Conque to leave council

• By RICHARD BURGESS
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Jul 31, 2008 - Page: 1BA - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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LAFAYETTE — City-Parish Councilman Bruce Conque is resigning Oct. 1 to take a marketing and public affairs position at the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.

Conque, who made the announcement Wednesday, said he expects the time commitment of his new job would detract from his work on the council.

Conque is in the first year of his second term representing District 6 and said he would not have sought re-election had he anticipated the chamber job.

“I was not looking. It just kind of happened,” Conque said. “I guess that’s the only regret I would have is the timing.”

The chamber is hiring Conque as vice president of marketing and public affairs, a position that will call on his experience on the council as well as his professional experience as an independent consultant in marketing, advertising and public relations.

Conque will be handling the chamber’s internal and external communications and working with local governments in the Acadiana region.

“His experience and contacts will add vigor to the implementation of our strategic plan,” chamber President Rob Guidry said in a written statement.

Conque was the only veteran councilman to return this year.

He said he plans to keep his seat through Oct. 1 to help guide the eight new councilmen through the budget process in the coming weeks.

“It will be business as usual for the next couple of months,” City-Parish Council Chairman Don Bertrand said.

The council is required to fill Conque’s seat within 15 days after he steps down. The replacement will serve until a special election next year.

Bertrand said qualifying for the seat will open Feb. 11, with a primary election set for April 4 and a run-off, if needed, on May 2.

The person chosen by the council to fill Conque’s seat is prohibited from running for the office.