2014 Houma Heart & Soles Race Results
November 26, 2014
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November 26, 2014
After fending off five challengers but failing to garner a popular majority, Houma’s current City Marshal says he is confident he can retain the job as he battled the last opposing candidate left standing.
Brian LeBlanc, who has held the position for six years, is engaged in a tough-run race by former Houma Police Chief Orville Callahan.
“We have been doing a good job and I plan for us to continue doing a good job in the future,” said LeBlanc, a 63-year-old Chauvin resident who replaced longtime Marshal Carl Kimble in 2008 after besting Callahan in an election.
Kimble had retired after 21 years of service.
The City Marshal provides security at City Court, serves legal papers and is responsive for transporting prisoners, primarily children who appear in juvenile court.
Callahan says his experience as a patrol officer, assistant chief and police chief will allow him to take the Marshal’s office forward into some new directions, including closer communications with other local law enforcement agencies and more support for their efforts on the enforcement end.
“There is no communications or information sharing, they never hear from each other,” Callahan said of the Marshal’s office and other agencies. “The most important thing is to get them back on the track as a law enforcement agency to expand the law enforcement presence in the city.”
LeBlanc maintains that the role of his office, a constitutionally-mandated agency, is clearly spelled out, and that communications with other agencies occur when needed.
“I hope we are looking pretty good,” LeBlanc said. “I’m doing a lot of walking door-to-door, doing a few functions and getting in touch with as many people as I can.”
LeBlanc fended off criticism throughout the primary that his deputy marshals are not all state-certified and thus not entitled to receive state supplemental pay for law enforcement officers.
An independent examination of records by The Times shows that all City Marshal employees required to have Police Officer Standards and Training certification are current, and that their annual firearms certifications are obtained from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff.
LeBlanc, who has had a long working relationship with retiring City Court Judge Jude Fanguy, said he is eager to begin working under the city’s new judge, Matt Hagen.
“I know Matt real well, he has been there in City Court working with us before,” said LeBlanc, adding that he is looking forward to the end of the campaign and a normal schedule.
Callahan received the most votes in the primary with 6,394 votes (22 percent), followed by LeBlanc’s 5,817 votes (20 percent).
David “D.L.” Mosely won 5,236 votes and Willie Radau III 5,129 votes, both at 18 percent. Ronald Lirette drew 3,626 votes (13 percent), and Ernest P. Boudreaux 2,513 votes (9 percent).
Early voting, which takes place today, is suspended Thursday and Friday. The last day of early voting is Saturday and Election Day is Dec. 6.
Houma’s current City Marshal, Brian LeBlanc (at left) faces former Houma Police Chief Orville Callahan in the Dec. 6 election. The city marshal provides security at City Court, serves legal papers and is responsible for transporting prisoners, primarily children who appear in juvenile court.
