The Lake Arthur Board of Alderman bid farewell Wednesday to Mayor Sherry Crochet and four outgoing board members.

Crochet presented each of the outgoing board members — Auldon Robinson, Roberta Palermo and David Hanks — with plaques and a cake in appreciation for their years of service to the town. Crochet was also presented with a plaque to thank her for her 12 years of service to the town as mayor, mayor pro tem and alderwoman.

Hanks, who served 36 years on the board, said it has been a “heck of a ride.”

“We had a lot of positive things over the year and we’ve had negative things, but we learned from our mistakes and kept moving forward,” Hanks said. “It was my pleasure to serve.”

Robinson has served six-and-a-half years on the board after filling a seat left open with the death of then-alderman Eric Turner in 2017, said it is time for someone else to take the reins.

“It’s not saying goodbye because I am still actively involved in the community,” Robinson said. “But I am more than grateful to have served. I think this is something that most people who have taken an interest in their community, should try to do.”

He also thanked Crochet for her handwork and dedication and wished the new administration well.

“I am very, very happy to say that I believe we have one of the greatest staff of people, along with the mayor and the new council that will take over at the first of the year,” he continued. “I believe they are  just going to go forward and really do some great things.”

Palermo, who became alderwoman following the death of her husband alderman Bobby, said it was an honor to serve the two for the last three years, but it was time for who has more time and knowledge about what needs to be done to serve.

Crochet, who served six-and-a-half years as an alderwoman and mayor pro team and five-and-a-half years as mayor, said it was a calling from God to serve.

“I never had any desire to run for council one day,” she said. “That was never in my thoughts. I never thought I wanted to run for council one day. It was never in my thoughts, but it was in his will.”

Crochet said she has worked as a full-time mayor in a part-time position. She said she looks forward to traveling, spending time with her husband and do humanitarian work for others.

New mayor Sampson “Poncho” Lejeune and newly elected board members Debbie Abshire-Sonnier, Duke Broussard Il, Corey Conner and Mahlon LeBlanc will be sworn in in January for the new term, along with returning alderman Ricky Monceau.