Nanette Simon Cook, District 7 Council Member in Lafayette, is our guest on this episode of Discover Lafayette. Elected to serve in 2015, Nanette will be announcing her candidacy for re-election on May 4, 2019.

In the interview, Nanette Cook discusses her extended family ties in Lafayette, her interest in community service that she attributes to the example set by her father, Councilman Al Simon who served on the Lafayette City Council in the late 1980’s, and the issues that local elected officials address on a daily basis.

Nanette and her husband, attorney David Cook, have raised five high achieving children. Parents of Clare, Emily, John, Christopher, and Eleanor, the Cooks have given back greatly to the Lafayette community while still finding the time to raise grounded and successful children.

Nanette is a Physical Education Instructor at Cathedral-Carmel School. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from UL-Lafayette. Well-known throughout the community for her dedication to health and fitness, she has been a popular instructor at Lourdes Fitness Center and, in the past, Red Lerille's Health Club.

This interview was recorded in 2017 when drainage issues were front and center, the non-smoking ordinance had just been passed in Lafayette Parish, and the Redflex cameras were causing heated discussions among people questioning their value. Nanette discussed the overriding need to listen to her constituents first as she addressed the issues which local elected officials typically face. 

Most recently, Clare Cook, their oldest child, was a recent guest on Discover Lafayette with her husband, Dr. Robert Autin, as they discussed their entrepreneurial endeavors which include Basin Arts, Acadian Superette, and Dr. Autin's surgical practice. The interview may be listened to here.

Nanette Simon Cook loves the culture of Lafayette and truly embodies the “Spirit of Acadiana.” The councilwoman's dedicated service to better our community contributed in her own unique joyful style is a true gift to Lafayette Parish.