Dist. 5 incumbent faces duo

First-term incumbent Terrebonne Parish Councilman Johnny Pizzolatto is facing a political newcomer and a veteran council seat-holder as each desires to represent District 5 during the next four years.

A retired National Guard lieutenant colonel and businessman, Pizzolatto won the council seat in 2007 to represent interests in downtown Houma with stretches east and west of the central area.

Pizzolatto said he has held his constituents’ interests in highest regard, even when it meant having to change his personal position on issues and topics to satisfy the desires of those that placed him in office.

“I have the experience to continue,” Pizzolatto said regarding his re-election bid. “Along with having been on the school board and water board, I have the council experience to do the job.”

Challengers for the District 5 seat include financial planner Chris Domangue. With no previous political experience, Domangue is counting on his business and technology knowledge to lead his way into office.

“Knowing technology and how we can use it for the parish,” Domangue said, is a strength that sets him apart from the two contenders he is facing. “I’m the only one [of the three candidates] with that experience.”

Registered nurse Christa Duplantis represented both Districts 4 and 5 as redistricting lines shifted during her years in office from 1995 to 2007. “I’m the only candidate running that was elected to two different districts,” she said. “That sets me apart. My previous experience has broadened my horizons on what can be done.”

As for what needs to be accomplished, Pizzolatto said continued work on drainage and storm protection projects is a priority for him. “That [means] completion of the Morganza [to the Gulf] levee system,” he said. “By 2014 we should have protection for a Category 3 storm.”

Domangue voiced concern for drainage issues of District 5 in what he called hot spots. “One of the things is to come to it with new ideas and insights on how to address it,” he said. “I would also like to see better use of technology.”

Additional concerns for Domanque are related to quality of life issues and include the development of walking and biking trails as well as family-oriented recreational attractions.

Duplantis said while drainage and storm protection is a parish-wide concern, she wants to also address issues such as traffic flow on Main Street and Park Avenue east of the Twin Span Bridges, rebuilding of the Williams Street walking track, controlling over population of wild cats and crime.

“Drainage, roads and sewage will always be priorities,” Duplantis said. “I’m looking at things that are irritating constituents. There is drug trafficking going on in this parish too.”