Women now rule police jury

By Chris Rosa

A historical event occurred Wednesday in a special Police Jury meeting. The jury voted 13-1 to name Linda Duhon as the administrator of the Police Jury.

She becomes the first woman to hold that position in Vermilion Parish.

For the last 50 years four men have held that position: Marcus Broussard Sr, Jewitt Hulin, Mike Bertrand and Chris Theriot.

Duhon, who has been with the police jury for 12 years, has served as the assistant director for the last five years under Chris Theriot and Mike Bertrand.

The Police Jury made the move to name Duhon as the administrator after Theriot resigned two weeks ago because of health reasons.

Duhon will now oversee the public works department, rabies control department, permitting office and the solid waste department.

The Jury took the recommendation of Police Jury President Wayne Touchet about naming Duhon as the top dog.

“We are fortunate to have Linda,” said Touchet. “The office has run without a hiccup. You can not tell Chris is not here. She has picked up the slack.”

The Police Jury was first going to open the treasure/administrator position and let anyone apply for the position.

But because Duhon knew so much about the job, the Jury voted to hire Duhon and not open it up.

Juror Mark Poché voted against hiring because he said he wanted to open the position up for people in the parish to apply.

Juror Gerald Butaud, who served as jury president for two years, praised Duhon’s work ethic and said opening up the position was not necessary.

The Jury divided Theriot’s $62,400 a year salary and gave it to three employees.

Duhon’s salary jumped from $38,000 a year to $60,000 a year.

Handling the money for the Police Jury is Selina Perry. She was the book-keeper for the Jury and was promoted to treasurer - a job Theriot held.

Her salary jumps from $41,300 to $50,000 a year.

Carolyn Bessard takes over Duhon’s position. She will go from making $40,000 a year to $49,000 a year.

LeeAnn Hines is also hired as the person in charge of insurance and accounts payable.

Bessard has been with the Police Jury for 29 years, while Perry has been employed for 27 1/2 years.

“We work well together,” said Perry.