Past mayors were honored, and the Westlake City Council shared their first impressions of what a golf cart on city streets ordinance could mean for citizens at Monday’s meeting.

Also, the dates of five upcoming events were announced.

Friday, Oct. 27, is Louisiana Chief’s Association of Police Golf Tournament, at The National. Westlake Police Chief Chris Wylrie is president.

Sunday, Oct. 29, Westlake Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat, Fun for the whole family hosted by area churches and civic clubs at Pinederosa Park, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, Westlake Trick-or-Treat, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, City Hall, 5 p.m., American flags will be saluted and properly disposed of by burning.

Saturday, Dec. 9, Christmas at City Hall, Hallmark-movie style

Six-term Westlake Mayor Dudley D. Dixon was honored  in recognition of his years of service and dedication to the city and to Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District where he served as commissioner.

Dudley showed up for Mayor Hal McMillin’s proclamation of Dudley R. Dixon Day Westlake-proud in a neon orange shirt under a black sports jacket.

McMillins’s proclamation listed local and state boards on which Dixon served. In addition to his six terms as mayor, he served two terms on Westlake City Council, Dixon served on the Employee Retirement board president, IMCAl, Louisiana Asset Management Pool, West Cal Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness president, Calcasieu Council on Aging,

The late Mayor Bob Hardey and his family will be honored in Westlake.

City Council voted to approve the ordinance authorizing the name of Mulberry St. from Jones St. west to Guillory St. (City Hall to the Post Office) to be changed to Bob Hardey Drive.

Bob Hardey died in January 2022. He was in his second term, and had served on the council before being elected mayor.

Hardey is known for taking over the administration of the city of Westlake when it was in financial straits. One of his first actions as mayor was to raise the cost of monthly utilities considerably, not something that was well received. When he succumbed to cancer, the debt had been reduced to 50 percent.

“Always do the right thing for the right reason” was one of Hardey’s favorite sayings, according to City Clerk Andrea Mahfouz.

Westlake could become golf-cart “friendly”

After reviewing ordinances from other golf cart-friendly towns, Mahfouz put together a draft for a Westlake ordinance for council and administration that covered topics such as the need for lights, driver’s license, inspection, permit and speeds no higher than 25 mph.

McMillin said the ordinance will take quite some time, and even if it is approved in August 2024 – the earliest possible date because crossing state highways will require legislative approval – citizens will not be able to drive on state highways, only cross at designated stop lights. Council, and administration will discuss the issue at future meetings, after the draft has been reviewed, and a local golf cart professional and resident who currently lives in West Trace and has lived in other golf cart friendly communities shared their views.