By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Reserve residents Angelo J. Bernard Sr. and Glenn Collins have announced their candidacies for the District 3 seat on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council in the Oct. 22 general election.

Bernard, an operator at Marathon Petroleum Company’s Garyville refinery for the last 32 years, said he would focus on the needs of the district, which include drainage, sidewalk repair and cleaning, a park on the south side of Airline Highway and other ongoing projects.

Bernard also said he plans to hold regular town hall meetings so he can get to know the concerns of all the residents in an effort to “make a greater district and a greater St. John Parish.”

Collins, who is now retired, said his work on the operating staff at Union Carbide has given him the knowledge of budget control and contractor proposals.

His campaign platform includes working cooperatively with fellow board members and the administration to be accountable, maintaining a balanced budget, promoting recreation for all citizens, supporting small business and working with business leaders and industrial plants to ensure available jobs go to parish residents first.

Collins added he would be sponsoring a regular “question and answer” session with residents of District 3 and also said he would explore the possibility of an after-school tutorial program at the Homer “Boogie” Joseph Community Center and direct library services for senior citizens on both sides of the river.

Qualifying for the Oct. 22 general elections begins Sept. 6.