State senator plans to run for assessor

State Sen. Willie Mount is pursuing a new career – as the Calcasieu Parish tax assessor. The term-limited Louisiana senator recently announced her intention to run for the post. The position becomes vacant next month when current assessor Richard Cole’s resignation becomes official. Cole is stepping down effective Jan. 15, after an audit alleged he used the tax assessor’s credit card to charge more than $48,000 in personal purchases during a 26-month period that ended in June of this year. Cole has been indicted on two felony counts of malfeasance and faces a May 16 trial. “I am finishing my Senate term in the beginning of ‘12, and it gives me an opportunity to continue to serve the public,” Mount told The American Press. “I’ve been a small-business owner, even sold real estate for a number of years, and have my real estate license. I’ve been a mayor of a city, and now serving the people of Calcasieu Parish as state senator, this being my third and last term. So, it gives me an opportunity not to be on the road so much as I have been when serving in Baton Rouge, and continuing to work with people and serve the public.” Qualifying takes place Sept. 6-8; the election is Oct. 22. Chief Deputy Tax Assessor Wendy Aguillard is serving as interim.