Youngsville Chamber Of Commerce To Hold Candidates Forum Tuesday Night

Candidates for office in Youngsville will meet during a forum sponsored by the Business Advisory Committee of the Youngsville Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night.

The forum will be held at the First Assembly of God Church at 3555 Verot School Road in Youngsville, and the event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Multiple candidates for the various positions will be in attendance to discuss issues important to the Youngsville Community.

There are three candidates for the Chief Of Police position.  Incumbent Republican Chief Earl Menard will face a challenge from Republican Rickey Boudreaux and Democrat Gary Williams.

There are three candidates vying for Councilman Ken Ritter's council seat.  Ritter currently represents Division "A" on the council, but will become the new Mayor of Youngsville after facing no competitors during qualifying.

The three candidates for Council Member Division "A" in Youngsville are:

• Republican Jamey Absire
• Republican Paul Huval
• Libertarian Ryan Shinkle

There are four candidates seeking the Division "B" Council seat.  They are:

• Republican Van Coussan
• Republican Lauren Michel
• Libertarian Matt Thomassee
• Boyd F. "Zeke" Zitzmann

Two candidates are vying for the Council Member Division "C" post in Youngsville.  They are:

• Republican Matt Romero
• Republican Cyndi Smith

In the race for Council Member Division "D", incumbent Republican Councilman Tim Barbier will be facing a challenge by Republican Ken Stansbury

Youngsville's Division "E" Councilwoman Republican Dianne McCelland will be facing a challenge this year from Republican Dana Martin.

At tomorrow night's forum, you can also expect to hear from candidates who are vying for a seat on the Lafayette Parish School Board.

District 9 School Board Member Rae Trahan is not running for re-election, but two men have signed up to run for the seat.  They two candidates are:

• Republican Jeremy Hidalgo
• Republican Brian West