Roger Henry
September 26, 2018
Then & NOW
September 27, 2018
Although not formally announced* the businessman who served as president of Terrebonne Pariah from 2006 to 2016 has confirmed that he will campaign for the office again in 2019, in an attempt to unseat current Parish President Gordon Dove, whose first term will soon came to a close.
Michel Caudet told a gathering of Republican women last week that he will seat the office. Wheal asked for farther comment, he shared his plans with The Times.
“When I walked out of the Government Tower for the last time as Parish President in January 2016.1 was very content with the progress that we made during my eight years in office.” Claude* said “Those • sight years involved many big challenges, bat together with the dedicated and hardworking employees of Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and the resilient citizens of our parish, we always responded to every challenge with an even.
better solution.”
Claudet said he and his administration established “an impressive record of prosperity and progress, employed forward-thinking planning, and pushed the people’s priorities through government red tape.”
“Government operated within its budget; needed projects were completed; tax dollars were spent wisely,” Claudet said. “Unprecedented cooperation with state and federal leaders resulted in millions of dollars for our needs, and people’s needs were always put first, not politics. This is the foundation that was left for my successor to build our future upon.”
“But as the years have since gone by, like many in our community, I have grown dismayed by our parish government’s return to the ‘old way,’ he continued. “The old way of doing business, where those in power see themselves as being above the law, above authority, and above the people they serve, didn’t work well for Terrebonne Parish in the past and it is certainly not what we need now.”
Informed of Claudet’s remarks, an incensed Dove fired back, taking particular umbrage at the suggestions that himself or anyone in his administration think they are “above the law.”
“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard,” Dove said. “To say I think I am above the law, what an insult.”
Dove challenged Claudet to provide specific proof regarding the statement. He said Claudet will do “anything and everything” to divert discussion away from his role in signing the parish up for its minority share in the 64-megawatt LEPA power plant in Morgan City Power Plant in power plant in 2013. Dove has claimed it was a bad investment, costing the parish over $4 million annually. Claudet has defended the move, at one point addressing the subject to the Terrebonne Parish Council. During the state legislature’s most recent regular session, a bill supported and encouraged by Dove was passed that gives Terrebonne greater say as to how the agency governing the plant operates.
“This parish is paying (hundreds of millions) for the biggest screw-up in the history of Terrebonne Parish,” Dove said. “It is the worst agreement I have ever seen in my 40-year history as a businessman. Why don’t people run on the issues? He did nothing for drainage in Terrebonne Parish. When I took office everybody’s yards were flooding. I am building the pump stations he should have built instead of the $14 million juvenile detention center with an air-conditioned gym. There were houses flooding when I took office.”
Dove said his own Terrebonne Parish nativity makes him the better person to determine the parish’s drainage needs, noting that Claudet originally hails from Lockport. After first taking office, Gordon Dove often mentioned Claudet’s accomplishments during his two terms, in some cases saying he was building on programs or projects his predecessor had begun. In more recent years those acknowledgements have thinned.
That Claudet was mulling a reclamation of the office had not been a secret for much of the year. A website, michelclaudet.com, was put up earlier this year.
The former and the current parish presidents have in the past been more partners than rivals. Both have served on the board of directors of Synergy Bank. Political observers — none of whom will speak on the record at this point — have suggested that a clash between Claudet and Dove will likely be marked by acrimony.
The two have sharply divergent styles. Claudet was complimented for soft-spoken and methodical approaches to government issues. Dove has a reputation for being brash and out-spoken. Supporters of each see those points as plusses.
Criticism of Dove, first apparent from the time he took office, has included accusations of cronyism, which he and supporters have flatly denied. In response to claims that he hired friends or people close to him in business for various positions, including some that he created, Dove has maintained that all of the parish presidents since consolidation have made their own appointments for key positions. The Dove administration, he and supporters claim, is no different. What has occurred during Dove’s tenure is retirement of executive branch employees who held their posts through multiple administrations over decades.
From the time Dove defeated former parish council member Daniel Babin, opposing camps divided by that election have hurled brickbats. Claudet kept a low profile and was not involve in the initial Dove-bashing.
An attorney and a CPA, Claudet received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University. He is known for extensive real estate holdings, including apartment complexes, acreage, vacant lots, commercial buildings, and resort properties. He was the founding chairman of the board for Synergy Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, Synergy Bank.
Dove is a businessman whose holdings include Copeland’s chain restaurants in Houma and Lafayette. He also owns Vacco Marine, a vessel tank cleaning company, and owns a real estate firm as well. A graduate of Terrebonne High School, he attended Nicholls State University. In 2011, while seeking his third legislative term, Dove ran unopposed. Prevented from seeking another term, Dove turned his sights on the parish government. Dove’s supporters say his outgoing, vociferous manner is a strength while critics brand it as bombast. Claudet’s opponents have stated that they see his quiet manner as an indication of weakness, while supporters maintain that it is further proof of thoughtful, analytical approaches.
Dove said there is no question that he will seek a second term.
“Yes, I am definitely running,” Dove said. “What I have done is proven in my first years. The only thing (Claudet) ever built came because of money I secured when I was a state representative. It is up to the people of Terrebonne Parish who they want to pick.”
The people, Claudet has maintained, are the reason he is running for the spot he once held yet again.
“As I travel around the parish, the question I most often get asked is, ‘Michel are you going to run for parish president again next year?’ My answer is yes … I will run again because I love this parish and I love our people. I humbly believe that we have demonstrated that my ‘new way’ theme is more than a slogan,” Claudet said. “It is a commitment to the principles of honesty, integrity, hard work, and commitment. I am looking forward to the upcoming campaign and I would consider it an honor to serve the people of Terrebonne Parish once again.”
