Lafourche Port Commission VP Vizier arrested, accused of intimidation, burning

WIRE and STAFF REPORT

The vice president of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission has been accused of illegally burning creosote and public intimidation.

Donald Vizier, who also is owner and vice president of Tidewater Docks Inc., said he is innocent and does not expect his April 14 arrest by state police to affect his work on the commission. He is free on $10,000 bond.

Vizier was booked with one count of improper disposal of hazardous waste and two of public intimidation, Lafourche Parish sheriff’s spokesman Larry Weidel said Tuesday.

Chief Freddie Guidry of Lafourche Fire District No. 3 said a Tidewater employee got a permit to burn timber on Aug. 16. But several piles of creosote were burned as well even though the permit forbids burning toxic chemicals, Guidry said.

Vizier maintained his innocence in the matter and said he “looks forward” to his day in court.

“The fire was an accident,” Vizier said. “I wasn’t even there. I was out of town.”

State police did not immediately return a call asking about the intimidation charges.

Creosote is a wood preservative. Breathing it can irritate the respiratory tract, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

State police arrested Vizier at his Lafourche Parish office at Tidewater Docks, which specializes in production hook ups for inland wells, pile driving, dredging, and general oilfield construction.