Public commenters urge action on Gibson boat launch, invite discussion on carbon capture and seek clarity on utility-assistance services

During the Jan. 14 public comment period, three speakers raised non-agenda concerns for the council's attention.

Thomas Tabor, a lifelong Terrebonne Parish resident, said he was concerned 'about the possibility that the only boat launch privately owned in the Gibson area could possibly be closed in the near future,' which would reduce public access to the Intracoastal Canal for recreational and commercial users. Tabor asked the administration and council to consider developing a public boat-launch project in the parish's northwest area and requested a staff contact for updates.

Walton Lewis said he represented the organization We The People/By You Community and invited council members to a Jan. 15 forum in Thibodaux about carbon capture, sequestration and eminent domain. Lewis said state Rep. Mike Johnson had prefiled three bills on the subject and suggested the issue could come to the council for local decisions.

April Wallace raised concerns circulating among residents about the housing authority and changes to utility-assistance services. She said offices serving some east-side neighborhoods had closed and that elderly people face difficulties traveling to centralized locations. Wallace asked the administration to investigate and report back so affected residents would know whether services would be restored locally.

None of the public commenters reported receiving immediate verbal responses from council members beyond assurances that staff or the administration would follow up.