Abbeville welcomes new Mayor, Council, Chief

Change can sometimes be met with apprehension.
On Thursday afternoon, citizens in Abbeville met change with enthusiasm.
In front of a packed house in Magdalen Place, the city of Abbeville held a swearing-in ceremony for its elected officials. Among them is new Mayor Roslyn White, who succeeds five-term Mayor Mark Piazza.
“What an overwhelming show of support,” White said to the crowd.
White’s mother, Arlene Collée, welcomed everyone in attendance. Collée said people began referring to her as the first mother after White’s election on March 26.
“I don’t know if that’s a real thing,” Collée said with a laugh, “but I love it. This is a special day, not only for my family but for the families of all the elected officials who serve this beautiful city of Abbeville. I thank each and every one of you who have chosen the role of public service. It’s not always easy.
“I know the commitment it took to get to this day.”
Along with White, Councilman Tony Hardy (District A), Councilman Francis Touchet Jr. (District B), Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. (District C), Councilwoman Terry Broussard (District D), Councilman-at-Large Cartlon Campbell and Chief of Police Mike Hardy took their respective Oaths of Office. Vermilion Parish Judge Laurie Hulin conducted the swearing-in ceremony.
Tony Hardy, a former chief of police in the city, is entering his first term in District A.
“I am so very proud to be representing the good people of district A,” Hardy said before the swearing-in. “I look forward to helping as many people in the city as possible. If anyone needs assistance from me and we can help, please do not hesitate to call. I am looking forward to working with all the citizens of Abbeville.”
Touchet has served Abbeville for 20 years. He is entering his sixth term.
“I look forward to continuing to serve as the city councilman in District B,” Touchet said. “I am honored to be elected six consecutive terms. I will lean on two things I truly believe in during the next four years. One, we need to be very proactive around crime. We need to make sure we do the things we need to do to ensure our city is safe. Two, and I think everyone understands that this works hand-in-hand, we need to improve the economic development in this city. We need more jobs, and we need to ensure we get people into this city.”
For Councilman Broussard, Thursday marked his fourth swearing-in.
“Each holds a very special place in my heart,” Broussard said. “Serving the great people of Abbeville is a privilege that starts with a swearing in and I follow in the footsteps of many in my family who have been sworn in before my service in our community, including great-great grandfather Pierre Numa Broussard, great grandfather Pierre Ursin Broussard, grandfather Marcus Anson Broussard, Uncle Marcus Anson Broussard Jr., my father Robert Brady Broussard and more currently a brother and cousins. My wife Reba and the entire family will be (in attendance) means the world to me to have those I love with me during this ceremony.”
“To be sworn in Thursday with new faces on the council and a new mayor makes it particularly exciting for me as I see a community effort to improve our city one project at a time with renewed energy.”
Councilwoman Broussard is now in her second term. She plans to build on strides made in District D during her first four years.
“Once more, I’d like to thank the Citizens of District D for entrusting me to represent them for another term,” she said. “I will continue to serve you with honor and respect. I’m looking forward to working with our new Mayor and my good friend Roslyn White in leading Abbeville to a continued prosperous and productive city”.
Broussard added, “I would like to thank my family and special Team Bridgette Levy (now an addition to my family), Mr.& Mrs. Chad Duhon and Larry Moore Sr. for their overwhelming support from the very beginning. Their support, prayers, and dedication have meant more to me than words can express.”
Campbell said he plans to work closely with the new mayor and his peers on the council. Much of that work will be focused on bringing more to the city.
“I will work to bring business and industry to Abbeville,” Campbell said. “That is one thing we need to do. I get tired of hearing my friends say they have a daughter or son who graduates from college and has to move to find a decent job.
“I will work hard to get business and industry here.”
Piazza has been a part of every swearing-in ceremony since 1990, as he served on the council before becoming mayor in ‘02. He spoke briefly on Thursday, welcoming visiting dignitaries. While doing so, he paused to take a phone call.
“Hello,” he said. “A power outage? Hold on, you have the wrong person.”
Of course, it was not a real call. However, it did serve as a symbolic gesture to turn things over to the person who will now be taking such calls.
“I would like to welcome your new mayor of the city of Abbeville, Mayor Roslyn White,” Piazza said to rousing applause.
White is ready.
“I love Abbeville,” White said. “That’s what it comes down to. I know that we can continue improving this city with hard work and community support. We can make it an Abbeville that we all will be proud of. We will be inclusive and work together to make Abbeville better.
“I pledge to work every day to make this a stronger, better Abbeville that we all love.”