Lois Dufrene
January 7, 2008
A GOOD CALL: Alcorn satisfied about choosing life in stripes
January 9, 2008
Lafourche Parish’s new council and parish president were sworn into office Sunday at St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Raceland.
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Weimer conducted the oath for the parish chief executive and nine-panel legislative branch. Councilman Rodney Doucet was absent because of a medical emergency in the family.
The council and Parish President Charlotte Randolph were sworn in as a whole. Weimer said that they [the council and administration] are one body, and reminded them each that they were elected officials and they should be mindful of the constituents who appointed them.
“Although you may disagree sometimes, we must not agree to disagree,” Weimer said. “We have to do what’s best for our people and finding a solution is the best thing.”
Randolph made history as Lafourche’s first parish president to have ever been elected to a second term. “It is an honor to stand before you again to accept the position as president of this great parish,” she told the crowd following Sunday’s oath.
Randolph said the community may focus on the historical significance of the day, but she would rather focus on the historical significance of Lafourche Parish.
“Today we note a time of prosperity, with almost full employment and predictions of long term growth,” she said. “We are at the apex of abundance and, for that, we are most grateful.”
With the success, there are obligations, Randolph said. Sunday’s ceremony was intentionally void of pomp and circumstance, she said, noting the inauguration was not a coronation but a mandate to begin serious work for the people in the parish.
“Our obligation is to parlay our good fortune into a better future for generation to come,” Randolph said. “We must use this time to continue to secure our parish drainage and levees and coastal restoration that protect us and our investments.”
The parish administration and council have identified a number of goals for the coming term. Among them, Randolph said, are improving the detention center, completing much-needed road projects, improving the parish’s pumping system, promoting the Port Fourchon region and finalizing work on elevating Louisiana Highway 1.
“We have achieved success in obtaining the funds to begin serious coastal reconstruction but more money is needed to realize effective protection,” she said. “This can only be achieved with regionalism and a solid working relationship with our leaders in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C.”
Randolph concluded her address, saying to the council “the greatest success comes in the form of cooperation and our ultimate obligation is to debate and discuss the issues until the final resolution is achieved.”
Returning Councilman Michael Delatte agreed it’s time to get down to business.
“We have some unfinished business to do,” he said. “We made great progress in the last four years and it’s time to continue it.”
Delatte represents District 2. He said the district is in its final phase of road upgrades. Next, he intends to pursue community recreation and drainage projects.
Incoming District 3 Councilman Louis Richard said he has already gotten phone calls about what needs to be done.
“I am up for the challenge and I say let’s make it happen,” Richard said.
