Fusilier sworn in as new Erath alderman

On the Vermilion Parish Courthouse’s steps, Clarence Fusilier was sworn in as the new alderman for the Erath City Council.
What makes Fusilier’s swearing-in so special is because it was historic. He is now the first Erath black alderman.
His first meeting with the aldermen and Mayor Taylor Mencacci is April 12.
The swearing-in took place on the courthouse’s steps, with Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court Diane Meaux Broussard swearing him in.
Also, there was Fusilier’s family, including his brother Pastor Walter August.
Fusilier won a special election last month. Fusilier beat opponent Chris Hebert by only 11 votes.
This was Fusilier’s second go-around with running for an alderman seat. He threw his name in the hat two years ago and finished in sixth place when only five could win.
This election, Fusilier knocked on doors and went house to house in Erath and met everyone he could meet.
“I ran because I wanted to help people,” said Fusilier. “I wanted to be a voice. A lot of times, people do not know who they can talk to about an issue. Now, they can come to me for help.”
A special election had to be held because of the death of Alderman Robert Vincent. Vincent and Fusilier were good friends and he will fill out Vincent’s two final years.
Fusilier One of his first priorities is lifting the housing authority homes in Erath off the La. 14 Bypass. The town received money to elevate the homes because they flood for heavy rains.
Whether to accept the grant money to elevate the homes is in the hands of the aldermen.
“We need to raise the homes because it has been flooding since I lived there in the 1970s,” Fusilier added.