St. Charles Parish residents can add one more name to the list of potential candidates for the October 2007 parish president’s race, Councilman Clayton “Snookie” Faucheux – who officially announced his candidacy just days ago but told Herald-Guide readers exclusively that he was running last January.
Faucheux, currently serves as the Councilman-at-large for Division B which includes communities on the west bank side of St. Charles Parish.
“I’m seeking the office of parish president so I can do even more to move our community forward and to always be there for the people of St. Charles,” Faucheux wrote in his official announcement.
“It is an honor to represent the people of St. Charles Parish, as your councilman-at-large since 1999,” he continued.
“I take very seriously the trust you have placed in me to fulfill the requirements of this important position.”
Faucheux said he has ‘learned something new everyday’ in the position he serves in the parish.
“Through my service on the council, I know the depth and scope of the parish’s commitment to enhancing our quality of life,” he continued.
“I understand the role of local government and know what it could and should do, but I also know what it can and can’t do,” he said.
Faucheux said in order for St. Charles Parish to compete successfully at the regional, state and national levels in the 21st century, the next parish president must possess the energy and work ethic to present a clear vision of where the parish must go and what it must be.
“I’ve prepared myself for the challenges that will come with this job by working hard over the past eight years to exhibit intelligent, effective and visionary leadership,” he said.
“It is the role of a leader to listen to people and then conceive, believe and achieve positive results,” he continued.
“In the post-Katrina world, our state and parish leadership will rightfully be held to a higher standard of accountability.”
Faucheux said leaders must develop and most important implement a forward strategy through effective planning, project knowledge and cooperation.
“It is imperative that our next parish president understands that there is no “I” in team,” he said.
“As President Ronald Reagan once said‘You’d be surprised what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.’”
Faucheux believes that the next parish president must develop clear, concise strategic plans and be able to communicate these strategies in a highly competitive environment.
“I’m ready to go to work for you as parish president and take on the challenge of putting together such strategies and serve you to the best of my ability,” he said.
“If we are to maintain the quality of life we enjoy, our parish must continue to grow and prosper,” he continued.
Faucheux believes the next parish president will have to immediately address several critical needs such as an aging infrastructure, much-needed upgrades to parish road, drainage and water systems to support growth and enhancements to recreational opportunities.
“We must strengthen education and job training programs. Existing businesses deserve our support as we work to expand economic opportunity and attract quality jobs,” he said.
“I welcome the opportunity to be judged not by rhetoric but by results.”
As your councilman-at-large, Faucheux sponsored and passed legislation allowing the display of religious and historical documents in the parish courthouse, including copies of the Ten Commandments, Magna Carta, U.S. Constitution, Ordinances of the Northwest Territory and the Declaration of Independence.
“I continue to be an integral part of many projects enhancing our community,” he said.
“I have worked to provide some $26 million in road, drainage and community improvements including:
– The completion of the first East Bank hurricane protection levee pump through a $4.3 million dollar donation from Shell/Motiva.
-Pushed CORPS Studies forward for the justification of other hurricane protection pumps by forward movement of the Feasibility Study for the East Bank Hurricane Protection Levee
-$13.8 million for the forward progress of the West Bank hurricane protection levee and the first pump in this system
– And the start of the West Bank hurricane protection levee system and support for the Donaldsonville to the Gulf Project.”
Faucheux wants to improve drainage systems in various communities.
“My plan is to remove drainage obstructions to the Pine Street Pump with the new bypass to the Dunleith Canal Crossing, Acadia Lane drainage improvements and stabilization, install subsurface culvert on Tiger Drive at Hahnville High School, make early street improvements and resurfacing at Paul Maillard Road Canal Crossing, and finally allocate $8.9 million upgrades to all major pump stations including bar screen cleaners.” he said.
“I plan to put the lights on the at soccer fields at J.B. Martin and R.J. Vial, create east and west bank bike paths
Faucheux traveled to Washington, DC to lobby for:
-$1.9 million in line item appropriations and $1.1 million in grants for infrastructure improvements
-Continued funding for the completion of the East Bank Hurricane Protection Levee, which should be complete by July
-Funding the additional East Bank Hurricane Pumps, the next one to be located in Destrehan and a third to follow in St. Rose
-The Donaldsonville to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Levee Project
-The initiation of the hurricane protection levee alignment west of the Bonnie Carré Spillway to protect Montz
-The support of the West Bank and Vicinity Hurricane project to provide hurricane protection to Ama by connecting the West Bank levee to the Davis Pond Diversion.
Faucheux, a lifelong resident of St. Charles Parish graduated from Hahnville High School, attended Louisiana State University and the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
“I never gave up on my goal of graduating from college and in 2006, after attending night classes for 4 years was awarded my degree from the University of Phoenix in business management with a project management certification,” he said.
“I’m a participant in the Texas A&M Total Quality Management Program and have been certified by the American Society of Quality Control as a Business System Manager.”
As an employee of Motiva Enterprises at the Norco Refinery Complex, Faucheux serves as a reliability specialist, identifying and mitigating chronic equipment problems.
“I serve on the Emergency Response Team, Hazardous Material Team and the Confined Space Rescue Team. Motiva graciously allowed me the opportunity to serve as the area’s first loaned executive to United Way, participating in the 2006 successful campaign,” he said.
“ I will serve as the 2007 United Way Campaign Co-chairman and the Motiva United Way committee,” he continued.
“I’m a member of the 2001 class of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute in which area leaders participate in a yearlong project to explore strengths and weaknesses in our region.”
Faucheux takes pride in the fact that he is committed to community service, having held leadership roles in the St. Charles Business Association, St. Charles Recreation, St. Charles Soccer Association and St. Charles Farm Bureau.
“As a soccer coach of 15 years and board member of the West St. Charles Soccer League, I helped grow the organization into the St. Charles Soccer Association, allowing children parish wide to enjoy the sport and learn lifelong lessons of teamwork,” he said.
“I’m a member of St Anthony Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #2409 and a board member of the United Way of St Charles.”
Faucheux is also an active member of the River Region Caucus, an organization that promotes the sharing of ideas by St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. James and Ascension Parishes.
“I serve on the operations, maintenance and contract management, legislative, contract/finance and the administrative and special projects committees,” he said.
“I’m also a member of the South Central Solid Waste Committee, exploring avenues for waste disposal for the next twenty years.”
Faucheux has been married for 27 years, to Deirdre Schexnayder Faucheux.
“We have two sons; Clayton III, who relocated to Virginia after Hurricane Katrina and Cory who lives in Destrehan,” he said.
Both of his children are graduates of Destrehan High School.
“I have worked hard to prepare myself for the challenges of serving you as your parish president,” Faucheux said.
“I love St. Charles Parish and want only the best for our future and humbly ask for your vote and support.“
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