Williams given second year as Terrebonne council chair

Councilwoman Arlanda Williams was reappointed by a 5-4 vote to serve as Terrebonne Parish’s Council Chairwoman. She defeated Johnny Pizzolatto to win a second one-year term.

Williams will be in charge of setting the council’s agenda and maintaining decorum during council meetings. She will have the ability to represent the parish as chairwoman.

Councilman Billy Hebert praised Williams for her ability to work with the council as he nominated her for a second term as chairwoman.

“In my opinion, I look for a person that has earned my respect. This person should be one who can definitely work with me, and be a person who I know can keep this council together, and not divided,” said Hebert.

Last year, Williams was unanimously elected to serve as the council’s first female chairperson.

“The first time it was historical, so it was good feeling. But this time, it’s really an honor even more so to me because it lets me know that I’ve proven myself to my colleagues,” said Williams.

In her first year, Williams presided over a relatively tranquil council until the final meeting of the year, which blew up during a debate over a proposed land purchase for a new government complex in Gray. Williams also represented the parish on a trip to Washington D.C. to lobby for hurricane protection funding, and even met President Barack Obama.

In her second year, Williams hopes to add a bi-weekly chairperson’s report to council meetings, which would detail the chair’s activities in representing the council.

Williams also hopes to create a coalition of coastal parishes that would advocate for the common goals of southern Louisiana. She’s already discussed this idea with other politicians in the region, including New Orleans City Council President Arnie Fielkow.

“We’re all faced with issues like coastal flooding and fighting for hurricane protection,” said Williams. “The coalition will keep information coming and keep awareness that South Louisiana is still in existence and that we all still have some similar problems that we all want to work towards solving together. That’s going to be one of my main pushes this year.”

The parish council also appointed Councilman Clayton Voisin Vice-Chairman. Voisin, who unseated Johnny Pizzolatto to win the seat, has previously served as chair and vice-chair of the council. Voisin won a 6-3 vote over Councilman Alvin Tillman for the position.

In other council news, more than $4.2 million in capital improvement projects were approved after they were separated from a controversial land purchase for a new government complex in Gray. The projects include drainage improvements to Bayou LaCarpe, an extension to Bayou Gardens Boulevard and funding to build a bridge that will complete the extension of Enterprise Drive to Highway 311.

Parish President Michel Claudet had initially included an additional $4.8 million in the budget amendment to buy and improve land from developer Ronald Shaw. The land would be used for a new government complex in Gray that would include a Public Works yard, a center for the Office of Emergency Preparedness, and a new juvenile detention center.

The land purchase had to be separated from the rest of the resolution after a December council meeting erupted into a debate over drainage concerns with the property. Some council members preferred an alternate piece of property offered by local developer S.P LaRussa. That land purchase has still not seen an up-or-down vote, which is expected at a council meeting on Jan. 27.