The three-day qualifying period last week changed the New Iberia City Council and mayoral races, in most cases growing, but in one case shrinking, the number of competitors each announced contender will face.

Some of the races for the New Iberia City Council heated up with new additions on the last day to qualify, with three new additions to three different races, one of them 15 minutes before the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court Office closed. Here are the candidates from who the city’s residents will hear for the next few months, until elections are held Oct. 4.

Should no candidate in a race of three gain a majority of the vote, a runoff will be held on the date of the presidential election, Nov. 4.

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Mayor Pro Tem

Mayor Pro Tem Freddie DeCourt was to have a challenger in current District 6 city Councilman Dan Doerle, who qualified Wednesday. Thursday evening, however, Doerle removed himself from the race for personal reasons.

DeCourt will run unopposed for the seat, after which he will reach the limit of two consecutive terms.

He said it still hasn’t sunk in that he’s unopposed.

“It’s a shock — when you’re setting up for a fight and spend the last few months planning, in fight mode,” he said.

He said he’s beginning to decompress and feels “very blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity” to “serve the city and keep moving things forward” for the next four years.

“It’s humbling. I’m excited to serve again — I get to do the job I love,” he said.

District 1

City Councilwoman Therese Segura, District 1, is the only district City Council member running unopposed. She will reach the limit of two consecutive terms at the end of this term.

“More than anything, I’m very humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve the residents of District 1 and the city for another four years,” she said.

She said she will continue to work toward enhancing the quality of life in New Iberia and “providing a positive and enriching community to raise a family.”

“I’m very grateful and appreciate the confidence that the people have in me, and want to continue to do what we — the entire administration — has done this far. ... I look forward to the next four years.”

District 2

Peggy Gerac, who served on the City Council for 16 years, leaving the council as she reached her term limit in 2004, qualified for the District 2 race on Friday.

Gerac wants to continue the “R.U.OK” program, which she said she began as a council member and in which police called the homes of elderly residents living alone to check on them. She also wants to make the elderly aware of the services that are available to them, grow the West End Park, make the library more accessible to children, possibly “connect with” Broussard through annexation, possibly put a museum on Hopkins Street, help bring in businesses and jobs, revisit the sewer user fee and the building codes and attract safe, affordable homes for the elderly in the West End.

She said she wants to work with the legislative delegation, area businesses and the parish.

“I just like politics. I like being a public servant,” she said. “In politics you can do more, reach out.”

Councilman Ernest “Pee Wee” Wilson cited “complete economic development on Hopkins Street” and safety for senior citizens, speeding, loud noise from cars, loitering and drug activity as some of the issues he has and will continue to address.

Wilson also will continue to work to reduce blight in the district and help residents be as safe as possible.

Wilson is director of the men’s homeless shelter in New Iberia and has worked in community development for the majority of his career.

He considers it important to empower communities to help themselves, connecting them to the resources they need.

District 3

Councilman David Broussard, a Democrat and insurance agent, is seeking a second consecutive term on the council.

He said he was recently gratified with the availability of money for his long-sought railroad overpass, as well as for arms and lights for a variety of crossings. He wants the city to be as safe as possible, and to lower sewer user fees when it’s financially feasible for the city without violating the consent decree.

Warren Gachassin, a college student and Republican who wants to make a career out of public service, said one of the main issues for District 3 is the sewer user fee, which he says many in his district can’t afford.

Other issues he believes need to be addressed are police protection, roads and communication between the city and parish for issues such as the flood control.

This is the first time he has run for public office.

Robert Suire, shop owner and Democratic councilman for more than 20 years, said diversifying the city’s economic and business interests and improving sewerage and road structure would be his main goals in office. He wants to bring new business into New Iberia, possibly working with the airport and port authorities to do so.

Suire also wants to do as much as possible to help the elderly.

District 4

Winston Copell, a Republican, is the retired building and floodplain administrator for New Iberia. He said if elected he would address illegal stormwater drain connections to sewers and mobile home restrictions he thinks are too stringent. He also said he considers issues having to do with public service, public works and the park and recreation department important.

This is the first time Copell has run for office.

Richard Denison Sr., as distinct from his son, Iberia Parish School Board member Richard Denison Jr., is a Republican and computer programmer who qualified for the District 4 race on Friday.

He ran for the Iberia Parish Council seat in District 6 in 2003, and said he has been considering running for New Iberia’s District 4 seat since the beginning of incumbent Rocky Romero’s second term.

Denison decided to run, he said, because “there are some issues in the city that I feel strongly about.” Some of those are lowering the sewer user fee and police protection.

He said it’s important the council communicate well with newly installed Sheriff Louis Ackal and give him the money and assistance he needs.

Salesman and Democrat David Merrill is encouraging neighborhood mentoring and neighborhood watch programs. He wants economic development on Hopkins Street, to create a community center and to work on bringing districts and the community together “to solve problems as a whole.”

He would also like to involve youth with the city to help them become entrepreneurs and “give them a reason to stay in the city.”

This is the first time Merrill has run for public office.

District 5

Councilman Raymond “Shoe-do” Lewis said he has a record of honesty, integrity and job credibility.

“I tell my opponent to match those. May the work I’ve done speak for me,” he said, quoting a Christian song. “My Work Can Speak for Me.”

Lewis said he had worked on problems with drugs, drainage and flooding, bringing the police issue to the vote of the people, the consent decree and infrastructure. He said he wants to continue economic development to keep young people in the city.

“I do what I do because I truly care and want to make a difference in my district,” he said.

Beatrice “Bea” Livingston, a Democrat, entered the race for District 5 15 minutes before qualifying ended Friday.

She said although she is low key, she is involved in the community.

“I’m not one to be in the limelight,” she said, “but I do get involved in a lot of things going on.”

This is her first time running for office.

“I have a few ideas I would like to present to the community and see what they have to say,” said Livingston. “Change is good for everybody. (Lewis) has some good ideas, but I think I have some better ideas.”

One of those ideas is getting neighborhood watch programs going throughout the district. She said crime is one of the biggest concerns of everyone who approached her.

“May the best person win,” said Livingston.

District 6

Local businessman and Democrat Calvin Begnaud registered Wednesday morning for the District 6 City Council seat; he has been campaigning since spring.

Two of his main issues of concern, he has said, are law enforcement and growth, which he believes the city can accelerate, generating it more revenue.

This is Begnaud’s first time running for public office, though he said he has been involved behind the scenes, helping others with their campaigns.

Begnaud said he has been walking the district and talking to voters, and that safety, more than anything else, is a major concern.

“I’ve been going to the voters and asking them what they would like to see — it gives me a better idea of what we’ll be facing,” he said, adding “I’m sure a few other (issues) will come along as we get into it.”

David Ditch, a Republican, has been campaigning since spring as well.

“I’m gonna push economic development,” said Ditch. “That’s my main thing.”

He has said he considers New Iberia to be on the verge of a major transformation “from small-town rural community to an economic and cultural driver for the area.”

Law enforcement is important to him, as well; he said he will keep an eye on it but thinks newly installed Sheriff Louis Ackal will do a good job.

He said he has only two streets of doors to knock on left in the district.