LAPLACE — The residents of District 7 in LaPlace finally have a permanent representative on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council.

Thomas Malik, a manager at Pin Oaks Terminals who also sells real estate, defeated bookkeeper and tax preparer Steven Fraker in Saturday’s election 595 (67 percent) to 294 (33 percent).

“I’m a little overwhelmed by the outcome,” Malik said Monday. “Obviously, I’m pleased with the results and I thank everyone who supported me and voted for me.”

Malik, who during his campaign promised to be there and listen to his constituents if elected, said the first thing he’s going to do is “go in, sit down, shut up and listen.”

“I hope everyone understands that I meant what I said,” he added. “I will be available.”

The District 7 seat has been in flux since 2015 when incumbent Cheryl Millet announced she would seek another Council seat. That led to a fall election won by Buddy Boe.

Boe served only six months before he announced his resignation to become the senior advisor and communications director to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

The Council appointed LaPlace businesswoman Raj Pannu to serve in the interim until a permanent replacement could be elected.

The March primary election pitted Malik and Fraker against political newcomer James “Buddy” Duhe, who finished third.

Saturday’s election finally settles the seat, at least through 2019.

The other big issue on Saturday’s ballot was the property tax, which would supply St. John Parish’s portion of the funds needed to build a hurricane protection levee.

Malik said he was somewhat surprised the tax passed and that it passed so resoundingly.

Voters approved the measure 3,019 (63 percent) to 1,788 (37 percent).

“I expected it to be a lot closer,” Malik said. “I haven’t had a chance to really look and see which districts voted which way, but I think District 7 voters supported it. Some of the things I’ve heard and some of the comments I’ve seen on social media show an obvious distrust of Parish government for a lot of people.

“I’m not sure if that’s so much about the levee tax, itself, or they don’t trust how the money will be spent.”

Malik said he would like to make some changes as he sees St. John lagging behind neighboring parishes in some areas.

He wants to see St. John lure more businesses, including entertainment options.

“There are always alternatives,” he said. “If you don’t have alternatives, you remain stagnant.”

State Senate

It’s down to two candidates for State Senator, 2nd Senatorial District as Warren Harang III (27 percent, 3,985 votes) and Ed Price (22 percent, 3,282 votes) head to a runoff, which is scheduled May 27.

Harang and Price separated themselves from a bloated field of 13 candidates that were seeking to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation of State Sen. Troy Brown.

St. John the Baptist Parish School Board President Albert “Ali” Burl III of Garyville and Jamie Roussell of Mt. Airy were St. John Parish residents who threw their names into consideration.