Teamwork key in pitch to keep LDWF office in Iberia

Published 6:00 am Friday, March 30, 2018

G

reat things can happen when public servants work together. 

That’s what Iberia Parish President Larry Richard said regarding last week’s trip to Baton Rouge where local leaders met with Gov. John Bel Edwards about the closure of the parish’s state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries office. 

“As parish president, I know there are times when we as leaders don’t agree on issues, but more often than not we do find ways to work together. Relationship building and respect for each other is something we all have to constantly work on if we want to get things done for the betterment of people we represent,” he said.

Richard used the meeting in Baton Rouge as an example of that kind of cooperation, where the parish president, State Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, Iberia Parish Council members and Iberia Industrial Development Foundation Director Mike Tarantino met with the governor to propose an alternative to moving the office to Lafayette.

“Prior to the meeting we devised a plan of action that would offer LDWF an option that would still afford the consolidation to take place, while providing for a facility within Iberia Parish,” he said.

The parish president emphasized the urgency felt by a large amount of entities within the parish, and in that urgency leaders from all over the parish were able to work together to quickly devise a plan of action to stop the closure. 

“From the Monday meeting we had (at the Iberia Parish Courthouse, where Montoucet spoke to local residents), we arranged a meeting with the governor for Thursday,” Richard said. “From the Monday to the Wednesday, we printed brochures in binders for a formal presentation with input from IDF, the Port of Iberia, state legislators, the Parish Council, myself and South Louisiana Community College. We went to Baton Rouge on Thursday and presented to the governor and secretary, and got them to at least make it appear that they would consider the offer.” 

That proposal included not only office space but also protected parking both at the office and at the Port of Iberia for a watercraft. The office space being discussed is in close proximity to the Acadiana Regional Airport, which would enhance access to rotor and fixed wing operations to include seaway access. The seaway is used for amphibious aircrafts and is some 5,000 feet in length, lighted and is reported to be the only one of its kind in the continental United States, according to Richard. 

“Everyone in our delegation assisted in the presentation, which was well-received and impactful. Although the decision to move forward (and in what direction) is still in the state’s hands, we hope they decide on our plan but will accept and support their decision to serve our population. We are confident that our proposal impressed the group, as the effort to purchase the Lafayette property has been postponed.”

Richard thanked the state legislators, local council members and business leaders who stepped up to work toward saving the New Iberia office. 

“I cannot express enough my appreciation for not only the persons in attendance at this meeting, but also all of the entities  that we were involved with in working together to keep LDWF in Iberia Parish,” he said.

“I also want to thank the governor and secretary for making themselves available on short notice and for working with everyone to find a solution that will be beneficial to everyone. This is the way our government is designed to work, and I want you to all know your leaders are working together to meet common goals.” 

• Richard also joined many in the parish by mourning the loss of Iberia Parish Government’s Planning and Zoning Director John Raines. 

Richard called Raines, who died earlier this month due to illness, a dedicated employee of Iberia Parish. A former city planner and chief administrative officer for Lafayette, Raines held a vast amount of local knowledge, Richard said. 

“He was a smart man, I couldn’t stress that enough,” he said. “He was not only someone I talked to about planning and zoning, I could talk to him about a lot. Please keep John and his family in your prayers.”

• Richard also reminded local residents of Iberia Parish Government’s annual Household Waste Day, which is scheduled to be held  from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 28 in the parking lot of the Iberia Parish Courthouse.