Lafourche names coastal director

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph, fighting a 60-day deadline, has at least one of the parish government’s top director slots filled.

The parish council approved the appointment of 24-year-old Lockport resident Nicholas Matherne as Coastal Zone chief.

Just prior to the start of last week’s parish council meeting, Finance Department director nominee Renita Jackson withdrew her name from consideration.

With a deadline looming to appoint four directors – Finance, Public Works, Community Services heads and a parish administrator, Randolph is attempting to rebuild her administrative team. Earlier this month, the parish council gutted Randolph’s administration, effectively firing seven of her nine directors – including Jackson’s former supervisor, Cullen Curole.

Jackson decided to keep her accountant job, which is protected under the parish government’s civic service sector and does not require input from the parish council. Jackson’s been in the job for the past six years.

“I don’t want to be put under fire with the council having to vote on whether I stay or go,” Jackson said. “Right now, I am protected under the civil service sector and the council cannot make the decision if I keep my job. Cullen, to me, did an excellent job as parish administrator. If he was put on the chopping block, then what is the council going to do to others who are hired from within the ranks.”

Prior to Matherne’s appointment as Coastal Zone director, Randolph urged the board to approve her nominees to relieve the recent stress to her office.

“Right now I am the parish administrator, Public Works director, Finance director and the Coastal Zone director. I can’t do it all and run the parish,” she said. “I wanted to let former parish administrator Cullen Curole handle the coastal issues for the parish, but he is no longer with the parish so we need to fill this vacancy.”

Matherne, a 2006 graduate of Nicholls State University, was hired in December 2007 as the Coastal Zone manager. Randolph said his direct duties are in line with the expectations of the department’s director.

Daily, Matherne reviews and coordinates coastal permits for the parish and assists parish residents in completing coastal use permit applications. He also supervises the Lafourche Parish Coastal Impact Assistance Program projects and manages Lafourche Parish’s effort to obtain coastal wetland planning protection and restoration act project funding.

When asked if he was ready for the challenge, Matherne told the board, “It’s a fulfilling job. When I get home at night I am at peace. I enjoy coming to work everyday because I see that I am a part of a bigger picture. Coastal issues go far beyond Lafourche Parish and I want to be a part of the process of restoring our coast.”

By a unanimous vote, Matherne was hired as the new Coastal, Energy, and Environment Director for the parish.

“This position has afforded Nicholas the opportunity to work closely with individuals with vast experience in coastal issues and projects,” Randolph said. “As department head, this relationship will continue to grow.”

Randolph told the council Matherne has exhibited an eagerness to learn the many aspects of all the state and federal programs governing coastal projects.

He will also oversee the parish’s Solid Waste department as well as assist with the Nuisance Abatement program, she said.

“I have been meeting all the right people, and they are great individuals,” he said. “They know what they are doing and they have their departments running smoothly. I know if I had any questions they will be willing to give me the answers that I needed.”