Election

ELECTION 2015 Crowd running for Parish President

Clifford Bailey

Daniel E. Becnel Jr.

BY RAQUEL DERGANZ BAKER

W

L’OBSERVATEUR

ith elections around the corner, residents in St. John the Baptist Parish will vote for one person to lead them as the next Parish President.

Running against incumbent Natalie Robottom are Kent St. Amant, Daniel E. Becnel Jr., DeLisa R. Brown, Charles Julien and Terry Gene Lewis Sr. “I think our residents and voters are smart,” Robottom said. “They are going to look at qualifications, experience and productivity. I think my record speaks for itself. It’s proven leadership with results that are … visDeLisa ible. They will vote accordingly.”

R. Brown With six people in the running, many candidates feel the community is asking for a change.

“I feel the race is wide open, and the people are tired of the same old hum drum,” Lewis said.

“They are looking for a change right now. I’m going to be honest, open and transparent with my candidacy and campaign.”

When asked what their first priority would be if elected, the answers varied from each person.

Brown wants to focus on a strong community that will bring a legacy of family values and quality of life to the parish.

“We will work together with St. John residents, Parish Council members, state and federal legislators and neighboring parishes to create a comprehensive economic plan to attract new businesses and strengthen current business, build an accountable budget, attract a local hospital, restore ferry service and provide better sewer, drainage, flood and levee protection,” she said.

Becnel, a local businessman and trial lawyer, said a deep dissatisfaction with St. John’s current government led to his decision to run for office.

“So many of the (parish) department heads are from outside of the parish,” he said. “I have watched us lose 10,500 people in the last 15 months, and most of the people that are leaving are people that pay taxes. The parish has no basis to be able to support itself anymore.”

It’s common knowledge there are places in St. John the Baptist Parish that flood due to poor drainage and unkempt culverts.

“My top priority as Parish President of St. John the Baptist Parish would be to make sure our parish has viable levees to protect our homes and families from floodwaters,” Lewis said.

Robottom feels the same way about a levee for the “gravity flow” parish.

“Until we get levee protection that combines some type of pumping system to keep the tidal flow coming in and allow our drainage to go out, we are going to continue to have problems,” she SEE PRESIDENT, PAGE 6C

M C Y K

Michael Hoover

Sheriff’s candidates talk tough on crime, safety

BY RAQUEL DERGANZ BAKER

I Charles Julien

Mike Tregre

L’OBSERVATEUR

ncumbent Sheriff Mike Tregre has to prove he is the best candidate for his position because three other St. John the Baptist Parish residents are vying for the job.

“It’s a great job, I love it,” Tregre said. “I first ran to make a difference, and I stick Samantha Wilson by that.”

Clifford Bailey, Michael Hoover and Samantha Wilson are running against Tregre.

When asked what their qualifications were for the position, there was a wide

array of answers.

“I have experience in security work,” Bailey said. “I have experience in the military and I have experience in being a leader. I’m not from the system; I’m part of the system.”

With his 25 years of service, Hoover believes he is the candidate for the position.

“I was known as the man who can get things done,” Hoover said. “That’s who I am, and that’s who I’m going to continue to be as your sheriff.”

When the candidates were recently asked if they believed people in St. John the Baptist Parish felt safe, two said “no.”

SEE SHERIFF, PAGE 6C

Terry Gene Lewis Sr.

Candidates for St. John the Baptist Parish Tax Assessor include Lucien Gauff III, Rodney Nicholas and Kevin Prudhomme.

Natalie Robottom

Incumbent-less field opens up Assessor’s race

BY KYLE BARNETT L’OBSERVATEUR

Kent St. Amant

LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Assessor’s race features two politicians and a longtime Assessor’s Office employee who are locked in a battle to replace outgoing Assessor Whitney Joseph Jr. Joseph has held the position for the past two decades and has spent 41 years in all

in the office.

The Assessor evaluates property values parishwide and levies property taxes on the $520 million worth of property in the parish that combined for $52 million in tax revenue for various aspects of parish government last year alone.

