Elected officials to begin new terms January 1

Several elected officials in the parish will begin their new terms Jan. 1, 2019, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office (SOS).

The Jeff Davis Parish Dist. 13 School Board seat went to Terry Leger. The Dist. 7 School Board race went to incumbent Jimmy Segura. Both terms will begin Jan. 1, according to SOS. Other school board members elected by default included Greg Bordelon in Dist. 1, Malon Dobson in Dist. 2, Phillip Arceneaux in Dist. 3, Donald “Donn E.” Dees in Dist. 5, David S. Capdeville in Dist. 6, David Doise in Dist. 8, Charles Bruchhaus in Dist. 9, Jody Singletary Dist. 10, David Troutman in Dist. 11 and Jason J. Bouley in Dist. 12.

In Elton, Mayor Roger “Tony’ Laughlin secured his seat in a runoff election Dec. 8 and will begin his new four-year term Jan. 1.

Additionally, five town council members in Elton will begin new terms including incumbents Avella Ackless, Kesia Lemoine, Shirley Lafleur Johnson, and Tony Guillory, along with newcomer Brandilyn Soileau. Chief of Police Bruce A. Lemelle will also begin his new term Jan. 1.

In Lake Arthur, five candidates were elected to serve four-year terms on the town council starting Jan. 1 including Sampson “Poncho” Lejeune, Ricky Monceaux, Bobby Palermo, David Hanks and Auldon Robinson Sr., according to SOS. Lake Arthur Mayor Sherry Crochet will also begin her first full term after filling in for former Mayor Robert Bertrand after he resigned in 2016.

In the Third Dist. Congressional race, Republican incumbent Clay Higgins will begin his second four-year term Jan. 1.

Additionally, rural area voters in Jeff Davis approved several 10-year tax renewals on the ballot for fire protection in the parish.

A renewal for Fire Protection Dist. No. 1 in Roanoke passed for a 10.86 mills tax on all property subject to taxation within the district for a period of 10 years. The estimated amount expected to be collected from the levy of the tax for one year is $43,000.

Voters in the Hathaway area approved a 10-year renewal for Fire Protection District No. 2 at 11.91 mills, which brings in $497,600 annually for the district.

Voters in the Welsh and Lacassine areas approved a 10-year renewal of a tax for Fire Protection District No. 3 for 5.23 mills, generating $254,500 annually for fire protections services.

A tax renewal for Fire Protection Dist. No. 4 in Lake Arthur, was passed at 6.91 mills, which translates to $114,400 annually for the district.

Voters in the Fenton and Iowa areas approved a renewal of a tax for Fire Protection Dist. No. 5 for 5.03 mills tax on all property subject to taxation within the district for a period of 10 years. The estimated amount expected to be collected from the levy of the tax for one year is $112,160.

Another tax renewal in Fire Protection Dist. No. 6, located in the Elton area, was also approved for a 8.66 mills tax on all property subject to taxation within the district for a period of 10 years. The estimated amount expected to be collected from the levy of the tax for one year is $98,600.

Voters in Fire Protection District No. 7 in the Topsy area, approved a 10-year renewal for 9.80 mills, which generates $14,400 annually.

The taxes in these districts are used for the purpose of constructing, acquiring, improving, maintaining and operating fire protection facilities and equipment, as well as the cost of obtaining water