By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Julia Fisher-Perrier is the newest District 7 councilwoman elected to the St. Charles Parish Council.

The Luling native said that she was pleasantly surprised by the lack of opposition. She has filled the vacancy left by Dennis Nuss on an interim basis since January.

“I was in disbelief until the very last minute of the qualifying period. I am a skeptic until the end. I live with a ‘believe it when I see it’ attitude. I feel that I did what I could to be a strong force to oppose,” she said. “I pushed hard. I pursued my appointment, gained the support of the entire council and tried to be as visible as possible. I had a campaign ready to go if needed, but I was given a gift and gladly accepted the uncontested seat.”

Perrier is a self-described working wife and mother. She is married to Craig Perrier Jr., a coach and teacher at Destrehan High School, and has a 13-year-old son, Eli Perrier. Her job Riverlands Insurance Agency keeps her on the go, but in her down time, Perrier said she likes to watch her husband coach and her son play baseball. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, hunting at her family’s camp in Mississippi and, of course, eating.

“And who in south Louisiana, doesn’t love to enjoy good food?” she said.

Perrier said her paternal family has had an important role in developing the community seen today.

“My grandfather, L.K. Fisher Sr., was a police juror here in St. Charles Parish years ago. He was one of the first families to lay roots down in District 7, and I’m very proud of that. We had a locally owned and operated furniture store in Luling that my grandfather founded in 1944. His footprint is very evident in our community,” Perrier said.

Perrier said she decided to run for the parish council, in part, because of her former aspirations to be a lawyer but also because of her grandfather’s career in politics. She was a political science major and had every intention of becoming an attorney. She feels her studies in school and experience as a legal secretary help give her a good foundation to do well in her new position. In addition, Perrier said her honesty and integrity, combined with the fact that she is a native of the parish, make her an ideal candidate.  

“When I took another direction and decided not to pursue that passion, I promised myself and my family that I would fulfill that interest in government in other ways. The opportunity to fill the seat in District 7 was my opportunity. I saw a need for representation in our community that will give me a chance to give back, as well,” she said. “I’m willing to listen and to learn and to work hard. I want to hear from residents. They are the eyes and ears of the community. I want to learn from my fellow councilmen and the administration. They have knowledge that can’t always be found in a book or a manual. My willingness to work means that I don’t stop until everything is done. Unfinished business is not an option. Since I have been here all of my life, I feel that I know my district well. I know the streets and know the residents. I’m your neighbor, your classmate, you see me in the grocery store, and you sit next to me at the ballpark.”

Rather than come into the seat full of brand new ideas, Perrier said that she plans to maintain what has already been established. The Republican said she feels her district has been well cared for.

“I plan to help to maintain our successes and strive to serve the people. This is a job that works best by representing the majority. I am here to be the voice of my constituents. There are issues that need constant attention that I have and will keep a close eye on,” she said.

When asked what she plans to be doing 50 years from now, Perrier answered that she wants to be right where she is. She is deeply rooted into her home and community.

“I hope to be right where I am now. Part of my goal as councilwoman is to maintain this great place that I live in now. I hope to give my son a great place to raise his family, just as I have now. I hope to watch my grandchildren grow up in the neighborhoods and streets of St. Charles Parish.”