Current Parish Council member Lucien Gauff III SEE ASSESSOR, PAGE 6C

| ELECTION 2015 |

PAGE 2C

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

3 vie for Division A Council At Large in St. John

BY KYLE BARNETT L’OBSERVATEUR

LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Council At-Large Division A race features three candidates with plenty of experience in government in a variety of different fashions.

The candidates are vying to replace Councilman Lucien Gauff, who, after five years on the Council, opted to run for St. John the Baptist Parish Assessor. Gauff has not endorsed any of the candidates.

Demetria Robinson-Carter, 47, a Mt. Airy native and Garyville resident, is a certified public accountant running for the Parish Council for the second time. She was not elected in her first attempt four years ago.

Robinson-Carter says she will rely on her 26 years in the accounting field to help the parish increase its financial stability.

“I feel I am the best candidate because in today’s time when federal and state budgets are shrinking and grants are more competitive, we need people on the Council that are financial minded that are able to understand financials,” Robinson-Carter said.

As part of Robinson-Carter’s job, she said she reviews federal grants, with a specialty in governmental accounting.

“I understand how government grants work, the requirements of them and also making sure when we get them we are in compliance with them and don’t have to pay money back because we didn’t dot our I’s and cross our T’s,” Robinson-

Carter said.

In addition to maintaining a professional career, Robinson-Carter juggles a busy personal schedule as well.

“I am an all around woman, that is my theme — I am every woman,” Robinson-Carter said. “I am a career woman, I am a mom. I am a part of the sandwich generation — I am taking care of an aging parent and also raising a 14-year-old son with my husband. I feel I have the pulse of the community.”

Robinson-Carter does not count all of her responsibilities as a hindrance, rather she said it provides her incentive to make St. John the Baptist Parish the best it can possibly be because the future of the parish has implications for at least three generations of her family.

“I am vested in this council race to lay down a foundation for my retirement — I am going retire in the parish,” Robinson-Carter said.

“I feel like I am young, I am vibrant, I am knowledgeable, I am educated, I am energetic and I have a vested interest in this parish because I have a son and I have an aging mother and I want to see this parish grow into fruition.”

Robinson-Carter believes she can bring an air of professionalism to the St. John’s government.

Robinson-Carter said in the past the St. John the Baptist Parish government has delved into unprofessional behavior.

“There has been an embarrassment about the Council and the Parish President bickering and the SEE DIVISION A, PAGE 5C

St. John Division B Councilwoman At-Large Jaclyn Hotard, left, is facing an election challenge this month from fellow Councilwoman Cheryl Millet.

Hotard, Millet locked in heated Council battle

BY COURTNEY GRIGGS L’OBSERVATEUR

With local elections coming up Oct. 24 and campaigns heating up, St. John the Baptist Parish residents have strong candidates to choose from in the Division B Council Member At-Large race, which pits incumbent Jaclyn Hotard against Cheryl Millet.

Millet is the current District 7 Councilwoman.

“This is a role that I take seriously,” Hotard said. “As a native of St. John and the mother of a teenager, the future of our parish is a great concern to me. We all want the same things for our families — communities with safe drinking water, a flourishing economy and a place that we can be proud to call home.”

Hotard explained why her experiences as Division B at-large council member makes her most qualified.

“I have been knowledgeable on the issues so I can make sound, informed decisions and put your interest on the forefront,” Hotard said. “I have been responsible with your tax dollars and guarded against wasteful spending. My commitment doesn’t stop after the Council meetings. The next few years are critical. We need proven leadership that is progressive, proactive and competent. We need someone that is proactive and getting ahead of the issues. Someone with their feet on the ground making it happen, not sitting behind a computer or telephone writing emails and making calls.”

During Hurricane Isaac, Hotard said she was on the ground, rescuing residents trapped by flood waters.

