Mayor Buddy Bel Dies

Amite Mayor Buddy Bel died Sunday afternoon following a fall last week. The longtime civil servant was beginning the final year of his second term in office at the time of his death. A longtime Amite businessman, Bel owned and operated the Amite landmark “Cabby’s Restaurant” with his wife Claire. Bel became a Tangipahoa Parish School Board member, then served on the Amite Town Council, before running for Mayor of Amite. Bel won and served seven years in the post. Funeral services later this week will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Amite.