Iberia road tax prop fails

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Iberia Parish Government will continue to function with no dedicated revenue source for roads and road maintenance after voters resoundingly voted against a ¾ cent sales tax in Tuesday’s election. 

The tax, which went to the ballot after a vote this year by the Iberia Parish Council, was meant to be a way for IPG to start addressing the more than $30 million of work needed to get roads in unincorporated areas of the parish up to par. 

The final vote showed 63 percent, or 6,985 votes against the tax proposition and only 37 percent, or 4,040 votes for it. 

“The people of Iberia did exactly what they were supposed to do,” Iberia Parish President Larry Richard said Tuesday night. “They went and voted. The end result is what it is. It’s not the end of the world for Iberia Parish. 

“Iberia Parish is truly moving in the right direction. We’re going to get the infrastructure we need. It’s going to take us longer but believe me we’re going to get there.”

In other elections, there will be two new faces on the Iberia Parish School Board. Both seats up for grabs were won by challengers to the incumbents. 

In District 4, former IPSB and New Iberia City Council member Raymond “Shoe-Do” Lewis defeated incumbent Thomas Jolivet for a new term on the School Board. 

“We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy word,” Lewis said shortly after the results were reported. “I’d like to thank the voters of District 4 for doing what’s in the best interest of their children in the times we’re living in on the south side of the tracks.” 

Lewis won with 55 percent, or 640 votes, while Jolivet had 45 percent, or 514 votes. Unofficial turnout was 35 percent. 

He also said he planned to represent every child in his district, and thanked his sister and campaign manager, the late Frances Porter, as well as former school board member Clara Carrier. 

“This is a sweet victory, sweet victory for our children,” Lewis said. “ ‘Sugar Town’ is over. A divided north and south of the railroad tracks is over.” 

In District 6, Michael “Mike” Mayeux defeated incumbent Kim Lockett and contender Sanders Butler III. 

A New Iberia native, Mayeux worked 42 years in health care administration as a chief financial officer, including with Dauterive Hospital in New Iberia and Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City until his retirement in 2015.

Iberia Parish voters also had to answer the question on whether they would allow fantasy sports contest betting. The ballot item was passed earlier this year by the Louisiana Legislature, but put to each individual parish to decide for themselves. 

The answer was yes. Fifty-four percent, or 11,247 voters, chose to have fantasy sports betting in Iberia, while 46 percent, or 9,492 voters, voted against.