St. Tammany Parish sees changes in its leadership as the council welcomes its newly appointed Chairwoman and Vice-Chairman for the year. In what appears to be a unanimous decision, the council members backed their colleagues, advancing District 6 Councilwoman Cheryl Tanner to the role of Chairwoman and District 1 Councilman Rick Smith to Vice-Chairman for 2026. The switch of power comes as members seek to carry on the progressive works initiated by their predecessors.
The official social media page for St. Tammany Parish announced, "Congratulations to District 6 Councilwoman Cheryl Tanner and District 1 Councilman Rick Smith who were elected as Chairwoman and Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council by their peers for 2026." This baton pass, although a routine administrative procedure, comes with the recognition that these roles are pivotal in steering the Parish’s agenda into a future filled with both promise and challenge.
The parish is not just heralding in new faces of leadership but also expressing gratitude to those who have laid down their mantles. District 7 Councilman Joe Impastato and District 13 Councilman Jeff Corbin, who served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2025, were given a communal nod of appreciation on the same social platform. It read, "Thank you to District 7 Councilman Joe Impastato and District 13 Councilman Jeff Corbin for your service to St. Tammany Parish as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2025."
Councilwoman Tanner and Councilman Smith step into roles with significant expectations. Their appointments signal a continuing direction and intent within the council's operations. Residents, witnessing these transitions, hope for a maintained momentum in the council's development strategies and administrative efficacy. The Parish, still in the flush of welcoming its 2026 leaders, waits to see the imprint Tanner and Smith will leave on the canvas of St. Tammany’s governance, according to the St. Tammany Parish.
