Retired teacher seeking council seat

Lafourche taking steps to stop wetlands loss
September 9, 2015
Lens program focuses on safety message
September 9, 2015
Lafourche taking steps to stop wetlands loss
September 9, 2015
Lens program focuses on safety message
September 9, 2015

A retired Terrebonne Parish educator announced his candidacy for Terrebonne Parish Council District 6.

Clyde F. Hamner said, if elected, he would focus heavily on various issues concerning the parish’s economy, road and drainage infrastructure, coastal restoration and levee projects.

Hamner worked as a teacher and administrator in Terrebonne Parish School District for 33 years and writes that his retirement affords him the opportunity to be a full time councilman.


Many of the current councilmembers have full-time jobs other than serving on the council, which only pays a little over $12,000 stipend.

Hamner writes that he intends to aid the development of small businesses with the intent of diversifying the local economy so that it is less reliant on the oil and natural gas industry, which is vulnerable to the market price of a barrel of oil.

“We need to expand our tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and retail industries to create a stable dollar,” Hamner said. “To do this, we must make it easier for local business to expand.”


Hamner said the parish needs less “restrictive regulation” and a simplified business permitting process so that businesses are encouraged to build.

“Deregulation will lead to expansion, expansion will bring diversification, diversification will create a stable dollar, and the stable dollar will bring jobs,” he said.

Hamner vowed pursue extending Valhi Boulevard all the way to U.S. Highway 90 in order to alleviate traffic congestion on La. Highway 311.


Parts of District 6 encounter drainage problems because of clogged ditches, and proposed dedicated crews to clear ditches parish-wide year round, Hamner said.

Hamner said he will work to make the Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledge levees built by the parish in their flood maps in order to lower flood insurance rates.

Another focus of his would be to work to offer Houma police and firefighters a “livable salary.”


“We can have the best roads and drainage system, but without police and fire protection our safety and our infrastructure are at jeopardy,” Hamner said.

Another priority is expanding services for the elderly and handicapped.

He said the Terrebonne Parish Council on Aging does a good job, but that similar services need to be expanded to disabled residents and those who cannot leave their homes because of illness. He said these people need to be identified and included in the parish emergency plans. He also said that facilities offering activities for them so that they have the opportunity to socialize with others and offering transportation should be implemented.


Hamner has two bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration.

He holds a master’s degree with honors plus 30.

Hamner also served for 16 years on the Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana, which manages $17 billion dollars in assets.


District 6 includes many of Houma’s newer subdivisions, running along Little Bayou Black Drive, Bull Run Road and areas near Gibson.

A primary will be held Oct. 24. If no candidate garners 50 percent of the vote plus one, a runoff will be held Nov. 21.