Mary Tutwiler

Who wants to be Justice of the Peace?

by Mary Tutwiler

Lack of interest in running for office has caused the St. Martin Parish clerk of court to reopen qualifying this week. According to the Teche News, no one registered to run for Justice of the Peace to replace retiring Eugene Martin, longtime officeholder in Ward 6. The announcement by the St. Martin Parish clerk of court’s office is the latest evidence of a general malaise in the desire to enter public service. Last week, two contenders for mayor and mayor pro temps of New Iberia dropped out of the race, leaving incumbents Hilda Curry and Freddie DeCourt with a free ride back into office. Democratic congressman Charlie Melancon, representing District 3, which includes St. Martin and Iberia, was unchallenged as well.