Tough words and verbal violence at parish’s government tower

Dear Editor,

Less than two years into this newly elected local government there’s a large body of evidence surfacing to reveal a toxic leadership in Parish Administration and Parish Council alike.

Bad behavior coupled with unjustified and non-substantiated allegations against others are a common recurrence coming from Parish President Gordon Dove during the Terrebonne Parish Council meetings; and now evidence of verbal violence, verbal abuse, intimidation and failure to intervene can be attributed to elected district representatives – particularly relevant to a hotly debated incident that occurred on the outside government parking lot, which is also public property that Terrebonne taxpaying visitors to the Terrebonne Parish Council meetings have a vested interest in.

In-depth allegations of improper conduct were presented to the Terrebonne Parish Council at the last public Council meeting by Recreation District No. 10 Board member Lloyd Poiencot targeting Councilman Al Marmande, which were partially recorded on a witness cell phone and also witnessed by other elected representatives.

I viewed and reviewed the video carefully, slowed it down to almost no movement and saw that none of the officials present intervened in what can only be described as an incident potentially escalating toward physical violence.

The most disturbing aspect of the video was how quickly the verbal violence and vulgar words slid into what in my opinion was bullying and intimidating behavior by Councilman Al Marmande targeting Mr. Poiencot – and no one personally intervened by attempting to cool the situation down nor dialing police for a car to provide intervention.

What’s wrong with this? We have elected leadership unwilling to respond in a critical situation, to do what’s right. There certainly were other options available, rather than to let a publicly, vulgar shouting spectacle which has its root in Terrebonne Parish Recreation-related issues continue to unfold.

Verbal and subtle intimidation is a reality in this toxic government.

Councilman Al Marmande alleges Mr. Poiencot was lying about him in reference to consolidation of Recreation Districts and promises to fix the problem.

The Terrebonne Parish community and taxpayers alike need to give a collective voice of “No” to violence, threats and intimidation by elected representatives and vote out elected representatives who do it, witness it and allow it to happen. Verbal violence, bullying and intimidation is not an option in disputes, it’s a shame.

Yours,

Lucretia McBride. •