wooden boat: Town mayor beaten, robbed Madisonville’s Mayor Gitz, 71, in area hospital

Florida parishes bureau
Published: Jun 23, 2006

MADISONVILLE — The longtime mayor of Madisonville was attacked and robbed of his wallet Wednesday night, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

Peter Gitz, 71, mayor since 1977, was closing his restaurant about 10 p.m. when he was beaten on the head several times with a blunt object, deputies said. The Sheriff’s Office is calling the incident an armed robbery.

Gitz owns Badeaux’s Drive In, a burger stand in the Tchefuncte River community known for its Wooden Boat Festival and small town charm.

Deputy Town Clerk Paulla Nickelotte said it is beyond surprising that something like that could happen in Madisonville.

“Traffic violations, that’s about all you see here. No stop sign and speeding tickets,” she said.

“And most of all because he has been such a gentleman. He has been a part of the community for so long. It’s just shocking.”

The Sheriff’s Office said deputies have no suspects and are seeking the public’s help.

Gitz’s wallet contained an unknown amount of cash and several credit cards, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Madisonville Police Department officials declined comment Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office and town officials held a news conference about the robbery Thursday.

Gitz apparently suffered several wounds in the robbery.

The Sheriff’s Office said it did not have information on his condition Thursday. Nickelotte, speaking for Gitz’s son, said Mayor Gitz was under treatment at an area hospital. She would not name the hospital.

Those with information in the case are asked to contact investigating authorities at (985) 875-2178.

Story originally published in The Advocate  ¶ 10:38 PM