Each Wednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• Norco resident Glenn D. Smith for being named king of the annual Washington, D.C., Mardi Gras Ball. Smith is the CEO of Magnolia Companies, a 16-company conglomerate based in St. Charles Parish.

• The River Parishes Transit Authority, which is looking to expand its bus service in the region by adding two additional buses to its fleet. Transit officials say the service is growing in popularity and ridership continues to climb.

• St. John the Baptist Parish Superintendent Courtney Millet and River Parishes Community College Chancellor Joe Ben Welch for signing off on a dual enrollment program between the college and East St. John High School. The agreement allows East St. John High school students to get high school and college credits in chemistry and biology.

• The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office for

their parishwide crackdown on the sale of alcohol to minors. Undercover operations over

the past few weeks have been

part of a growing initiative to combat teen drinking in the parish.