It was a big night for Evangeline Parish Police Juror Eric Soileau on Thursday as he was sworn in as the 2018 Police Jury Association of Louisiana President in a ceremony held at the Bentley Hotel in Alexandria.
Representing all 64 parishes, the PJAL advocates for local government and parish issues at the state capitol and Washington DC.
In a release from the PJAL it states that “2017 President Joe Bishop of Rapides Parish hosted the Executive Board Members and special guests.”
The release went on to call the night a “special time for the outgoing President,” who “passed the gavel to 2018 President Eric Soileau.”
Bishop said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed travelling across the state, lobbying for local government, and getting through this tough year with many successes in the legislature and parish government. I was proud to serve alongside my fellow Executive Board Members and will be here for anything President Soileau may need during his time as President.”
In the PJAL release it states that, during the event, Soileau “thanked Bishop for all his many accomplishments while President and the countless hours he spent working for parish government.”
Soileau then went on to state, “It is an honor to represent Evangeline Parish and the Police Jury Association. Together, we will work hard to continue the efforts brought forth by the Association and parishes across the state on a local, state, and national level.”
One of the most important things Soileau said he hopes to continue advocating for as the PJAL president involves local government having a “seat at the round table” when decisions affecting local government are made.
Soileau said, “The executive board advocates for local government by trying to protect our interest such as money or projects we may have going on over here. For years decisions were made by state and national officials that affected local government and we had no involvement in the decisions. When you make policy that affects local government, then we want a seat at the table. We want to be in on what happens. Now, we have that seat at the table, and we plan to continue that trend of working well with other officials.”
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ELIZABETH WEST