Architect dodges firing; Lafourche council votes to keep JBC contracts

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s North Hospital project complete
October 20, 2006
Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s North Hospital project complete
October 20, 2006

An architect under contract with the Lafourche Parish Government for construction of several parish libraries and health units survived a possible firing by the parish council last week.


After an executive session to discuss the professional competence of Joseph Caillouet of JBC Architect/Joseph B. Caillouet, AIA, the council voted 4-5 on two separate ordinances that would have terminated his contract concerning library projects and health units.


Councilmen Tommy Lasseigne, Mark Atzenhoffer, Brent Callais, and Daniel Lorraine voted in favor of terminating the contracts.

Atzenhoffer, who put the ordinances on the agenda and has been the most vocal critic of Caillouet’s work, said he is disappointed that Caillouet is delinquent in nearly all of his projects.


“It is his job to fulfill his contract,” Atzenhoffer said in a phone interview. “And if I feel he is not fulfilling his contact I will bring it up, and that goes for any engineer or architect.”


Lorraine said he has become frustrated with the architect’s repeated incidences of approving change orders on projects without getting approval from the council.

The council approved the ordinance to let Caillouet continue working, with several members of the majority repeating the sentiment, “Let the man finish his job.”


Councilman Tyrone Williams, who voted in the majority, became unruly during discussion of the ordinance saying he did not have time to find another architect to build a library in his district.


“I have one year left on my term,” he shouted. “I want a library. It is the number one thing I need to do.”

Projects that Calliouet is currently working on include libraries in Galliano, Chackbay, Raceland, Bayou Blue, Lockport and Larose, and the Thibodaux Health Unit.

Library Board Director Beverly Arabie said work at all library sites are behind schedule.

“There was a question as to what was the actual completion dates were because of a question about the actual commencement date,” Arabie said. “But from what we were given, all of the projects are behind.”

The parish can fine contractors who are delinquent on projects. Fines are accrued by the day and can be deducted from payment. According to Atzenhoffer, work on Chackbay library is more than two months behind the completion date, which carries a fine of around $92,000.

However, work on the Lockport and Larose libraries has been held up because of the council’s questioning of Caillouet, Arabie said. Last week, Arabie said the Galliano library would be opened to the public on Monday, but with several parts unfinished, a grand opening cannot be held until a later date.

Arabie did not want to comment on the professionalism of Calliouet’s work.

Thibodaux Health Unit Director Ron Folse said he is “completely satisfied” with Calliouet’s work and renovations to the health unit are 90 percent completed.

Repeated calls by the Tri-Parish Times to Caillouet’s office went unreturned as of press time.

Justin Martin can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or justin@tri-parishtimes.com