Lafourche voters elect new councilman, approve recreation tax
Voters in Lafourche elected a new parish councilman and approved a property tax in Lockport Saturday.
Raceland Democrat Terry Arabie defeated Gheens resident Spence Cressionie in a runoff election for the vacant District 6 seat on the Lafourche Parish Council.
Complete but unofficial results show Arabie collected 470 votes, or 65%. Cressionie, who is affiliated with no political party, finished with 256 or 35%.
The unofficial voter turnout was 726, or 11.%.
Arabie said he is looking forward to getting to work. I just want to thank all the voters that came out and voted for this election and especially the ones that voted for me, he said Saturday. I’m looking forward to serving the residents of my district and also all of Lafourche Parish so that we can make our parish a great place to leave. I’m Ready.
Early voting begins Saturday for Lafourche elections
Early voting begins Saturday in a runoff election for a vacant Lafourche Parish Council seat and a property tax proposal in Lockport.
Early voting in the April 24 election will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through April 17, except Sunday, at three sites in Lafourche:
► Lafourche Registrar of Voters Office, 307 W. Fourth St.; Thibodaux.
► Mathews Government Complex, 4876 La. 1.
► South Lafourche Library, 16241 E. Main St., Galliano.
There are no ballot items in Terrebonne.
Because none of the three candidates received more than 50% of the vote in the March 20 special council election, Raceland Democrat Terry Arabie will face off against Gheens resident Spence Cressionie, who is affiliated with no political party, in the runoff.
Voters in Lockport will decide April 24 to approve a property tax to help pay for recreation in that area.
Lafourche Recreation District No. 1 is asking voters to approve a 2-mill property tax to raise $185,000 a year for 10 years to pay for recreation services. Rec District 1 covers La. 1 near Acadia Drive near Ochsner St. Anne in Raceland to Edna Plantation in Lockport.
A mill is $1 in tax levied on every $1,000 of property. If approved, the tax would take effect in 2022.
In Louisiana, the first $75,000 of a home’s value is tax-exempt.
The 2-mill tax would cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $15 more a year after applying the homestead exemption. A business worth $500,000 would pay about $150 more each year, according to Lafourche Tax Assessor Wendy Thibodeaux.