By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – With the election for St. John parish president a little more than a month away, various civic groups and local organizations have scheduled a series of forums for residents to meet and ask questions to the five candidates in the running.

West bank businessman Perry Bailey, St. John Acting Chief Administrative Officer Buddy Boe, St. John School Board President Gerald Keller, former St. John chief administrator Natalie Robottom and St. John Councilman Dale Wolfe are the candidates competing to replace former St. John Parish President Bill Hubbard, who resigned in September before pleading guilty to taking bribes from parish contractors. The election is set for Saturday, March 27.

The first forum, scheduled for March 1 at 7 p.m. in LaPlace, is part of the regular monthly meeting of the St. John Parish Recreation Board. Recreation Board President Mike Tregre said the board has given each candidate a series of questions, which will be answered during the meeting. Tregre said there will be no debate and no endorsement.

The Recreation Board meets in the council chambers at the Percy Hebert Building, 1801 W. Airline Highway, in LaPlace.

On March 11, New Wine Christian Fellowship of LaPlace has scheduled a civil forum for all candidates starting at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 1929 W. Airline Highway. New Wine Christian Fellowship Pastor Neil Bernard said the church will be taking questions from residents prior to the forum, but, if time permits, those in attendance will be allowed to ask further questions. To submit a question contact the church office at 985-653-0008 or e-mail questions to church@nw-cf.org.

The St. John Parish School Board will hold a youth rally March 15 for students at East St. John High School in Reserve starting at 9 a.m. School Board member Russ Wise, who is spearheading the rally, said even though most high school students are not yet allowed to vote he believes it is worthwhile to get them interested and involved in the political process. Wise said the public is welcome to attend, but only students will be allowed to ask questions.

The final forum is scheduled for March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Belle Terre Country Club in Reserve sponsored by the Belle Terre Civic Association, the River Region Chamber of Commerce and the St. John Business Association. Residents may e-mail questions for the candidates to rajpannu@aol.com.