Wright: St. John election decisions underway

Published 12:02 am Wednesday, November 28, 2018

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.

Election time is not over yet. Early voting is underway for the Dec. 8 election and will continue through Saturday/Dec. 1, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the St. John Registrar of Voters Offices.

On the ballot are runoff elections for Louisiana Secretary of State, the District 11 School Board seat and a proposal to rededicate part of an existing millage to public health services.

The health unit millage, which was approved in 2016, has generated a surplus that the parish is now asking voters to use to help offset the costs for mosquito control efforts, mental health services and medical services of the coroners office.

According to administration via a press release, no existing programs or services provided by the health unit would be reduced by this rededication.

The rededication is not a tax increase or a new tax.

St. John Government Offices began transitioning to the new East Bank Government Complex that was approved by the voters in two separate bond issues.

The new building is located at 1811 West Airline Highway on the front lawn of the Percy Hebert Building in LaPlace.

The purpose of the new complex is to consolidate government services under one roof. The Planning and Zoning as well as Utility Billing departments will be relocating to the new building also.

Residents and Business’ should begin coming to the new building at 1811 West Airline Hwy on Monday/Dec. 3 for Planning and Zoning and Utility Billing services.

During the transition, water bills can be paid online at sjbparish.com, by calling 1-877-884-4009, or in person at the Garyville Service Center, Greg’s Supermarket, Capital One Bank Edgard and Club Grocery Edgard.

The St. John Sheriff’s Office held its annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon at Regala Gym last week with more than 400 Senior citizens in attendance. Seniors were treated to a nice lunch and played bingo during the day.

The day included door prizes and entertainment featuring Al “Lil’ Fats” Jackson. Thank you to the Sheriff’s Office for always hosting this great event.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Economic Development Department launched its annual “Shop Local, Shop St. John” campaign just in time for the 2018 holiday season. The goal of this campaign is to promote local businesses in St. John and encourage residents to spend their dollars locally within St. John.

Please visit stjohneconomicdevelopment.com for an online, searchable directory of local businesses, as well as a wealth of information on the economic, environmental and “feel-good” benefits of buying local.

Michael P. Wright is St. John the Baptist Parish Council District 5 representative. Contact him at District5@sjbparish.com or m.wright@sjbparish.com.