of another CrossFit gym in Helena where he served as a coach for a period of time. But once again, Cicero eventually grew restless and decided to branch out. After partnering with friends, Alex Tubbs and Krista Boutilier, the trio began developing an idea for their own CrossFit gym. The new gym, which will be called Seven Devils CrossFit after the seven mountaindraws behind the Sleeping Giant landmark, is scheduled to open in early August.

Besides being able to run a gym productively, Cicero also envisions the newfacility bringingtogether all of the CrossFit communities in town. While he is still sorting through the logistics, he hopes to allow members from other CrossFit gyms in town to visit his gym, and vice versa.

The samecamaraderie that happens inside the gym needs to happen outside the gym as well, said Cicero.

Looking back on his entrepreneurial endeavors, Cicero admits that hes been very lucky having had only successful experiences thus far. He attributes a lot of his success to the positive business partnerships hes been able to form. He explained that qualities like enthusiasm, kindness, work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to compromise help create a strong team that Cicero can be confident about.

At the end of the day, Cicero relies on laughter to help get him through all of the challenges that come with running a business.

Laughter is the only way youll get through it all, he said. I wholeheartedly believe that.

In pondering Ciceros uncanny ability to juggle so many endeavors, his brother Kerry Cicero stated, We have heard of the phrase working nine to five but Kyle works five to ten, said Kerry. What I mean is he is up at five to go coach CrossFit, then goes to Ascension and later bounces back to CrossFit. Kyle is able to take these risks because he knows he can bet on himself and will succeed.

Just where exactly does Ciceros inner confidence stem from? Cicero chalks it up to the support of his family and friends and Kyrie Hoang, his girlfriend. He also explained that his dad, Noel Cicero, passed on a lot of helpful qualities to him.

I just have the tenacity, said Cicero smiling. Its a Cicero thing.

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Kyle Cicero: Co-owner, Ascension Physical Therapy - Helena Independent Record

Still, these is one aspect in which Ascension has found itself behind the eight ball. There is one aspect that has some residents frustrated and looking for long-overdue changes.

They want to see improvements finally made at the parish's baseball and softball parks.

In many aspects, Ascension is one of the premier parishes in the state.

It's one of the fastest growing areas in Louisiana, and the parish routinely grades out as one of the best in the state in academics.

When it comes to food, there is no greater indicator of its excellence than the title the city of Gonzales has earned as the "Jambalaya Capitol of the World."

When it comes to sports, the St. Amant vs. East Ascension football rivalry is one of the best in the state. Top to bottom, it's one of the most talented baseball and softball areas in Louisiana.

Still, these is one aspect in which Ascension has found itself behind the eight ball. There is one aspect that has some residents frustrated and looking for long-overdue changes.

They want to see improvements finally made at the parish's baseball and softball parks.

Recently, an anonymous resident sent a letter to the Weekly Citizen voicing their concerns, as well as the concerns of many like them.

The letter detailed the deficiencies of Butch Gore Park in St. Amant.

The park often hosts recreation softball tournaments that sometimes contain as many as 40 teams. The St. Amant High School softball squad also plays a tournament there each year.

Though, the author of the letter said that the conditions at the park have not been up to par. The bathrooms are unsatisfactory, and the sidewalk is in need of repairs.

The author said, "The sidewalks have become increasingly dangerous because there may be as much as five-inch drop-offs between it and the ground. Yes, this has caused injuries. I believe the lack of action to assure the health and safety of our players and spectators needs to be addressed immediately."

This letter proved to be just the tip of the iceberg.

The week I published it in the Weekly Citizen's sports section, I also posted it on our website and our Facebook page.

There, it received a huge response from local readers. Not only did many agree that it was high time Butch Gore received repairs, there were countless Ascension residents that argued that Butch Gore was just one of the many parks in the parish that needed a serious face-lift.

In fact, the consensus opinion was that out of the major parks in the parish, Butch Gore was actually the park that needed the least amount to TLC.

The parks that continued to come up were Stevens, Paula and St. Amant.

One Facebook user said, Paula Park needs major work done. Butch Gore looks amazing compared to it.

The whole situation is a catch-22 for the parish.

Many residents want to see these parks improved, but with the recreation budget already paper thin, its hard to see these wide-sweeping repairs taking place.

Recently, there was a tax proposed for the distinct purpose of the recreation department having the funds to fix things, but that proposal failed to garner enough votes.

