Lafourche Parish Administrator Leif Haas resigned Thursday, making him the second department head to leave the administration this week.
“Mr. Haas expressed his frustration with the very difficult political environment and the obstacles that the situation created in his vision for parish government operations,” a press release from Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle’s office states.
Cantrelle announced the resignation Thursday morning.
“I certainly understand his feelings. We regret the loss of Mr. Haas and hope that he can find a new position that will benefit from his talents and hard work and that he will find rewarding,” Cantrelle said.
Haas was appointed to the position in June 2017 after the previous administrator, Reggie Bagala, was fired and promptly escorted from the building by police.
Earlier this week, Carrel Hymel, parish finance director, resigned before a scheduled vote for his removal.
Haas’ departure marks the 10th department head to leave the administration, by choice or otherwise, since Cantrelle took office in January 2016. That number increases to 12 when considering Bagala and Tommy Lasseigne each served in two department head roles.
The parish’s Home Rule Charter only requires three department heads: public works, finance and civil service.
According to the charter, candidates for the positions must be nominated within 60 days and approved or rejected by the Parish Council within the next 30 days.
Staff Writer Julia Arenstam can be reached at 448-7636 or julia.arenstam@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @gingerale214.