Councilwoman Rose Sumrall voted to District Five seat

At the request of former Councilman Charles "Boo" Christmas, Rose Sumrall is now the Council representative for Amite's District Five. During the regular meeting Tuesday, October 7 Christmas put it before the council to vote in Sumrall. Sumrall was unopposed in her quest for council seat.

The council then called on Sumrall from the audience to assure that she was prepared to claim the seat. Sumrall responded that she was fine with taking the seat now. The council then voted to seat Sumrall to District Five before the swearing in which is scheduled for January 2009.

When asked why she decided to run for council Sumrall replied, "I served on the fire board (Tangipahoa Parish Fire District #1) for a little over a year and it sparked an interest in things going on in Amite. I resigned from the board after being elected."

Sumrall's first meeting was supposed to be Monday, October 20. Due to a technical oversite Christmas was officially still councilman during the meeting. This meeting was to set the agenda for the November meeting. Along with agenda business the council held a public meeting to discuss the purchase of the new fire station. "I am excited about the new station. It is good for the police department," Sumrall said.

Sumrall also stated that she hopes to get with the other council members about the traffic flow in downtown stating, "Something needs to be done about the traffic and I will be looking into that. I would also like to see downtown get a face-lift."

Sumrall said that she would like to thank the public for all the support they have given and she would like to remind the public that, "if you have concerns call the mayor or councilmen and voice your opinion."

She also reminded citizens to vote. "If you don't vote, you don't really have the right to complain!"

Sumrall is originally from France, her family moved here when she was very young. She estimates that she has lived in Amite for about 40 years. She is married to Mike Sumrall and they have two children Keith and wife Julia Sumrall and Shayna and husband Sandy Morgan. She is a graduate of Amite High School. Sumrall is the second woman to hold a position on the Amite City Council.