Local resident Barney Doise will fill the councilman-at-large seat vacated last week following the death of C.J. Fontenot until a permanent replacement can be chosen in an election this fall.

The Town Council met in special session on Thursday to make the appointment after formally declaring the vacancy on Monday.

Councilwoman Angie Van Norman nominated Doise. The motion was seconded by Councilman Chris Fontenot.

“I think Mr. Barney would be a perfect appointment for Mr. C.J.’s spot because he is very civic minded,” Van Norman said of the nomination. “Everybody knows him and he’s going to do a good job and make the right decisions and go with his convictions.”

Voting for Doise were council members Maria DeWees, Fontenot and Van Norman. Councilwoman Latoya Tunwar was absent.

Doise is a retired court bailiff for the 33rd Judicial District Court in Allen Parish and a retired welder for Conoco. He is native of Elton, but has lived in Kinder since the age of 21.

After the meeting, Doise said he is looking forward to serving on the council.

“Whatever I can do to help the people and whatever I can to help the council with, I am here,” he said. “Mr. C.J. was a dear friend and it is a great pleasure to take his place.”

Mayor Wayland LaFargue said Doise will be a “good fit” for the council.

“He is a lifelong citizen and a veteran, who has always been available for the citizens of Kinder,” LaFargue said.

The election for the council-at-large seat will be Nov. 8 along with the regularly scheduled elections for Kinder’s mayor and town council. Qualifying for the seat will be July 20-22.

Fontenot, 77, was serving his third term as councilman-at-large on the Town Council after first being elected in 2010. He was serving as park commissioner at the time of his death and had previously served as drainage commissioner.