Hebert: Sheriff's office 'moving ahead'

FRANKLIN -- Mark Hebert was re-elected sheriff Saturday with 51 percent of the St. Mary Parish vote.
Hebert got 6,604 votes Saturday, according to complete but unofficial returns. He avoided a runoff with Blaise W. Smith, who had 5,361 votes, or 42 percent. Finishing third was Doug Perry, who had 953 votes, or 7 percent.
Hebert felt ecstatic to have the people of St. Mary Parish vote him in as sheriff again.
“I’m just happy the citizens of St. Mary Parish recognized true leadership and the accomplishments that the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has accomplished under Sheriff Mark Hebert,” said Capt. Gail McDaniel of St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
McDaniel served as campaign manager for west St. Mary Parish.
Hebert commended his opponents for taking an interest in something he loves very much.
“They’re two great guys,” Hebert said. “I commend them on their race.”
“It’s tough to beat an incumbent who does things right,” said Mark Richards, Hebert supporter. “He does a good job and is an honest guy.”
Hebert acknowledged his campaign team worked real hard and kept a positive message.
During his first term, the goal was working to get accreditation and now “we are one of 5 percent that got that.”
“We’re moving forward,” Hebert said. “We're continuing to build on that and provide the best law enforcement second to none in the state.
“That’s my goal, that’s the vision and we share that in this whole department.”
Last year, the sheriff’s office made an appeal to the people for financial assistance.
His biggest challenge for the next term is going to be finances.
“My challenge is going to be same as everybody in government now,” Hebert said. “It’s going to be a financial challenge.
“Finances are not just a problem for me. It’s throughout the nation and I understand that.”
Despite the challenge, Hebert plans to forge ahead continuing to engage the community in many different facets.
“We educate the schools, adults, civic groups and we’re going to continue to do good things. When we come to work every day we strive to do better every day.”
“This win means stability,” said Willie Peters, president of the NAACP. “Everybody in the parish was kind of wondering what would take place if we had a new sheriff.
“Since the same sheriff is back. Now people can go back to their normal duties without wondering whether or not they have a job.”