3 more directors hired in parish administration

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph’s nine-department administration is nearly refilled; however, the finance director’s slot is still vacant.

“I feel that the major concern applicants are having is the stability of the position,” Randolph said. “People have realized that within two weeks, if the council is not happy with their performance, they can be terminated. A person with steady employment isn’t going to risk being unemployed.”

The parish council did approve three director appointments last week.

Randolph’s pick for a Public Works’ director, Ronnie Robichaux, was approved at last week’s parish council meeting. The job pays $60,000 annually.

“The parish doesn’t have an competitive salary for this position, so I am glad that we have someone that was willing to take what we could offer at this time,” said Councilman Daniel Lorraine.

In competing parishes, the salary for a public works director is as much as $100,000, he said.

Robichaux has an extensive background in engineering, which will also eliminate the parish’s search for an engineer. He holds a degree in industrial engineering and industrial vocation education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a former welding inspector.

“With his experience and knowledge, there are a lot of things that he can do to help this parish,” said Councilman Lindel Toups.

Robichaux, who spent 25 years in the construction business, told the council prior to the vote on his nomination, “There’s a lot of work to be done, so let’s get started.”

The incoming director has three field foreman slots under his supervision, and Randolph has created another assisting deputy director post. This job is similar to the parish administrator’s position under Randolph.

Donna Toups, a longtime parish employee who joined the parish government’s finance department in 1995, was tapped for the job.

In 2002, Toups was transferred to the public works department, where she served as the purchasing backup person. The parish appointed her an executive assistant and accountant in 2004.

Toups said she assisted with processing work orders and complaints, as well as verified time sheets and helped to prepare the public works budget.

Randolph said her job is seamless because she does have the knowledge and the capabilities to handle the deputy director’s position.

However, Councilman L. Philip Gouaux strongly opposed Toups’ appointment, stating that the parish simply can’t afford to add a new position with vacancies in the worker’s barns. He also said Toups lacked the skills needed to be next in line for the director’s position.

“I think she desires a raise, but not that position because it’s (sic) no needs for it,” Gouaux said. “I would much rather it go into the hourly wages of the people we hire so that we can fill the vacancy at most of the barns.”

“With the prior DPW director, we only had three field foreman, and we got things done,” he added. “Lafourche needs to be thinking about being a more competitive parish for its present workers than focusing on adding all these management positions.”

At an annual salary of $41,642, the council hired Toups by a vote of 8-1. Gouaux voted against the hire.

The council also approved the hire of Donna Adams as Human Resource director. Her annual salary is $42,500. A former parish government employee, Adams most recently served as assistant Human Resources director at Nicholls State University.

“I started out with the parish years ago, and I want to finish my career with the parish,” Adams told the council.

Without stating a reason, Councilmen Joe Fertitta and Gouaux voted against the appointment.

Thomas Turner was unanimously appointed Community Service director. The former H.L. Bourgeois High School assistant principal has spent most of his professional career as a school administrator in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.

At an annual salary of $42,500, he said, “I decided to take this position because I want to make an impact on the community.”