By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – By the end of the day Friday, St. John Parish voters will know their options for the March 27 special election for parish president.

Qualifying for the race to replace former Parish President Bill Hubbard, who resigned Sept. 23 prior to pleading guilty to federal bribery charges, begins today at Secretary of State Jay Dardenne’s office in Baton Rouge. Potential candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday afternoon to officially qualify and have their name added to the ballot.

Five St. John Parish residents have expressed intentions to seek the parish’s highest office. Those names include Division B Councilman-at-Large Richard “Dale” Wolfe, School Board President Gerald Keller, St. John Acting Chief Administrative Officer Buddy Boe and former St. John CAO Natalie Robottom.

Hubbard resigned from office just 20 months into his four-year term. The winning candidate will take office in May and serve out the remaining two years of the term.

The March 27 ballot will also include a vote on the renewal of a 1-mill tax to pay for the housing of juvenile offenders.