By CHRISSY SMITH
Slidell news bureau
PEARL RIVER – J.J. Jennings and Matthew McQueen led the balloting for police chief of Pearl River on Tuesday, making the runoff by finishing in the top two spots.
Jennings received 367 votes for 36 percent, while McQueen received 216 votes for 21 percent.
Coming in third was Ed Haisch with 20 percent on 200 votes, taking fourth was Mark Barrios with 19 percent on 192 votes, and finishing in fifth was Eddie Lagman with four percent on 37 votes.
“I want to thank everyone for their support during this campaign,” Jennings said. “I am the only candidate with 25 years in law enforcement, and I have experience in maintaining the budget. My promise is, ‘I will always be there for you,’ no matter if it is day or night.”
McQueen said he wants his town to be safe.
“I don’t just want to be a Police Chief, I want to ensure the public safety of my home town,” McQueen said. “I plan on applying a strict test to all budget items to make sure that no tax dollars are wasted, and I intend on utilizing targeted patrol plans and personally patrolling Pearl River.”
Barrios said he wishes the best for both Jennings and McQueen.
“I had a great time during this campaign and I’ve had a great career in law enforcement,” Barrios said. “I congratulate the candidates who have advanced to the runoff, and I am confident that whichever of them ultimately prevails will hold the Pearl River Police Department to the honest, hard-working values it was founded on. I will continue to work for the safety of the community, and hope to return to serve the people of Pearl River.”
The runoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.