Two constables, one justice of peace elected in runoffs

One justice of the peace and two constable candidates emerged victorious Tuesday night in runoff races for seats that handle litter violations and minor civil disputes.

In Ward 1, along the Covington/Folsom line north off U.S. Highway 190, Justice of the Peace candidate Chuck Wohltmann, a Republican from Covington, barely eked out a win over Pat Gottschalck Dedon, a Republican from Folsom.

Wohltmann earned 51.8 percent of the vote, or 3,867 to 3,594 votes, according to preliminary results from the Louisiana Secretary of State office.

Justice of the Peace officers typically rule on small civil matters less than $5,000 and other minor litigation such as litter violations. Meanwhile, a constable, a position started by kings and province rulers in the 1800s, enforces those orders and investigates litter complaints.

John Thomas Mathies III, a former member of the Folsom Board of Aldermen, knows the history all too well. He’s studied it for months leading up to his win Tuesday night for constable in Ward 2 constable, he said. He calls the position “a watchman” for the people.

Mathies, a Folsom Republican, defeated opponent Gregory Byers with 59.4 percent of the vote, or 2,970 to 2,026 votes, according to the results.

“I want to thank Ward 2 for believing in me, for putting trust in me. A constable is a constant watchman, and I’ll be out there working and watching for you. Now that I’m elected I’m not going to stop shaking hands with everybody. You’ll still see me,” Mathies said.

For constable in Ward 4, incumbent Eddie Schmidt, a Republican, took a commanding lead over Republican Darryl Taylor and never slowed down Tuesday. By nights end he sealed a victory, winning with 59 percent of the vote, or 13,179 votes to 9,042, according to the results.

A sales representative for Safway Scaffold, Schmidt, 46, has held the constable seat for the past 12 years and is focused on keeping his district’s neighborhood safe, he said.