Claudet survives recall effort

As he approaches one-and-a-half years in office as Terrebonne Parish’s first Republican president, businessman and retired lawyer Michel Claudet is evaluating the results of his effort to bring a “new way” to local government.

Claudet’s assessment is that he is indeed bringing a more business-like approach to politics in Terrebonne.

“I’m working in that regard every day,” he said. “I think I’m succeeding.”

“We’re more responsive than in the past,” he said. “We’re making progress.”

Claudet’s practice of sitting next to members of the Terrebonne Parish Council at meetings and giving updates on activities within the parish has mostly met with the council’s approval.

And one concern is definitely in the past for Claudet. A petition filed by several Terrebonne Parish residents with the Secretary of State’s Office in November to force a recall election against him failed.

The petitioners needed to collect around 20,000 signatures by this week to call the election. A spokesman for the secretary of state said the two people who filed the petition resigned their position, asserting that others would take over the effort, but the second petition was never completed properly.

“There is no active recall for Claudet,” the spokesman said.

A main complaint of petition organizer and Houma resident Bryan Bunn was the handling of Hurricane Gustav by Claudet, who made the controversial decision to transfer emergency powers to Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois as the hurricane approached the Terrebonne Parish coast.

Another grievance, that the president was tardy making government appointments, has been handled by Claudet.

Parish Planning Director Pat Gordon has been ensconced as interim parish manager after Claudet’s original appointment, Natalie Robottom, left for a state job in February 2008.

Claudet replaced parish Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Jerrold Richard with a contract employee, Earl Eues. The current director of the Department of Human Resources and Risk Management, J. Dana Ortego, was appointed after the first director, David Battard, left for the private sector following hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The post of community problem solver was revived and the position has taken on the duties of parish public information officer.

Claudet said his new appointments are doing excellent jobs, asserting that Gordon’s stint as parish manager is not permanent.

Eues “is well-respected in the state and region. He is building up the department where it needs to be,” he said.

But Claudet is most satisfied with the pace of roadway improvements.

Land acquisition is underway for Hollywood and Grand Caillou roads. A bridge over Little Bayou Black will be constructed at Equity Boulevard where it will connect with an extension of Enterprise Drive.

Thompson Road and Westside Boulevard will be extended, with Westside to run between Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. “Smart lights” are being installed in spots.

In addition, levees will go up around the Terrebonne Parish Jail at Ashland and Chabert Medical Center.

Claudet cautioned, however, that “having money is one thing. Completing projects is another.”

He has taken some steps toward beautifying the parish. College student William Dunckelman is returning this summer to spearhead beautification efforts and Claudet is saying flowers could be placed at entrances to the parish.

Stagnant Bayou Terrebonne will be dredged from Southland Mall to Coteau Road as well.

During the current session of the state Legislature, Claudet is looking to add to his powers as president. Houma state Rep. Gordon Dove filed a bill allowing Terrebonne’s president to remove Houma’s police and fire chiefs without the approval of the parish council.

Though the president can fire department heads, the police and fire chief posts are protected under civil service rules.

Claudet will testify before the state Legislature this session supporting the bill.