Plaquemine Public Works Director Richard Alleman remains in hospital after stroke

Plaquemine Public Works Director Richard Alleman continues his road to recovery after a stroke he suffered in January, but he is currently trying to rebound from a setback.

Alleman suffered a blood pressure drop to 50/20 from a ministroke on Feb. 18, which sent him back into the intensive care unit at a Baton Rouge hospital, according to Plaquemine Mayor Edwin M. “Ed” Reeves Jr. 

“He’s still struggling, but the good news is that he’s getting his feeling back in his legs and arms, and that’s very encouraging,” Reeves said. “What we noticed is that he did not lose any ground in the ministroke. He’s trying and he wants to be out of the hospital. He’s determined to get home, and we all miss him … he’s our right-hand man.”

The first stroke affected the right side of Alleman’s brain, the mayor said.

Reeves has assigned city employee Ivy Pania to oversee the public works crew, while other workers from that department will take on additional duties.

Alleman, 64, is a lifelong resident of Plaquemine. He served two terms as the District 1 member on the city’s Board of Selectmen before he joined the Public Works Department.

Prior to the stroke, Reeves lost 70 pounds and had been on a training regimen. Public Works Official Ivy Pania continue to oversee the public works crew, while other workers from that department have taken on additional duties.