Sheriff’s tax plan rejected

Voters denied the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office request on Saturday’s ballot to increase the parish sales tax by ½ percent.
Sheriff Mark Hebert, who did not return calls seeking comment this morning, said last week that the tax — estimated to generate $5 million annually — would be used to maintain services.
The sheriff said 73 percent of his $14 million budget goes to staffing costs with about 170 personnel employed.
The final, but unofficial tally, was 7,275 voting to reject the tax and 4,522 voting for the tax. That equates to 61.7 percent voters against the tax.
In other elections in St. Mary Parish:
—Baldwin police chief — Harry “Boo Boo” Smith Jr. defeated Albert “Al” Thibodeaux, 643 to 274.
—Ward 10 justice of the peace — Cardell Bowser Ina defeated Monica Morrison Gibson, 651 to 387.
—Ward 7 justice of the peace — Nekesia J. Bowie defeated Virginia Sutton, 273 to 172.
—Ward 5 justice of the peace — David W. Hill defeated Lee Condolle, 1,095 to 1,019.
—16th Judicial District judge, Division G — Curtis Sigure defeated Lucretia Pecantte, 2,321 to 452.
—U.S. senator — Bill Cassidy defeated Mary Landrieu, 7,773 to 5,812.