Breaux, Lancelin attend last meeting, turning over reins

Mayor Wayne Breaux and Alderman Mike Lancelin attended their last meeting of the Baldwin Board of Aldermen Thursday.
Breaux is retiring from the seat he has held for 24 years, and Lancelin ran for mayor this year but was unsuccessful in his bid. He has served for 20 years.
State Rep. Sam Jones, Democratic former mayor of Franklin, took the podium to say farewell. “I have sat on the other side of the table where Mayor Breaux sits for a long time,” he said. “I had to come thank him for being a great mayor.”
Jones said, “There’s something about the fabric of the community that gets engrained in you… I want the citizens to know, it’s tough. This is the greatest form of government in the world because you as a mayor and as a councilman you get to see the fruits of your work at the retail level.”
It’s an end of an era, Jones said, and thanked Breaux for the work they accomplished together and congratulated him for the work he’s done in Baldwin and the rest of St. Mary Parish.
Jones also applauded Lancelin for his service to the town and community.
At the end of the meeting, Breaux presented a key to the city to Lancelin in acknowledgement of his service to Baldwin. “To your years of service and your friendship,” he said. “Mike has always been someone I could count on and has been good for the community and moved it forward.”
Lancelin said he has enjoyed his term in office and “I will still be here working with the community.”
Alderman Clarence Vappie presented plaques to Breaux, Lancelin, outgoing Justice of the Peace Benny J. Druilhet Jr. who served for 11 years, incoming Chief of Police Harry Smith who served as Constable of Baldwin for 12 years, and to outgoing Chief of Police Gerald Minor who was not present Thursday.
“Never would I have dreamed when I started here in 1975 writing a few federal grants that I would be standing here 40 years later giving this speech,” Breaux said. “It’s taken up pretty much my entire adult life. It’s been very rewarding. As any job it’s had its ups and downs but that also makes the rewarding times so rewarding. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to do the service that I have for you.”
The new mayor, Barbara Lanceslin, Smith and incoming Alderman Herbert Bell will be seated Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the board’s regular meeting to be held at the Baldwin Civic Center.
In other business Thursday, Alderwoman Margaret “Faye” Coleman said she received a complaint that during a recent medical emergency in Baldwin, Acadian Ambulance EMTs called the fire department for help lifting the victim. Coleman said neither the fire department nor Baldwin police responded.
Fire Chief Gene St. Germain said he was unaware of the call for assistance. Though Minor was not present, incoming Chief Smith said he was also not aware of a call. Chitimacha and Four Corners fire departments responded.
St. Germain said if such a call was made and no one responded, it is because Baldwin has no full-time, paid fireman due to budget cuts. All volunteers staff the department, and those members have jobs they cannot leave for a call.
Breaux said in response to questions that some town employees are also trained to fight actual fires, but are not certified to attend to medical emergencies.
St. Germain said departments such as Four Corners asked voters for a fire protection tax which funds full-time, paid personnel. Baldwin has no such tax. St. Germain said the Four Corners tax generates about $400,000 a year.
“We are living in danger,” Coleman said.
Breaux said perhaps the next mayor and council can find the funds to hire a paid fireman/EMT.
Coleman also reported that the town’s lighting and decorating contest is Dec. 16, with two zones judged, and first, second and third place awards presented. No registration is needed, judges will be passing through town viewing the houses that are lit and decorated.