“It was very scary, and I would SEE DIVISION B, PAGE 5C

ELECT # 79

St. John Parish Councilman-At-Large Division A

LARRY

SORAPURU

I will be: • A FULL TIME Councilman-At-Large • Readily available to all constituents

M C Y K

| ELECTION 2015 |

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

PAGE 3C

4 vying for District 2 St. John Parish Council seat

BY STEPHEN HEMELT L’OBSERVATEUR

Ranney Wilson has 20 years of experience with the St. John the Baptist Parish Council, but the District 2 representative faces a challenge in his bid to keep the seat through 2016 and beyond.

“I fully understand all issues and concerns of the residents of St. John the Baptist Parish,” he said.

“I also have 10 years of law enforcement experience, which helps me in understanding issues that our residents have.”

He is facing election challenges from Remy Amedee, Marcel “Two” Belvin Jr. and Julia Remondet.

Amedee, a Marathon Petroleum refinery operations supervisor, said the quality of life in District 2 and the rest of St. John Parish has drastically declined due to numerous reasons.

He listed poor drainage from storms, poor drinking water, lack of a hurricane flood protection, crime, lack of clean air for residents of Western Reserve and poor roads for

the decline.

“I will provide a logical and organized approach which will provide professionally engineered solutions, including legal mitigation, to resolve the thousands of unique drainage problems facing the parish,” Amedee said. “The patchwork approach to resolve drainage problems will come to an end. We are spending taxpayers’ money foolishly with the current method.”

He said he would utilize his 36 years in the industrial and petrochemical industry to improve the parish’s operational knowledge and experience of maintaining equipment that produces drinking water, helping make sound decisions to improve the quality and the distribution of drinking water throughout the parish.

“I will assist the next administration in a cooperative manner, working together with one voice, to insure the use of all available resources at St. John Parish’s disposal to obtain the necessary federal funds to design, construct and maintain a viable hurricane protection

levee to protect all of St. John’s residents,” Amedee said.

He said the Council, Administration and Sheriff’s Office must support each other to implement crime prevention methods, including installing HD security cameras in strategic locations and increasing neighborhood lighting.

“I will see that the quality of air is improved for the residents of Western Reserve, who have been totally forgotten and ignored,” he said. “The pig iron and grain dust in that area must be addressed and be remediated.”

He said the Council must improve road quality by resurfacing with higher established civil engineering road standards, adding improved drainage along roads and maintaining roads community members use.

Belvin’s District 3 concerns include employment, pollution and the elderly.

“My district has the most industrial jobs in any district throughout the parish, but the residents do not hold many jobs,” he said. “Secondly, the residents of District 2 need to know

what they are inhaling, absorbing and are exposed to. Thirdly, my concern is about the elderly having air to stay cool in the summer and heat to stay warm in the winter.

“I will be available for the residents of District 2 and will always have open ears for the residents and their concerns.”

Remondet said a lack of communication with Wilson is a “major concern” for District 2.

As a retired member of the District, Remondet said she is capable of being a full time council member.

“The public is looking for a Council person who they feel will return calls, visit them to discuss their concerns and try to address their concerns,” she said.

Remondet said clean drinking water is an urgent need for District 2 and the entire parish.

She suggests calling in companies that produce water-cleaning products to advise us on how to properly maintain a healthy system.

SEE DISTRICT 2, PAGE 4C

MIKE TREGRE SHERIFF 2015

Re-Elect Jaclyn Hotard #81 COUNCIL-at-LARGE, DIVISION B

• • • • •

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST

Jaclyn took a proactive approach and represented to Congress the need to overhaul the Biggert-Waters Act, which if left unchanged, would have devastated our flood insurance rates.

She fought to secure the current levee alignment that will protect our I-10 corridor and evacuation routes. With the Chief’s Report in hand, we are closer than we have ever been to securing this critical comprehensive flood protection for St. John.

Over the years, Jaclyn has sponsored key “Quality of Life” legislation to preserve and protect our property values.

Secured funding for millions of dollars in concrete and asphalt road repairs and upgrades throughout Division B with more on the way.

Spearheaded the current park upgrade projects that are currently underway- all parks in Division B are being enhanced and upgraded.

