By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Incumbent St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom has some competition in the Oct. 22 general election as Parish Council Chairman Ronnie Smith announced his candidacy on Tuesday for the parish’s top job.

Smith, a resident of LaPlace, currently represents District 6 on the St. John Parish Council. He has served two terms. When his term ends in January, he will be term limited out of the position.

In his release, Smith said he has been an active member of the St. John Parish education and recreation community for over a decade. He works as a truancy officer for the St. John Parish School Board and is also an assistant basketball and volleyball coach at East St. John High School.

“I feel that I can make a bigger difference for the future of our youth as the parish president by focusing on creating jobs,” said Smith. “My administration will focus tremendous efforts and resources to reach out to businesses and attract quality jobs to our region. Job creation and financial opportunities will allow our youth to stay in St. John Parish and improve their quality of life.”

Smith said he is committed to expanding recreational opportunities for all residents young and old and also said he would like to see more movement regarding construction of a hurricane levee to protect the parish from surge coming out of Lake Pontchartrain.

“The projects that are currently being completed were started by the previous administration, and we can’t afford to wait any longer to make real change and improve or community,” he said.

Smith lives in LaPlace with his wife, Caroline, and their three children, Shannon, Reginald and Lexus.