Terrebonne parish president candidates face off in debate

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter, local business owner Michel Claudet, entrepreneur Mike Fesi II, former parish president Barry Bonvillain and Terrebonne Parish Solid Waste Director Eulin Guidry faced off in front of two civic groups at the Southern University Bayou Chapter Quarterback Club headquarters last Tuesday.

The five men spoke to roughly 60 people during a get-acquainted debate sponsored by the Gray Improvement Committee and the Louisiana Institute for Citizens Empowerment.

Although none of the candidates presented any specific plans for the future of local government, the five agreed parishwide zoning and improved recreation – including a pledge to return All-Star baseball leagues to the parish – were needed.

At least two candidates wasted little time taking indirect shots at Larpenter.

Bonvillain called for “more community policing,” while Guidry said, “It’s time to get drugs off the streets – that should be a top priority.”

Larpenter fired back, noting that although the parish has grown since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the parish has failed to allocate additional money to the sheriff’s office so more deputies could be hired.

“With our additional growth, for instance, I’m still operating my narcotics division with just 15 officers and one Houma Police officer!,” the sheriff said.

Claudet blamed the problem on today’s youth and the lax approach the school district takes with truancy problems. He argued the schools system and parents must work together to get tough on truancy. He also said it was time to seek solutions to curb young people from “exposing their underwear in public.”

Sticking to the youth theme, Fesi suggested the parish council readdress teen-related ordinances, including one that bans youths from using sidewalks to skateboard.

“If we’re going to limit our children, let’s at least give them a way to express themselves,” he said.

The candidates were in agreement when the topic turned to the subject of Bayou Terrebonne. The five agreed the waterway is in deplorable condition.

Guidry and Larpenter discussed an ongoing project the parish is involved in to remove over 100 abandoned vessels from the waterway.

Bonvillain suggested dredging the bayou. He also offered a plan to redirect water from Bayou Lafourche into Bayou Terrebonne to create a northern flow of freshwater.

Fesi suggested the parish’s culvert projects could solve some of the water issues.

Claudet said dredging Bayou Terrebonne from the lower are to the upper portion would also help improve the bayou.

Each of the candidates left voters with campaign promises.

Larpenter promised to provide a more harmonious government with everyone working together. “Wouldn’t it be nice?” he asked.

Guidry touted his experience as a grant writer, and vowed to use his skill to help the parish land more grant dollars for local projects.

Bonvillain referred to his past experience in his closing remarks. “I can tell you where every pumping station is,” he said as an example of his knowledge of Terrebonne.

Meanwhile, Claudet said his experience as a successful business owner of various companies proved he could run the parish as a business. While he has campaigned, Claudet’s brother has run the companies, a job that the sibling said he would retain if his brother’s bid for parish president is successful.

Fesi held strong to his campaign slogan to give government “back to the people.” He said he would hold monthly town hall meetings in each district to gain insight into residents’ needs and concerns.

Larpenter and Bonvillain are the two Democrats in the race, while Claudet, Fesi and Guidry are Republican.

Terrebonne Parish Housing Authority Director Wayne Thibodeaux, a resident of Gray and former parish councilman, organized the conclave.

“I thought it was time to bring local government to the northern end of the parish – so much of what goes on seems to happen in central city, so to speak, so this was an opportunity to give out good information,” he said.

Thibodeaux is president of the empowerment group.

United Parcel Service Supervisor Durwin Jackson, president of the Gray Improvement Committee, also helped with the event.

“This was a great opportunity to present the different types of personalities and work ethics of these men. I thought it was great,” he said.