BOLD AND COMPASSIONATE During Hurricane Isaac, Jaclyn was on the ground rescuing residents who were trapped in floodwaters.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of St. John, and I am grateful to the residents for this opportunity. I remain committed to finishing the work that we have started and improving the quality of life for all of our residents. As a mother of a teen, I understand how vitally important it is that we work together to create an environment that will make St. John a great place for our children to call home.”

Thank you for your continued support. On October 24th, I would be honored to have your vote. www.JaclynHotard.com jaclynhotard@gmail.com

M C Y K

| ELECTION 2015 |

PAGE 4C

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

District 1 incumbent facing 3-headed challenge

BY STEPHEN HEMELT L’OBSERVATEUR

A handful of local residents are looking to unseat the St. John the Baptist Parish District 1 Council representative as three challengers have entered the field.

Incumbent Arthur “Dokie” Smith is facing competition from Kurt Becnel, Connie Haydel-Louis and Lester “Coach” Smith.

Numerous attempts to reach Dokie Smith by phone call and email for this story were unsuccessful.

Becnel lists drainage, blighted property, employment opportunities, environmentally safe industries, highway safety, recreation, lack of ferry service, water safety and street upgrades as major concerns in the District and reasons for

his candidacy.

“We will also need to make sure that the residents are aware that they should be assisting in clearing any debris from catch basins located near their homes,” Becnel said.

“I would like to raise more awareness of the severity of (blighted property) and the need to find ways of dealing with it sooner rather than later. It is extremely important that we maintain the legacy of our history here in District 1 by finding ways of revitalizing these properties.”

Becnel said more employment opportunities can be accomplished by promoting business ownership and new business ventures.

“There has been an influx of interested industries wanting to locate within District 1,” he said. “We will make sure that any new industry

located in our District will remain in compliance with the laws, rules and regulations outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency.”

Becnel said it is extremely important local streets are upgraded to meet the needs of motorists, pedestrians, those on bicycles and any other forms of transportation available to residents.

Lester “Coach” Smith said the issues of concern for District 1 include improving drainage and increasing recreation and economic development.

“I pledge to devote the same energy and dedication that I have provided the children in the St. John Parish School System for the past 45 years as a teacher and coach,” he said. “The parish can move forward by working along-side each other,

Tweet Madere faces off against Lionel Dennis

BY STEPHEN HEMELT L’OBSERVATEUR

Incumbent St. John the Baptist Parish District 3 Councilman Lennix “Tweet” Madere Jr. said there are many issues that inspire him to run for reelection.

First and foremost remains securing and insuring clean and healthy drinking water.

He lists drainage, sewage, road repair, recreation and more as his actions items to address.

“These have been our constituents’ concerns for many years in District 3 and throughout the parish,” he said.

Madere said he plans to assure residents their concerns are his concerns.

“We have a very old and going water and sewage system,” he said.

“It will take a lot of hard work and money to fix. By working with fellow councilmen and the administration together, many of these concerns can be addressed and eliminated or greatly improved.

“All of this will take time and a dedicated and persistent effort.

There are no quick fixes to these problems.”

Challenger Lionel Dennis said

his top priority, if elected, would be working with parish government to provide better drainage, especially in District 3.

“District 3 needs a strong leader to represent all the people, and I now feel it is time for me to give back to my community and make a difference for District 3,” Dennis said. “I am going to work hard for the people and with the people. I will make myself available to all the residents of District 3. I will work with the administration to help bring communication, resources and improvements to St. John Parish.”

For additional coverage of contested elections in St. John (Districts 5-7) and state representatives races, check out Section A today.

making sure we make objective decisions and by fostering a collaborative spirit that works for the common good.”

Coach Smith said he would work to get the Council to training and hiring local people, improve the drainage system by installing pumping stations where needed and improve existing parks, as well as the parish’s water and sewage systems.

Haydel-Louis said her top priority is restoring neighborhood park areas with more equipment for children and other surrounding communities.

“I would like to inspire all divergent groups to work toward a common goal,” she said. “I believe in community and the impact it has on the lives of families.”

