Lafourche voters face tax decisions

Lafourche Parish voters will head to the polls on Saturday to vote on a sales and use tax renewal, two property tax continuations and for several elective offices.

Polling location hours will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

According to Lafourche Parish Registrar of Voters Sterling Diaz, Lafourche Parish has approximately 55,884 residents who are eligible to vote in the Oct. 4 election.

Those voters will be asked to renew a 0.5-percent sales and use tax for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Law Enforcement Sub-District No. 1.

If approved, the tax will generate approximately $2 million for inmate care and to operate and maintain the parish detention center and minimum-security facilities in the parish.

Fifth Ward Gravity Drainage District and the Hospital Service District No. 2 voters will be asked to approve property tax continuations.

The drainage district millage is a 10-year, 4.62-mill property tax used for maintaining and operating drainage projects throughout the district. The hospital service millage is a 10-year, 2-mill tax used for constructing, maintaining and operating the hospital facility in the district.

Using 2007 tax year figures, Lafourche Parish Tax Assessor Mike Martin said if passed, the drainage millage is estimated to generate $159,324. If passed, the hospital service millage will generate $145,488.

Several candidates are also seeking office on Oct. 4.

Republicans Randy Chiasson and Jared Doucet are vying for the Golden Meadow Police Chief position currently held by Chet Louviere.

Democrats Bennett Arceneaux and Ernest Boudreaux Sr. are vying for the 3rd District justice of the peace slot. While Democrats Carl Doucet and Riley “Frog” Griffin will run for the 4th District constable position.

In Thibodaux, Republican Lloyd “Chip” Badeaux, Republican Beau Brooks and former Lafourche Parish Councilman Tommy Lasseigne, a Democrat, will battle it out at the polls for the vacant councilman-at-large seat D slot.

Voter registration is closed for the Oct. 4 elections. However, residents have until Oct. 6 to register for the Presidential Election.

Voter registration forms can be obtained by either visiting the Lafourche Parish Registrar of Voters Web site at www.lafourcherov.org or picking one up at the Registrar’s Office in Thibodaux, 307 W. 4th St., or in Cut Off, 101 W. 112 St.