Vidalia, La. — In a pivotal session that marks the beginning of its 2025 agenda, the Concordia Parish Police Jury saw a leadership change with the election of new officers during its first meeting of the year. Cornell Lewis has taken the helm as the new president, while Genesia Allen will serve as the vice president.
Lewis, who recently secured the District 3 Place B seat, replaced former President Collin Edwards after a competitive roll call vote. This election follows Lewis’s initial entry into parish governance in 2024 when he ousted Scottie Whittington. Prior to his tenure on the Police Jury, Lewis was a member of the Concordia sewer board, illustrating his ongoing commitment to local governance.
The decision arrived after an intense voting session. Initially, the vote resulted in a tie between Edwards and Lewis, each claiming four votes, with Allen voting for herself. The deadlock was broken in a second round of voting when Allen shifted her support to Lewis, bringing the final tally to 5-4 in Lewis’s favor.
Following the presidential vote, the position of vice president was contested between Allen and Adam Probst, the 2024 vice president. Displaying strong support among her peers, Allen won the position with a 6 to 3 margin. Her nomination was proposed by Lewis, while Probst received his nomination from Red Tiffee.
In his acceptance remarks, Lewis expressed gratitude towards his nominators and voters. He emphasized the cooperative spirit of the Police Jury and acknowledged Edwards for his prior service, expressing a willingness to collaborate for the betterment of the parish.
Apart from leadership elections, the Police Jury addressed other community concerns. Notably, they unanimously approved a proposal to enhance the visibility of the parish courthouse in Vidalia. The Vidalia Beautification Committee, led by Cassandra Lynch, advocated for the placement of a new, taller flagpole at the historic site, a project already funded by the Vidalia Board of Aldermen.
Lynch highlighted the importance of the location for enhancing community pride, stating that the new flagpole, unobscured by the oaks, would appropriately signify the area’s heritage and beauty. This initiative represents a concerted effort by local administrations to align their objectives and enhance public spaces.
As these new leaders assume their roles, the Concordia Parish Police Jury moves forward with a refreshed agenda and a focus on both leadership and communal aesthetics, poised to address the needs and aspirations of their community in the coming year.
Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. It is important for readers to note that the details, including the identities of individuals, specific figures, and descriptions of events, may not be accurate. This generated content serves as a conceptual report and should be treated as potentially erroneous. For corrections, retractions, or queries, please reach out to [email protected].