The City of Franklin
Department of Community Development is
responsible for supporting the community
and voluntary sectors in Human Resource
Management.
Specifically, developers facilitate the
building of healthy, sustainable, and
empowered communities that are better
equipped and skilled to tackle their
local concerns and to relate positively
with other communities.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF
 |
Marla L. Chirdon
Director, Community Development / Main Street Program
ManagerVoice: 337-828-6326
Email:
mchirdon@franklin-la.com |
Marla, a Franklin native, holds a B.S.
from LSU-Baton Rouge. She has ived abroad in
Ottawa, Canada where she did volunteer work
for an environmental non-profit and has
spent time in East Africa.
While an undergraduate student, she was
an Americorps volunteer in New Orleans,
participating in reforestation projects and
environmental education initiatives. She
also interned with a teammate in conjunction
with the UNO Dept. of Sociology to address youth
violence prevention, culminating in the
creation of a violence prevention manual.
Most recently, she has worked as an
educator in St. Mary Parish and is
completing her thesis on community-based
implementation of a Lafayette, LA area health agency.
She has taken coursework on urban planning
and design principles and hopes to ignite
community and economic revitalization
efforts for the City Of Franklin.
Responsibilities of a Main Street Program Manager
- Coordinate activities of Main Street
Program Committees
- Develop in conjunction with Board
and committees, downtown revitalization
strategies, ongoing public awareness and
education programs
- Assist business and property owners
with business and property improvement
projects
- Serve as an advocate for downtown
issues
- Encourage a cooperative climate with
other downtown or community
organizations.
- Build public/private partnerships
- Win the hearts of minds of many;
have thick skin
Responsibilities as Director: Capacity
building and leadership
- Provide assistance to increase
skills and capacities of residents and
organizations to plan and problem-solve
issues
- Facilitate action at local level to
improve community conditions and
outcomes
- Design strategies to build
relationships, address diverse needs,
and manage complex community issues.
- Liaise with other service providers,
business leaders, and government
organizations to address identified
needs and achieve positive community
change
- Foster voluntary sector networks
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