Darrel LeJeune / The Basile Weekly
In 108 years of incorporation, Basile has had 28 mayors. Most were elected by a vote of the people. A few were appointed by a vote of the town council to serve out unexpired terms. Notably, four of the mayors served more than one nonconsecutive term. Nine mayors failed to complete a given term with several serving only a few months as acting mayors.
Present mayor Mark Denette recently had a sign commissioned and erected on property that he owns on Stagg Avenue (Main Street) next to the Basile branch of the Evangeline Parish Library. The sign lists all of the community’s mayors from its incorporation in 1911 until now along with the year that each began serving as mayor.
Denette issued the following statement in reference to the sign:
“I would like to present to the citizens of Basile, the new sign located on Stagg Avenue, next to the library. This sign lists all of the past mayors of Basile. I worked with Mr. Darrel Lejeune for a few months to help determine who were our mayors throughout the years. The sign was then designed, and our family has dedicated it to the memory of my dad, Ronald “Ronnie” Denette, who served on the town council for 18 years.
“I felt that the citizens of our town would appreciate this little piece of Basile history, while having my dad’s memory being a part of it. I would like to say thank you to Mr. LeJeune and Ms. Faye at Bourque Signs for their time and input. It is greatly appreciated.”