Tillman talks Terrebonne, reflects on vital three terms

Alvin Tillman has not only been able to witness a world of change during his 51 years as a lifelong resident of Houma, he has been privileged to help make some history.

Born during an era when segregation and selective limitations were prevalent across the nation, Tillman is of the generation that came into adulthood to experience a level of opportunity never before known among black Americans.

He grew up in the district he would one day represent. Tillman graduated from Terrebonne High School, received specialized engineering training while working in the petroleum industry, was educated as a paralegal at Nicholls State University, became established in the insurance business and, because of his desire to serve others, was successfully elected to three consecutive terms on the Terrebonne Parish Council, to which he became the first black chairman to that body during his second term, and oversaw comparable improvements in cleaning up and attracting business to the east side of Houma.

Having hit a required term limit, the married father of five children, contends he is too young to quit and intends to be continually present in social activities.

“I believe wanting to serve becomes part of who you are,” Tillman said during a morning coffee conversation. “It is who I am.”

Active Accomplishments

“When I became a councilperson [elected in 1999] one of the things I wanted to do was deal with cleaner neighborhoods,” Tillman said as he showed photos of blight that had taken over areas of East Houma, Mechanicsville, Village East and portions of downtown Houma when he came into office, and compared examples where conditions have improved.

“The majority of the district I represent is a district of lower income families,” Tillman said. “We had a challenge with tall grass, abandoned structures, things of that nature. I wanted to make sure that during my term that I would do something to make a difference.”

More than a decade later, Tillman has pointed out areas of obvious improvement. He admitted it is not perfect, but stressed a positive comparison from how conditions were when the east side was once considered a lost cause among many parish residents.

One of the first challenges Tillman faced was his opposition to the status quo and insistence on revitalizing his district through zoning. “I wanted to make sure that when you looked at those communities, you didn’t end up with bars on residential streets,” he said. “We had to figure out a way to get rid of that and it was tough, but we managed to get it done.”

Tillman worked through the council and government offices to begin taking on conditions that were easily accepted as normal a half-century earlier. “Those same residents that accepted a business on a residential street 50 years ago can’t tolerate it now,” he said.

Then there was the matter of dilapidated structures, barely standing and overgrown with weeds. “Nobody wants to tear down homes, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Tillman said. “Some people inherit land and can’t get things going.”

Technology was an important factor for Tillman when he came to office. He was among a minority of council members that pushed to improve the way work was conducted in parish government with the use of electronic equipment and connections.

“We managed to get a technology committee together,” Tillman said. “Through that committee we got laptops for council members and the [present] council chamber [with quality sound and visual tools] came through that committee. Nothing will ever take the place of a pen and pad, but those computers gave me an opportunity to facilitate.”

With improved technology, parish council members and administrators were able to better communicate with various departments and improve not only communications, but productivity.

Drainage is an issue common to every district of Terrebonne Parish. With Tillman’s engineering training, he was able to orchestrate efforts in District 1 to bring in business and work on drainage solutions at the same time.

Tillman has been a strong proponent to establish regulations against lawn trimmings being left in streets that flow into drains, clogging an already vulnerable storm sewer system. “That’s one of my pet peeves. That stuff gets in there and gets hard and then a rain comes and floods the area. We don’t need that.”

Some residents complained when Tillman pushed to bring a Wal-Mart to east Houma. Yet, by having the business build a drainage pond, not only did an opportunity to handle water flow emerge, but the one large retailer seemed to attract other businesses to the area and made Grand Caillou Road one of the most commercially active areas in the parish.

Over the years, what was a flood-prone area under normal circumstances received relief because of the way business development in District 1 was designed to complement the environment.

Council Changes

“There has been a lot of change in local government,” Tillman said. “The government status quo is not as prevalent as it use to be, especially under the present administration. It is a very progressive and open administration and they think outside the box a lot, and I like that.”

Tillman said that he has seen how people often resist change. He refers to that condition as being afraid of the unknown. “But change is going to happen,” he said. “You are either going to go with it or get left behind. I think in the last 12 years, we have had some administrations more progressive than others, but they have all played a significant role in getting the government where it is today.”

“Alvin Tillman is someone who has helped me from the inception of my term,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “I have found him to be extremely sensitive to the needs of the citizens of Terrebonne and a tireless advocate for safety and security in his district and parish wide. I will truly miss his presence on the council and I pray that he continues to do good work and public service in the future.”

Focus Forward

“I hope that the new council will try to get the people on the lower echelon of government to be treated fairly,” Tillman said. Having watched the workings of government, Tillman said he is concerned that those in more labor intensive positions are often under paid in relation to the services they provide. “They need to be paid better for their services.”

Tillman said that better compensation among lower level employees would help the parish retain better workers and cut back on turnover in personnel.

“I look at the money we put into training people,” he said. “It is like we are a training ground for other companies. They get trained and they are gone. Why? They are gone for a better opportunity. I hope that [situation] can be re-evaluated. It really needs to be done.”

Tillman said that the residents and government of Terrebonne Parish have only themselves to blame for what has happened in terms of coastal erosion during the past century. He said he would like to see a concerted effort and specific plans made to rebuild the coastal marshland as well as barrier islands.

“I believe in economic development, but I believe in careful development at the same time,” Tillman said. “At what cost are you willing to pay 20 years from today for the economic development of today? The fact of the matter is we have done things to ourselves that we are going to have our children’s children dealing with.”

Even after 12 years, working as a public representative it remains a challenge, according to Tillman. “I’m hoping whoever comes in will continue working on what we were able to accomplish. I’m proud to know I made a difference. That doesn’t mean it is going to be over. I’ll still be calling in some things.”

Prospective Plans

Tillman said he has not thought if he might consider a return to public office in the future, but admitted he will remain active in the community. He is considering moving away from the insurance business in the coming years and considering projects with television.

While he has been termed-out of office, Tillman said he does not support the idea of mandated term limits.

“The reason I don’t believe in it is because I believe in the electoral process,” he said. “I believe that term limits are already in place. That is why people vote. You don’t have a whole litany of people out there waiting to run for public office. When you start micromanaging the electoral process, you end up with people who love to serve versus people who just serve.”

Tillman said there is still a lot of work to do in District 1 and throughout Terrebonne Parish, of which he would like to be involved.

“If I had top pay for what I have learned about this parish during the past 12 years, I would never have enough money. No institution of higher learning could have ever taught me what I’ve learned.”

Terrebonne Parish Councilman Alvin Tillman looks over a scrapbook documenting his 12 years representing District 1. Being termed-out, he offers thoughts on where the parish has come during the past decade and where it should be headed. MIKE NIXON