Parish Council names 9 to charter panel

The St. Mary Parish Council named nine of the 11 members to the new Home Rule Charter Commission on Wednesday.
And the council approved a new early voting place in the parish’s west end.
Momentum toward amending or replacing the parish charter has been building for months from a couple of directions: support for turning the parish president’s post into a full-time position with full-time pay, and for increasing minority representation on the council.
The council created the commission, which will have a year to do its work, by passing an ordinance earlier this month.
The council will be able to decide whether to submit any proposals by the commission to voters, but it’s all or nothing. The council won’t be able to amend any of the commission’s proposals.
Nine council members made their appointments Wednesday. Councilmen Jimmy Davis of Morgan City and Patrick Hebert of Berwick will make their appointments later.
The commission members are:
—Baldwin Mayor Clarence Vappie, appointed by Councilman the Rev. Craig Mathews of Jeanerette.
—Dr. Gary Wiltz, CEO of Teche Action Clinic, by Councilman J Ina of Franklin.
—John Higdon, by Councilman Rodney Olander of Franklin.
—Jeremy Chesteen, by Councilman David Hill of Bayou Vista.
—John Armato, by Councilman Les Rulf of Patterson.
—Betty Cheramie Hicks, by Councilman Mark Duhon of Amelia.
—Kenneth Perry Jr., by Councilwoman Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink.
—John Trevino Jr., by Councilwoman Gwendolyn Hidalgo.
—Barry Dufrene, by Councilman Dean Adams of Morgan City.
The council set the date for the commission’s meeting for 6 p.m. July 11 in the council meeting chambers at the Parish Courthouse.
New voting place
The council voted to approve a third site for early voting in the parish: the West St. Mary Civic Center near the U.S. 90-La. 318 junction in the Jeanerette area.
Registrar of Voters Terri Foulcard made the pitch to the council Wednesday.
She made a plea on behalf of low-income people who lack transportation, disabled and elderly people even young adults who rely on their parents for rides.
The new site will cost about $4,200 in setup costs and $6,390 per quarter.
Early voting also takes place at the Registrar of Voters Offices at the Parish Courthouse and 301 Third St. Suite 6 in Morgan City.
The next early voting will be for the national election Nov. 5.
Early voting will run Oct. 18-29, excluding the two Sundays, Oct. 20 and 27.