Drainage concern in Dist. 3

With Terrebonne Parish Councilman Billy Hebert leaving the District 3 seat at the completion of one term in elected office, two political newcomers intend to go the distance as they face off for that position.

Floyd Bergeron and Greg Hood live almost two miles away from one another, but share the same neighborly concern about flooding and drainage being the top issue in the district each hopes to represent.

“My main thing is flooding and my deal is preventative maintenance,” Bergeron said. With no party affiliation, Bergeron said that lawn trimmings left to clog drains and grass needing to be cut should be addressed as a first step in meeting drainage needs for his part of the parish.

Bergeron contends he is a real man of the people and is relying on word-of-mouth as his primary campaign-advertising tool.

Hood, as the Republican candidate, agreed and added that regular maintenance schedules on both public and private property should be followed and enforced. “I don’t believe in waiting until the last minute to act,” he said.

As a retired police captain, Hood said he stands apart because he does not take “No” for an answer. “I’m all about the people and getting things done,” he said.

Retired after 30-years working as an oil field salesman and service supervisor, Bergeron said he could afford to be, “accountable 24 hours a day,” if elected to this position and, “I don’t have to share my time [with an outside job].”

While Hood is seeking election to public office for the first time, Bergeron made an unsuccessful bid for the District 3 Council seat in 2007. Bergeron said he is “sick” of insider activity when it comes to government and believes taxpayer money could be better managed.

Hood was a member of the Houma Police Department for 30 years and remains active in promoting drug prevention programs and with educational efforts for public safety through the South Central Planning and Development Commission.