Whatever anyone does today in the City of Central, is is VERY important that you VOTE!  Polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00PM.  This has been a hotly contested election season and I issue two challenges: First, VOTE today or refrain from commenting on how Central runs for the next 4 years.  Then, after we elect the city officials for the next four years, get out and attend meetings, voice your opinion, and volunteer to help.  Thanks.

One word: VOTE.

Whatever your candidate choices, please VOTE THIS SATURDAY. Several organizations in Central, along with the candidates, have made many efforts to put information out for the public so that everyone can make informed decisions when they go vote. Exercise your rights and be sure that your voice counts. Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM on Saturday.

In response to many questions on-line, and in an effort to inform the voters in the City of Central, here is the corect information on how this Saturday's eletion for the five Council seats will work:

In plain English, any candidate receiving more than 10% of the total number of votes cast wins a seat on the Council.  Remember that each voter gets to vote for 5 candidates, so the maximum a candidate can get is 20% assuming everyone does cast 5 votes.  Then there is a runoff for any remaining seats, and the number of candidates who will be in the runoff election is twice the number of open seats.  As an example, if three candidates are elected on the first ballot and two seats remain open, the top four candidates who did not already win a seat will be in a runoff election for the two remaining seats.

There has been discussion of not casting all five of your votes so that your favorites have a better chance of being elected.  That is actually true.  However, with 28,706 votes cast in the 2006 Council race, it would take ten voters each deciding to cast only 4 votes in order to reduce the votes a candidate needs by one vote.  In other words, each vote you do not use causes your "favorite" to need 1/10th of a vote less to get elected.  Is that a good trade-off for not getting to voice your opinion on the remaining candidates?  You decide.  Also, remember that the "no votes" also make it easier for your candidate's opponents to get elected.

On Monday evening Greenwell Springs Baptist Church held a "Faith Based" forum for all of the candidates in this coming Saturday's election.  Tony Perkins was the moderator and each candidate for Chief of Police and City Council was given time for a brief opening remark.  Then the Mayoral candidates made opening remarks and then had several questions directed to them by Mr. Perkins.

Microphones were then opened up for questions from the audience, followed by a few more questions from Mr. Perkins.  Finally, each of the 14 candidates were allowed time for closing remarks.  The video from this event is presented below, broken up into "watchable" segments.  The entire process lasted about 2 hours. 

A few notes about watching videos: Once you click the play button allow a few moments for the video to download.  Once the download has progressed across the bottom bar you can click the "pause/play" button twice to begin viewing while the remainder of the file downloads.  Depending on the speed of your internet connection the "play" could catch up to the download and get jerky.  If so, just let the rest of the video download before resuming play.

Welcome and Opening Remarks:

Zi6 0893 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Tony Perkins sets rules, followed by Mr. Welborn's opening statement:

Zi6 0894 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Garner

Zi6 0895 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Browning

Zi6 0896 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Moak

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Mr. Washington

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Mr. Messina

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Mrs. Lansing

Zi6 0900 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Lobue 

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Mr. Mannino

Zi6 0902 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Ross

Zi6 0903 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. DeJohn

Zi6 0904 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Hinton

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Mr. Watts

Zi6 0906 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Mr. Shelton

Zi6 0907 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Tony Perkins questions the Mayoral candidates

Zi6 0908 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Audience questions for the Mayoral candidates (Next 5 videos)

Zi6 0909 from central speaks on Vimeo.

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Tony Perkins questions the Mayoral candidates

Zi6 0914 from central speaks on Vimeo.

Closing remarks by Council and Chief of Police candidates

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Closing remarks by Mayoral candidates

Zi6 0916 from central speaks on Vimeo.

CentralSpeaks.com invited both Mayoral candidates to participate in a “Virtual Debate” in written form and posted on CentralSpeaks.com for every voter to read.  In order to remain neutral, CentralSpeaks.com set a few basic guidelines and then let the candidates have their frank and honest exchange.  Follow this link to the invitation and guidelines: GUIDELINES 

In short, each candidate wrote and answered three questions, then gave these three questions and answers to his opponent to write an answer/rebuttal.  The two links below contain the three questions asked by each candidate followed by their own answer then the answer/rebuttal of their opponent.  Determined by coin toss, the link to Shelton's questions is presented first and Watts' second.  CentralSpeaks.com hopes that this information will be one more way that voters can make an informed decision this coming Saturday, March 27th, at the polls.  Remember to get out and vote!

Click on the links below to read the "Virtual Debate".

Shelton's Questions

Watts' Questions

The following was submitted by a CentralSpeaks subscriber. We ask that the Comments section below this article be left open for the candidates to submit their answers to these questions in a positive manner.

Today I ran across a group of friends discussing the up coming elections and after several minutes of hearing; someone told me this about that one, that’s nothing I heard this about that one and my neighbors cousin told her that this one called her names when they were in elementary school, the issues finally came up. (Boy, I can’t wait for the School Board elections in the fall.) Anyway, the one point that everyone could agree on no matter who they were supporting was the fact that we all, along with all of the candidates, agree on the major issues (Contracting city services, growing our tax base by recruiting new businesses, controlling the rate of growth…).
 The discussion then turned to how we usually judge candidates on how they voted and acted in the past more so than what was said on the campaign trail. This is when the question of ‘How do you compare someone that has a voting record to someone that does not’ came up.
After much thought, along with a few unnecessary but humorous comments, we finally agreed this could be accomplished by asking four questions; two for those seeking reelection and two for the challengers. The questions are simple, but we think the answers will help reveal the candidates’ character, dedication and love of Central.
Therefore, we would like CentralSpeaks.com to pose the following questions to the candidates and post the answers on the web site.

