By LEONARD GRAY Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – The post-election shakeup of the South Louisiana Port Commission is under way, with one commissioner already out (at least for now) and a former board member returning.

This week, Jay Roberts was confirmed as St. Charles Parish’s representative to the port commission, succeeding P. Joseph “Joey” Murray III, who was appointed in 2000.

Roberts served previously on the port commission, being appointed in 2000 as a gubernatorial representative, but who resigned in 2002 due to business pressures.

At almost the same time, Bill Hubbard, who was appointed in 2000 to represent St. John Parish, has been confirmed to again serve.

It is not yet known if Gov. Kathleen Blanco will make any changes in her office’s four appointees to the commission.

The port commission on Jan. 10 unanimously voted to extend Executive Director Joseph Accardo Jr.’s contract to May 1, as Accardo’s current contract was due to expire at midnight that night.

The extension also allows the port commission to consider Accardo’s contract, as the governor could make several new appointments to the commission.

Accardo was first selected for the job in February 2000, moving up from being Director of Governmental Affairs for the Port. He currently earns $121,000 per year.

Murray commented he was “disappointed” he was not renominated by Parish President Albert Laque, but has forwarded a resume to Blanco, should another opening arise for which he would qualify.

Gubernatorial appointees now in place can remain, unless they are replaced in the coming months.

These appointees include Louis Joseph, who has served since 1996 for St. John the Baptist Parish; Sheila Bonnette who has served since 2002 for St. Charles Parish; current president Gregory Gravois, who has served since 2001 for St. James Parish; and E.J. Martin of LaPlace, who has served since 1984 and now is serving in an at-large position.

Lawrence Jackson, who was appointed in 2000 to represent St. James Parish, is expected to retain his appointment.

“That’s who I plan to nominate to the parish council,” Parish President Dale Hymel Jr. said of Jackson.

The South Louisiana Port Commission is governed by a board of commissioners, three of whom are appointed by local parish governments, three of whom are appointed by the governor to represent each of the River Parishes and one at-large member from the River Parishes, also appointed by the governor.