Changing of the guard

David Savoy  of Church Point was elected president of the Acadia Parish Police Jury Tuesday night, succeeding Crowley-area juror A.J. “Fatty” Broussard, who had held that seat for the last two years.

Robert Guidry of Iota was chosen as the panel’s vice president, succeeding Julie Borill of Crowley, also a two-term office.

Both of those offices are for one-year terms.

Richard “Dickie” Latiolais was reappointed for his second term as the jury’s secretary-treasurer. His appointment is for two years.

Only Savoy’s election was contested with Crowley juror Alton “Al” Stevenson also nominated.

In nominating Stevenson, A.J. “Jay” Credeur pointed out that Stevenson is the longest-serving juror on the panel and has never held the position of president.

The vote for Stevenson failed 5-2 with only Dale Trahan joining Credeur.

Voting against Stevenson’s nomination were Borill, Broussard,  Guidry, Savoy and Jimmie Pellerin.

In a show of unity, the subsequent vote on Guidry’s nomination was unanimous.

In other business, the jury failed to approve plans submitted by the Seventh District Pavilion for the subdivision of property along U.S. Highway 90 west of Crowley.

Citing constant flooding problems in that area — a problem reiterated by residents of an adjoining subdivision opposed to the plans — jurors went against the recommendation of the parish Planning Commission, which recommended approval.

“What the Planing Commission is saying is that this plan meets all of the requirements and guidelines set forth by the parish for a subdivision,” said Latiolais.

But jurors, led by Broussard, who railed against the flood map drawn up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, failed to approve.

“This is a ‘Zone X’ area, which means is a good risk,” said Broussard, an insurance agent by trade. “If it was a ‘Zone A’ it would be a high risk.”

Stevenson had offered a motion to accept the commission’s recommendation, but it died for lack of a second.

Jurors also balked on a recommendation to establish a database of residences in the parish in which oxygen equipment is used and stored.

Latiolais explained that he had spoken with Brad Andrus, parish attorney, just that day concerning the parish’s liability in the matter.

“If a placard on a house is not removed after the oxygen supplies have been removed and a first responder hesitates before entering and that hesitation results in a death, who is responsible?” Latiolais asked.

Jurors decided to send the matter back to committee.