By JERRY LEPRE Managing Editor

EDGARD – With the promise of improving the quality of life, St. John the Baptist Parish President Nickie Monica, along with nine council persons took the oath of office on Monday.

“Now that the elections are behind us, I am ready to get to work with the new council to improve the water quality,” Monica said in his inaugural address.

The ceremonies began with the presentation of the flag by the St. John Parish Sheriff’s honor guard, which was followed by the singing of the National Athem by Janice Hoover and the invocation by Rev. Neil Bernard.

The packed room at the courthouse was then welcomed by Judge Thomas F. Daley of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, who served as master of ceremonies.

Louisiana Supreme Court Judge, John Weimer started the swearing in by administering the oath of office for Parish President to Monica. But before his official duties, he praised the West St. John football team, who recently won the State Title, for “demonstrating how work and dedication to purpose

Judge Madeline Jasmine of the 40th Judicial District follwed by administering the oath of office to Cleveland Farlough, Councilman At Large Division A, Lester Rainey, Jr, Councilman District I, and Allen St. Pierre, Councilman District II.

Judge Mary Hotard Becnel of the 40th Judical District administered the oath of office to