28 minute read
DR. MICHAEL GARCIA
SLMA CEO and President
South Louisiana Medical Associates (SLMA) consists of physicians and specialists who provide an array of medical expertise for residents in Houma, Morgan City and beyond. Its mission is “to provide quality health care and a diverse group of experienced physicians and specialists to best serve residents of this region.” By employing over 100 medical providers and offering primary care adult and pediatric services and specialty services in cardiology, neurology, critical care, highrisk OB/GYN, ophthalmology, orthopedics and urology, the organization carries out its mission each day. CEO and President Dr. Michael Garcia leads the influential South Louisiana Medical Associates.
What led you to the role you currently hold in your company? Did you see yourself in this position when you started out in the workforce?
“I did not see myself in this role. In 2005, after 11 years of me being a part of the organization, the Medical Director and CEO of SLMA wanted to step back and asked me to take on the role.”
What does your morning routine look like?
“When I get to work, I quickly scan my emails that may have come in overnight, and then I seek out the coffee pot. I gather in the surgery lounge with our residents to discuss patients that may have come in through the night or whatever might be troubling them in reference to patient care.”
What piece of advice do you share with your team regularly?
“For this past year being the eternal Monday that it was, the advice I’ve tried to deliver is to look past it, not let the day-to-day things get you down. We will get out of this; we will manage our way out of this. The virus hit many people, but it also hit many organizations. We have to manage our way out of that while keeping people healthy and trying to continue to see patients.”
What skill do you feel all successful leaders must possess?
“I think a successful leader has to have vision, and they have to be able to see problems through the eyes of their employees. The successful ones are the ones that can see those problems the way someone else does and then find the fix that is accepted in both places, because now you understand both sides of the argument.”
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
“In work, my greatest accomplishment would be leading SLMA for the last 15 years and markedly enlarging the company, covering multiple clinics in three different cities.
On a personal side, certainly my two sons — I’m very proud of their accomplishments. They have a strong work ethic, and they know where right and wrong are.”
Who are your greatest influencers?
“I think the most important thing you can do to help with influencing is to not just manage people, but inspire people. I’ve seen that through the years many times in many ways, and people have inspired me and helped me to see beyond what I thought I could do, such as my uncle who is a doctor. I chased that dream after him after, his inspiration.”
What is the biggest challenge you have faced over the years and how did you meet it?
“The changes in healthcare, especially towards physicians, and how we navigate that, has been my biggest challenge in the last 10 years. You must figure out how to manage and lead an organization to keep people happy while the external forces are trying to hurt you.”
How are you going to impact the Bayou Region in 2021?
“As a physician group, try to expand our base so that we can impact more patients and take care of more people. I will use my skills not only in doing that but also with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority [TEDA]. This will be my second year as the President of TEDA, and I’m also the incoming Chair of the HoumaTerrebonne Chamber of Commerce. So, in those other two capacities, as well as what I do here at SLMA, I hope that we can put 2020 behind us and help out the parish as well as our group of providers and all the patients we serve.”•
TGMC APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF, VICE-CHIEF OF STAFF
LOUISIANA’S CAJUN BAYOU TOURISM NAMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) a nationally recognized and award-winning healthcare organization has appointed William St. Martin, MD as Chief of Medical Staff and John Steigner, MD as Vice-Chief of Staff for 2021-2022. Dr. St. Martin has served as Vice-Chief of Staff for the past two years. Dr. Steigner has served on the Medical Executive Committee for six years.
Dr. William St. Martin is a Houma native. He received a Bachelors of Science from Nicholls State University and subsequently graduated from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He then completed his residency at the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences. Dr. St. Martin is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has been practicing in Houma for 26 years. Dr. John Steigner received a medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Louisiana State University Hospital in New Orleans. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Steigner is a radiologist with Houma Radiology Associates and has been practicing medicine for 17 years.
In these roles, Dr. St. Martin and Dr. Steigner will provide medical leadership and direction to TGMC’s highly specialized medical staff, and will oversee medical staff activities related to improving the quality of clinical services. TGMC has over 450 medical staff providers on its Medical Staff and offers 42 various specialties to serve our region.
“We are proud to have Dr. St. Martin and Dr. Steigner serving as our Chief of Medical Staff and Vice Chief this year,” said Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO. “With their knowledge and expertise, they will provide strong leadership to our dedicated medical team allowing us to continue to effectively serve our community.”•
The board of directors of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, Lafourche Parish’s destination marketing organization, has officially named Cody Gray the tourism office’s new President and CEO.
