New Abbeville councilman sworn in

The newest member of the Abbeville City Council was sworn in Tuesday evening at the regular meeting.

Rev. Wayne Landry’s wife, children and other family looked on as the new member took his place among the council.

“I will do my best for the people, especially the children of our community,” Landry said.

“I promise to do my best, because that is all I can do.”

Each person who addressed the council at the meeting made a special point to welcome the new councilman.

“Now you’ve been sworn in, you’re going to be sworn at,” City Attorney Ike Funderburk teased.

Landry was appointed after Councilman Carlton Campbell of District D chose to resign from his office.

Many milestones for the city were reached during Landry’s first official meeting.

A few weeks ago, Mayor Mark Piazza suggested to the council that the system of committees be analyzed and changed. The council voted to do just that by creating five new committees, Finance Committee, with chairman Councilman Francis Touchet, Public Works, with chairman Councilman Carbett Duhon, Public Safety, with chairman Councilman Louis “Joe” Hardy, Economic Development and Tourism with chairman Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance and Ordinances and Insurance Committee with chairman Councilman Wayne Landry.

The new committees will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the Abbeville City Council Chambers prior to the regular city council meeting.

In addition changes were made to the ordinance that made the structure of the Parks and Recreation Board.

Previously, the chairman of the committee was a city councilman, with Carlton Campbell most recently holding the seat, however, the council voted to change the structure to eliminate an appointed councilman seat.

The board will now have the opportunity to choose their own chairman.