2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 114
BY SENATOR JOHN SMITH
A RESOLUTION
To commend James A. Johnson, former Vernon Parish Assessor, upon the occasion of his
retirement as assessor after nearly forty years of dedicated service in the assessor's
office.
WHEREAS, in 2015, James Johnson, Vernon Parish Assessor, chose not to seek
re-election to a fourth term as assessor thus ending his dedicated service to the people of the
parish; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson began work at the assessor's office in the mid-1970s and
his career was one of commitment and improving the office in order to better the service to
the people of Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, James Johnson worked at the assessor's office under the two assessors
who preceded his own service, Lucille G. Cavanaugh and Eugene W. Cavanaugh, and
following Mr. Cavanaugh stepping down, Johnson was elected to that post three times; and
WHEREAS, directly prior to his being selected as assessor, Mr. Johnson served as
deputy assessor; and
WHEREAS, Johnson considered it an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of
Vernon Parish and he was humbled by their trust in him to perform the duties of assessor
without favoritism or prejudice; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as assessor, James Johnson worked diligently to assist
the people of his parish and he brought a broad range of improvements, particularly,
technological advancements to the office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson stated that he enjoyed serving the people of Vernon Parish
and was gratified that he was elected to the office of assessor three times; and
WHEREAS, a parish tax assessor is responsible for appraising real estate, which is
determining the market value of the property, and assessing a tax on those properties within
the parish, and Mr. Johnson maintained a good rapport with the citizens whose properties
he assessed; and
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WHEREAS, James Johnson was a member of the Louisiana Assessors' Association
and he served on the board of trustees of the assessors' retirement fund and on the
association's retirement fund benefit plan committee; and
WHEREAS, James Johnson graduated from Pitkin High School, where he and his
wife both attended, and studied at Louisiana State University before returning to his Vernon
Parish roots to become a public servant; and
WHEREAS, James and his wife, Landa, raised their son and are now greatly
enjoying spending time with their two granddaughters, Hadlee Kae and Jaylee Mae Johnson;
and
WHEREAS, a feeling of satisfaction with having served the people of his parish well
and his desire to spend more time with his family and grandchildren were the primary
motivating factors for James A. Johnson's decision to end his career as Vernon Parish
Assessor.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend James A. Johnson, former Vernon Parish Assessor, upon the occasion
of his retirement as assessor after nearly forty years of dedicated service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
James A. Johnson.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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