Terrebonne Council on Aging methods called into question

La. politics mirroring Washington
March 28, 2012
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La. politics mirroring Washington
March 28, 2012
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Dear Editor,

At a Terrebonne Council on Aging membership meeting late last year, members were limited to speaking before agenda items were discussed. However, members were not allowed to speak, discuss or debate any of the issues on the agenda.


Three candidates – none of whom were present – were elected to the board. They chairman said the candidates accepted by phone. No nominations were taken from the floor because of residency restrictions. The nine board members and five TCOA staff were allowed to vote for the three absent candidates.


The TCOA Board of Directors meeting followed with a full agenda, and the three newly elected members absent.

Seniors left these meetings feeling cheated, with negative attitudes and the knowledge that democracy is dead in Terrebonne Parish. This premiere, quasi-governmental agency has serious flaws that must be corrected.


Agenda’s are revised without the required 24-hour notice. Committee reports are never read at meetings so that the public is kept uninformed, nor are there any printed handouts for the public. The budget says a computer consultant is paid $30,000 yearly, but there is no active or functioning website for TCOA or area agency on aging site.


Senior educational services and recreation services are continuing to be reduced, yet the budget increased from $15 million to $16 million with millions in local banks. Seniors have been removed from the Schriever Senior Center for “mold remediation” with delay after delay.

Yes, the board members are volunteers giving of their time to be in charge of spending taxpayer money for the elderly population of Terrebonne. Yes, seniors that have been evaluated/assessed and approved for a meal can go to an eating site or center or have meals home-delivered with monies from the Older Americans Act ($2 million) and federal, state and local ad valorum tax monies.

Taxpayers who fail to attend public meetings allow others to make decisions. Their decisions affect your everyday life. Mark you calendar; meetings are held at noon every third Thursday at 995 W. Tunnel Blvd. in Houma.

Seniors struggle daily to be independent. Seniors fight to keep what dignity they still possess. Seniors know the meaning of respect; they have lived with respect for themselves, family, the law, the community and the country, and they continue to believe in freedom to live life, liberty and to pursue happiness.

Perhaps the TCOA board meetings, Terrebonne Parish School Board and other public board meetings should be televised. Public meetings should be required to have published minutes in the official journal of record.

Pleases join the concerned elderly citizens of Terrebonne Parish in our effort to keep the public informed as to how public money is spent to enhance the services and needs for everyday living.

Patsy G. Evans,

Schriever, La.