District 2: Drainage concerns FROM PAGE 3C

“The water system needs to be upgraded throughout the parish,” she said.

“Future ideas would include the possibility of digging new water wells in the Ruddock area.”

District 2 drainage is a very important concern for local residents, Remondet said.

“In some areas, there is a drainage ditch that just ends,” she said. “It connects to nowhere, and it has no place to go. Some homes are flooding from their backyards because generations ago there were drainage ditches between landowners that we filled in over time and now the water accumulates and floods homes.

“Garyville desperately needs a pump station to help with drainage. We need a practical look at our drainage problems in District 2 and put practical solutions in place to drainage issues.”

She said parish government has made it so difficult to get started in St. John Parish that business interests feel it would be easier and less expense to go to another parish.

“We have made more money on permits for various building permits, but businesses continue to close their doors with more rumored to close,” she said.

“This is not a sign of content business owners. We have serious problems to address.”

ELECT #82

FOR OVER 25 YEARS, Cheryl Millet has been serving the residents of St. John...

• As your Council Representative

Council-at-Large

Division B

• As the owner of Saint Optical • As Past-President and current Director of the Rotary Club of LaPlace • As a member of the River Region Chamber of Commerce • As Friends of St. John Theatre

I've worked diligently for the residents of District 7...

With your vote, I look forward to working for the residents of Division B. 1925 Ridgefield Drive • LaPlace, LA 70068 • 504-235-1309

HELP IS ON THE WAY!

VOTE #77

Early Voting October 10-17, 2015 Election Day October 24, 2015 www.kentstamant.com Paid for by the Kent St. Amant Campaign-

M C Y K

COUNCIL-AT-LARGE DIVISION B

COUNCIL-AT-LARGE DIVISION B

cherylmilletdivisionb@gmail.com

| ELECTION 2015 |

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

DIVISION B: Candidates differ on who is best for St. John Parish FROM PAGE 2C

do it again,” she said. “I spent the weeks after the storm ensuring the residents were kept informed on every issue.”

Millet said her experience as the District 7 council member makes her the best person for the job.

“Representing District 7 has been such a pleasure,” Millet said. “We are definitely the best district in the parish. Every district should be as well maintained and manicured as District 7 is.

“Division B is going to be a big job for me, because I am going outside of my district and picking up a lot more responsibilities. Am I able to do it? Absolutely. I want to make the rest of St. John like District 7.”

Experience aside, Millet said she would be the better person for the job.

“I’d be better than Jaclyn Hotard for the Division B at-large council position because I care,” Millet said.

“I care about the residents and I care about St. John. Jaclyn absolutely does not care.”

Hotard said she was disgusted by that accusation.

“Unlike my opponent, I’m not going to engage in the politics of personal insults,” Hotard said. “That does nothing to move the parish forward. I will place my record of commitment up against my opponent or any other public servant. I will not stoop to the level of personal insults and I will not engage in the politics of personal destruction.

“I have served the residents of Division B with dignity and professionalism.”

While most council members also have day jobs, Hotard said hers won’t get in the way of her duties and commitment to Division B. “I teach part-time and I own a small business,” Hotard said. “My day job hasn’t affected my ability as an at-large council member. I’m still very active and involved in the community. I have been doing this, so nothing is changing for me. My consistency will remain. Cheryl will be stepping up into a bigger role, but I’ve been doing this and I know what I’m doing.”

Millet said her duties owning her

business won’t impact the time she spends working on St. John.

“I have a great staff who are allowing me to not be in the office during this election,” Millet said.

Flooding is a big issue in St. John the Baptist Parish, and Millet said she has a plan for stopping it.

“If elected, I’m going to go to Washington to appeal to our Congressional delegation to put the levee funding in their budget,” Millet said. “Otherwise, we’re not going to get that done. Also, when elected, I’m going to make sure I don’t see things like what I’ve seen in District 4 and District 5. I never would have seen that in District 7.

The erosion that’s happening on the base of our canal is inexcusable.

“The canals need to be dug out.

