By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – LaPlace resident Kernell J. Goudia has expressed his intent to seek the District 4 seat on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council in the Oct. 22 general election.

Jaclyn Hotard, who currently holds the seat, is in her second term and cannot run again for District 4. The district represents the northwest portion of LaPlace.

Goudia, 65, is a former traffic officer for the St. John Sheriff’s Office. He had also worked 30 years at Kaiser before retiring. His campaign announcement lists volunteer experience on the Pontchartrain Levee District Commission, the Sewerage and Water Board and Parish President Natalie Robottom’s Presidential Advisory Committee.

Goudia said in his announcement his mission is to serve his constituents in a manner that ensures transparency, ethical business practices, economic development and a healthy environment that ensures future growth.

“We have a new parish president, and everything has to be done on top of the table,” Goudia said. “There will be no more helping out friends. Everything needs to be done legit.”

Qualifying for all races in the Oct. 22 election begins Sept. 6.