Greg Route of Franklinton is announcing his candidacy for re-election to the District 6, Washington Parish Council seat.

Route has previously served as chairman and vice chairman of the council, as well as chairman of the roads committee. He has also served on the infrastructure, personnel, health unit and landfill committees.

He has authorized more than 1,800 culverts to be put down in his district, authorized the paving of more than 50 roads, and has authorized grants to be written each year to do even more. Route was elected to the council seven and a half years ago when it had no money to operate, but now the council has a surplus budget, he said.

Route is the husband of Emma “Lois” Route, a retired educator, and the son of the late Clarence Route Sr. and the late Gladys Magee Route. He is the father of two children, and also has two grandchildren. He is a graduate of Franklinton High School and has a bachelor of science degree from Grambling State University.

Route was formerly employed at the Bogalusa Box Plant and Riverside Medical Center. He is now employed by International Paper.

Route is a senior deacon and assistant superintendent of Sunday school at the Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Mallery Callahan Sr. is pastor. He is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Franklinton and a lifetime member of the National Grambling State University Alumni Association.

Route is a former alderman for the town of Franklinton, a former volunteer firefighter for Franklinton, and a former Little League coach and team sponsor.

Route pointed to a number of his accomplishments while in office. He is serving his second term.

He noted that he has helped to approve the building of a new health unit, re-located the Quad Area Office to the parish seat, and helped push to repair the Harvey Road Bridge.

He added that he has not missed a parish council meeting in his two terms of office, and has always tried to be available and aware of parish problems and the concerns of the citizens.