Council approves new TPR Director

Terrebonne council members officially welcomed – and formally approved – Parish President Gordon Dove’s choice to lead the parish’s parks and recreation director last week, with hope expressed on both sides for success as Roddy Lerille takes over the reins.

Lerille succeeds Sterling Washington, the recreation director who resigned after allegations that he knew a former coach deemed unfit to be around children was still accompanying girl’s basketball team members at events. After Washington’s resignation Dove enlisted aid from District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. in determining where missing receipts from a 2017 Babe Ruth League tournament went, which should be in parish accounts.

Waitz turned the matter over to Sheriff Jerry Larpenter, whose detectives are investigating.

At last Wednesday’s council meeting, however, the accent was on the positive.

Councilman Gerald Michel, often at odds with Dove, expressed support for the appointment of Lerille, a former boat company executive with coaching and athletic experience.

“He is an impressive man and I believe he is going to come in and make a difference with this recreation (department),” Michel said. “We need to move forward and I believe Mr. Dove found the right man.”

Councilman Darrin Guidry agreed that Lerille is an “excellent choice.” He noted that Lerille has spent time prior to his confirmation learning the ropes of recreation in Terrebonne.

“Mr. Lerille has shown initiative,” Guidry said.

Councilman John Navy was more circumspect, and indicated displeasure that picks of a special screening committee were not given precedence over Lerille, whose inclusion in the fina cut was at the insistence of Dove.

“I have nothing personally against Mr. Lerille,” Navy said. “If Mr. Washington could have stayed, I was going to support Mr. Washington … other people were selected by the committee and I know someone on there who would have done a fine job, Mr. Gus Brown. This is Mr. Gordy Dove’s nomination, this is his pick. In my heart, I had to put this out there, but I will say congratulations and thank you.”

Seemingly flustered during an appearance before the council two weeks ago – an event he said he was not prepared for because he thought he was to have just sat in the audience section – Lerille gave a passionate statement of plans for the recreation department during Wednesday’s meeting.

He expressed plans to continue building the TPR website to its maximum potential and also touched on an aspect of the still-swirling public controversy over money management.

“Ensuring that a cash-handling policy is in place and being adhered to,” was described by Lerille as a priority, along with an anti-bullying program. Lerille said joining the National Recreation and Parks Association is a priority, and that he is seeking ways to improve the TPR maintenance programs. A lightning protocol must be established, he said, and use of social media to further promote programs.

“We will be instilling in our coaches that winning is not the only thing, winning is not everything,” Lerille said, promising “high quality programs in a safe, non-threatening and respectful environment which will contribute to the quality of life in our community. Together we can have a positive impact on the future generations of our parish.”

TPR

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