Guidroz, Taylor ready to move on, sort of

St. Landry Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz and DA Earl Taylor both want to put the just-concluded campaign for Taylor’s post behind them, but they took different approaches in statements Thursday.
Guidroz, who supported Taylor’s opponent Ellis Daigle, extended a hand to Taylor, at the same time saying some of the three-term DA’s policies need review.
Taylor countered that it’s time to put the campaign and what he called falsehoods and rhetoric aside and move on to benefit all citizens, no matter which candidate they voted for.
Guidroz’s statement:
“Six years ago, Earl Taylor told me and several others that he was retiring and that we should start looking for a candidate to run for District Attorney. Many of us took Mr. Taylor for his word and committed verbally and politically to then Judge Ellis Daigle. In this recent election, 59% of the people voting in St. Landry Parish have spoken and Mr. Taylor was re-elected.“
“It is my responsibility, as Sheriff, to recognize the people’s voice, and to respect the results of the message that our voters have delivered. My personal involvement in the election process of our Parish has always been motivated by my dedication to professional law enforcement, committed to a higher standard, driven by my sincere belief in our Constitution and our God given rights as Americans.”
“So, it is with this spirit that I come before the people of St. Landry Parish, the people that I have sworn to serve and protect, to deliver my own message of unity, mutual respect, and a vision towards the future.”
“It is true, in his victory speech to his supporters and the public on election night, Mr. Taylor said that I should “run my office and allow him to run his”. His message was clear to me… the trust has been extended to our District Attorney and he was the majority’s choice to lead the 27th Judicial team of prosecutors. However, there was another, equally significant message delivered during this election, a message delivered by 13000 citizens and the Sheriff, who also spoke on election day, and that message also needs to be heard, and equally respected.”
“The message stated that some current policies and procedures of the District Attorney’s office should be reviewed. The message stated that when a criminal is properly arrested in St. Landry Parish and charged with a serious crime of drugs or violence, the prosecution of that criminal should be pursued just as judiciously as the arrest was. The old process of plea bargaining and other programs that end up allowing criminals to escape justice should be adjusted, replaced with a stronger, more aggressive prosecution effort. That message… equally as clear as the trust that has been extended to Earl Taylor… was also delivered on election day.“
“So, it is with all due respect for the office rightfully held by District Attorney Earl Taylor, that I extend my hand in partnership and unity, towards the shared goal of professional, effective law enforcement. When Earl is ready, I will meet with him at his convenience, to shake hands and move forward as elected servants of the people. The election is behind us, the people have delivered clear messages, and our future is before us.“
Taylor’s statement:
“The campaign is over. I’m at work, running my own office, and concentrating on strategies to address the challenges we face in our changing society. I urge the sheriff to put the election, with its false allegations and campaign rhetoric behind him and to work with me to make our parish even safer for all hard-working, law-abiding citizens, no matter for whom they voted.”