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After hours of deadlocked votes, Council elects Rick Smith vice chair in late-night shift
Summary
Following more than a dozen tie tallies and failed attempts to reopen nominations, the St. Tammany Parish Council elected Rick Smith as vice chair by a late verbal vote after a prolonged debate over procedure and whether to postpone or open the floor.
After repeated 7–7 tie votes and a night of procedural maneuvers, the St. Tammany Parish Council elected Councilman Rick Smith as vice chair in a late-night voice vote.
Background: The council repeatedly deadlocked between Rick Smith and Councilwoman Maureen O’Brien for the vice chair position. Several attempts to reopen nominations failed, and members debated the legal implications of postponing the vote under the parish Home Rule Charter. Public commenters expressed frustration at the stalemate; one attendee said, “When are you gonna start respecting us?” and urged the council to make a…
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