JONESVILLE, La. — Roosevelt Savage said Saturday that he had wanted to be Sicily Island’s next police chief &uot;because I thought I&160;would be an asset to the community.&uot; On Thursday, however, the Catahoula Parish village’s Board of Aldermen voted 2-1 to appoint William Eugene Coley, a Natchez native who now lives in Kentucky, for the post.

Opinions of those who attended Thursday’s meeting were split regarding the appointment, which was made following a telephone interview with Coley but without town officials having seen him face to face.

Still, it seems that Savage, a Jonesville resident who retired from the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office after more than 23 years of service, is not holding any grudges.

&uot;They wouldn’t have selected (Coley) unless they thought he would be good for the town,&uot;&160;Savage said.

Savage said he wrote a letter inquiring about the position earlier this month after he heard about the job opening from friends.

However, Mayor Anne Wycoff received the letter Sept. 11 — three days after the deadline for applications.

&uot;She called me and told me that she had received my letter, but that she had discontinued taking applications that Friday,&uot; Savage said.

He added that he thought his experience with the Sheriff’s Office, as well as experience with the ambulance service American Medical Response, would have been an asset to the Village of Sicily Island.

&uot;Plus, I&160;know people in that area and wanted to do something to help that community,&uot;&160;Savage said.

But as far as Coley is concerned, Savage added, &uot;I wish him good luck.&uot;

Eddie Newman, who served as Ferriday’s police chief for four years until new Police Chief Bobby Sheppard took over July 1, is not currently working and also applied for the Sicily Island job.

But Newman said Saturday that he had no comment about the Board of Aldermen’s choice. &uot;I didn’t even know he had been selected,&uot; Newman said, adding that he does not know Coley.

Coley’s career has included about two years of service as police chief of Meadville.