4 Gonzales City Council members facing challenges

GONZALES — Four members of the Gonzales City Council are being challenged in their bids for re-election.

Kirk Boudreaux was re-elected to the council without opposition. However, Kenny Matassa, Joe Waguespack, Terance Irvin and John Cagnolatti all will be on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election. Early voting begins Tuesday and will continue through Oct. 30.

Matassa, a 62-year-old Democrat, has been on the council for 16 years. A resident of Gonzales since 1976, Matassa is the director of the Health and Utilities Department for Ascension Parish government. His opponent, 34-year-old Democrat Willie Robinson, is a real estate broker who said he was running for the council to invest in the next generation of Gonzales.

Waguespack, 65, is the senior member on the council with 28 years of experience and serves as mayor pro temp. He retired earlier this year after spending 18 years with Louisiana Farm Bureau. Timothy Vessel Sr., 46, is Waguespack’s Democratic challenger.

Claston Bernard, a 33-year-old Democrat, is challenging Irvin in Division D, which was designated by a 1992 ordinance as a “black minority district.” Bernard, a former LSU track athlete and member of Jamaica’s Olympic team, owns a home inspection business, while Irvin, 46, an environmental supervisor for Ascension Parish government, is seeking his fourth term.

Cagnolatti, 64, who along with Waguespack is one of only two Republicans seeking seats on the council, has been challenged by Democrat Gary Lacombe.

One of the junior members of the council, Cagnolatti has worked in marketing and business development in Baton Rouge and Ascension Parish. Lacombe, 54, is the communications manager for Shell Chemical’s Geismar plant.