LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 10, 2000

LAPLACE – Russ Wise is returning to the St. John the Baptist ParishSchool Board.

Wise, elected by voters in District 8 Tuesday, succeeds District 8 member Richard DeLong, who stepped down in July for health reasons, and LaRue Speights, the interim board member since DeLong’s departure.

“I’m very happy with the outcome,” Wise said. “It was a very close race.”Wise, who will be sworn in at the December board meeting, served previously on the board from 1995 to 1999 and lost a re-election bid. “I’mvery excited about being able to get back on the board,” he said.

Wise edged Michael “Coach” Maggiore, a former parish council member and teacher, by a 57-vote margin, 993 to 936.

Maggiore had the endorsement of the St. John Parish EducatorsAssociation. Wise had the endorsement of DeLong and Speights.”I didn’t win this election – Richard DeLong and LaRue Speights won this election for me,” Wise commented.

He explained that DeLong’s tenure on the board left a “reservoir of good will” behind, and Speights issued “an absolutely marvelous recommendation.”Wherever he went, Wise said, once he said he had those endorsements, for many voters that decided it for them.

“I’m happy to take it any way I can get it,” he concluded.

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