[StBernard] Only one political race in St. Bernard goes uncontested

[Westley Annis]

Only one political race in St. Bernard goes uncontested
Posted by St. Bernard bureau September 06, 2007 2:22PM
St. Bernard Parish voters will have a full slate of candidates to choose
from when they hit the polls Oct. 20 -- only one of the 17 local and
legislative races in the parish was decided Thursday.

In that race, Dr. Bryan Bertucci won another term as the parish's coroner
when no one qualified to oppose him. 

Races for all the other elected offices drew multiple candidates. 

In the sheriff's race, incumbent Jack Stephens drew five challengers, Kirt
Arnold, Barry Bernadas, Larry Landry, Henry Maitre and Emile Pellittieri. 

"It's a strange political season," Stephens said when asked why he had drawn
so many opponents as he seeks a seventh term. But, he added, "They're going
to talk about what they want to do. I'm going to talk about what I've done."


You want strange politics? 

Parish President Henry "Junior" Rodriguez Jr. drew four opponents --
including his son, Henry Joseph Rodriguez III, a move that has left many in
the parish chuckling and shaking their heads. 

Junior Rodriguez said earlier this week he's not sure what impact his son's
entry into the campaign has.

Asked why he got into the race against his father, the younger Rodriguez
replied: "Everybody asks that question.''

But, he said, the slow pace of the parish's hurricane recovery pushed him to
get involved.

Parish Councilman Craig Taffaro Jr., Donald Serpas and Bill Villavaso round
out the crowded parish president's race. 

Meanwhile, an open legislative seat in the parish -- the 103rd House of
Representatives district -- drew six candidates. The seat is without an
incumbent because Rep. Kenneth Odinet, D-Arabi, is term-limited.