Without the extra funds from the tax, things will continue to be complicated when it comes to park renovation, but that doesnt mean its impossible.

Some have said that better management could go a long way.

The author of the letter pointed out that the tournaments held at parks like Butch Gore bring in a lot of money that could go toward these projects.

Im no park expert, Im not on the recreation committee and my college degree was not in finance or business administration.

I dont know how they get there, but like the many concerned parish residents, I would love to see these parks improved.

Ascension is such an amazing baseball and softball parish.

Many of its players will go on to play collegiately, and almost every high-school will compete in the playoffs each year. There is usually at least one team that will reach Sulphur for the state tournament.

Little-league teams routinely bring home district, state and world series titles each summer.

These talented young players, their coaches, parents and fans all deserve better than what they have now.

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No walk in the park - Post South

GONZALES With an attempted bribery indictment hanging over the head of Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa, a group of business people are pressing to abolish the position of elected parish president in favor of an appointed parish manager.

The nonprofit A Better Ascension, a group formed in February with leadership that includes Eatel Corp. president John Scanlan, wants to change the parish home rule charter and create the new parish executive position. The parish manager model follows the leadership structure of large companies with a CEO and board of directors.

The group, which has been meeting for eight months, plans for a public roll-out of their idea in mid-August. They would not only need to convince voters of the concept, but the proposal would likely have to be put on the ballot by the Parish Council.

"We believe the Parish Manager-Council form of government will bring Ascension Parish to the next level," Scanlan said in a statement this week. "This style of government has proven to be much more effective and efficient than our parish government's current model."

The group pointed to a 2011 IBM study, titled "Smarter, Faster, Cheaper," that compared 100 cities and concluded that municipal governments with a city manager were nearly 10 percent more efficient than cities with a strong elected mayor.

ANational Association of Countiesanalysisfound in a May 2015 study that 43 percent of counties are run by appointed administrators.

Matassa said the proposal would take away "people's right to vote."

GONZALES Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa said Thursday that parish leaders will d

"This isnt a grassroots movement. Its an attempt by a secretly funded group of special interests to take control for themselves," Matassa added in a statement. "The people want to elect their president, their sheriff and their mayor. Im with the rights of the people, not the special interests.

Under the Ascension proposal, the new parish manager would be required to have a master's in public administration or business administration, and have at least five years of experience as a government executive. The manager would also have to take ethics training and be an Ascension Parish resident at least 90 days before taking the job.

But the proposed change would take away power from voters, who now directly select parish government's only parishwide elected official. The proposal calls for an appointed board to vet candidates for manager, while the final choice would be made by the 11 elected members of the Parish Council.

After narrowly beating surveyor Clint Cointment in the fall of 2015 runoff, Matassa's administration has run into head winds. He was caught on tape last year allegedly trying bribe a candidate to drop out of a Gonzales City Council race last year. Matassa has disputed that allegations, saying he was discussing a loan and offering political advice.

GONZALES For the first time, the Ascension Parish Council on Thursday will try out a new a

Matassa and Olin Berthelot, one of his businessman allies also caught on tape in the alleged scheme, were indicted March 10, about a month after A Better Ascension filed its nonprofit incorporation papers, on counts of attempted election bribery.

But Jamie Bourgeois, another member of A Better Ascension's board, said their plan isn't a response to Matassa's troubles, but concern about the lack of infrastructure investment despite Ascension's growth and strong revenue.

He said the proposed structure would model the parish school system. The School Board selects a superintendent and the superintendent has autonomy to hire and fire and manage the school system. The board hires and fires the superintendent.

"So this is the same type of concept," said Bourgeois, an industrial project manager from St. Amant who served on the School Board for one term that ended in 2014.

Unlike the School Board, however, a five-member citizen board with heavy business leanings would vet and nominate candidates for parish manager. That board would be made up of the parish school system superintendent, one Ascension Rotary Club member appointed by the Parish Council, one business executive appointed by the Parish Council and two members appointed by the Ascension Chamber of Commerce.

J Hudson, a spokesman for A Better Ascension, said the Parish Council could select up to two city manager candidates from the nominating committee but could not independently select replacement candidates. The nominating board would have to restart the process if the council rejects candidates.

A Better Ascension says in a statement that the group's members want this selection structure to ensure "Ascension citizens who have experience in hiring qualified employees lead the Parish Manager search."

A major structural change to parish government, the proposal would require an amendment or possibly several to the home rule charter, Ascension's broad plan of government adopted in July 1993. The charter shifted Ascension away from the old police jury system to a parish council-parish president form of government.

