By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A new era for the St. John the Baptist Parish Housing Authority began Thursday as the parish council approved the appointment of three new housing board members.

Recommendations to approve the appointments of Melissa Faucheux of LaPlace, Iona Halloway of LaPlace and Deshonda Firmin of Reserve all carried unanimously at a special meeting of the council.

The new appointees were chosen from recommendations from council members.

According to Council Chair Ronnie Smith, one more member will be appointed in the future.

“Because there is a housing development on the west bank, we’re going to give Mr. Haston Lewis the chance to bring us an appointment,” said Smith.

Smith explained, “We felt it would just be fair to have a representative from the west bank.”

Only Firmin was present for the meeting. She was sworn in by attorney Randall Gaines following the conclusion of the short meeting.