St. Mary voters pass bond issue

FRANKLIN — St. Mary Parish voters Saturday overwhelmingly approved a $2.5 million bond proposition that allows the library system to renovate the Berwick branch library on Fourth Street and to improve its headquarters located inside the Alex P. Allain Memorial Branch on Iberia Street.

The proposition, which also generates money for operations and maintenance, won by 2,702 votes, or 67.33 percent, in favor to 1,311 votes, or 32.67 percent, against the measure.

Other projects will include:

• Upgrading all facilities to include new carpet and other flooring, as well as air conditioning.

• Expanding reading areas.

• Technology upgrades.

• Creating accommodations for handicapped and disabled at the Franklin Branch.

There are five libraries in the St. Mary Parish system: Amelia, Berwick, Bayou Vista, Franklin and Baldwin. Morgan City has a library, but it funds its own system.

In West St. Mary Parish, there were three elections for the office of Justice of the Peace, and one for a combined office of Constable and Justice of the Peace.

Voters who live in the Four Corners Sorrell area re-elected incumbent Benjamin Grimm of Jeanerette as their Justice of the Peace with 273 votes, or 65.94 percent. Grimm’s challenger, Willie Scott of Charenton, received 141 votes for 34.06 percent of the vote.

In two areas of Franklin, voters who live in Ward 2 chose to re-elect incumbent Justice of the Peace Ray A Manuel with 81 votes, or 72.97 percent. His challenger, Norma Jean Bouey, received 30 votes for 27.03-percent of the vote.

Also, voters who live in Ward 4, chose to re-elect longtime incumbent Justice of the Peace Shelby Bourgeois.

Bourgeois captured 329 votes for 54.38-percent, to 276 votes for challenger Jody J. Pillaro, which is 45.62-percent.

In Centerville, voters chose to re-elect incumbent David A. Comeaux as their constable and justice of the peace over newcomer Allen J Pillaro.

Comeaux captured 317 votes, or 54-percent, to 270 votes, or 46-percent, for Pillaro.