By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – In the District 2 race for St. John the Baptist Parish Council, incumbent Danny Millet and former parish Councilman Ranney Wilson have both announced their candidacies for the seat in the Oct. 22 general election.

Millet said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of District 2 and the parish.”

He added he would love to continue the work and progress made in the Reserve, Garyville and Mount Airy areas and the rest of St. John Parish.

Since being elected in 2008, Millet said he has been a part of a push to initiate and complete projects to improve drainage in his district. He said he has also been instrumental in the improvements made to the Reserve Canal boat launch and the Reserve branch of the St. John Parish Public Library, in addition to the construction of the Regala Park gymnasium project.

Millet, a retired RTC central office manager, is married and has four children and a grandchild.

Wilson said he would like to work to continue the improvements made to the parish drainage system, with particular emphasis on areas with long-term high water issues. He also wants to see continued improvements to the parish’s water systems, continued enhancements to recreational facilities and the expansion of programs for youth, adults, senior citizens and the handicapped.

“We can fix these problems if we have a councilman and a council that insists on getting the work done,” Wilson said in his release. “That’s the type of councilman I will be; one who will never quit when it comes to helping his district and parish.”

Wilson said he also aims to move more parish services to the east bank of the river and support building a new governmental complex to serve citizens.

“Overwhelmingly, our population is centered on the east bank, and we have outgrown the Percy Hebert Building in LaPlace,” Wilson said. “Let’s save citizens time and money by consolidating services at a new location on this side of the river.”

Wilson served on the council as the District 4 representative for 16 years, from 1984 to 1992 and from 1996 to 2004. He said the residents of District 2, which now encompasses the Garyville and Mt. Airy communities along with parts of Reserve, know he will fight for their interests and what is right for the parish.

Wilson is employed by CGB Marine Services of LaPlace. He and his family are members of St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Garyville.

Qualifying for the election will be held Sept. 6-8.