The first meeting of the “new” parish administration last week saw five fresh faces taking office along with four veterans who return for second terms on the St. Martin Parish Council.
Members of the council, along with Parish President Chester Cedars, were sworn in by Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John L. Weimer of Thibodaux, whose 6th District includes St. Martin Parish.
Cedars, who was first appointed to the post in early 2018 following the resignation of Guy Cormier, won a special election to fill Cormier’s unexpired term and was unopposed to serve his first full term.
Council members returning to office for their second terms include Byron Fuselier of Dist. 1, Chris Tauzin of Dist. 5, Dean LeBlanc of Dist. 8 and Daniel Richard Jr. of Dist. 9.
Newly elected member seated last week include Carla Jean Batiste of Dist. 2, LaTanghue “Tangie” Narcisse of Dist. 3, David Poirier of Dist. 4, Brook Champagne of Dist. 6 and Vincent Alexander of Dist. 7.
By unanimous votes, council members chose LeBlanc to continue serving as chairman of the council for 2020, Richard as vice-chairman, and Fuselier as temporary presiding officer.
Also reappointed were Laci Laperouse as clerk of the council and Brooke Gillespie as deputy clerk.
Continuing in administrative positions are Kasey Courville, director of public works; Sean Hundley, director of finance; Calder Hebert, director of administration; and Allen Durand, parish attorney.
At the recommendation of Cedars, the council also approved the appointment of Michelle P. Prilliman to replace Billy Guidry on the Hospital Service Dist. No. 2 board (St. Martin Hospital), and Travis Latiolais to the District 4 Waterworks Commission (Catahoula).
