5-man field vie for Dist. 7 seat

As Terrebonne Parish Councilman Clayton Voisin completes his third phase of service, and prepares to leave that position due to term limits, District 7 is being eyed by five contenders, each seeking elected office for the first time.

Three Republicans, Danny Babin, Tim Fanguy and Willis Trosclair Jr., along with Democrats Jimmie Fedele and Nathan Trosclair will make their way through the Oct. 22 primary election with the top finishers in each party meeting for final selection on Nov. 19.

Each candidate enters the District 7 council seat race with a list of concerns they individually believe they are best qualified to address.

“Flooding and coastal protection,” Babin said was his top concern. “We need to clean out existing drainage canals and do a better job on maintenance and expansion of levees.”

Water is also a primary worry for two of the other candidates. “The top issue in my area is flood control, hurricane protection and coastal restoration,” Nathan Trosclair said. “Our problem is we don’t have the federal funding to put [hurricane protection] in place. We need to be reimbursed by the federal government to get these projects in place.”

“Drainage is our major concern,” Willis Trosclair Jr., said. “My stand on Morganza to the Gulf is, if it is in place without adequate drainage we will become another New Orleans. All we need to do is clean the drainage canals with the tools we already have. I also want to see every pump in the parish elevated and put on an automatic system.”

Fanguy said that although drainage and coastal concerns need attention, his attention focuses most immediately on attracting and maintaining business. “Streamline planning and zoning with permitting for people wanting to try to make a business,” he said.

Fedele said his primary concerns are related to crime and quality of life issues. “I think safer neighborhoods [is the top issue],” he said. “We need more police patrols and neighborhood watch.”

When it comes to what each candidate has to offer that his competition does not, Babin led off delivering the answers. “I have the education, experience and working knowledge of government,” he said. “I’m not one to bow to special interests.”

“I want to give an opportunity for the little guy to achieve,” Fanguy said. He was followed by Fedele who added, “I represent the people.”

“My life experiences set me apart,” said Nathan Trosclair. “All my life we crabbed and trapped. We did shrimping and did what we had to do to keep money coming through and feeding ourselves.”

Willis Trosclair Jr. said that his growing up in the area he seeks to represent offers perspective and an appreciation the others do not have. “[With redistricting] my house currently is in District 8, so technically I could have run for District 8 and stayed in the house. If I win [District 7] I have to uproot my kids and find another house in District 7. That’s how dedicated I am to District 7.”