WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2008 — Joey Durel, city-parish president of Lafayette, La., Utilities System received the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award at the Association’s national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This award was initiated in 1984 to recognize personal service to APPA by elected and appointed officials.

After serving his first term as Lafayette City-Parish President, Mayor Durel ran unopposed for his second term. He has continued to be the number one salesperson for Lafayette and a proponent of running government with business principles. The Lafayette Utilities System Fiber Project, which he was instrumental in spearheading, continues to move forward and Lafayette is well on its way to becoming the most connected city in America. For his efforts, the Fiber-to-the-Home Council presented him with its “President’s Award” in 2005. Mayor Durel has continually embraced and promoted technology, culture and the arts, and Lafayette was recently named one of the “Top 10 Cities in the South for the Creative Class,” and one of “The Top 10 Great Innovative Markets in the South.” His administration continues to place importance on economic development and fostering an open and accessible government. Mayor Durel is the incoming Chair of APPA’s Policy Makers Council.

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The American Public Power Association (APPA) is the service organization for the nation's more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities that serve more than 45 million Americans. More info at www.APPAnet.org.