Gray had been serving as Interim President and CEO since October 16, when his predecessor, Timothy Bush, left Louisiana for a tourism job out of state. Bush recruited Gray to join the parish’s tourism team as its director of sales and marketing earlier this year, and Gray relocated from his home state of Florida while much of the country was in pandemic lockdown.
He came to Louisiana in a year that has proven tremendously difficult for the tourism industry on the local, state, national and global levels. Despite COVIDinduced obstacles and limitations, Gray was able to forge relationships with the restaurateurs, hotel operators, charter-boat and swamp-tour captains, museum curators, shop owners, and other partners who comprise the parish’s growing tourism industry. “Cody has the talent, knowledge, dedication and – most importantly – the passion to take Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism to the next level as we navigate the road to recovery from a turbulent year,” said Jeremy Punch, the 2020 tourism board chair. “I’ve enjoyed working with Cody and look forward to the continued success in store for our destination-promotion organization.”
Marguerite Knight-Erwin, who was named 2021 chair of the tourism board at the same meeting, added, “As the incoming chair for the board of directors, I look forward to working with Cody. We are so fortunate here in Lafourche Parish to have someone with his talent, skill and professionalism leading our tourism program forward.”
Prior to moving to Louisiana, Gray worked in Florida’s travel industry for nearly seven years, first for the Columbia County Tourist Development Council and then as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Tru by Hilton & Lake City Hotels, Inc. His destination work was for a travel bureau in a rural destination with tourism assets and challenges that are similar to those of Lafourche Parish, and his hotel experience has been a tremendous resource for his work here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. Gray received his TMP (Travel Marketing Professional) certification via the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College in 2018 and has continued professional development initiatives for himself and the tourism office since arriving in the parish. “This year has been extremely difficult for everyone in the travel and hospitality industry, but we’re very fortunate to have a community that understands the importance of tourism as an economic engine in Lafourche Parish,” Gray said. “I’m honored and humbled to be chosen to lead this organization as we move forward together to brighter days ahead. I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the board of directors for their trust in me. I look forward to continuing to build relationships with our tourism partners and positioning Lafourche Parish as a year-round tourism destination.•
DANOS FAMILY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS RENOVATION OF TALBOT HALL, THEATER SIGNAGE
The Danos Family Foundation will help Nicholls State University renovate Talbot Hall and provide signage for the Mary and Al Danos Theater. As part of the $233,000 gift, the nonprofit – composed of siblings Rene, Alyce, Andre and Marcel Danos – will make the final payment on a 2016 $1 million commitment to support the theater named for their parents and the academic programs that benefit from it.
“With this donation, we have completed our dad’s last official task and dream for the Mary and Al Danos Theater,” Rene said. “This is a very proud moment for our family and the foundation. Daddy was always looking toward the future and knew how important having this fund would be for the theater and Nicholls State University.”
The remaining $80,000 will be used to resurface, pressure wash and paint the exterior of Talbot Hall. It will also be used to install signage for the theater.
“It has been wonderful to see a project that meant so much to Mr. Al and Ms. Mary come to fruition,” said Monique Crochet, executive director of external affairs. “Their children have taken on their legacy and with their support, we can ensure that the Mary and Al Danos Theater is crisp, clean and state-of-the-art for years to come.” To donate or for more information visit http://nichollsfoundation.org/.•
An investiture ceremony was held January 7, 2021, for Chief Justice John Weimer, a Thibodaux native who became the 26th Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court on January 1, 2021.
Weimer was entrusted with the role following the retirement of Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson – the first African American to serve in the position.
“...I promise to work hard and be dedicated to the principles of impartiality, independence and fairness while pursuing justice and acting with integrity, just as did my predecessors,” Weimer said during Thursday’s ceremony that was attended by Governor John Bel Edwards, Attorney General Jeff Landry and other elected state officials.
Weimer’s service on the state Supreme Court goes back to 2001 when he was elected to serve as an Associate Justice,
In December, the United Houma Nation received a donation that will allow them to open a new tribal office and cultural center. The Oaks of Houma has offered their old location at 400 Monarch Dr. in Houma.
“We are so thankful to the Oaks of Houma for this donation,” said Principal Chief August Creppel. “This donation means so much to our people.”
