Cormier alderman again for town of Erath

ERATH - Billy Cormier is back as an Erath alderman after three out of four aldermen voted to name him as John Earl LeBlanc’s replacement.
On Monday, a special meeting was held to name LeBlanc’s replacement because he just recently won a special election for Erath mayor.
Traditionally, the going -out alderman gives a recommendation on who he would like to have sit in his seat as alderman until the November election.
LeBlanc recommended former Erath alderman Robert Vincent. Alderman Chris Hebert made a motion for LeBlanc’s recommendation, but it died because no aldermen seconded it.
Alderman Tony Richard made a motion to nominate Billy Cormier, as LeBlanc’s replacement.
Voting in favor of Cormier were aldermen ‘T-Bob” Domingues, Richard and Donald Menard.
Hebert voted no.
Cormier was not at Monday’s meeting.
LeBlanc was disappointed by the aldermen going against his recommendation.
“I am disappointed that the three councilmen did not respect my wishes, enough to support Robert,” said LeBlanc. “When Billy was appointed mayor, and we had to fill his position, there were 11 people that wanted the appointment. None of them were even considered because Billy wanted Ricky Luquette appointed, and we respected his wishes. Unfortunately, I was not shown that same respect.”
Cormier had been an alderman for three years before accepting to take over as mayor of Erath after the death of George Dupuis. A special election was held for Cormier’s seat, which Hebert won.
Because the regular election is in November, no special election has to be held for LeBlanc’s alderman seat. Cormier will occupy the seat until Dec. 31, 2014.
“I still stand by my recommendation of Robert Vincent to fill the vacant seat on the City Council. Robert, being a young attorney and a former mayor pro tem for the town, has the wisdom and experience necessary and is part of Erath’s future. He would have brought fresh ideas to the table.”