They need to be dredged. They need to be shored up. When someone has a fence board in their canal, holding up their fence so it doesn’t fall over, I’ve got a problem. That’s inexcusable. How is this allowed to happen?

You won’t find that in District 7.”

Millet said she would obtain funding for the levee project by eliminating overspending on the administration and put that money where it needs to be.

Hotard countered by saying while there is still much work to be done on the levee system, they are making progress.

“So far, we have spent almost $13 million on drainage improvements in LaPlace that have impacted every area of Division B,” Hotard said.

“The erosion situation Cheryl is talking about is an isolated incident.

Those people put their fence on parish property. We’ve been addressing that already. The erosion is on parish property, not theirs.”

Hotard said she is working on getting the correct paperwork in place to continue with improvements.

“We are trying to get permits to dig the ditches in the neighborhoods,” Hotard said. “In the past, we could dig without permits, but now we have to take an extra step and that takes time. We are trying to determine the original depth of the canals to dig them that deep. Silt settlement has made them more shallow. We are only allowed to make them as deep as they originally were.”

DIVISION A: Open race for voters without incumbent in competition FROM PAGE 2C

Assessor’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office in public,” Robinson-Carter said. “Because we are ultimately not going to agree on everything and we are not going to disagree on everything. But we are going to solve those problems behind the scenes and when we come out in public it is not going to be for a circus.”

Larry Sorapuru Jr., 59, a lifelong resident of Lucy, is a retired industrial worker who spent 36 years with Monsanto. Touting his experience working in the industrial sector, Sorapuru said he feels he would be a good Councilman.

“I think I am the best candidate because of the 36 years I have had in the industrial workforce,” Sorapuru said. “We are in the industrial corridor, and the parish has a trend of moving towards industrial development that is on the rise in the near future.”

Sorapuru is an appointee to the St. John Parish Utility Board and Youth Planning Board. In addition, he takes part in several non-profit organizations and community efforts parishwide.

“I am working right now with three non-profit organizations in the communities and I am proactively getting the sidewalks repaired, working on trying to get a bike path for the West Bank, trying to get a boat launch for the West Bank,” Sorapuru said. “I am working with youth.”

One of the biggest parts of Soraparu’s platform is flood protection.

“Flood protection should be a priority for the whole parish, and we need to be proactive in having levees

built,” Sorapuru said.

“We shouldn’t have to wait for the federal government to send money for levees.”

In addition, Sorapuru said his retired status would allow him to approach the Parish Council as a fulltime job and allow him to do more outreach with the community through holding more frequent town hall meetings in order to gauge community needs, as well as make an effort to reach fellow council members.

“I feel people are looking for a new direction, people are looking for new leadership, people are reaching out to see who is going to respond to them and who is going to listen to their concerns,” Sorapuru said.

“People are very concerned, and they want somebody who is going to be approachable.”

Sylvia Taylor-Dunn, a former Louisiana workers’ compensation judge is also running for the St. John the Baptist Parish Council At Large Division A seat.

The Reserve resident said she would work with all employers and government officials to accomplish the best for the East and West banks of St. John Parish by providing jobs and training.

“I have been a community-oriented person all of my life,” Taylor-Dunn said. “I have been a volunteer and mentor to others. I have worked in various legal services programs for the indigent. I have assisted many people in the community, and have spoken to groups to encourage them.

I have been active in my church. I will always be responsive.”

Early voting for the election ends today. Election day will be Oct. 24.

“I will continue to work hard to do what’s right for our area and St. John the Baptist Parish. I humbly ask for your vote and

support. Thank you. May God bless you and your family.”

M C Y K

PAGE 5C

#67 Leadership with Integrity.

It’s about working together for a better St. John the Baptist Parish. www.michaelphoover.com 985-359-5917

State Representative Clay Schexnayder Works For Us!

ELECT # 71 St. James Parish President Support me in October if you want a Parish President who: • Values the Opinions of Locals • Favors Government Transparency • Wants to Utilize Local Businesses • Is an Experienced Business Owner • Wants to Reduce the Size of Government • Favors Term Limits for Elected Officials • Wants More Sensible Spending of Our Tax Dollars

GARRET J.

