There’s strong opposition in Mandeville over a proposed hotel and conference center at Fontainebleau State Park. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the development could also include a zipline and horseback riding, which would generate revenue to fund improvements at other state parks. But state representative-elect Richard Nelson says locals are opposed.
“It has big beautiful oak trees, it’s basically unspoiled. There’s really not a lot out there except for some relatively primitive campgrounds, there are a few cabins you can use as well, but everyone has a really strong connection to it,” said Nelson.
A standing-room crowd gathered at the Mandeville Community Center to hear more about Nungesser’s proposal. Nelson says those who could not get in, banged on windows and doors to show their opposition.
“Billy had texted me beforehand and I had told him that, ‘Look, this is a very very unpopular idea. There is no support for this,’ and I told him, ‘Hey this is going to be a very large, hostile crowd,'” said Nelson.
Nungesser spoke at the meeting and accused Nelson of getting forceful with him. Nelson explains his side of the story.
“I just kind of walked up to the podium and I said that I think that this is a bad idea and I had a list of reasons as to why I thought it was a bad idea that I think are very legitimate. They tried to shut me off and I was like, ‘Look, these people out here are who I was elected to represent. This is their issue and this is their park,'” said Nelson.
