Madame Mayor

West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell is the perfect combination to lead the City of West Monroe forward – she is both strong-willed and a visionary. Her strength of character, her ability to recognize and act on opportunities, and – above all – her love for her community and its residents make her our December BayouIcon.

ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Staci Albritton Mitchell did not start out to be an elected official. Her life and career had been moving along steadily when an opportunity for public service arose that changed everything.

The late West Monroe Alderman Sam Yeager passed away and his seat had to be filled by the mayor until a special election could be held. When Mitchell read this, she made an appointment with West Monroe Mayor Dave Norris and asked for the position. Norris offered, and Mitchell took the seat. In only six months, she had to run in the special election to keep the seat. She won by 67% of the vote, in spite of the fact that she had two opponents. Morphing first from businesswoman to an appointed government position and then winning an elective one on her own was just another chapter in an already amazing life.

The Early Years . . .
While many likely assume that Mitchell grew up in West Monroe, such is not the case. She was born on an Air Force base in Columbus, Mississippi, while her father was in Thailand serving in the Vietnam War. Her father, Billy Tom Albritton, and her mother, Mary Lou Allder Albritton, were both from West Carroll Parish. Both graduated from college – her father from Louisiana Tech and her mother from ULM (then NLU).

Not long after Mitchell was born, her father left the Air Force and took a position as an Air Traffic Controller. He had always enjoyed photography, and decided to pursue a career in it. The family moved to Littleton, Colorado, so that he could attend Camera Repair School. When Mitchell was in Littleton, she became active in the Girl Scouts.

Mitchell was ten when the family moved to West Monroe. Her parents selected West Monroe, according to Mitchell, “ . . . because it offered a good option for jobs and careers that got us closer to our grandparents.”

Before this move in 1978, Mitchell and her brothers had only been able to be with their grandparents and cousins for the holidays and some during the summers. She remembers feeding chickens at her maternal grandmother’s home and then feeding the cows and painting ceramics with her paternal grandparents. She and her brothers climbed trees, played in the barn, and spent their time together the way countless other kids in rural north Louisiana did. She and her brothers, Thomas and Todd, showed market lambs through the 4-H livestock program. Her very favorite, however, was a 4-H photography program that she signed up for. She had no idea how far her love of photography would eventually take her.

Although she readily admits that living in Colorado for two years was fun (exploring the mountains and ice skating), those good times were quickly replaced in Louisiana with even better ones when her father bought a boat and the family spent many hours on the Ouachita River, waterskiing and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. This was the first time that Mitchell had not lived in a subdivision. Life in the country suited her, and she loved riding three-wheelers in the woods.

Selecting a Career . . .
When she was quite young, Mitchell remembers thinking that she wanted to be a lawyer. Then while attending West Monroe High School, she remembers telling friends that she wanted to be a senator. Although Mitchell wasn’t quite sure what career she would select, she wasn’t terribly concerned. Her parents and grandparents had always taught her by word and example to work hard, do more than what is expected, and do what is right even when no one can see you. “They taught me that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, as long as I studied and remembered to be thankful, believed that I could, and had faith in God,” she remembers.

During high school, Mitchell worked as a babysitter for children of her neighbors and teachers, and also spent her Saturdays and summers in her father’s store. She sold cameras, processed film, printed photos, and did anything else that was needed to help out. “I learned good work ethic and to do whatever needed to be done – cleaning the bathrooms, picking up trash, waiting on customers, etc. — to make the business successful,” Mitchell says. “I learned to pay attention to details, and how important customer service is in business.”

After high school graduation, Mitchell enrolled at ULM and declared economics as her major. After one year there, she transferred to LSU and changed her major to agricultural economics because she liked both agriculture and business. She toyed with the idea of being a futures broker on the Chicago Board of Trade while there.

When asked what was her favorite subject in college not related to her career, Mitchell did not hesitate to name the aviation class that she took at ULM. “My dad has always flown and had small airplanes,” she explains. “My brothers and I have been flying with him since we were very young. That class was both easy and enjoyable!” Mitchell’s father had given her flying lessons for Christmas one year so she held a student license and had completed her solo flights. Although Mitchell did not finish the final steps to get her pilot’s license, her brother Todd did.

The two classes that were related to her career that she enjoyed the most were statistics and econometrics. “I really like numbers, seeing trends, and trying to predict what can or will happen,” says Mitchell. “Those classes taught me the importance of studying past trends and looking to the future and how important it is to be willing to change with the market or risk being left behind. Those teachings proved very beneficial for Albritton Photography, because the photography business has changed tremendously in the last 29 years.”

At LSU, Mitchell worked in the LSU Public Relations Photography Department, as a photographer at a one-hour photo lab in Baton Rouge, and as a salesperson at Southern Camera. Even so, she still found time to be involved in extra-curricular activities. Once again, 4-H was at the center. She was active in LSU Collegiate 4-H, LSU Ag Economics Club, and LSU Block & Bridle Club. “At the collegiate level, 4-H was a service organization. I enjoyed it because I believe in being active in my community,” Mitchell says. “AG Econ and B&B were social clubs. Through all three I made good friends, an important thing since I didn’t know but a couple of people when I moved to Baton Rouge for school.”

Professional Photography Gets the Nod . . .
Clearly, leaving photography was not in the cards. Her father had always had a passion for photography and had made a successful career of it in West Monroe. When Mitchell completed her BS degree at LSU, she went into business with her parents as a portrait photographer. “I love photography,” Mitchell says. “I love being around people and I love being in business. Going into business with my parents and then out on my own just came naturally.”

Through the years, Mitchell learned all aspects of the business. She and her father attended Professional Photographers of America and Professional Photographers of Louisiana events that helped her learn the marketing and pricing side of the business. When she was in her mid-20’s, she became a Certified Professional Photographer through the Professional Photographers of America.

