Position opened with death of Councilman Joel McTopy

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — The ballot for the April 1 election in St. John the Baptist Parish will include the Justice of the Peace District 6 and for councilman-at-large for the St. John Parish Council.

The vacancy for Justice of the Peace came available after the resignation of Honorable George Allen and Councilman-at-Large will be decided due to the passing of Councilman Joel S. McTopy.

Allen resigned on Aug. 20, and was temporarily replaced by Todd Clement, then as of Feb. 1 Rosie Monica took over until the April 1 election.

As for the council, Councilman Cleveland Farlough took over responsibilities for Council Chairman, then Sean Roussel was voted in to take over until the election.

Qualifying dates are Feb. 8 through 10. Qualifying fees for the councilman-at-large position are $115, then $57.50 for the committee fees, and if the candidate is a Democrat they have to pay another $57.50 for the local Democrat party fee.

For the Justice of Peace, there is a $75 qualifying fee, $37.50 committee fee, and if they are Democrat they have to pay a local party fee of $37.50, according to the St. John Parish Clerk of Court Office.

As of now, Councilman Steve Lee (R) is the only candidate known for the councilman-at-large position.

&#8220If elected, I will continue the work I have always done in the Parish,” Lee said. &#8220I will focus on regional efforts for the East Banks water, sewage and the fire departments. I want to make sure that if elected that I continue to move forward and make sure we don’t take any steps backwards.”

Absentee voting begins March 20 through 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and March 25 from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

Absentee votingcan be done at the Registrar of Voters Office in the Percy A. Hebert Building. located at 1801 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.