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A recent op-ed by The Advocate newspaper questioned whether “School Choice” and the “political plea to let the state money follow the child” was just “Campaign Rhetoric” that fails to address the root problem of poverty—as Louisiana’s child poverty rate is the second highest in the nation—and that “economically disadvantaged students face much greater challenges and achieve lower educational outcomes.” They closed by “demanding specifics from candidates on what they propose to do on education—as poverty has profound impacts on children who don’t have the family support so vital to success in school.” So, let's “get under the hood” as they suggested.
First, poverty is not the root cause of Louisiana’s education crisis—it is only a symptom of the problem. The root cause of our education crisis in Louisiana and America is the intentional political destruction of the Family Unit over 50 years ago with (1) the implementation of a welfare system that pays women to have children out of wedlock—to not work—and which gives them Food Stamps, Healthcare, and Section 8 Housing, and (2) the removal of God from our Public Schools. With no father in the house, the well-researched odds are very high that a single parent will fall into poverty with a lack of discipline in the house. With no God in the house or schools, the odds of a lack of morality increase substantially.
Second, our political leaders and Teacher Unions want control over the citizenry so that they are totally dependent on the government. A study of all Marxist regimes shows that the destruction of the family unit and the removal of God/religion are key pillars of control.
Third, a nationwide study (see “Credo” Report) shows a huge learning gain by Charter Schools over union schools that has been tracked over 15 years now. The study is one of the largest ever conducted, and their latest study (2023) shows that “black and Hispanic students had some of the largest gains and that they advance more than their “traditional public school” peers by large margins in math and reading”, and that includes children in poverty regardless of whether they are black, white, or Hispanic. The Wall Street Journal did a recent op-ed on the above Credo Report and closed by saying “Normally results like this would trigger a movement to expand charters and increase their funding. But that won’t happen because unions will fight to keep up their near-monopoly. The real reason the unions object to more is that charter learning proves there's no excuse for failing children.”
Since there is no longer an excuse for failing children, we should demand specifics from candidates on what they propose to do about School Choice.

Steve Gardes is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) with over 40 years of public accounting experience.

Jacob Landry, resident of Erath, is a candidate for State Representative in District 49.
Since announcing his candidacy, he has been spending his time visiting communities throughout the district and continuing to build relationships with everyone he meets.
Jacob is the co-owner of Industrial & Oilfield Resources, Inc., EnviroResources, LLC, and Energy Management Company, LLC.
He is also a member of the Vermilion Parish Economic Development Board.
The pillars of his campaign are coastal restoration, economic development, protecting the oil and gas industry, and improving infrastructure. Additionally, Jacob has focused his campaign on his family, his faith, and protecting the rights of everyone in District 49.
He is firmly pro-life, pro second amendment, and pro family values.
As an active member of the community, Jacob is involved with the Erath school district as well as Our Lady Of Lourdes. Jacob, wants his campaign to be about the people. He is running to create a better future for the children of Louisiana and District 49 as a whole. He plans to be an active representative in Baton Rouge and involve his community in his legislation.
Several organizations have endorsed Landry in his race for State Representative including Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority, LMTA Trucker PAC, LOGPAC, and the Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee.
Jacob resides in Erath with his wife Hannah and two children, Jack and Jules.
For more information on his campaign and community involvement, visit jacoblandryforlouisiana.com

ln his 35 years with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office, Capt. Lance Broussard worked as a corrections officer, patrol deputy, detective, K-9 officer, and DARE instructor. He was part of US Customs Blue Lightning, LA Sheriffs Association Task Force, Marine and Aircraft Smuggling, Drug Interdiction programs, a Rescue Diver, and worked from Texas to Mississippi fighting crime. He was a hands-on worker here in Vermilion Parish, and he will be a hands-on leader as your sheriff.
Lance is ready to serve as your Sheriff on Day One, implementing a vision that will improve safety for your family and for all of us. He will implement better technology with federal grants, restructure the Narcotics Task Force, put Resource Officers in EVERY school, expand the DARE program, expand the K-9 Unit, bring back Litter Abatement, and increase training opportunities for all Law Enforcement First Responders and Fire Fighters.
Lance will work with local, state and federal agencies to improve operations, protect your tax dollars, and fight every type of crime we face - including, especially, in our schools. He will create funding - from his own pocket, if necessary - to give teachers the technology to secure their classrooms in an emergency.
The world is changing around us, with new drugs taking lives, addictions destroying families, and Internet predators preying on our children. If we don't act with vision and determination, our safety and quality of life will suffer. Lance Broussard is ready to serve you as a full-time Sheriff NOW.
Married to his wife Alecia for almost 34 years and the father of two grown sons, Lance has shown the Christian values we all share - not just in his work, but in his life. His father, former Abbeville Mayor Brady Broussard and mother, Bonnie Broussard, taught him the value of public service, and Lance has never strayed from that vision.
It's time to change the face of our Sheriff’s Office. It's time for vision and action, not politics.
Lance would love to know that all his commitment, hard work, and dedication from teaching DARE to so many students in the parish will have an impact on his dream to become your Sheriff. It's time for a new leader for your Sheriff’s Department.
Please vote Lance Broussard #83 for Sheriff on October 14th.

