Maurice swears in new officials

MAURICE — A standing-room only crowd welcomed the group that will be representing the Village of Maurice for the next four years.
Mayor Wayne Theriot, Alderman Phyllis Johnson, Alderman Kenneth “Keno” Picard and Alderman Lynn Howell took their respective oaths Sunday in front of family, friends and citizens of the village, as well as other officials from around Vermilion Parish.
“I want to thank all of you for being here and sharing this occasion with us,” Theriot said. “Today, we open a new chapter in the Village of Maurice.”
The mayor said that chapter cannot be written without recognizing those who have come before, including former Mayor Barbara Picard, who was in attendance Sunday afternoon.
“We want to honor those who were in the previous chapters,” Theriot said. “That is the six mayors, the 12 previous police chiefs and the 40 previous aldermen. Their efforts and their services have laid the foundation for what we have today.
“We will build upon that foundation with the principles of community and family.”
Howell, a native of Virginia, who has lived in several other areas in Louisiana and Mississippi, said it is that sense of community and family that captivated him when he moved to Maurice 16 years ago.
“It’s such a great place to live,” Howell said. “The people here are so friendly and it makes you feel welcomed.
“I want to help the village grow and continue to make it a better place for our kids and our grandkids.”
Family played an important part Sunday for Picard, who took his oath with his mother, 102-year-old Lucille Picard, by his side.
“It’s probably one of the best things that has happened so far,” Picard said, “that she was here for this. She loves this just as much as I do.
“I think she might even be more excited about this than I am.”
A life-long resident of Vermilion Parish, Picard spent a majority of those years living just outside the Maurice limits. When the village annexed the area Picard calls home two years ago, he jumped at the opportunity to run for alderman.
“I have always watched out for what is going on in Maurice,” Picard said. “I have always been proud of Maurice and have always wanted to be a part of it.
“I am thankful to the people of Maurice for allowing me this opportunity.”
Johnson is now part of the Maurice Board of Aldermen for a second term. With Howell and Picard each beginning a first term, Johnson is the senior-most member of the board.
“I am still the youngest,” she said with a laugh.
In all seriousness, Johnson said it is an honor to serve as an alderman, something her father, Paul Catalon, did for 16 years.
“It’s very special,” Johnson said. “My father served for many years and then my brother, Troy, stepped into his shoes. I cannot fill those shoes, but I am going to do the best that I can to improve the village.”
Warren Rost has served the village as its chief of police since 1982. He could not attend Sunday’s ceremony because of an illness, but he said in a statement that he is looking forward to serving another four years.
“I take great pride in serving the community,” Rost said. “I would like to thank the community, because without that, the task would not have been successful.”
Everyone sworn in Sunday has the vision of a successful Maurice.
“I think we are in a prime area as the Gateway to Vermilion Parish,” Howell said. “We can see things coming our way, but we want to try to build smartly.”
Picard agreed.
“You have to nurture the growth we are seeing and have a sense of control,” Picard said. “You need to make sure you have the infrastructure for everyone coming in and try to meet those needs.”
Johnson said the means to accomplish that is working together.
“We will all come together to do what is best for the village,” Johnson said. “With Kenneth and Lynn, I think we will make an excellent team. The village has been very fortunate to have people who can work together. I think that is because the people who have served have all cared about the village.
“We all want to do what is best for the village.”
Theriot said that is exactly how the village’s officials will approach the next four years.
“We make the pledge that this administration will govern,” Theriot said, “with the same principles that have made this village great.”