Seniors demonstrate passion in Terrebonne Council on Aging vote

Confusion over procedure and process led to angry shouts and disruption during and following a vote between two men up for one position Thursday on the Terrebonne Council on Aging Board of Directors.

With a final ballot count of 35-to-15 Patrick Murphy claimed the win from candidate and Coastal Commerce Bank founding CEO L.J. Folse, but not before the outspoken elder made accusations that existing board members tried to keep him from running for the position and that council attorney Elvige Cassard was not permitting some in the crowd of approximately 65 an opportunity to vote.

“There are people who have [lived] here for years and thought they would be able to vote,” Murphy said.

Murphy had to be told by Cassard to not point his finger in her face, shouts of, “Sit down Patrick,” were heard in the crowd, and Board Chairman and South Louisiana Bank loan officer Carroll McKey was forced to pound his gavel an undetermined amount of times in his attempt to quiet the meeting room at Shady Acres Apartments.

“The negative comments or comments while someone is making a presentation are inappropriate and not allowed,” McKey said to those in attendance.

McKey made repeated efforts to explain the reasoning behind and process of limiting speakers from the public to 5 minutes of floor time and why only registered members were eligible to vote. Some in attendance did not welcome his answers and continued arguing among themselves.

It was only after interjections from other board members that the winning candidate and the assembly began to quiet enough to complete the meeting.

“I was born here. But if I’m not registered to vote I cannot vote,” said board member and United Houma Nation Principal Chief Thomas Dardar Jr., in his effort to calm those seniors still upset that they could not cast a ballot because of not being registered with the local Council on Aging.

A nearly tearful plea from Executive Director Diane Edmonson failed to quiet the majority of those in attendance. “If everybody will just calm down I think there will be enough votes that your voice will be heard,” she said.

Cassard told the crowd that the issues at hand were not a matter of trying to restrict people from participating but that procedural rules are set for the purpose of maintaining order. “It’s a matter of law,” she said.

“One of the things I most remember [from taking a Dale Carnegie course] is that he said that no one kicks his dead dog,” Folse said before votes were cast. “Terrebonne Council on Aging is anything but a dead dog.”

Patrick claimed his victory and three-year term then appealed to those in attendance to participate in the Council on Aging activities rather than let concerns go unnoticed.

During this meeting approval was secured for Dardar and Frances “Beth” Phelps to enter second terms in their positions with the board.

“This is pitiful,” said resident George Ferguson regarding the behavior of those in attendance and the board’s inability to maintain order. “They ought to all be replaced.”

Before the outbursts began, and as shouts continued, business of the day included reports regarding the Council on Aging budget, nutritional services and compliments on the work of paid personnel.

Edmonson presented her report n the final one of the day n in the midst of a still disruptive crowd and informed those that could hear her that during 2010 the Terrebonne Council on Aging had provided 64,232 transportation services at a total cost of $1.6 million. Meals served by this organization to elders who cannot leave their homes totaled 166,163 at a cost of $1.4 million to purchase, prepare and deliver.

The Council on Aging also provided a variety of healthcare services, homecare and educational opportunities during the year at an approximate cost of nearly $1.4 million.

June Williams (standing far right) with the Louisiana Executive Board on Aging addresses the Terrebonne Council on Aging annual membership meeting. The meeting included a rowdy vote to add one member to the board of directors. MIKE NIXON