New commissioners mark complete overhaul for Avondale Estates board
Avondale Estates swore in new commissioners Lisa Shortell and Lionel Laratte Monday, marking a complete turnover of the five-person board since March 2015.
Brian Fisher, beginning his third year as commissioner, was elected mayor pro tem by fellow board members.
Shortell has lived in Avondale since 1989 and, in her words, is a longtime city “advocate” and regular attendee of the city’s many board and commission meetings. Several years ago she also help start up Second Century Avondale, which she describes as “advocating for a vision-driven development and well-designed, walkable downtown … [with] sidewalks, better street crossing, parks and a town plaza.”
Raised in Haiti, Laratte moved to Avondale Estates in 2009, and is most likely the city’s first African-American commissioner.
Shortell won her seat handily with 30 percent of the vote from among eight candidates during the Nov. 7 election. Laratte edged out veteran resident Candace Jones by 10 votes.
Both take office during a critical time for the commission and city. The 2018 budget still hasn’t been approved, and the commission now faces the arduous process of finding a new city manager to replace Clai Brown, whose last day is Feb. 16.
