TGMC in critical need of blood donors
January 11, 2007Joseph Gauthier
January 15, 2007The Terrebonne Parish Council made history last week by electing the first black representative to lead as council chairman.
District 1 representative Alvin Tillman beat out District 7 representative Clayton Voisin in a 5-4 runoff vote and Christa Duplantis of District 5 was voted vice chairwoman during the first regular meeting of the year on Jan. 10.
Peter Rhodes, the previous council chairman, nominated Tillman and said that Tillman was ready for the position after his creditable service to the community and council as last year’s vice chairman.
Elected in 1999, Tillman, 46, represents the east side of Houma as well as the upper Bayou Dularge area on the west side of the city. In 2006, he utilized his experience as an insurance executive as he chaired the council’s Public Services Committee.
“At the beginning it had me,” Tillman said of his appointment. “It’s like a little bit of disbelief.”
His first words as chairman were of thanks: to God and members of the council. His next words were of the new direction he wants to see the council take, calling this a new era for local government. Tillman noted the council has been known let personal feelings get in the way of work.
“I’m going to create such a coalition on this council they’re going to want me to serve (as chairman) next year,” Tillman said.
Duplantis will go in the books as the first women to be elected as council vice chair. Openly supporting Tillman’s message for a new direction, Duplantis said she plans to serve alongside Tillman as his “better half.” She said she hoped “bygones would be bygones” and that her last year on the council would be one of change.
Nominated by fellow councilwoman Arlanda Williams of District 2, Duplantis, 41, won by a 6-3 vote. Duplantis began serving her district, which includes east and west ends of downtown Houma, in 1995.
In Other Action
The following is a rundown of action taken by the Terrebonne Parish Council at the Jan. 11 regular meeting. All council members were present. All decisions were unanimous unless noted:
• Revoked the right-of-way for the bus turnaround on Merle Street.
• Amended the current “Tree Ordinance” regulations. The regulations now include provisions for exempting the parish government during the normal course of business and designating the placement of fines collecting in the Tree Fund.
• Held the dedication and acceptance of Quality Estates Subdivision, Addendum No. 1 Phase 2, into the parish maintenance system. This would have incorporated Cordell Road into the Enhanced 911 Emergency Response System. Pat Gordon, director of the Planning and Zoning Department, said there are still punch-list items to be taken care of before acceptance.
• Authorized the parish president to transfer by intergovernmental agreement the property containing the Fire Protection District No. 5 Fire Station to the name of the Fire Protection District. This will allow for an act of sale and any other necessary legal documents for the transfer of property.
• Held appointment of one vacancy on the Recreation District No. 7 Board for two weeks to obtain nominees.
• Held two open positions on the Bayou Blue Fire Protection Board after the terms of Robert LeBouef, Van Matherne and Harvey Parks Sr. expired. Just one letter, from Shane Duplantis, was submitted. Therefore, the appointment will be held for two weeks to obtain nominees.
• Reappointed Lionel Falgout to the Bayou Cane Fire Protection District Board.
• Reappointed Kevin Belanger to the Fire Protection District No. 6 Board.
• Reappointed Barry Chauvin and Jamie Theriot to the Fire Protection District No. 7 Board.
• Held the appointment for the Schriever Fire Protection District Board for two weeks to obtain nominees after the term of Paul Dugas expired.
• Held two appointments for the East Fire Protection District Board for two weeks to obtain nominees.
• Proclaimed Jan. 19, 2007 as “Arbor Day in Houma-Terrebonne.”
Andrea Carlson can be reached at andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.
