Voisin views district change as blessing

Terrebonne Parish District 6 Councilman Kevin Voisin knew his days in elected office were numbered when realignment of voting districts this year saw a line move from one side of Bayou Black and La. Highway 182, to the other side, and placed his residence outside the district he has represented for three years.

“It seems strange,” the councilman said when newly adopted parish district lines were approved by the U.S. Department of Justice in August. Three weeks prior to the Oct. 22 primary election, that will narrow a field of three candidates that hope to fill his position, Voisin said his displacement from office has actually become a blessing, allowing him more time to spend with his family.

“I was planning on running again, but at this point moving my family to do so is not worth it,” he said. “For the next four years I really want to focus on my family.”

Voisin and his wife, Whitney, who he wed this past summer, have four children between them, Huntereve, 11, Michael, 8, Isabella, 6, and Ellie, 5. “This is an important time for my kids and I need to give them as much of my time as possible,” he said.

Voisin came to office as the result of a special election following the death of Councilman Leland Robichaux on June 1, 2008. It was the first government position Voisin ever filled, although he has been, and continues to be, involved in volunteer community services. I really enjoyed working in government and hope to do it again later on,” he said.

While representing District 6, Voisin said the current council has been among the highest achieving elected government bodies ever in Terrebonne Parish. He noted levee, drainage pump stations, road improvements and park enhancements among the accomplishments of which he takes pride of being involved.

“Kevin Voisin has provided new ideas in many areas of government during his term,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “We can certainly understand his desire to spend more time with his family since public service is so demanding. We certainly want to thank him for his service to his district and our parish.”

Voisin said he has learned a great deal from his fellow council members. He has been described as having been inspirational to others. Following hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Voisin was instrumental in getting more than 1,000 volunteers from throughout the United States to offer restoration assistance to Terrebonne Parish.

“The biggest thing I learned was that you have to take care of neighborhoods,” he said. “Because of that you cannot always help individuals. You have to do what is best for everybody involved.”

The same lesson was what he offered as advice for a new District 6 councilman. “You have to see what is best for the district and not get caught in individual needs, because each need is different and can conflict with one another,” he said.

“I think the district [line] change is best for the district,” Voisin said because it brings together the Mulberry and Barrios subdivisions into the same area of representation.

Voisin works as a chief public relations strategist for W.L. Gaiennie. He said that although he will not be part of an elected body for the immediate future, he anticipates being involved in community activities as a participating resident of Terrebonne Parish.