A majority of voters in Ascension must approve any change to the charter, which has never been amended. In May 2010, voters soundly rejected 28 proposed changes to the charter incorporated into eight ballot amendments, which included a series of technical changes but also a pay boost for the parish president under the argument then that a heftier salary would attract a better parish leader.

Ascension Parish is about to receive a big batch of federal reimbursement dollars for money

For the A Better Ascension proposal to get on the ballot, which backers say they want to do this fall, at least eight members of the 11-member Parish Council would have to agree. The group could also start a petition drive but would need the signatures of one-third of the parish's registered voters, which is about 25,000 voters.

The group plans informational meetings at 6 p.m. on the following dates: Aug. 14 in Gonzales, Aug. 15 in St. Amant, Aug. 21 in Donaldsonville and Aug. 22 in Prairieville. Meeting locations will be announced later.

Hudson provided a list of A Better Ascension's board members Friday at The Advocate's request. He said the group would be gradually identifying donors who wished to be identified.

In addition to Scanlan and Bourgeois, other members are Brandon Trosclair, Bryan Melancon, Don Ramsey, Jeremy Epps, John Diez, Marty Martin, Pat Bourque and Vance Daigle.

Some Parish Council members, like Teri Casso and Aaron Lawler, expressed in an interview and written social media posts their interest in the idea or at least openness to letting voters decide.

Councilman Randy Clouatre said he is also open to the idea, but wants to learn more first. Councilman Travis Turner said he wanted more information.

Councilman Daniel "Doc" Satterlee, one of Matassa's toughest council critics who pushed for and got a non-binding vote of no-confidence against the parish president this spring after the indictment, is fiercely opposed to the concept.

He called it an "absolutely crazy idea" that essentially does away with one of the three branches of government, a "tried and true" system upon which the nation was founded.

"The problem we have right now is that we have a corrupt leader of our executive branch, so we shouldn't, in my mind, be throwing out the baby with bath water by eliminating the entire executive branch thinking that that's going end corruption," Satterlee said.

He said he has found examples of city and county manager-type governments with corruption problems by those managers.

At the same time, Satterlee said he is still weighing whether to vote to put the changes on the ballot so voters can have the final say. Satterlee has taken the same approach with tax proposals he has opposed.

Councilman Bill Dawson, whose career was spent in the oil and gas industry, said he has worked under the type of management structure that A Better Ascension is proposing throughout his working career and is open to the idea, but has not decided.

As council chairman, Dawson also sets the agenda with Matassa. He said he will give the proposal "serious consideration," but considers the threshold to bring an idea forward for public debate fairly low.

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'Absolutely crazy' or 'next level' idea? Group wants to abolish position of parish president in Ascension - The Advocate

He said he was amazed at the support and love from around the world.

Daniel Schempp, commander of the US Air Force unit on Ascension, set up an appeal fund for Mr Matsu, who he said was like the water god he seems invincible in the sea.It was close to reaching its $5,000 (3,800) target within 24 hours.

Major Schempp said: "He sustained critical bite wounds to his torso and is lucky to be alive, only kept so by the heroics of the small US and UK medical teams on island, and because of the donated blood supplies of volunteers."

The island government warned swimmers to be careful after the April attack, but now says: "Entering the sea on Ascension must be avoided until further notice."

The attack is a further blow to Ascensions 800-strong community following the partial closure of its military runway in April. Tourists may be put off visiting when UK flights resume.

Frankie Gonsalves suffered injuries to her foot but has largely recovered. She is shortly to return to her child safeguarding job on St Helena.

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Second shark attack in three months on Ascension Island - Telegraph.co.uk

DONALDSONVILLE Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies arrested a Donaldsonville woman on allegations she shot another woman in the face during an argument earlier this week.

Andrea Jackson, 49,302 Claiborne St., was arrested Tuesday on counts of attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons, Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bobby Webre said in a statement.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a home on Claiborne Street Tuesday night and found a woman who had been shot in the face, Webre said.

Deputies later learned that the victim and Jackson had been in an argument when Jackson reached for a handgun and shot the woman, Webre said. Deputies could not say on Thursday why the two were arguing.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Webre said.

After Jackson's arrest Tuesday, she was booked into the Ascension Parish Prison near Donaldsonville but no bail had been set as of Thursday morning, Webre said.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Donaldsonville woman arrested after argument ends in shooting ... - The Advocate