Pense Donc!!

ELECTION YEAR . . .

As we move into the new year, I’m reminded that 2014 will be a busy one for aspiring politicians around the parish.

First up on the ballot will be a municipal election here in St. Martinville set for April 5. Offices to be filled include mayor and five council seats.

I’ve only heard a few names mentioned, but I expect candidates are already working to organize their campaigns.

Next fall will see a full slate of races including Congressional seats.

Voters in Breaux Bridge, Parks, Arnaudville and Broussard will also be filling municipal offices in those municipalities.

And across St. Martin Parish voters will be considering candidates for the 10 important school board seats.

Board members will be running in newly drawn districts that have been reapportioned to reflect some significant populations shifts revealed in the 2010 U.S. Census.

It’s still a little early, but I haven’t gotten the feeling that any of the current board members are ready to call it quits, even though several have been serving for 20 years. Those senior members include Floyd Knott, Richard Potier and Frederic Stelly. The next level of longevity (10 years) includes Jimmy Blanchard, Steve Fuselier and Mark Hebert. Wanda Babin was first elected in 2007, while the rookie class includes Russell Foti and Robert Hollier.

And while recent changes in state law impose term limits on board members, it doesn’t apply to terms served before 2013, so none of the local members have to worry about that for some time.

THIS & THAT . . .

N.O. Bowl P.S. – Forgot to mention last week while commenting on the UL-Tulane R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl game played Dec. 21 in the Superdome that Breaux Bridge and St. Martin Parish were part of the official souvenir program.

The Crawfish Festival had the prime spot with a full page on page 3 promoting the 2014 festival.

And four pages later was a full spread promoting St. Martin Parish and the communities of Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, Butte La Rose, Catahoula, Henderson and St. Martinville. The eye-catching ad featured nice pictures of kayakers paddling through the Atchafalaya Basin, a Zydeco musician, downtown Breaux Bridge and St. Martin de Tours Church along with boiled crawfish, crawfish etouffee and an alligator.

Both layouts were well done.

Saints in Playoffs – After a great early season run, our New Orleans Saints struggled a bit on the road in recent weeks and fell short of winning the NFC-South Division championship. But a blowout victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday sends them into the playoffs as a wild card team on the road against Philadelphia.

Of course, anything’s possible, but I don’t have a lot of confidence that they can reach the Super Bowl this time around.

Happy New Year! Hope you and yours are able to enjoy the holiday while looking forward to a prosperous 2014. We’re sticking close to home and celebrating quietly and offering thanks for making it through 2013.