The new space provides tribal members the opportunity to come together and interact in many different ways. The Tribal Council will potentially be able to host council meetings, and staff members have a space with the means to assist tribal citizens. In the future, the UHN also plans to use the building for showcasing a tribal citizen art exhibit, an official archivist space to look at historic documents and photos, meeting and event spaces, classrooms, office space for rent, and other projected growth of tribal services.
“The donors from the Oaks of Houma have been very wonderful to work with and recognize the tribe’s efforts in providing the needs and services to the community,” said Creppel.
Creppel also said that the tribal elders were excited for the move and the significance of having their own space.
“Our elders have announced their excitement for this move,” said Principal Chief August Creppel. “There was once a time whenever they were not allowed access to public places or schools due to segregation in Terrebonne Parish, so this makes them thrilled to see this move happen in their lifetime.”
The UHN expects to be moved into their new building during the first quarter of 2021.•
UNITED HOUMA NATION RECEIVES DONATION FOR NEW TRIBAL OFFICE
LAFOURCHE NATIVE SWORN IN AS THE 26TH CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT
District 6, which is comprised of the parishes of Assumption, Iberia Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne and a portion of the west bank of Jefferson.
Over his career, he has won numerous awards, including the Outstanding Judicial Award from Victims and Citizens Against Crime, Outstanding Jurist Award from Crimefighters, Inc. (both statewide organizations dedicated to victims of crime), and the Award of Merit by Common Sense Against Crime and Crimefighters.
The chief justice has also been acclaimed for his assistance in establishing the Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court.
A graduate of Thibodaux High School, Weimer was a full-time faculty member at Nicholls State University (also a Hall of Fame graduate of the university) -- where he taught law and ethics classes for 16 years prior to taking the bench. Over the course of his teaching career, he received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence and was also named to the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.”
Weimer is also a member of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Company No. 1, and an awardwinning painter – which allowed him to raise thousands of dollars for charity through donated works.
“I ask one favor,” said the chief justice during his closing remarks on Thursday. “I ask for your prayers that my decisions and the decisions of my judicial colleagues will be just, wise, fair and that we will have an understanding heart -- that we are good servants as we toil in the vengeance of justice.”•
CHOUEST SIGNS FIRST LONG-TERM CONTRACT TO UTILIZE BATTERY SYSTEM ABOARD U.S. FLAGGED 312’ CLASS PSV
Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) has executed the first long-term contract with a major oil and gas company in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to install a battery-on-board (BoB) system aboard an ECO 312’ Class platform supply vessel (PSV), with options for additional systems. The vessel has been augmented with the latest sustainable BoB technology in order to reduce the carbon footprint during operations and port standby periods. ECO is working alongside its affiliate Marine Technologies to use proprietary, class-certified automation. This integrated solution between a marine propulsion and battery system will be the first of its kind to allow the PSV to work on one generator in the 500-meter zone.
This, in conjunction both with signing the first-ever U.S. flagged “Jones-Act” compliant Service Operations Vessel (SOV) for offshore wind as well as ECO’s use of its proprietary shore power system, C-Power, establishes ECO as an innovative leader in providing and working with its clients to achieve long-term emissions reductions.
“In pursuit of our long-term vision for renewable energy development and reduced emissions, Edison Chouest Offshore strives to improve efficiency through technology and innovation. Receiving the first-ever contract for battery technology in the Jones Act market demonstrates the close relationship we maintain with our clients and their trust in working with Edison Chouest Offshore,” said Dino Chouest, Executive Vice President of ECO.
“Through these efforts, we can reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment for future generations, while our technological innovations make our customers’ offshore operations more efficient and cost-effective,” said Chouest. •
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AMAZON TO OPEN ITS FIRST LOUISIANA FULFILLMENT CENTER, RESULTING IN 1,400 NEW JOBS
LITTLE IMAGINATIONS COMES UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
In January, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Amazon announced the company will open its first Louisiana fulfillment center in the Lafayette Parish city of Carencro. The company will make a $100 million capital investment and create 500 direct jobs with an annual payroll of more than $16 million. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project also will result in 982 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 1,400 jobs in Acadiana and surrounding regions.
Located on the former Evangeline Downs site in Carencro, the fulfillment center will be near the junction of Interstates 10 and 49 and provide optimal access to Louisiana markets. In the new 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center, Amazon associates will pick, pack and ship bulky or larger-sized items, such as patio furniture, outdoor equipment and rugs.
