Lafourche Public Works head fired

Russell Bruce
September 22, 2009
Zenobia Barrow
September 24, 2009
Russell Bruce
September 22, 2009
Zenobia Barrow
September 24, 2009

Nearly 18 months after appointing Ronald Robichaux as head of the Lafourche Parish Department of Public Works, Parish President Charlotte Randolph has sent him packing.


Word of the firing came hours before last Tuesday’s regularly scheduled Lafourche Parish Council meeting.


Randolph fired Robichaux in the middle of hurricane season, saying the department has adequate employees in place to handle any projects that may arise in his departure.

Robichaux was unavailable for comment as of press time, and Randolph would not provide specific information about why the former director was released.


According to the Home Rule Charter, Randolph has 60 days to nominate another Public Works director. The majority of the nine-member council must approve her nominee.

The timing of Robichaux’s departure – the region’s peak of storm season – left some councilmen unhappy.

“She has full authority to do what she did,” Councilman Rodney Doucet said. “As parish council members, our hands are tied.”

Councilman Lindel Toups, however, said the firings were just the beginning. He vowed to submit a resolution requesting resignation letters from two other department heads. He did not specify which two members of Randolph’s administration he is targeting.

“We have a problem with the whole administration,” Toups charged. “They are not qualified. We need some better people.”