[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish Council Chairman Melerine to resign

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish Council Chairman Melerine to resign
by The Times-Picayune 
Monday March 17, 2008, 3:57 PM
St. Bernard Parish Council Chairman Tony "Ricky" Melerine announced Monday
afternoon that he will resign at the end of the month, citing health
reasons, according to a parish government news release. 

Melerine, who was elected to the at-large council seat representing the
eastern half of the parish last fall, took over as council chairman in
January. The news release said Melerine plans to step down March 31 because
of unspecified health problems. The release said he would elaborate at
Tuesday night's council meeting. 


"I will make a statement at the council meeting about my health and about my
reasons for my resignation," Melerine said in a statement included in the
news release. 

In the coming weeks, the council is expected to name an interim replacement,
who will serve until a special election can be held this fall. 

Frank Auderer, who holds the at-large council seat for the western half of
the parish, will serve as council chairman until Melerine's interim
replacement is named. 

Melerine, an assistant manager of a St. Bernard Parish seafood plant, held
the council's District E post for the past eight year before winning the
at-large seat last fall.