Hebert gives notice

St. Martinville – After serving for 2½ years as St. Martinville’s top law enforcement officer, Police Chief Calder “Pop” Hebert is leaving the post.
Hebert submitted his two-week notice at Monday’s city council meeting, indicating that he was leaving for a position with Prosper Construction Co., a St. Martinville firm owned by Councilman Craig Prosper.
Mayor Thomas Nelson, who commented that Hebert is leaving the position on good terms with the city and police department, named St. Martinville native Todd D’Albor to replace Hebert as interim chief effective Oct. 6.
Hebert expressed gratitude for the honor of being appointed and serving as chief.
Hebert is a veteran of both the U. S. Army and Air Force, a former U. S. Marshal and was St. Martin Parish’s Planning and Zoning coordinator before being named interim chief in May 2014 following the resignation of Chief Paula Smith.
D’Albor has been police chief in Jennings for the past six years.
D’Albor said he is glad to be returning to the town that “will always be home to me.” A 25-year law enforcement veteran, he is a graduate of the FBI academy and previously served with the St. Martinville Police Dept. as chief administrative officer.
Mayor Nelson said that D’Albor will be a good fit for the office, saying that “He knows the ins and outs of the St. Martinville Police Dept. like nobody else,” and is very well liked and respected.
In other business, Margaret Robertson was sworn in to replace her late husband Romanus “Ike” Robertson as interim representative of Dist. 5 on the city council. Before his death of Lou Gehrig’s Disease in August, Ike Robertson requested that Margaret be offered the seat, and the council unanimously agreed. The appointment was approved by Governor John Bell Edwards late last month.
A special election will be held in March to choose a replacement to complete Ike Robertson’s term, which runs to June 2018.
Also, the mayor and council thanked several organizations that provided invaluable assistance to St. Martinville and its residents who were affected by the August flooding.
He cited the United Way, St. Thomas More Catholic High School, the City of Breaux Bridge, UL-Lafayette and the Coastal Carolina Team, Father Michael Champagne and Our Lady of Sorrows, the St. Martin School Board, Deacon Boustany and the Lafayette Diocese, Notre Dame Academy in New Orleans, the Salvation Army, Access Chiropractic, Jake Delhomme and the Cracklin Cook-off Assn. of Parks.
He also thanked the bands Section 28, SideShow, Nik-L-Beer, Mark Willis and Cocodrie,and the Brittney Pool Band, all of whom played free of charge at the Main St. Association’s Sept. 9 benefit for flood victims.
Finally, the Knights of Columbus was granted permission to hold their annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” for the 38th year. The drive will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will benefit area children with mental disabilities.