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Crowley - If the discussion during Tuesday night’s committee meeting did not scare off the candidates secretary-treasurer position, the Police Jury has a good field from which to choose a replacement for Laura Faul.
Four of five candidates to replace Faul, who resigned in February to accept a position with the parish Sheriff’s Office, introduced themselves to jurors during the Personnel Committee meeting Tuesday night.
Immediately thereafter, Charles King of Crowley addressed the meeting to say that he disagreed with an earlier opinion by District Attorney Keith Stutes that the jury’s appointment to the position of treasurer, by state law, must be for a period of two years, not simply to fill the unexpired term of the outgoing treasurer.
King cited Attorney General’s opinions in making his remarks, adding that he was of the opinion that the candidates should be informed that their appointments will only be through the end of this year, at which time the appointee may or may not be reappointed.
Stutes responded, saying that he stands by his original opinion.
“If you don’t want my opinion, then don’t ask me for my opinion,” the district attorney said, adding that he had reached his February decision after extensive research.
“My opinion is just that, my opinion,” Stutes said. “I’m a lawyer. I’m the district attorney. That was my opinion. Mr. King is not an attorney, although he certainly is opinionated.
“I stand by my opinion but, ultimately, what you choose to do is up to you.”
David Savoy, jury president, while not outright disagreeing with the district attorney, said that he feels that the new appointee, by law, must be reappointed for two years come January.
Asked if they had a problem with that scenario, the four candidates present said they did not.
Applicants for the position were introduced in the order in which their applications were received. They include:
• Terry Lacombe of Egan, a former secretary-treasurer of the jury and one of the applicants when Faul was appointed in 2016.
“I’ve been here before and my offer still stands,” Lacombe said, referring to his offer to work for $15,000 a year with no insurance or benefits.
“I’m on Social Security and that’s all I can make,” he explained.
• Renada Broussard of Lyons Point, who said she has “a lot of experience with budgets and personnel management” from her previous work in landscaping and the oilfield.
• Mark Daigle of Rayne, the current Director of Planning, Zoning and Flood Plain Enforcement, who said his four years of service with the city “opened my eyes to a different spectrum. You don’t get into public service for the money.”
• Melissa Scanlan of Branch, a college graduate “in the medical field” with “great organizational skills, a people person.”
Unable to attend Tuesday night’s meeting was Radona Leonberger.
No date was set for the hiring of the new secretary-treasurer.

The 45th annual Rayne Frog Festival is just a little more that two months away and festival organizers have released the band line-up for this year’s celebration.
The festival will be held May 10 through 13. Wednesday, May 10, is designated “Family Night” at the carnival midway with free admission and no booth sales or entertainment on the grounds.
On-stage entertainment will kick off Thursday night with High Performance from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday night is a “free admission” night at Frog Festival and during the band’s performance, a pair of dance contests — Cajun Waltz and Jitterbug — will be held.
Friday’s entertainment will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Seth Spell and Cajun Strong, featuring Jamey Beard and Jason Bergeron.
Spell was the Adult Division winner in last year’s Accordion Contest.
At 7:30 p.m. The Molly Ringwalds will take the stage with Chris Ardoin scheduled to perform from 1 p.m. until midnight.
The Legends of Swamp Pop — Warren Storm, Willie T, Tommy McClain, T.K. Hulin and Charles Mann and the Cypress Band — will open up the entertainment schedule on Saturday from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns will entertain with Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band closing down the festivities with a 9:30 p.m. to midnight performance.