Paid for by
Lance Broussard

Greetings my fellow Vermilion Parish voters and residents! My name is Eddie Langlinais, and I am running for Sheriff of Vermilion Parish. The election is on October 14th, and I humbly ask for your family’s vote and support.
I spent the past two years walking door to door to meet the people of this parish, giving me the opportunity to speak to many people willing to share their concerns, fears, and hopes for improving public safety for all of Vermilion Parish. For those I may have missed, I left my campaign card with a phone number to call me if needed. My journey walking this parish has provided me with great and valuable insight as I continue to develop a comprehensive plan to bring noticeable improvements to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff”s Office and public safety.
Family history: I was born and raised in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, in the small town of Delcambre. I am the son of the late Noicy Langlinais and Verlie Veronie Langlinais of Delcambre. I have one brother, Tracy Langlinais, and a sister, Hope Langlinais Richard. I have been happily married to my best friend Lyndi Albert Langlinais for the last 38 years, and together, we have a daughter, DeLannie, and a son, Jeric. Lyndi and I are the proud grandparents to Trey, the son of DeLannie and Tren Delcambre.
Why I am Running For Sheriff: Growing up in a small community has made me appreciate the simple things in life. My faith in God, my love of family, and my commitment to public service has shaped my life and allowed me to become the person I am today. The people, the culture, and the simple way of life that we all enjoy here in Southwest Louisiana, is what I love most about Vermilion Parish. One of the many reasons I am running for Sheriff is to protect what is important to all of us; our family, those we love, our property and businesses, and our livelihoods. In summary, my job as Sheriff is to protect our way of life here in Vermilion Parish.
Having walked the entire parish for the last two years has allowed me to publicly put forth a comprehensive plan to address public safety and people’s concerns and fears regarding crime in Vermilion Parish. I have recognized the problems and have workable and effective solutions.
The decision to run for the office of Vermilion Parish Sheriff has been a lifelong career plan. My move to the federal law enforcement level was difficult, but necessary, enabling me to build a strong law enforcement resume. Federal law enforcement has allowed me an extensive record of real law enforcement experience from street-level operations through supervisory, leadership, and management roles. The experience gained from my time in federal law enforcement has provided me with a broad network of resources and contacts that are second to none. These benefits exclusive to my experience will be brought to the table on day one if elected Sheriff.

Career Summary Almost 40 Years of Real Law Enforcement Experience:

Sheriff’s Office: My experience working and supervising for three different Sheriff’s makes me the only candidate to understand the complex, multi-divisional office of today’s Sheriff’s office. Time spent in these Sheriff’s offices include working the streets in patrol, supervising patrol shifts, and working as an investigator. In addition, I managed a criminal investigative division, worked/led special operations and task forces, and served as an administrator/advisor leading special assignments and operations in the different Sheriff’s offices in which I worked.
• 1981-1983 Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy and patrol sergeant.
• 1984-1991 Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office. Supervisor in Criminal Patrol with the newly elected Sheriff of Vermilion Parish, Ray LeMaire. My work as a supervisor in patrol helped to bring a welcome transition into a new era of law enforcement for Vermilion Parish.
United Sates
Marshal Service:
• 1991-2015
After a 3-year hiring process, in October of 1991, I was one of two people from Louisiana offered a position with the United States Marshals. I accepted the rare opportunity to serve at
the highest level of law enforcement in our nation, the federal level. Although I knew it would be hard on myself and my family, taking us away from Vermilion Parish, I focused on the bigger picture. Accepting the position, I was reassured to know that the experience I would gain from a higher level of law enforcement would allow me to one day return home to utilize the valuable knowledge, education, and work experience to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming Sheriff of Vermilion Parish.
My 24-plus years with the United States Marshal Service allowed me the opportunity to rise to the ranks of supervisor and leadership roles providing me the chance to lead/supervise many operations leading to the apprehension of dangerous criminals nationwide, as well as in Vermilion Parish. As a Deputy United States Marshal, I worked on a fugitive task force that successfully targeted and arrested violent criminals including members of the most notorious gang in New Orleans history. My lengthy law enforcement service at the federal level enabled me to acquire a diverse and extensive portfolio of education, knowledge, skillsets, and significant contacts, all of which are valuable assets in my plans to transition the Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office into the future.
Return To The Sheriff’s Office
• 2019-2020 Iberia Parish Sheriff Office Rank of Captain. Managed, supervised, and led the Criminal Investigation Division to include detectives, narcotics, and evidence.
• 2020-2022 I returned to my home agency (VPSO) accepting a position with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Mike Couvillon to spearhead a new task force created to target violent felony crimes in Vermilion Parish. Effectively getting the new task force up and running, significant impacts were made on cases by utilizing my extensive background assembling resources and efforts from the local, state, and federal levels of law enforcement. Therefore, successfully changing the pursuit of some cases by identifying those meeting federal prosecution requirements, providing prosecution of some violent or career criminals receiving stiffer sentences and resulting in being off the streets for longer periods.
Leading the effort to bring Crime Stoppers to Vermilion Parish, I was able to establish a very useful tool in soliciting valuable information to gain leads and solve crimes. Although I resigned from my recent service at the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office to pursue my campaign full- time to become your Sheriff, I remain the spokesperson for Crime Stoppers of Vermilion Parish simply because I truly believe in the program and see firsthand the difference it makes.