“You don’t become the world’s largest online retailer without making a series of well-reasoned strategic investments, and Amazon’s selection of Carencro for its new fulfillment center is a testament to this,” Gov. Edwards said. “This 1 millionsquare-foot fulfillment center will not only prove to be a tremendous asset for all of Louisiana, but the project also will create 500 full-time jobs on-site, and spur the growth of other jobs in Acadiana. I am proud to welcome this new fulfillment center to Louisiana, and I look forward to Amazon’s continued investment in our great state.” The new fulfillment center is the latest Louisiana investment by Amazon, which already had invested more than $250 million in the state since 2010. In addition to seven Whole Foods Market locations in Louisiana, Amazon operates delivery stations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The company also operates an Amazon Air logistics gateway at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Across Louisiana, Amazon currently employs over 1,500 full- and part-time workers.
“We are thrilled to be opening our first fulfillment center in the great state of Louisiana,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment. “We are grateful for the strong support we’ve received from local and state leaders as we expand our footprint in Louisiana. Every day at Amazon, incredible employees come together to deliver magical experiences for customers and we look forward to creating over 500 new full-time jobs for the local community, with industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.”
In 2020, Amazon ranked Louisiana No. 5 among all states for the fastest annual growth among its digital entrepreneur partners. More than 14,500 small and medium-sized businesses in the state participate in Amazon’s fulfillment network. From June 2019 through May 2020, those Louisiana entrepreneurs recorded a 49 percent growth in yearover-year sales.
“Carencro is extremely honored and equally blessed to have been chosen for Amazon’s first Louisiana-based fulfillment center,” Mayor Glenn Brasseaux said. “The economic impact of this facility cannot be overstated in terms of capital investment, job creation with respectable wages and benefits, and the increased interest in residential housing development.”
In July 2020, LED and its economic development partners began formal discussions with Amazon about a potential fulfillment center. To secure the project in Carencro, the State of Louisiana offered Amazon a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive solutions of LED FastStart® – the nation’s No. 1 state workforce program for the past 11 years. Additionally, Amazon will be eligible for a performance-based grant of $3 million, payable over two years, to offset facility infrastructure costs.
“Today’s announcement is a big win for Carencro, Lafayette Parish and our Acadiana people,” said President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “Amazon’s decision to locate Louisiana’s first fulfillment center here validates that our community is attractive to companies across sectors because of our work ethic, creativity and pro-business attitude. As our economy continues to recover from impacts of the pandemic and the energy downturn, this project highlights the importance of our diversification efforts to help stabilize the region’s economy.”
Amazon anticipates a completion of the fulfillment center in Carencro by the end of 2021. Hiring of new employees is expected to begin one to three months prior to the launch of operations.
“I’m so thankful to Mayor Brasseaux, LEDA, Amazon and all of the others who were involved in making this extraordinary project possible,” said Mayor-President Josh Guillory of Lafayette. “Anytime we can bring business and jobs to Lafayette Parish, everyone wins. We have all worked hard and will continue to put every resource forward to attract more businesses like this one to Lafayette.”•
Little Imaginations Developmental and Learning Center welcomed new owners in January. Bobby and Erica Rock announced the new learning center will focus on student safety, development and learning. The facility will introduce a new curriculum, Frog Street, for all young learners.
The Rocks have been married for 10 years and have three boys - 2 year old twins Noah and Luke, and a new addition, Ian Patrick, who was born in November.
Erica graduated in Elementary Education from Nicholls in 2009. She has been working in the Terrebonne Parish school system. She was awarded Teacher of the Year twice and has been named a highly effective teacher for the past several years. She has also been a dancing teacher since 2005.
Bobby graduated from Nicholls in 2013 in Business Administration. He currently runs and manages a family-owned pharmacy. •
TGMC AWARDED SAFETY STAR AWARD FOR PATIENT SAFETY
Jerri G. Smitko was elected chair of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) and William “Joe” McPherson, vice-chair during the Commission’s January meeting on January 7, 2021, in Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge. The two Commissioners will serve in those positions through 2021.
Smitko is an attorney and the owner of Smitko Law, APLC, in Houma. She is a graduate of Nicholls State University and Tulane University School of Law. Smitko was special legal counsel to the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government from 1992 to 1998, and the assistant parish attorney for the same body from 1988 to 1992. She has served on various boards throughout her career.
