Voters to elect Morgan City’s next mayor

Morgan City residents will decide Saturday whether to re-elect Mayor Tim Matte to office for a fourth term or elect political newcomer, furniture and appliance store owner Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi III.

Elsewhere, some St. Mary Parish voters will decide the fate of the parish library system’s 1.25-mill property tax for maintenance and capital improvements. Morgan City residents are exempt from voting on the issue because the city funds it own library.

Also included on Saturday’s ballot are propositions to improve drainage around the parish. Voters on the west side of the parish will elect a judge and constable.

The race for Morgan City’s mayoral seat has been hotly contested.

Matte, who is also a partner in the local CPA firm of Pitts and Matte, is completing his third term in office, having served from 1993-00 and 2005-08.

The incumbent said he is seeking a fourth term because “these are exciting times in the city,” noting the city’s record-breaking sales tax receipts and increase in building permit values.

The city’s 1-percent sales tax revenues were over $1.9 million in 2006, $2 million in 2007 and, through June 2008, in excess of $1.2 million, according to comparative data.

Last year, construction permits were issued for more than $15.3 million. Matte said the value of building permits issued by Morgan City as of July exceeded $16.9 million.

If Matte is re-elected, he would be term-limited. The city’s charter does not allow a mayor to serve more than two consecutive terms. Matte returned to office in 2004, defeating Dr. Tim Tregle who served as mayor from 2001-04.

Grizzaffi has roots in the city that date back to the mid-1880s. His family has owned Grizzaffi’s Furniture and Appliances since 1932. “I’m a salesman and a leader – that’s what this city needs,” Grizzaffi said.

Residents of District 1 of Morgan City will elect a new city councilman to represent them as their long-time representative, Jarrod Longman, was elected St. Mary Parish Assessor last fall.

Morgan City assistant principal Tim Hymel will face the school’s former coach and teacher, Herman Hartman.

Voters parishwide will be asked to renew a 1.25-mill property tax for the parish library system.

Other races on Saturday’s ballot includes justices of the peace in Charenton and Sorrell, Benjamin Grimm and Willie J Scott; in Four Corners-Cypremort Point, Norma Jean Bouey and Ray A. Manuel; and in Centerville, Shelby Bourgeois and Jody Pillaro face off.

Running for constable in Charenton and Sorrell are Donny “Sonny” Compton and Brian Millet; in Centerville, David Comeaux and Allen Pillaro; in Patterson-Bayou Vista, James Carinhas and Ned Stephens; in Berwick, Shawn Canty and Jonathan “J.P.” Henry; and in Amelia, John Arceneaux and Nick Morris.

West St. Mary Parish will decide between incumbent 16th Judicial District Judge Lori A. Landry or challenger Lucretia P. Burton.