As Albritton Photography grew, Mitchell’s engagement with her community grew. Through hard work and determination, the company amassed a reputation for providing good quality products and service, and for putting the customer first. The company made a good living for Mitchell’s parents, her own family, and for their employees.

It also gave Mitchell the opportunity to work with many people over the years she might not have met otherwise. “I love seeing the children I have photographed since they were born grow up!” she remembers with a smile. “They still call me ‘Miss Staci’ and hug my neck. Others will tell me that I photographed their wedding 25 years ago. I love that!”

Never one to step aside when there was work to be done, Mitchell managed to juggle two children, the business, and some community service projects at the same time. One year Mitchell did 42 weddings; she was pregnant with her daughter, Calli, at the time and managed to finish the final wedding just 10 days before she delivered.

When her mother passed away in 2007, and her father retired, Mitchell acquired ownership of the family business where she had worked since graduation from LSU.

Public Service Calls . . .
When Mitchell accepted the appointment as alderman, she did so because she wanted to help make a difference in the community that had been so good to her and to her family. As an alderman, she was able to meet even more people from all parts of West Monroe. She learned that “. . . all anyone wants is to live in a safe and clean community with good infrastructure and services and quality of life amenities. I learned that successful elected officials must consider what is best for their area, look to the future, and make tough decisions.” She quickly adds, “Unfortunately, you will not please everyone all of the time.”

Even though there was much accomplished during her service as alderman, there were some light moments as well. More than once, she says, people didn’t know exactly how to properly introduce an alderman who happened to be a female. She says that she was called “Aldermanwoman” a number of times!

When Mayor Norris announced that he was not going to seek reelection but had decided to retire, Mitchell was encouraged to run. Some constituents had suggested that she consider running for mayor some day even in the early days of her term as alderman. Mitchell had heard more than enough comments such as “They should do something about the (fill in the blank)”. She decided that she would not talk, but do. As mayor, she realized, she would be able to do much more. Determined to make a difference, she took her campaign to the people and was elected mayor.

Along the way . . .
During her time as alderman, Mitchell was at a Kiwanis meeting and met a fellow who would change her life. Jay Mitchell was at the meeting with Sheriff Jay Russell, advocating for the Ouachita Correctional Center. They found it easy and fun to talk to each other at that first meeting, and they still do today. “He is the best man I know, a good Christian, and he cares about helping people,” Mitchell says. “He loves family. We are enjoying life together!”

Their earliest date was to a Cancer Foundation League fundraiser. Because they both are community-minded and service-oriented, their attraction to each other was inevitable. They share many things, and are both very active in their community and in their church. They also both have demanding jobs that require unusual hours. By keeping good calendars, they are able to set aside time to do things together like visiting family and just enjoying time together. “We both understand that even though we may not be at work, we are both always working,” Mitchell explains. “One day we want to travel. We want to visit all 50 states, and I want to see Italy –just take my camera and go!”

When Mitchell decided to run for mayor, Jay encouraged her to do so and continues to support her every day. Both believe that West Monroe and northeast Louisiana are great places to live. Mitchell says there is so much potential here, and that she and her husband hope to help realize some of that.

Plans for West Monroe . . .
Once Mitchell assumed the mayor’s post, she wasted no time in making priorities for her first term and beyond. Today, a little over a year in office, she has identified several.

Drainage and detention are at the top of the priority list. Several projects are in the works including the detention at Highland Park; the Black Bayou repairs, improvements and realignment; and the Commercial Park Drainage Project next to the frontage road out by the Ike. The Highland Park property (a former golf course) detention and public space project and the Black Bayou Canal both relate to overall quality of life improvements. The Highland Park property will also encourage economic development and should stimulate new business growth. The area around Black Bayou Canal will ultimately be a Greenway and serve as detention, public recreation, and education.

The Black Bayou Canal project will include structural repairs, improvements, and realignment and will be partially paid for through a Statewide Flood Control grant of $4 million that was recently announced. Because Black Bayou Canal drains 80% of West Monroe, this long-term project will have a significant impact on storm water levels during heavy rainfall events.

Another priority is Neighborhood Revitalization and encouraging people to move back into the city limits by having stronger code enforcement, more amenities, and improving the quality of life for all West Monroe residents. Recycling, bike paths, community development, and downtown development are all quality of life amenities.

To meet these and future challenges, Mitchell has a straightforward philosophy: “I will work hard every day and not get too comfortable. I’m always looking to the future to see what we can do better and to find ways to make things better for our residents and businesses.”

What the Future Holds . . .
With their blended family of four children who are all now very successful young adults, the Mitchells are looking forward to having lots of grandchildren. They share 2 grandsons already, and a granddaughter is on the way. Her experience photographing babies and young children will certainly come in handy!

When asked to describe a “perfect” day, Mitchell was quick to respond. “I would be in West Monroe, and I would go to work. I like where I live and what I do,” she says. “If it were not a work day, then I would be visiting and playing with the grandkids or on the river or the lake.”

Jay just gave her kayaks for her birthday, so they will likely become a new hobby for the two. Both enjoy fishing, and she is especially happy planting flowers and plants. Clearly, not all of their time is spent working.
Still, there will always be in Mitchell’s spirit a need to help others wherever she can. Her willingness to serve and her vision for what “could be” in the future are both strong.

Thomas Edison is credited with a saying that seems appropriate for this remarkable woman who both sees and does on a daily basis: “Vision without execution is hallucination.”

Mitchell’s vision for a better West Monroe is as sharp as her camera lens, and her commitment is as strong as her love for her city. No, there are no hallucinations here.