Smitko is a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana and Terrebonne Parish bar associations and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. She served in the Louisiana Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve until her honorable discharge in 1985.
McPherson served six full terms – 1984-96 and 2000-12 – in the Louisiana Senate. The Woodworth resident authored several bills for outdoor causes, including the creation of three wildlife management areas. He was honored with the Governor’s Award for conservation achievement in 2005. His work on behalf of outdoor heritage was recognized by various groups, including Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, Louisiana Outdoors Writers Association, and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.
He is a Life Member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, and the National Rifle Association. He is also a member of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and Avoyelles Wildlife Association. McPherson is a veteran of the United States Army Reserve.•
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) is honored to be the only hospital recognized by the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Trust Funds Safety Star Award for our patient safety initiative to reduce Maternal Morbidity through Quantification of Blood Loss (QBL).
The Safety Star Award program acknowledged TGMC’s initiative, an innovative idea that improves patient safety. Because hemorrhage was identified as the leading cause of pregnancy related death in the state TGMC chose to address this issue. TGMC has successfully implemented a risk assessment to 100% of all vaginal and cesarean delivery patients through our EPIC system. TGMC achieved its goal of performing Quantitative Blood Loss (QBL) calculations in 100% of cesarean and vaginal births.
By hardwiring this process and continuing with performing QBL in all deliveries, TGMC has improved early recognition and intervention for maternal patients resulting in a reduced risk of complications from hemorrhage including reduced mortality, reduced blood transfusions, decreased cost of hospital care, decreased length of stay, and increased patient satisfaction resulting in lives being saved.
“Being recognized for the LHA Safety Award is another example of how patient safety is our top priority,” explained Phyllis Peoples, President and CEO. “I am extremely proud of the team that worked so hard to achieve this prestigious award.”•
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GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD FOR SOUTH LOUISIANA WETLANDS DISCOVERY CENTER’S NEW WETLANDS EXHIBIT
Phase one of construction for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center’s (SLWDC) new wetlands exhibit and campus has begun. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the project on January 7, 2021. The new campus will be built at 86 Valhi Blvd. in Houma, near the main branch of the Terrebonne Parish Library.
Parish President Gordon Dove, Executive Director of SLWDC Jonathan Foret and SLWDC board members Juana Woodard, Emily Elmore, Dr. Joy Tingle, and Martha Thibodeaux were all present for the ceremony.
“It was very important that the four ladies that we have with us here today are here for the groundbreaking because we like to refer to them as our ‘Founding Mothers’. They are the founding mothers of our organization. We’ve all been working pretty hard at this, especially these ladies that we have here, for now maybe 20 years or so trying to get to this place,” said Foret.
Foret said that plans for this building began around two decades ago, and that the board members had been working since then to secure a space for the construction to begin. Plans for phase one include over 17,000 squarefeet of man-made wetlands, a half-acre of wetlands exhibits and a functional pavilion with restrooms.
This project will be completed in four phases, with phase one costing about $1.3 million, and the total amount coming out to about $8.2 million. Phase one is expected to be completed by April 2021. Funds for the project came from state capital outlay money, which SLWDC matched 25% of through fundraisers, donations and the annual Rougarou Fest, hosted by SLWDC. In 2019, the event made a net profit of $103,538.39.
“This vision began the drive to create a way for future generations to fully understand the importance of land conservation as well as coastal restoration in order to preserve our community. An organization was established in the late 1990s by Mrs. Juana Woodard and her late husband Mr. John Woodard which would lay the groundwork for an educational center for children,” Dove said in an official proclamation from Terrebonne Parish.•
HARDING ELECTED PRESIDENT OF TERREBONNE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
On January 5, 2021, the Terrebonne Parish School Board elected Gregory Harding as president.
A member of the board for over 20 years, Harding has held the position before.
For his current tenure, Harding said after the meeting, he is looking forward to the Terrebonne Parish School District (TPSD) “conquering” the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the students, faculty and staff safe.
Harding also touched on other challenges TPSD needs to address under his term, such as redistricting, beautification of schools, deciding what direction to move the district in as Superintendent Philip Martin’s contract expires in 2022 and local violence — especially in the Black community.
“You guys probably have looked at the news with all the violence that we have in this parish: young African-American men killing each other,” he said to his fellow board members and attendees. “It is devastating.”
