Fussell new District 1 Justice of Peace by Stanley Nelson - posted Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 @ 12:32 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Benja R. Fussell of Lake St. John became the District 1 Justice of the Peace on Friday, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Election Division. Justin Conner -- who previously held the post, resigned and then qualified for the office in August -- withdrew from the race last week. The election was slated for Nov. 6. According to a spokesperson with the Secretary of State's office, Conner's withdrawal became official on Friday, days after the Louisiana Board of Ethics filed papers challenging his candidacy. Fussell, as the only other candidate, is now the District 1 JP. He said Monday that he looked forward to serving. Retired from the Plaquemines Parish school system after 36 years, Fussell said he worked as a bus driver, teacher, principal and finance director. His wife, Nancy, is teaching in Natchez. Fussell said their two daughters still live in the Plaquemines area and both survived Hurricane Isaac. "They're okay," he said. Fussell said he and his wife have lived on Lake St. John for three years but have owned property there for about 20 years. The Ethics Board reported that Conner owes $2,116.87 in unpaid fines, late fees and interest for not filing campaign finance disclosure reports during his unsuccessful bid for Clerk of Court four years ago. For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition!