Dist. 6 issues include drainage, parish jail woes

A former manager at an insurance company and funeral home is challenging a four-term council veteran in Lafourche Parish’s 6th District.

Leo White, a Raceland resident who worked at Gertude Geddes Willis for 15 years, is focusing on drainage issues in the lead-up to next weekend’s election.

“This is the year of 2011 and Lafourche Parish is still being flooded,” White said. “Drainage is problem No. 1. They need to get in every neighborhood, and clean the ditches, make sure the water is going to flow the way it is supposed to flow and also make sure the pumps are working correctly and there’s enough pumps.

“Neighborhoods shouldn’t have to be flooded. My district has been flooded so many times, it’s not funny, and it hasn’t been addressed.”

Lindel Toups, a Gheens resident, 16-year council veteran, and current oilfield salesman with Weatherford, is more concerned with a parish-wide issue that, if not addressed, could lead to a punitive response from the federal government.

The council formed a committee, which Toups chairs, tasked with solving maintenance and overcrowding issues with the Lafourche Parish Detention Center.

“We want to find out how much it’s going to cost to build a new jail versus fixing this one and adding some domes,” Toups said. “That and how much (money) we’d have to go for from the people. I’m thinking we can go with a quarter-cent tax. But, sooner or later, we’re also going to have to look at finding money for drainage.”

Toups said he believes the council should propose separate referendums for the drainage and jail issues.

White said he’s the best candidate because he’s “new,” “vocal,” and he understands the issues of his district and would frequently speak with his constituents.

“I feel as though a candidate, a councilman or a parish president should listen to the people,” White said. “Listen to what their complaints are. Talk to them. Go out there and see what’s going on, and you will see what they are telling you. Whatever they tell you, you work to solve that problem.”

Toups said his experience and free time set him apart from White. After more than a decade and a half of serving the parish, Toups said he still enjoys working on problems in his district.

“I know how to get things done, I have time to visit the people,” Toups said. “If they call me on a Monday or Tueday, a lot of times, I can see them that day instead of waiting a week. Most of the time, I can see them that day. My heart is in it. I enjoy doing it and I enjoy meeting people.”