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VIDALIA, La. — Though some members supported a call to “leave things the same,” the Concordia Parish Police Jury elected a new president and vice president to kick off the first meeting of 2025.

Cornell Lewis, recently elected for the District 3 Place B seat, is the new president. Lewis served his first year on the Police Jury in 2024 after defeating Scottie Whittington in a November 2023 election.

Lewis previously served the parish on the Concordia sewer board.

Lewis defeated the previous Police Jury President Collin Edwards — who is now serving his second term in the District 5 Place A seat — in a roll call vote during Monday’s regular meeting.

Lewis was nominated for president on Monday by Maurice Bachus Sr.

Edwards was nominated by Red Tiffee, who in his motion said he wanted to “leave things the same as they are.” Genesia Allen, now serving her second term in the District 4 Place A seat, nominated herself.

Initially, Edwards and Lewis tied for the position as each received four votes and Allen voted for herself. Bachus, Kenny Simpson, Lewis and Kale Davis voted for Lewis while Wilbert Washington, Adam Probst, Edwards and Tiffee voted for Edwards. In a second roll call, Allen changed her vote to Lewis, who then won by a 5 to 4 vote.

Allen then defeated Probst for the role of vice president with a 6 to 3 vote. Probst, who served as vice president in 2024, was first elected in 2016 and is now serving his third term. Allen was nominated by Lewis for vice president and Probst was nominated by Tiffee.

Bachus, Washington, Simpson, Lewis, Allen and Davis all voted for Allen for while Probst, Edwards and Tiffee voted for Probst.

“I appreciate everyone who nominated and voted for me,” Lewis said. “As the Police Jury, we all respect each other’s decisions and we’re all here to achieve one objective. That is to serve the people of Concordia Parish. To President Collin, I appreciate everything you’ve done in serving and know that we can work together to keep things going.”

In other matters, the Police Jury unanimously approved the request of Vidalia Beautification Committee President Cassandra Lynch to place a new flag pole at the old and historic parish courthouse on Carter Street. The new flag and flag pole will stand taller than the existing one, which doesn’t have a flag and is hidden underneath massive oak trees, Lynch said.

The Vidalia Board of Aldermen has already approved the funds for purchasing the flag and flag pole.
“That is the perfect location coming and going to and from Natchez covered by gorgeous oak trees. All we need is the location and y’all have it,” Lynch said. “It’s time for the Vidalia and the Police Jury to get on the same playing field.”