Plaquemine officials, police sworn in to service

Plaquemine Police Chief Kenny Payne, Police Department Officers, the Plaquemine Board of Selectmen and newly elected Plaquemine Mayor Edwin M. “Ed” Reeves, Jr. were sworn in to service in a Jan. 3 ceremony held in the Plaquemine City Hall Courtroom.

The ceremony opened with a prayer and a song from Pastor of St. John Catholic Church Father Greg Daigle.  Iberville Chamber Director Hank Grace emceed the event and Plaquemine Judge Michael M. Distefano presided over the swearing in ceremony.

Plaquemine Chief of Police Kenny Payne and Police Department Officers and employees were first to be sworn in to service, followed by a song from Augustine Jackson.  Closing prayer was offered by Rev. Jeffery Sikes.

Judge Distefano then swore in the Plaquemine Board of Selectmen: Lindon A. “Lin” Rivet, Jr. (District 1); Oscar S. Mellion (District 2); Ralph J. Stassi, Jr. (District 3); Timothy L. “Timmy” Martinez (District 5); and Jimmie Randle, Jr. (District 6).  District 4 Selectman Michael W. “Mickey” Rivet was unable to attend the Jan. 3 ceremony due to health reasons.  He was sworn in January 4.

“This council has achieved a lot of great things together,” Mayor Pro-Temp Oscar Mellion said.  “I am looking forward to working with the new mayor and progress, as we have in the past, to make this city better.”

The event was then capped off with the official swearing in of newly elected Plaquemine Mayor Edwin M. “Ed” Reeves, Jr.  Reeves was surrounded by his family.  Reeves will take over as Plaquemine Mayor after Mary Sue Gulotta finished the term of the late longtime mayor Mark A. “Tony” Gulotta.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Mary Sue and the Gulotta family for their 44 years of continued public service to our city,” Reeves said.  “I want to congratulate each of the councilmen and Chief Kenny Payne.  I look forward to working with you all in the future.  We are going to do great things.

“I want to thank the citizens of Plaquemine for giving me the opportunity in serving as mayor.  It has been a dream of mine to follow in the footsteps of my great grandfather,” Reeves said through tears, “who served as mayor exactly 100 years ago.”

Reeves also noted that he met with all City of Plaquemine personnel before being sworn in.  “We are fired up and ready to go to work.  I look forward to serving as your next mayor, and I appreciate your support as well as your prayers.”