Dove seeks Terrebonne Parish Presidency

A local state representative barred from running again due to Louisiana’s term limit laws wants to occupy the parish president’ office in Terrebonne Parish, now that the incumbent must leave office for the same reason.

Houma businessman Gordon Dove, who has represented District 52 – nearly all of Terrebonne Parish – for a dozen years, says he has a proven record of accomplishing positives its communities and that he wants to put that experience to work as its parish president.

“I will continue my open door policy and pledge to continue to keep Terrebonne growing with roads, drainage, coastal protection projects, barrier islands, and coastal restoration and economic development projects, as well as streamlining and expediting residential and commercial building permits, while maintaining a fiscally sound and balanced budget for Terrebonne Parish, the Good Earth,” Dove said in his campaign announcement.

The current parish president, Michel Claudet, cannot seek re-election due to term limits. Parish Councilman Danny Babin has also announced his candidacy.

The election will be held Oct. 24. If one or more additional candidates qualify, a run-off would be held Nov. 21 should no candidate receive more than 50 percent of the vote.

Dove has been seen as a leader of the local delegation in Baton Rouge and has a reputation for working well with other legislators.

“Building on my experience as chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, as well as member of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, I would like to continue to serve our parish and keep Terrebonne Parish moving forward,” Dove said. “The working relationship I have developed also extends to the veterans and elderly of this parish.”

Dove was an early and forceful proponent of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee and floodgate system, which the federal government failed to provide but was made possible when voters passed a half-cent sales tax to allow local construction to begin.

A portion of the system, the Bubba Dove floodgate, is named for Dove’s late son, who died in an auto wreck. Supporters of the Morganza project say Dove was an effective salesman, who was adept at obtaining approval of that and various public works projects the state helped pay for.

“The local tax share for this project has raised approximately $200 million that has supplemented the approximately $300 million of state money,” Dove noted. “Through capital outlay, CPRA, surplus dollars, among other sources, we have also been able to build the new Fletcher Technical Community College on La. Highway 311, as well as the campus on Dickerson Road. In addition, there are numerous parish projects that have also been completed or are currently under construction with state capital outlay dollars and include the Terrebonne Sportsplex Phase I on La. Highway 311 and the Emergency Operations Center in Gray.”

Dove cited his familiarity with projects already underway or in the planning stages as an important asset should he be elected. With strong knowledge of how the wheels turn in Baton Rouge as well as a close working relationship with local government departments and agencies, Dove maintains his election would push Terrebonne in directions the current administration has blessed.

“I have worked with the current administration on the start of many of these projects. Some of the future projects include additional roads to help alleviate traffic, pump stations to help drainage, the redundant flood protection levees, built six years ago, on Industrial Road to encompass and protect Chabert Medical Center, the levee between La. Highway 56 and La. Highway 57 and the Thompson Road extension,” Dove said. “I would also like to continue working with the levee board to complete the floodgate at Falgout Canal along with the rest of the Morganza levee system from Bayou Black East to the Pointe-aux-Chenes floodgate.”

Dove and his wife, the former Monda LeBouef, are parents of seven children and have 14 grandchildren.

Gordon Dove