The board president said there needs to be an innovative program that reaches out to students in grades seventh through ninth.
“I think we as a school district have to do a better job at identifying these kids at a younger age because it’s a lot cheaper to educate them than to incarcerate them,” he said.
“When you look at what we do here, they are entrusting us with our kids’ futures,” he told the Times after the meeting. “And I think it’s very important that we do the best we can to educate our kids and help them move on to have profitable careers.”
Harding takes over the role following the two-year term of Debi Benoit, who is the first woman to hold the position in the district’s history.
Also at last night’s meeting, Dr. MayBelle Trahan was selected to be vice president.•
BAYOU LAFOURCHE FRESH WATER DISTRICT AUTHORIZES CONTRACTOR TO BEGIN WEIR DEMOLITION
LAFOURCHE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SET TO BEGIN HER TERM
The Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District has authorized Sealevel Construction to proceed with the Thibodaux weir removal project. took place at the City of Thibodaux’s water treatment facility in early January. The weir demolition is scheduled to begin in late February and completed by mid-2021. Pedestrian traffic, some bayou-side vehicular parking spaces, boat traffic, and fishing will be restricted around the immediate area during utility relocation, equipment mobilization, and weir demolition. Long-term closure of La Highway 1 is not expected.
As part of the MRRBL (Mississippi River Reintroduction into Bayou Lafourche) series of projects, the removal of the weir plays a critical role in the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District’s ability to pump more fresh water into the Bayou Lafourche to protect our endangered coast due to saltwater intrusion. The only true long-term mitigation for this continued encroachment is to increase the fresh water supply into Bayou Lafourche from the Mississippi River, and removal of the weir is a large part of the MRRBL project list.
The Thibodaux weir was constructed in 1969 to create a water reservoir for water treatment facilities and sugar mills north of the weir. While it has served its original purpose, it has not only impeded the flow of water in Bayou Lafourche, but also prevents boat access in Bayou Lafourche which is not only a major impediment to the operations of BLFWD but also a major impediment to the recreational boaters of the bayou region. With the Lockport Water Control Structure in place, and the Assumption Parish Water Control structure recently completed, the water elevations of Bayou Lafourche can be safely managed without needing the weir in Thibodaux. In addition to coastal erosion benefits, removal of the weir will greatly increase the recreational potential in the bayou.
In August of 2019, the BLFWD hired Duplantis Design Group to perform the survey, regulatory compliance, demolition plan, and permitting for removal of the weir, and in May of 2020 the Lafourche Parish Council approved a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District to provide $1.3 million of the parish’s GOMESA funds towards the project.
Archie Chaisson III, Lafourche Parish President said “Lafourche Parish is proud to partner with the BLFWD on the removal of the weir. This is a project that we have all worked on and dreamed of for years and to finally see it become a reality is exciting. This project will not only open up the bayou for better flow but the impacts to the recreational use of Bayou Lafourche will be tremendous.”
Ben Malbrough, Executive Director of the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, said “The Weir Removal Project has been a priority project for BLFWD for quite some time. With the completion of several other necessary projects in the bayou, the weir can now be removed without jeopardizing our region’s water supply.”•
Lafourche Parish District Attorney Kristine Russell is set to begin her first full term as District Attorney. On Monday, January 11th, 2021, she was sworn into office by Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court Annette Fontana in a small, private ceremony due to Covid-19 guidelines, followed by the swearing-in of the Assistant District Attorneys. “I am humbled by the confidence the citizens of Lafourche Parish have placed in me and my staff,” said District Attorney Kristine Russell. “Together, we have accomplished so much over the last three years, but there is still plenty of work left for us to do.”
District Attorney Russell served as interim District Attorney for five months in 2017 after the retirement of her predecessor, Camille A. “Cam” Morvant II. She was elected in March of 2018 to finish the last two and a half years of Morvant’s six-year term before being elected again in November of 2020.
“As a career prosecutor, I have a deep appreciation and understanding of the difference between dangerous offenders who pose a risk to public safety versus offenders in need of services due to an underlying addiction or mental health issue,” said District Attorney Kristine Russell. “As the justice system evolves, we will continue to work hard by ensuring dangerous criminals are prosecuted and justice is served.” District Attorney Russell and her dedicated D.A.’s Office staff are grateful for the overwhelming support the community has shown them and are committed to continuing to serve the residents of Lafourche. •
