Question of residency in Erath

BY MARY CATHARINE MARTIN
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Friday, January 9, 2009 2:08 PM CST

RATH — Some Erath residents have been wondering whether or not Carl “CoCo” Broussard, an Erath councilman, is still living in Erath. Broussard says they have nothing to worry about.

His home at 706 E. Bourque St. has a sign in front of it saying it is “For sale by owner” and the phone number there has been disconnected. Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court records show Broussard purchased a home in Youngsville, in Lafayette Parish, in October.

Vermilion Parish Assessor Kathy Broussard, however, said Broussard’s homestead exemption is still located at his Erath address.

Erath Councilman Carl ‘CoCo’ Broussard’s house is for sale in Erath. Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court records show he has purchased a house in Youngsville. -- Mary Catharine Martin / The Daily Iberian

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Broussard said he is residing in both locations.

“I have two homes,” he said. He said he plans to remain an Erath councilman.

Broussard said he also has another home in Erath that is empty and, should the home at 706 E. Bourque St. sell, he would move into that one.

Vermilion Parish District Attorney Michael Harson, who investigates complaints like this in Vermilion Parish as part of his job, said he has not received a complaint about Broussard.

Harson said his “gut reaction” is dual residency would allow someone to run for office in two locations, which he doesn’t believe would be legal.  “I think you have to have one principle” residency, he said.

An investigation would have to determine where the person’s primary residence was.

“I don’t know anything about Mr. Broussard, but if someone files a written complaint I’d be happy to investigate,” Harson said.

Mayor George Dupuis said he tries to “keep my nose out of everybody’s business,” adding he heard rumors but saw Broussard cutting the grass at his Erath home the other day.

Broussard expressed frustration with “people trying to find faults in you.”

“If they would spend the effort and the time putting that back into the community, our community would be a lot better off,” he said. “I was elected by the people of Erath, and that’s who I’m serving.”

Dupuis said the council’s four-year term expires Dec. 31, 2010, with an election in October of that year.

Broussard will have served as councilman for 12 years by that date, with no term limit. He said he is not planning to run again after that.

Comments

    Peggy M. Brasseux wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:21 AM:

    " Hey anon:

    Why don't you name yourself so CoCo could talk to you face to face. You'll take advantage of these brief comments and shoot you'll mouths off, but are too chicken to come forward.

    You like everybody else can't handle confrontation, but don't neglect to mouth off and you don't even know what you're talking about. I've been told who you are and all you like to do in Erath is stir (you know what) like this. Would you like CoCo's seat? If that's not the case , then what's the big deal? "

    Peggy M. Brasseux wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:08 AM:

    " Ms. Martin:

    This is very well written, and our family commends you on a job well done.

    Thanks for interviewing CoCo so he could defend the issues that have caused such unnecessary turmoil. "

    jess wrote on Jan 9, 2009 11:45 PM:

    " So what is the big issue? If it wouldn't be a legal thing for him to live in some other parish, than he would've just hurt himself by going on the record about it. I agree with the man too, people need to use all their wasteless energy on other issues to report/complain about... if they did towns in the area might shape up a little! "

    anon wrote on Jan 9, 2009 3:18 PM:

    " I know for a fact that he did purchase a home in youngsville and it is his residence. Why dont you get out and let someone else serve the town of erath--he wants his cake and wants to eat it tooooo---dirty politics--if someone does file a complaint and it goes to the DA office --the truth will come out.As far as mowing his lawn---he's trying to sell his property --needs to look presentable "

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