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LAPLACE — When running for Justice of the Peace last fall, Ferdinand Wallace Jr. pledged to be available to the St. John the Baptist Parish community with a central office location in District 3.

Only a few months into his first term, Wallace has made that promise a reality. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held April 7 at 840 Highway 44 in Reserve, the new site of Wallace’s Justice of the Peace District III and realtor/appraisal services.

“When I ran for Justice of the Peace, I wanted to give the community a central place to come to. I also wanted to start a website, which I did, and I also wanted to build communication with different government organizations. Those relationships are being built,” Wallace said.

Through his website, Jpdist3.us, Wallace intends to enhance communication with the community. The website also offers a variety of online legal forms and resources that the community can use.

According to Wallace, justices of the peace are part-time small claim judges who have limited jurisdiction to settle disputes involving less than $5,000. They also handle disputes between landlords and tenants and act as ex-officio notaries public on bills of sale, donations and other limited matters. At the office on Highway 44, Wallace can handle small claims, evictions and wedding paperwork, including officiating wedding ceremonies. After completing a class, he will also be able to handle warrants.

Wallace’s business and community experience has made him an effective leader. He has served as a pastor at King David Baptist Church for the past 11 years and a business owner for even longer.

Wallace has been in real estate for the past 22 years and has done appraisals for the past 17 years, and he’ll continue to offer these services at his office location. He works in conjunction with Eliza Eugene’s EME Consulting Group and real estate services, stationed at the same office location.

In addition to handling private appraisals, Wallace also works with banks, courts and public appraisals dealing with mortgages. The greatest satisfaction comes from being able to serve the public, whether the end goal is getting families into a new home or helping individuals complete necessary paperwork.

He looks forward to meeting more members of the community.

“I want to thank St. John District 3 for allowing me to serve as their Justice of the Peace, and that’s opened up doors for me to bring forth my business past the appraisal and real estate,” Wallace said. “I had the desire to run for office when the position became available. I had run for office before, but sometimes you have to be patient and wait your turn. I thank God that He is now allowing me to serve as Justice of the Peace. I’m a public servant, and I want to serve in any capacity that I can.”
Wednesday’s ribbon cutting saw a large turnout from friends, family and local entities. Among the many in attendance were Wallace’s nearly 89-year-old father, Ferdinand Wallace Sr., and his siblings, including St. John School Board member Shawn Wallace.

Councilman at-large Lennix Madere said he was attending the ribbon cutting not as a councilperson, but as a family member.

“I’m so glad to see him progressing and doing everything he wanted to do. I’m so proud to be a member of this family,” Madere said.

St. John Parish Assessor Lucien Gauff III said Wallace’s services have been a great asset.

“The past couple of years, my office has utilized his services to help us do a better job in my office. He’s appraised properties throughout the parish for us to help us do a better job,” Gauff said.

A representative from the Louisiana Department of Justice outreach team wished Wallace success and prosperity, adding that it’s a blessing to see businesses open up in the midst of a pandemic.

To reach Wallace, call 985-703-2874 or 985-479-5901, or visit his office at 840 Highway 44 in Reserve.