Election Day is this Saturday, April 29.
One big issue to watch is the proposed renewal of the St. Tammany Coroner’s Millage.
Dr. Charles Preston reminds voters that as a part of the Judicial Branch of government they are not just about death investigation, but rather serve as a multifaceted public safety agency that includes the community’s DNA Lab, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program, Chaplain Corps, Mental Health Initiatives, Forensic Pathology Services, Veterans Affairs Division, Life Safety Initiatives and Community Service Program.
He said the DNA lab operates exclusively for the Coroner’s office and law enforcement agencies in St. Tammany Parish. The local DNA lab does not currently provide testing for out-of- parish agencies.
Preston said if the millage is renewed all services will continue as normal. He said if the millage renewal proposal fails, St. Tammany Parish Government will be responsible for funding the Coroner’s Office, just like it is responsible for the funding of the DA’s office, the Justice Complex, the Parish Jail, public health programs, which it is currently unable to do because of parish budget shortfalls due to failure of prior millage renewals. He said if the millage is not renewed there will likely be a loss of services and a reduction in public safety.
