Voisin named to chair Terrebonne Parish Council

Members of the Terrebonne Parish Council voted 7-1 last Wednesday to have Dist. 7 Councilman Clayton Voisin serve as council chairman for 2011. Dist. 4 Councilwoman Teri Cavalier cast the one “nay” vote, and Dist. 1 Councilman Alvin Tillman was absent from the vote and arrived to the meeting at 6:11 p.m.

Outgoing Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams, who represents the 2nd District, offered words of appreciation to council members and the administration of Parish President Michel Claudet for the opportunity she had to work in that capacity during 2010.

“We all have different attitudes, but we know how to come together and for that I want to say thank you to the council,” Williams said.

Voisin’s selection to the council chairmanship is the first time any person in Terrebonne Parish has filled that position a fourth time.

Voisin will complete his third and final term on the council this year. He has also confirmed that he intends to run against Claudet for the office of parish president in October.

Voisin and Claudet have been at odds on various matters of parish business over the years. It is a relationship that Voisin said should not impact their being able to work together in conducting parish business.

“I hope [Claudet] is willing to work with us,” Voisin said. “As council chairman I hope to represent my colleagues and the entire parish to Mr. Claudet and the entire administration.”

Asked about his bid for Claudet’s job, Voisin chuckled and said, “I certainly hope he votes like I vote.”

“There’s a lot of projects still on the books. We’ve been fortunate enough since the last set of storms [hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike] we’ve had more money come into the parish than in any administration and setting council as we have these last three years. I’m not 100 percent happy with how some of it was spent,” Voisin said.

As Voisin moved from the role of vice-chair to chairman, council members gave unanimous approval as they named of Dist. 5 Councilman John Pizzolatto to the number two seat.

Pizzolatto served his first year on the Terrebonne Parish Council in 2010. His district of representation covers the old Houma area, neighborhoods around Terrebonne High School and reaches to Coteau Road and Prospect Road in East Houma. Pizzolatto is a retired plumber.

“I’m available 24/7 to you, Mr. Chairman, to every council member here, and definitely to the administration and the people of Terrebonne Parish,” Pizzolatto said upon being named to the vice-chairmanship.

Getting down to business for the evening, council members gave rapid approval to an ordinance to add more than $3 million in FEMA funds and $735,202 from the BP Deepwater Horizon blast and oil spill to the 2011 budget.

Dist. 9 Councilman Pete Lambert announced that U.S. military veterans were receiving Louisiana Medals of Honor during a ceremony that took place Tuesday at the Lockport American Legion Hall.

The council named a 10-year library plan and several community development projects that will go before a public hearing on Jan. 26, and Claudet announced plans to have members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration present that the Jan. 26 meeting to discuss coastal restoration efforts.