Why Vote
For Eddie?

We live in a time where criminal behavior continues to increasingly threaten public safety, the safety of our loved ones, our property, and our peaceful way of life. Vermilion Parish is not immune to big-city crime. Working together with all our municipal police departments and local governments to address violent, high-crime areas is necessary, regardless of where they are happening. Unsolved murders are simply unacceptable. We must do better; we must never give up.
I am the candidate who has the background, education, and extensive and diverse portfolio of actual law enforcement experience enabling me to face all problems head-on with practical and effective solutions.
For over 2 1⁄2 years now I have been the candidate that has put forth and shared a comprehensive plan to improve public safety for all of Vermilion Parish. Encompassing many different pieces to improve upon public safety, my plan sends a clear and simple message to criminals threatening our peace and way of life... “You have three choices; become a law-abiding and productive Vermilion Parish citizen, move out of Vermilion Parish, or become a resident of the Vermilion Parish Jail.” My job as your Sheriff is to protect law-abiding citizens by being tough on criminals and bringing resolve to victims by taking criminals off the streets.

Closing Remarks: I encourage voters to compare the candidates in the Sheriff’s race and when doing so, ask yourself these questions:
• Which candidate is the most qualified and the most experienced to manage and lead a modern day, mufti-division complex law enforcement agency?
• Which candidate has worked in several ranks and positions of supervision, leadership, management, and administrative roles in their respective law enforcement career?
• Which candidate do you trust the most to be the Chief law enforcement officer for Vermilion Parish and in charge of public safety for you and your loved ones?
• Which candidate has been walking this parish door-to-door for over 2 years, actively listening to the concerns and fears about crime and public safety in Vermilion Parish and from that journey has developed a comprehensive plan with real and workable solutions rather than the same old political noise and promises from politicians?
• What is more important when choosing the Sheriff for Vermilion Parish, popularity, or the credentials to do the job when the job becomes difficult and dangerous?

Choosing the next Sheriff is critical and will shape law enforcement for Vermilion Parish for many years into the future. There has never been a better or more critical time for me to serve as your Sheriff. I pledge to serve everyone equally, as my duty as Sheriff will be to protect our way of life, livelihoods, property, and freedoms.

Eddie’s Plans For Vermilion Parish

If elected Sheriff, my plans for better public safety in Vermilion Parish and a better VPSO will always be an evolving plan that addresses crime trends, the public’s need for safety and the men and women who protect and serve within the office of Sheriff.
• Implementation of a parish-wide Real Time Crime Center.
• Increased Community Policing activities to further bridge the gap between law enforcement
and the community.
• Development of a Young Adult Explorer Program.
• Develop and expand the Autism Awareness Program.
• Working with the School Board and other government offices in identifying resources to place
a School Resource Officer in every Vermilion Parish School.
• Development of a Leadership Training Program to better train and identify supervisors
• Expand the Criminal Interdiction and K-9 programs.
• Increased utilization of state and federal resources for task forces and grant funding
• Establish department substations in different less populated areas of the parish.
• Offer firearm safety training and certification to the public.
• Introduce new offender work programs that benefit the public.
• Start a Citizens Academy intended to help educate the public on current issues in public safety whereas both sides benefit; the public has a better understanding of the issues facing law enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office gains valuable knowledge from the public’s viewpoint.
• Implementation of quality control programs to ensure professional public service.
• Work with municipal police departments and city officials to identify high crime areas and help develop targeted plans for crime prevention designed to deter criminal activity and solve crimes.
• Build upon the partnership with our local schools for more law enforcement presence while expanding crisis education, training, and intervention.
• Start an aggressive recruitment and hiring program on career days, showcasing the opportunities within the VPSO for those considering a long-term and rewarding career in law enforcement.
• Remain steadfast on proactive law enforcement across Vermilion Parish.

Please Vote #84
Eddie Langlinais For Sheriff
A Higher Level Of Law Enforcement.

Paid for by
Eddie Langlinais