By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Just two weeks after longtime St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Richard “Dale” Wolfe resigned to take over the Housing Authority, the council has already found a replacement in retired parish employee Raydel Morris.

The announcement came at the end of Tuesday’s meeting in LaPlace during the council briefs portion. The recommendation was not on the regular council agenda and Councilman-at-Large Steve Lee made the announcement after a brief conversation with Wolfe, who was at the meeting, but remained outside the council chambers. The appointed was approved 7-0, with Councilman Ronnie Smith absent from the meeting.

“I’m just shocked…speechless,” Morris said after the meeting. “It caught me off guard. If I had known it was going to be tonight, I would have worn a suit.”

Morris, 53, is a resident of Reserve and worked 24 years in what is now known as the utilities department. He retired from the parish in 2001.

Morris will serve in Wolfe’s place until a special election can be held to permanently fill the unexpired term, which ends in January 2012. The council has yet to call the election, which could happen as early as April 2.

After the meeting, Parish President Natalie Robottom said she was happy with the appointment and said Morris should be able to jump right into the position.

“He’s the kind of person you won’t have to bring up to speed because he is already deeply involved in the community,” Robottom said. “He has been around a long time and everyone knows him. I think he will do well in this position.”