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Don Menard, new council start term
Hundreds of parish residents where on
hand Monday for the official swearing in of St. Landry Parish's
new government.
"This is an historic day for our parish and our state. It is an honor to be present here today," said Master of Ceremonies Jim Gates, referring to the twin ceremonies going on both in the parish and in Baton Rouge, where newly-elected Gov. Bobby Jindal was taking his oath at the same time.
Returning Parish President Don Menard took his oath of office, which was given by retired Judge Robert Brinkman.The four 27th Judicial District Court Judges - James "Jim" Doherty, Ellis Daigle, Alonzo Harris and Donald Hebert - each swore in the parish council members within their own districts.
Harris administered the oath of office to new council members Jerry L. Red Jr., District 1; Leon E. Robinson, District 2; and Fekisha Miller, District 3.
Special prayers were also offered for Miller's father, former District 3 Councilman Pat Miller, who is recovering from a stroke he suffered last year.
Doherty administered the oath of office to new council member Kenneth D. Vidrine, District 4; and to returning councilman Hurlin Dupre, District 6. Returning District 5 Councilman Ronald Buschel, who underwent heart surgery in December, was unable to attend.
Hebert administered the oath to new council members Pam Gautreaux, District 8; and Glenn Stout, District 9; and to returning council members Albert Hollier, District 7; and Dexter Brown, District 10.
Daigle administered the oath to new council members Claude "Jay" Guidry, District 11; and Jimmie E. Edwards, District 12; and to returning council member Gary Courville, District 13.
In his inaugural remarks following the ceremony, Menard said that four years ago he and the council took their oath days after Louisiana State University won its first national championship in a generation.
"We are honored again by the public to take our oaths of office, again only days after another national championship season. That same team was led this time by a different coach with different players. However, they succeeded through discipline, personal excellence and teamwork," Menard said.
Menard would return to the themes of discipline, personal excellence and teamwork again and again in his 15-minute talk.
"We will continue to exercise financial discipline. We will strive daily to meet a standard of personal excellence, and we will work together as a team in all of our actions for the benefits of the citizens of St. Landry Parish," Menard promised.
While praising the new council members, he also took time to praise parish employees, especially those who helped the parish come through hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
While the parish suffered only minor damage from those storms, the destruction of the state's coastal parishes made the parish home to more than 10,000 evacuees for months after.
"Our parish has been studied by federal agencies as the model for how to manage relief efforts in a crisis," Menard said.
"Every single parish employee worked day and night. Our parish employees proved that government can and does work when men and women of pride and character look out for the needs of their fellow citizens before their own comfort," Menard said.
In terms of fiscal discipline, he pointed to the parish's ability to pay off more than $1.5 million in old police jury debts in the past four year, "saving our taxpayers thousands of dollars in interest charges," Menard said.
"Our fiscal discipline has been rewarded. No longer does the State of Louisiana or the Legislative Auditor have to step in and control St. Landry Parish finances," Menard said, referring to the former police jury, that twice had to declare bankruptcy.
"We account for every dollar collected, we account for every dollar spent," Menard said. "We have turned our St. Landry Parish government into a model of excellence."
While proud of what has been accomplished in the first four years of the new president-council form of government, he argued the parish has much to do - and much to look forward to - in the coming four years.
"We are witnesses to a period of historic growth - 50 new subdivisions, almost 2,000 new homes - just in the last four years. As leaders of this parish, let us ensure that our moment of great transformation will be lead wisely - that we will use principles of smart growth to plan a successful future for our parish," Menard said.
"We will be the parish where our children can be educated well - where they can find employment and enjoy satisfying careers - and where they can raise their children, proud to call St. Landry Parish home," Menard said.
"Our fellow citizens have given us a great responsibility and a sacred trust. Let each of us commit ourselves to the highest degree of discipline - the strictest standard of excellence - and a respectful attitude of teamwork," Menard said.