Kent Fontenot, who resides outside Reeves and represents District Seven (Reeves/Leblanc area) on the Allen Parish Police Jury, is retiring.
“I, Kent Fontenot, announce today that I am retiring as District Seven Police Juror,” he wrote in his retirement letter. “It has been my honor to serve you, the people of District Seven these past 16 years. I have done my very best to put your interests first in every matter affecting our district and our parish.”
Fontenot has served the public for 16 years and is presently in his fifth term. He said over the years, he has worked to make roadways better in his district, and the budget has increased four times the amount it was when he took office. He said the district had approximately $250,000 in its account when he started and today it has about $1.3 million.
Fontenot describes himself as a man with little education, but he used his knowledge to lead a district and improve it. He found many friends along the way and received the support of his district.
“I just wanted to show what could be done,” he said when discussing his earlier political ambitions. “Yes, we accomplished goals. I’m not a politician, just a person who works hard.”
The first time he decided to run for the District Seven seat, Fontenot just wanted to improve the area. The next time he ran, he based his campaign on the work he had accomplished and constituents supported him again. He said he never put political signs, cards or pins out over the years. He just spoke to people about what needed to be accomplished.
In 2011, Fontenot was fighting cancer, and several candidates came out against him. He was too sick to campaign or go to the newspaper, but he said people believed in him and supported him. “It was humbling.”
Fontenot refers to the election that year which ended in a runoff. “On a Saturday,” he said, “426 people got up and voted for me. That made me so proud, and it’s one of the things I have appreciated so much. I sure thank those people for doing that.”
Fontenot has always been thankful for his constituents who have supported him over the years. Now 71 years old, he said he is going to take it easier in life. He and his wife Sherry have a camper and hope to hit the road on a few trips. He is the father of four and dotes on his three grandchildren.
“Most all I did was work all my life, six to seven days a week. I didn’t fish or hunt. Now we have a camper, and I’m hoping we will be doing some of that.”
Fontenot can’t walk away without thanking his crew for District Seven. “My road crew is a bunch of fine people,” he said. Leonard Pitre is his foreman. The rest of the crew is Gerald “Bo” Rawlings, Zonya Fry and Roger Young.
(Note: Pitre, who has been a foreman in the Reeves area for 16 years also retired. Pitre said he had been the longest foreman in Reeves’ history and had enjoyed his job. He said he was retiring with Fontenot.)
Fontenot wrote, “We are far better in our district now than when I was first elected. That progress is a direct reflection on the incredible men and women of the District Seven road crews.” He added, “I can’t say enough about them. They did a lot of good. Leonard has done an amazing job organizing and leading the road crew and making sure the work orders were fulfilled in a timely manner. His knowledge and work ethic were major reasons for our success.”
Fontenot also thanks his fellow jurors and the staff at the office, especially Colleen Sonnier. “They are the reason it was so easy for me. They kept the phone calls away and did their job. Colleen is the top of the line.”
In his statement, Fontenot continued, “I have learned much these last 16 years. While I have enjoyed representing you, I realize that it is time for me to step down. Thank you for the support you have given me and I wish and pray for success to whomever the people choose as my successor.”
Colleen Sonnier, secretary/treasurer for the Allen Parish Police Jury, said the jury will have to appoint someone to the seat at its August 3rd meeting. A special election will be called, according to information the state has given the jury. The primary will be March 20, 2021, and general election on April 24, if required for a runoff. Qualifying for the office will be January 20, to January 22.