MELANCON #71

SR.

| ELECTION 2015 |

PAGE 6C

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

SHERIFF: Safety, policing procedures highlight points of emphasis FROM PAGE 1C

“Talk with the people of the community, walk the streets,” Bailey said. “Talk with your neighbors. It’s not safe.

We need leadership that is not part of the system, but from the system.”

Hoover agreed with Bailey, saying he also believes people in the parish don’t feel safe.

“Do I believe people of St. John feel safe: the honest answer is absolutely not,” Hoover said. “Promises have been made and promises have been broken.

We need proactive policing. We need specialized training for divisions to go out and monitor high crime

areas. Proactive policing is the key.”

Tregre disagrees with his former employee on a specialized unit.

“One protective unit to protect St. John, really?” he said. “They have to go home. They have to go to sleep. I want every officer to be highly trained, highly skilled and highly motivated to do the job of a group of guys. I don’t have a specialized unit

and the (violent crime) numbers are lower.

We’ve only had three homicides this year.”

Wilson said if elected, she would put forth every effort to ensure the protection and safety of all residents in St. John the Baptist Parish.

“I will put our youth first,” she said. “My top priority will be to establish a Juvenile Intervention Program

to help reduce juvenile delinquency, while assisting at-risk youths with entering mentorships and recreational programs.”

She also pledges to enhance departmental morale and policing efficiency through effective training and better community relations.

“St. John the Baptist Parish means home, where family and friends reside — a place where everyone can enjoy a safe and pleasant life style,” Wilson said.

Throughout his time as sheriff, Tregre said he believes he has instituted different measures that have kept people safe.

“I meet with all of the sheriffs in the metro area almost monthly,” Tregre said. “I copy and paste what’s working out there. Every time I see something that I can bring back to St. John Parish, I bring it back. I have a brand new bicycle patrol, and they have been out there doing a tremendous job. When we have a burglary in a neighborhood, we put out door hangers in the neighborhood. We have a crime map system where you can log on and see everything that’s going on. We also have an app. You will know everything that is going on under my administration.

“I’m completely

transparent, you’re going to know the good, the bad and the ugly.”

While Bailey believes having door hangers is a good idea, he doesn’t think they should be handed out after something bad happens.

“We aren’t proactive,” he said. “We wait for something to happen to do something. We need to get back to the basics. The department should be more involved with the community. The crime in the parish is outrageous. We have more crime in this small parish then in New Orleans. I want to get the youth more involved with different programs and get them off the street.”

ASSESSOR: Candidates differ on the issue of the office’s technology FROM PAGE 1C

decided to forego reelection to the Parish Council At Large Division A seat to pursue the Assessor’s spot.

Gauff, 52, has worked as a chemical operator at DuPont where he was has been employed the past 21 years.

His years on the Parish Council would be a big advantage if he were elected, Gauff said.

“It does give me a leg up in seeing how things are run,” Gauff said. “The contact I’ve had with businesses and industry that are looking to come into our parish definitely gives me a leg up.”

Through property investments he has made in the parish, Gauff said he is very familiar with the

assessment process, including its shortcomings.

“I have taken a vested interest in St. John Parish with my small rental property business,” Gauff said.

“I have purchased and developed land and have become a community stakeholder and maintained the integrity of my own neighborhood. It has given me an understanding, a better appreciation of the value of land. These are things that are very important and I think are very important to most landholders.”

In his experience, Gauff finds the Assessor’ Office is behind in its technological standards, computer systems and ability to share information with other parish governmental

offices, something he would endeavor to change. Gauff said one advantage to a longtime assessor retiring is a successor has room to be more forward thinking.

“That is one of the big things, upgrading technology, being trained and especially making sure that we provide excellent customer service,” Gauff said. “And the most important thing is an accurate assessment.

That is what I am going to pride myself on.”

Gauff said his two terms on the parish Council displayed his honesty and integrity and voters would get more of the same should he be elected Assessor.

“Look at my record — that is what I would say to all of the voters

VOTE

JULIA

REMONDET COUNCIL DISTRICT 2

out there,” Gauff said.

“Look at my record and my years of service and how we’ve served and what we have done in our communities and for St. John parish. I am committed to St. John Parish.”

Kevin Prudhomme, 53, is a 15-year veteran of the Assessor’s office, where he currently works as deputy assessor and office manager.

Prudhomme said his experience in the Assessor’s Office, starting off at the bottom and rising in ranks throughout the years, makes him a natural fit to take over.

“I have worked really hard and am dedicated and compassionate with the people to get the job done,” Prudhomme said. “I have worked side-byside with the current assessor, Mr. Joseph, and he has taught me every aspect of this office. So I have been doing a great job for a really long, long time. I am the only candidate I feel that is qualified and the only candidate that definitely has experience in this office.”

Prudhomme said his experience in information technology has been particularly helpful.

“I have always had a lot of input into changes, a lot of it is software,” Prudhomme

said. “Technology in our office, we know that is continual growth. I have been looking at some other new things that are coming available that I will implement into the office.”

While Prudhomme said the Assessor’s Office does not have all the technology it could have, it does have all the technology it needs to function optimally.

“There are some things that are out there that we don’t have but for the price that some of those things cost and the feasibility in this office it is not going to benefit our office,” Prudhomme said. “Whitney has always been one that has always managed our office financially well. We don’t waste money.”

Unlike other areas of local government, Prudhomme said the Assessor’s Office, which only has seven full-time employees, has been good stewards of its budget, which is something he would continue.

“We are just different,” Prudhomme said.

“We don’t like to waste money in our office.”

While Prudhomme is the only candidate in the race without experience as an elected official, he said he feels that is not a bad thing

and his suitability for the Assessor’s Office should be based on his knowledge of the assessment process.

“What people need to look at more is experience,” Prudhomme said.

“I feel that our parish is somewhat in the shape it is because of inexperience, and my experience can only help me.”

St. John the Baptist Parish School Board member Rodney Nicholas is also running for Assessor.

Nicholas said he is the only candidate who has “successful” governmental leadership experience and a proven record of accomplishment.

“I am the candidate who is most academically prepared to take on the responsibilities of the Assessor’s office, with a background in public policy and urban affairs,” he said.

To improve the Assessor’s office, he wants to implement a state-of-the-art computer system.

“I want to make sure there are online services available to our people,” Nicholas said. “We are currently using horse-and-buggy technology when we’re in a speed queen world.

We’ve got to improve our technology for the young people that live in a digital society.”

PRESIDENT: Election is Oct. 24 FROM PAGE 1C

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said. “There is a key to drainage, and it’s making sure the water is pumped out of the area, and that requires equipment to make sure the ditches and canals are clean. We’re not done yet.

“We started so far behind. We have a lot more to do.”

On the topic of economic growth in the parish, St. Amant has one idea he feels is vital to put into action.

To make sure businesses in the parish succeed, he feels making the application process for business owners simpler is essential

for proper growth in St. John the Baptist Parish. If elected he wants to make the application process for permits gets easier.

“First thing we have to do is streamline planning and zoning,” St. Amant said.

“There is no reason why you can’t have a streamlined application process with one week turnaround time for a permit. It’s too complicated. We have to simplify the system.

It needs to be user friendly.”

To help with growth in St. John, Lewis and Julien felt working with small businesses and new business is

key to bringing people into the community.

Julien said he feels the parish has a lot of room to grow.

“We would help individuals trying to start their own business,” Julien said.

“We need to create situations where our people are able to make the money. I think we should go to the West Bank and develop more of the West Bank, working with businesses or people who want to invest in St. John Parish and help with the infrastructure. We need to keep our jobs in St. John.”

Election day is Oct. 24.

ELECT #100

STEVEN

FRAKER Councilman District 7

Integrity, Maturity and Experience

M C Y K