Patterson mayor, police chief re-elected

The mayor, police chief and four members of the City Council were re-elected Tuesday to serve another term.
Mayor Rodney Grogan was elected to a second term getting 1,258 votes — 60.45 percent of the vote — to Billy Badeaux’s 823 — 39.55 percent of the vote.
Vote totals are complete, but unofficial.
Grogan thanked the public for their support with about 2,000 votes cast for the mayoral race, he said. “To get 60 percent, that spoke volumes,” Grogan said. Grogan said he and Police Chief Patrick LaSalle have to get a working relationship, and the distractions have to stop, Grogan said.
Grogan is looking to bringing more businesses to the city and developing the downtown area with the expansion of the park, he said. “That will increase our sales tax that will tie into the partnership with the Atchafalaya golf course along with the museum, along with the airport,” Grogan said.
Grogan mentioned the completion of the water plant and other ongoing projects he wants to see finished, he said. Grogan wants to meet with organizers who are trying to form a new residential subdivision in the city, he said. Streets need to be taken care of and Grogan wants to start trimming the law enforcement budget as much as possible each year, he said.
LaSalle defeated Pam Washington 1,259 votes — 60.62 percent — to 818 votes — 39.38 percent. LaSalle said his goal is to move forward. LaSalle plans to implement reach-out programs for young people in the community and create a citizens review board to get the citizens involved, he said.
“Thank you so very much for entrusting me with the safety of your loved ones, and we’ll continue to do that,” LaSalle said. LaSalle has served as police chief since 1995, he said.
Patterson is listed as one of the safest places to live, and LaSalle plans to make sure that continues, he said.
In the City Council race, Councilman Joe Russo was the top vote getter, receiving 17.25 percent of the vote, according to the Secretary of State’s website. Russo thanked the people for having the confidence in him to elect him to a fourth term, he said. “It was a very humbling experience last night with the overwhelming support that I received from the city,” Russo said.
Russo plans to continue to do what he feels is best for the citizens of Patterson, he said. Russo strongly feels that the city needs to review its charter and bring it to the vote of the people, he said. Russo would also like to receive more information from committees and city departments at council meetings, he said. “I’m committed to the youth and the betterment of Patterson,” Russo said.
Travis Darnell, who was elected to his first term, thanked the City of Patterson for giving him an opportunity to serve on the council.
Councilwoman Sandra Turner, who was elected to her third term, said she wants to continue what the city has been doing moving in a positive direction, she said. Turner is looking forward to working with everyone who has been elected, she said. She was overwhelmed and happy and congratulated everyone who ran, Turner said.
Councilman Larry Mendoza, who was elected to his sixth term, thanked the people for giving him the opportunity to serve them again, he said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to do some more good,” Mendoza said. “We’re moving forward with Patterson, and I want to be part of that continual movement.”
Councilman John Rentrop, who was elected to his second term, said he is happy and proud to be able to serve four more years.
“I never expected that. I’m just overwhelmed at this time,” Rentrop said. “I really wanted to continue with four years of Patterson.” Rentrop wanted to keep working on several issues in the city, and thanked everyone in the city.
The council is going to band together and work together to make everything better for the city, Rentrop said.
Patterson council election results — five to be elected — are:
Joe Russo — 1,338 votes.
John Rentrop — 1,167 votes.
L.L. “Larry” Mendoza Jr. — 1,155 votes.
Travis “T.D.” Darnell — 1,138 votes.
Sandra K. Turner — 1,086 votes.
Sandra S. Marshall — 939 votes.
William L. “Billy” Picou Jr. — 932 votes.