Public voices opposition to redistricting region

Members of the Louisiana Joint House and Senate Governmental Affairs committee got an earful of pleas Monday during a public hearing regarding realignment of congressional districts at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

“Please don’t split up Lafourche and Terrebonne,” was the repeated theme as 55 local government officials and private citizens each offered their 3 minute presentations to members of the state legislature that carry an influential voice in the realignment of representation.

The need for redistricting came when U.S. Census numbers revealed slow population growth during the past 10 years in Louisiana. That resulted in the loss of a congressional seat for the state, going from seven to six members being sent to the House of Representatives. Other district lines, including state representation and judicial boundaries are also being impacted by the shift.

State officials spent more than an hour explaining the legal requirements and population restrictions involved in redistricting to the more than 400 people in attendance.

The 3rd District has been a hot spot of contention as wonderment surrounds if it would be split, with the Houma-Thibodaux metropolitan area being divided along lines of representation.

State legislators have been reviewing possible outlines, including a map designed by state Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Gray, that designates a district comprised entirely of coastal parishes. It is this approach that most leaders in the Tri-parish region as well as Rep. Jeff Landry and Sen. David Vitter have endorsed.

“There is growing support for the [coastal district] plan at many levels,” Harrison said prior to Monday’s public meeting. “The plan is closely aligned with Department of Justice requirements for population distribution and equal representation, meaning that if we as a state agree with the plan, approval at the federal level should follow.”

“I think it is very important for citizens and business owners to show up along with our elected officials,” state Rep. Gordon Dove, R-Houma, said heading toward the session. “We need to put forth our voice because we do not want to split up Terrebonne and Lafourche. We want to keep it in the same congressional district as we are presently. We want to make sure we don’t get pulled into the New Orleans district when we would no longer have a voice.”

Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, and Landry, R-New Iberia, could see one another face off in efforts to keep their jobs if the current 3rd Congressional District is divided.

“Understandably, Lafayette and Lake Charles would like to stay in the same district,” said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet in a letter supporting the continued unification of Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes in the same area of representation.

“However, comparing the facts, Lafayette and Lake Charles are not in the same [metropolitan area] like Lafourche and Terrebonne. Moreover, Lafourche and Terrebonne are contiguous while the other cities are miles apart. To split Houma and Thibodaux would be akin to splitting Broussard and Lafayette, or Lake Charles and Sulphur, into separate congressional districts,” Claudet said.

During the public comment segment of this meeting Claudet and Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph – who like Claudet sent out a letter backing the relationship between Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes – set the tone, which was to tell committee members that splitting up Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes would cause economic harm to the region and the state as well.

“You [need to] realize the commonality of these parishes,” Randolph said. “Our interest is so very similar. Port Fourchon is a successful port with the support of the Terrebonne Port. We implore you on behalf of the people of Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes to make certain that commonality plays in your decision making and leave Lafourche and Terrebonne to continue to progress in the state of Louisiana.”

Landry spoke before the assembly and said he listens to the concerns of the people in Dist. 3. “These two parishes have enjoyed the same congressional representation for 168 years. I pledged to put people before politics and you on these committees have the opportunity to do the same. I don’t believe that the dividing of our coast is the answer. That’s not politics, it’s common sense. Look at the coastal district population and their breakdown. Look at the fairness involved. Look at lines proposed by others [with other district proposals] and the lack of equality. I support keeping these two parishes together and keeping the coast together,” he said.

Sharleen Hotard is a resident from Kraemer in Lafourche Parish. She added to the pleas to keep Terrebonne and Lafourche together.

“I’m here to speak on behalf of our citizens. Please keep us together. What we have in common? We work together. Our children go to school together. We come to Terrebonne Parish. We’d like to keep it that way,” Hotard said.

“I’d like to learn more about what exactly is going on and how it will affect Terrebonne Parish and Lafourche Parish,” said Houma resident Mark Schatzel who moved to the region three months ago. “From what I understand there is a great working relationship between the two of them. The two [parishes] really have partnered in the past to be as successful as they are and I’m kind of fearful that splitting them up would hurt the local economy around here.”

Public hearings on redistricting continued Tuesday in New Orleans and on the North Shore. Meetings are also scheduled for Monday, Feb. 28, in Shreveport and on March 1 in Monroe and Alexandria.

Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, tells members of the Louisiana Joint House and Senate Governmental Affairs Committee why it is important to keep Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes united when considering congressional redistricting. CASEY GISCLAIR