Face off in Dist. 3 heats up

November 1, 2006
By ANDREA CARLSON
The Tri-Parish Times (Houma)

To say that the Congressional contest for Louisiana's Third District Senate seat is heated would not only be an understatement, it would be misleading. Ugly advertising has left the public feeling wearisome of politics in general.

Yet Rep. Charlie Melancon, hoping to serve a second term in Washington, is standing his ground and is focused on the challenges still facing the people of south Louisiana.

"The list of things yet to be taken care of is a longer than the list of what has been done," admitted Melancon, though his term hasn't been unsuccessful by any means. Helping secure an energy and water bill that would authorize $1.3 billion aimed for coastal restoration remains on the table and finalization will be his first item of business.

Some $841 million of that is set aside for Morganza-to-the-Gulf. Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, 2 of 13 parishes a part of the third district which stretches from the Iberia-St. Martin parish line to St. Bernard Parish, are waiting on the federal government to match funds in order to complete Morganza. A $30 million section in South Terrebonne is currently under way.

First things first, Melancon will have to secure his position by fending off State Sen. Craig Romero of New Iberia in order to proceed.

Because of the uncertain future facing District 3 parishes, Melancon's focus will be on passing legislation to preserve coastal regions and ensure that citizens devastated by the 2005 hurricane season find their way back to normalcy. "WRDA" is only one component of a larger need. Melancon says that getting Louisiana's fair share of oil and gas revenues is something Louisiana has needed for sometime, but it's more critical now than ever.

"We need to reform laws that pertain to recovery after hurricanes so we can get things done a lot quicker with less red tape, to move things along," he said.

Before his time in Washington, D.C., Melancon headed the South Central Planning and Development Commission in the 1970's and helped assemble the beginnings of Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port - one of the nation's top Gulf Coast oil hubs and a vital Louisiana resource. Its main artery, La. 1, becomes increasingly vulnerable each year without protection from flooding as it continues to sink.

Melancon also served the in Louisiana's state legislature as a representative from 1987 until the time he left to head the American Sugar Cane League in 1993, serving as president and general manager for 11 years. Melancon left his mark with passing two pieces: Louisiana Workers Comp Corporation and the Louisiana's tourism taxing districts. "I understand the reluctance of the citizens to put up money," said Melancon of the failed one-cent sales tax for levees in Terrebonne.

Officials theorize voters were against the tax because federal funds have been promised. "Hopefully, we will get that done," he said.

Coastal restoration is just one item on the "Washington, D.C., to-do list." Other work that remains undone: Securing affordable healthcare for people who work, reinstating veterans benefits and passing higher education standards and providing continual funding for successful programs like the 'No Child Left Behind' Act, Melancon said.

"We need to work on the basics that we are neglecting when it comes to our schools. If we don't educate our children, we will not have a prosperous country for long," the congressman said.

Offering a hands-on approach, Melancon says he will work for all people of America regardless of class, race or party - and that he's willing to break party lines to do so.

The congressman still resides in his hometown of Napoleonville, where he first began his entrepreneurial endeavors after graduating with an agri-business degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Of the current media campaigning, Melancon said, "I don't like it and I never have.

But I will not have my opponent run negative ads and make negative speeches throughout the district for the better part of the year and not respond to them. I will not be rolled over."

With the risk negative ads might play on derailing his campaign, Melancon remains optimistic and is encouraged by the numbers, focusing on his plan for a better Louisiana.

"We are just looking forward to getting Nov. 7 and getting back to working fulltime for the people," he said.

Andrea Carlson can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.