Dewey gets a seat on Patterson Council; Moore will stay on School Board

Ray Dewey Sr. qualified without opposition for the open seat on the Patterson City Council, and Tammie L. Moore will remain on the St. Mary Parish School Board.

In Franklin, Mayor Eugene Foulcard and three City Council members drew no opponents in the three-day qualifying period for the March 26 election, which ended Friday. Two council races emerged.

Dewey, an insurance agent, said he had considered a run for the Patterson council but was reluctant to challenge an incumbent.

"I was impressed by the current council," Dewey said Saturday. "I wanted to be part of that team."

His chance arrived when Sandra K. Turner resigned in July because she was moving from the Patterson city limits.

"I look forward to working for the city of Patterson and hope to earn their respect, their trust and their votes," Dewey said.

Moore, of Jeanerette, has served as an interim School Board member since the death of member Sylvia Lockett in October. She is a South Louisiana Community College campus director.

In Franklin, Foulcard, Councilmen Jaime B. Robison in District A, Chuck D. Autin in District B and James H. Garrison in District D were all returned to office without opposition.

Ian Jones Ruskoski qualified to challenge incumbent at-large Councilman Lester "Motor" Levine Jr.

In District C, Ella Prevost Hamilton qualified to run against incumbent Councilman Larry Guilbeau.

Also March 26, Patterson voters will decide whether to make three amendments to the city charter.

One amendment would require the mayor to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Another would require the police chief to be 21, live in the Patterson city limits and have Peace Office Standards and Training certification.

The third would allow the police chief to receive a pay raise in the same four-year term in which the council approves the increase. Currently, the charter prohibits the chief from receiving a pay raise or a pay cut during the same term in which the council makes the change. If the amendment passes, a pay cut could still take effect only after the term in which the change is approved.