January 2, 2025, ushered in a new year and a new Mayor of Coushatta. Ashanti R. Cole took his place as mayor with little fanfare but a will to do all he can for Coushatta.

After winning the position with nearly 60% of the vote, Cole prepared to take over the office and organized his plan. He was not invited to an overview of the office’s inner workings until today when he took over. 

RRPJ asked Cole some questions about his upcoming plans.

His immediate plans are to finish the water project, which is not 100% complete currently. “We need to get all digital reads.” There are approximately 100 remaining hand reads in the water system.

“I want to prioritize public safety. We need leaders familiar with our citizens and officers with similar familiarity.”

“Being a good steward of city resources is also something I strive to do. We need an inventory of expenditures to ensure transparent accountability for the people of Coushatta.”

When asked about his long-term plans, Cole responded that the goal is to engage with the community through several events and identify their wants and needs.

“We need to bring the town closer and find ways to bring others into Coushatta. We need to support a fair; we want parades and festivals. We are a good community, and we must show everyone what a great place Coushatta is to live, work, and gather.”

He commented that having something for the youth and community to do is a priority. He wants to see the ballpark operational for the summer.

Another long-term goal is to modernize the office. “We need to find a way to have direct deposit payroll.

We need a responsive website for police business and updated water and city information. We need to respond to our people and meet their needs today.”

“Today is my first day, but I am already thinking about a year down the road. The future is bright for Coushatta.”