New lines take shape in T’bonne

A four-member committee assigned to work with the South Central Planning and Development Commission will present their unanimous recommendation for redrawing areas of representation tonight before the full Terrebonne Parish Council.

In a little more than one hour, council members Clayton Voisin (D-Dist 7), Arlanda Williams (D-Dist. 2), Billy Hebert (D-Dist. 3) and Johnny Pizzolatto (R-Dist. 5) looked over a modified mapping proposal that they had tentatively approved based on the securing of two majority minority districts in the parish, but one that required shifting and splitting precincts to satisfy concerns regarding down-bayou residents not wanting to spread their representation too thin.

Under the recommended plan, Districts 1 and 2 would remain the minority districts as required of Louisiana by federal law and the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Each will have a black population level of 53 percent for populations of 10,279 and 10,280. District 1 has a white population of approximately 34 percent, while district 2 has a white population of 41 percent. Those races listed as other constitute approximately 13 percent in District 1 and 6 percent in District 2.

Democrat Alvin Tillman represents District 1, who had questioned why the black population in his district has seemed to decline during the past decade. SCPDC CEO Kevin Belanger explained that increased integration of the region has led to districts being more difficult to define by race, and in turn a reduction in the percentage levels for primarily black districts.

The remaining seven districts each hold populations of slightly more than 13,000 residents with racial makeup ranging from approximately 69 percent white, 9 percent black and 22 percent other in District 7, represented by Clayton Voisin, to 87 percent white, 8 percent black and 5 percent other in District 6, which is represented by Republican Kevin Voisin.

The make-up of the remaining areas include Hebert’s district with a breakdown of approximately 82 percent white, 11 percent black and 7 percent other.

District 4, represented by Independent Councilwoman Teri Cavalier, is comprised with a population of approximately 75 percent white, 17 percent black and 8 percent other.

Pizzolatto’s district has a racial split of approximately 73 percent white, 18 percent black and 9 percent other.

Councilman Joey Cehan, D-Dist. 8, has a racial mix of representation that is approximately 78 percent white, 10 percent black and 12 percent other, while Pete Lambert, D-Dist. 9, represents a population of approximately 80 percent white, 5 percent black and 15 percent other.

Tillman and Williams are the only two black members of the full council and represent the two majority minority districts.

As committee members offered approval of the recommended districting, Terrebonne Parish Deputy Clerk of Court Nancy Boudreaux warned that the changing of precincts as well as districts could lead to problems in staffing and having enough voting machines for polls on election day.

Belanger and members of the registrar of elections office remained to work on details of the recommended plan so it could be submitted to make the next council board agenda by 4 p.m.

If the full council accepts the redistricting plan it will proceed to the U.S. Department of Justice for final approval.

“I think the outcome of this meeting was very favorable,” Clayton Voisin said. “We met only three times as an advisory board. Getting to this destination that I am hoping can be and will be approved by the council and move forward.”

During their regular meeting last Tuesday, members of the Terrebonne Parish School board were encouraged by Board President L.P. Bordelon to attend the redistricting committee meeting. Bordelon and Roosevelt Thomas were the only two school board members present.

“We don’t have to deal with this for two years down the line, but we hope that something will work where we can identify our school board,” Thomas said. “If this can work out that will give us a lot less leg work and it will simplify the school board challenges if there are any down the line.”

“I love plan 3-A,” Williams said early in the meeting. After the session she voice her support of specific elements. “I think it balances out the bayou community. They are back with each other. The minority district will still maintain a high enough number that the Justice Department would not kick it back. It keeps the districts as close to their original point as it possibly can. I think there might be a little bit of tweaking but I think it will go through.”

“We all have the same problems. My biggest concern with any of the plans is having the registrar of voters having the needed number of ballots and the machines in place to have an election,” Hebert said. “It is going to be interesting to see it work.”

If the full council accepts the recommended redistricting plan, it will be presented at a public hearing scheduled for April 13.

Terrebonne Parish Deputy Clerk of Court Nancy Boudreaux warns that a new redistricting recommendation creates the challenge of having enough voting machines and personnel to work polls at elections. MIKE NIXON