Emily Dufrene
November 19, 2010Don’t drink and drive this holiday season
November 23, 2010
Forty months into his first-ever public sector job, Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet confirmed plans to seek reelection.
During an exclusive interview with the Tri-Parish Times, the top executive of local government was asked directly if he would pursue a second term. “I intend to,” he said.
“What has happened is this,” Claudet said to explain his motivation. “It is my belief that projects in the past have maybe floundered because people don’t push them. You need somebody to push,” he said during a conversation focused on accomplishments, challenges and expectations for his administration and the parish.
“I want to continue projects that need to get done. I want those levees to be constructed. I want those roads to be completed. I think we can get it all done and when we do you are going to see a Terrebonne Parish that not only are you proud of, but is sustainable for the future,” Claudet said.
The parish president noted extensive infrastructure activity and set the stage for more diverse economic development as his current priorities.
He listed benefits from the recent completion of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel next to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, plans for the construction of a cold storage facility and ongoing efforts to build a levee system that not only offers flood control but hurricane protection as being the high points during the past year for his administration.
Yet, conditions have not always appeared as optimistic for the certified public accountant, trial lawyer and businessman-turned-government leader.
On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, bringing global attention to the damage suffered in southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. Then, on Sept. 23, 2005, Hurricane Rita delivered a one-two punch when it made landfall at the Louisiana/Texas border.
Early in Claudet’s term n only six months after he entered office n and as the state’s recovery efforts from earlier natural disasters continued, Terrebonne Parish took the direct hit from Hurricane Gustav on Sept. 1, 2008.
Eight days later, Hurricane Ike’s outer bands flooded the lower reaches of the parish. Terrebonne was in a crisis.
Claudet’s emergency management office fell under scandal and attack, members of his administration left their jobs, and the parish head was himself accused of being unprepared for government management and in over his head.
On Nov. 5, 2008, a petition was started by resident Byron Bunn as an effort to recall Claudet from office. In time, the petition drive lost steam, recovery efforts began and conditions appeared to improve for Terrebonne Parish.
Then came April 20 and the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. Eleven workers were killed, dozens more were injured and the largest oil spill in U.S. history spread to the nearby Louisiana coast.
President Obama issued a moratorium on deepwater drilling and permits for other offshore oil and gas production efforts became difficult to secure.
Up until that point, Terrebonne had been spared from the hardest of times being experienced in other parts of the nation during a massive recession. But the region’s economic security was now threatened.
The parish, along with the rest of Louisiana, was once again in a crisis situation.
This time, however, Claudet appeared to have learned from past experiences and came across more confident, assertive and willing to express expectations when it came to cleanup efforts and restitution for residents of “The Good Earth” area. It is an effort that he has admitted is not close to being complete.
“My prediction is that drilling activity will not resume to pre-moratorium levels until the later part of 2011 or early 2012,” Claudet said of his latest challenge.
The parish president willingly admitted that he has had struggles during his term and that things have not always gone as planned for him or his administration. He also insisted that successes and hard work will ultimately overshadow any hardships.
“My work ethic is not going to be questioned at anytime by any of my staff or anyone who knows me,” Claudet said.
