Qualifying sets stage for November in ‘Bridge, Parks

The three-day qualifying period ending on Friday, July 22, revealed that Breaux Bridge voters will have relatively few decisions to make in the November, 2022 election.

Breaux Bridge Mayor Ricky Calais was elected in 2014 with 51 percent of the vote. He will run  unopposed for the office in November.

Likewise, all but one of the Breaux Bridge Aldermen’s seats are unopposed. Only incumbent Earnest (EJ) Ledet’s Dist. C position will be contested. Former Alderman Albert (DaDa) Menard, like Ledet, a Black Democrat (B/D) qualified to run against Ledet for the position.

There are three qualifiers in the race for Breaux Bridge Chief of Police, vacated by longtime Chief Rollie Cantu. In February, the city council approved an amendment to the city charter to change the method of selection of the Chief from popular vote to appointment. Selection would be through nomination by the mayor and passage of the appointment by the council. Legislative approval was required for it to take effect.

After receiving considerable push-back against the change, Mayor Calais asked the legislature to remove the bill from consideration, so the selection of a chief will still be decided by the voters.

Qualifying Chief of Police candidates, listed alphabetically,  are:

•Hubert Augustine, B/no party affiliation.  

•Rodney Chitwood, White/Republican (W/R).

•Albert “Buz” LeBlanc, W/R.

Parks:

Incumbent Village of Parks Mayor Kevin Kately, B/D, will be opposed by challenger Joseph Hypolite, B/D.

Eight qualifiers will vie for the three at-large Alderman positions for Parks.

•Tammy M. Huval, W/D.

•Grant Morvant, W/D.

•Myra Yvonne Narcisse, incumbent, B/D.

•Desree Potier, B/D.

•Kanisha “Pumpie” Potier, incumbent, B/D •Harold “Kellogg” Robertson, incumbent, W/Independent.

•Trey W. Thibodeaux, W/R.        

Chief of Police for Parks will also be on the ballot. A single qualifier, Tyrell Bergeron, W/D, will challenge incumbent Chief Reginal “Reggie” Cluse, B/D.