Getting settled after busy year

After months on the campaign trail and countless public appearances, one might think that newly-elected David Smith may take a few days off to relax before he is sworn in as Acadia Parish’s newest district judge.

However, he is still waiting for the chance. 

“I haven’t stopped moving,” he laughed. “For two days after the election we were busy cleaning up (election signs) and I left on Tuesday for New Orleans to attend a class for new judges at Appellate Square.”

Since his return, he has been busy moving into his new office. It will be the first time that the office at the end of the hall on the second floor of the Acadia Parish Courthouse will be occupied by someone not named Glennon Everett. And Smith is fully aware of the man he’ll be replacing after his runoff victory over Mike Goss.

“Some big shoes to fill,” he said.

When asked about future goals, Smith said that he would like to look into “expanding some things.”

Smith said that it is time for Acadia Parish to get a drug court program started.

“This is something we tried to do a few years ago but were unsuccessful,” he said. “We can keep first time offenders away from jails where they will be serving alongside violent offenders. We can also keep track of them and get them the help they need before they become repeat offenders.”

With not even two weeks having passed since the election, Smith still wants to assure the residents of Acadia Parish that he will be working hard to represent the interests of his constituents.

“I’m still humbled and proud of the fact that the voters of Acadia Parish have chosen me,” he said. “I hope to serve them well.”