LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 24, 1999

HAHNVILLE – Saturday’s runoff elections for the St. Charles Parish Councilended with three new faces on the panel, including Clayton “Snookie” Faucheux Jr., 39; Desmond Hilaire, 33, of Hahnville; and April Black, 32, ofSt. Rose.They will join Division A Councilman-At-Large Ganasier “Ram” Ramchandran, 58, of Destrehan; District 2 Councilman Brian Fabre, 33, of Luling; District 3 Councilwoman Darnell “Dee” Abadie, 47, of Destrehan; District 4 Councilman Terry Authement, 47, of Boutte; District 6 Councilman Lance Marino, 37, of Norco; and District 7 Councilman Barry Minnich, 44, of Luling.

Of the 2000-2003 Parish Council members, only Minnich, Authement, Ramchandran and Abadie are returning. All the others are newcomers topublic office.

“There’s a lot of new, young faces who are going to make a difference,” Councilwoman-elect April Black commented Monday. “We’re full of energy,and we’ll get a lot accomplished.”Black added, “I feel extremely humbled and honored. I’m going to makesure the people of St. Rose will be glad they picked me.”Faucheux nor Hilaire could not be reached for comment Monday on the election returns.

Other members of the next Parish Council, newly-arrived and veterans, welcome the new term of office.

Ramchandran said, “I think this time, we’ll have a very good council – very enthusiastic.”He laughed about becoming the “old man” of the council, and commented, “You need some wisdom there.” He said of newly-elected Parish PresidentAlbert Laque, “Hopefully, he’s learned from his mistakes.”Lance Marino, who replaces Dickie Duhe in District 6, added he is “anxious to take office” and likewise commented on the youthful enthusiasm of the council.

“I know most of them, and I’m eager to get to work,” he said.

The incoming council, prior to taking office on Jan. 10, will undergo abattery of training workshops aimed at preparing them adequately for the job at hand. Only the first two workshop dates are scheduled.On Nov. 29, a review of the St. Charles Home Rule Charter is scheduled at 6p.m. On Dec. 1, a review of the legislative branch role in government isset, as well as a review of expense policy.

Other workshops, yet to be set, will include a bus tour of parish facilities, review of pollution control and revenue bonds, technology, boards and commissions, council rules, parliamentary procedure, open meetings and public records law, the state Code of Governmental Ethics and a council retreat to determine goals for the new millennium.

A social, to include all council spouses, is also being scheduled.

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