By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – LaPlace resident Nelson Guidry has announced his candidacy for the St. John the Baptist Parish Council’s Division B councilman-at-large seat in the Oct. 22 general election.

Guidry, 58, is funeral director at Millet-Guidry Funeral Home in LaPlace and has been active in various civic affairs. He is registered independent. He has lived in LaPlace for 55 years but was born in Reserve.

Guidry said he is interested in serving as a council member so he can be “an advocate for people who are tired of the status quo.” He said people are looking for “real change” and that “business as usual is a magnet for a lack of transparency. Prudent action will surge only from a responsible council.”

Guidry has been a member of various boards and civic organizations in the area, including the LaPlace Lions and Rotary clubs, the St. John Citizens for Ethical Government and the Metropolitan Crime Commission. He has also served on the St. John Parish Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee.

Guidry is also a member of St. Joan of Arc Church, where he has served on the church’s finance committee and as a member of the St. Joan of Arc School Board. He is a Eucharistic minister and recipient of the Archdiocesan Order of St. Louis Medallion.

Division B encompasses most of the LaPlace area on the east bank of the parish. The seat is currently held by Steve Lee, who has said he will not seek re-election.