The questions we would like to ask those seeking reelection are;
1.      Other than serving on the City Council or as Mayor, what have you done to benefit the Central Community?
2.      How much time did you spend doing the things you listed to the above question?

  For those seeking an elected office for the first time, please answer the following questions;
1.      What have you done to benefit the Central Community?
2.      How much time did you spend doing the things you listed to the above question?

 We think the answers will help people decide more on character rather than rumor.

Join us for a Webinar on March 22. 
This webinar will include an overview of the webinar series, transportation planning and funding of state highways, DOTD’s traffic engineering organization, the highway safety program, the local road safety program and the railroad safety program. 

LMA Webinar – Introduction to Traffic Management and Road Safety in Louisiana
 
The City of Central will sponsor this FREE webinar on Monday, March 22 at 2 pm until 3:30 pm at City Hall.  Please let me know if you plan to attend.  These webinars, sponsored by LMA, will take place on the 4th Monday of each month.

David Barrow
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
City of Central
13421 Hooper Rd, Ste. 9
Central, LA  70818-2900
225-261-5255 (office)

The forums, (Indian Mound, Mayoral Forum and Candidate’s Forum), have been interesting and informative.  We have all heard the Mayoral Candidates respond to specific questions.  It seems that the two candidates are in agreement on many issues, but there are several issues where one or both candidates claim to differ.  As in most political races, many generalities and claims have been made and there is no way for the average voter to make an informed decision unless the candidates are specifically pinned down to answering a few tough questions.  All of the “community service” organizations such as CCA, the Chamber and CentralSpeaks.com, must refrain from asking those tough questions so that they do not appear to have sided with either candidate.  The only people truly poised to ask and answer these more sensitive and very telling questions are the candidates themselves.  So, let’s have a debate! 

CentralSpeaks.com is inviting both Mayoral candidates to participate in a “Virtual Debate” which will be in written form and posted on CentralSpeaks.com for every voter to read.  In order to remain neutral, CentralSpeaks.com will set a few basic guidelines and then let the candidates have their frank and honest exchange.  Here are the rules: 

1) On Thursday, March 18 at about noon, each candidate will be invited to participate.  They will have had no prior knowledge of this “Virtual Debate.”  At that time they will each be handed a copy of this form.  We ask that they each accept or decline by 5 PM. 

2) The candidates will have until noon on Saturday, March 20 to formulate three questions and prepare answers to these three questions.  The questions much each deal with only one general topic and be no more than fifty words in length.  It is necessary that the questions be phrased to apply to both candidates.  The answers may be as long or short as the candidate chooses, but must be limited to the topic contained in the question.  All questions and answers must be submitted in a Word document.

3) CentralSpeaks.com will review the questions and answers supplied by each candidate to ensure that they have met the guidelines above.  CentralSpeaks.com will not alter or edit the questions and answers supplied by the candidates, and will only request corrections if the candidates have strayed outside the guidelines provided in item 2 above. 

4) By 5 PM on Saturday, March 20, CentralSpeaks.com will give each candidate the three questions and answers prepared by his opponent.  Each candidate will then have until 5:00 PM on Monday, March 22 to compose their own answers/rebuttals to their opponent’s three questions.

5) By 7 PM on Monday, March 22, we will post all six questions, six responses, and six responses/rebuttals on CentralSpeaks.com.

It is intended that this “Virtual Debate” give the candidates one final opportunity to provide specific and accurate answers to questions that have become the focal points of this Mayoral race.  Also, it will give the candidates one final opportunity to require their opponent to give specific and accurate answers to those same questions.  In their answers the candidates are encouraged to avoid generalities, hopes and estimates and instead lean toward measurable and verifiable information and performance. 

We feel that this format does not favor either candidate.  We also feel that the two days allotted for each part of this “Virtual Debate” should be plenty of time for a candidate to articulate his ideas at this late date in the race.  Lastly, one unfortunate and unavoidable element of any debate held in any format is that one candidate or the other will always get the last word in on every question.  We feel that the advantage of having composed the question will offset the disadvantage of allowing the opponent to have the last word, and they will each have the last say on three of the six questions. 

We are hopeful that both candidates will agree to this even-handed exchange of questions and answers.  We further envision and hope that the voters of Central will read this information carefully and feel free to share it throughout the community so that all voters can have this additional and important information to make an informed decision at the polls on March 27^th. 

*As of March 18, both candidates have agreed to participate in this debate. Check CentralSpeaks.com on the evening of Monday, March 22 for the results of this debate.

by Jeanie Barnett

In a forum sponsored by the Central Community Alliance and Central City Chamber of Commerce, Ron Erickson moderated as thirteen candidates spoke to the issues of the city.  The evening began with an enjoyable half hour concert by the CHS Jazz Band led my Mr. Bordelon. The opening prayer was offered by Kenny Cutrer of Victory Harvest Church.   Eagle Scout, Josh Walker led the pledge of allegiance.  Each candidate stood before the audience in the CHS Theater, spending one minute for their opening statement and two minutes to answer each of two questions specific to their office of candidacy. 

The first to appear were Chief of Police candidates. 

Police Chief Question #1:   Do you feel that the City of Central would be better served by its own complete service police department?

First up was incumbent, Doug Browning, who, after outlining his considerable qualifications and accomplishments in office, answered yes to the first question, but that we are a long way from being able to budget a police department.  It is a goal, to work toward, supplementing with full time officers right now so that we can tailor our response to the public.

After outlining extensive qualifications, challenger Wade Welborn answered that at this time we need to work with the Sheriff, as the budget for a full force department for Central is too expensive.

Police Chief Question #2:  If elected, how would you coordinate efforts to work cooperatively with the EBR Sheriff’s Office?

Doug Browning stated that he would do as he is doing now, and has done with three consecutive substation commanders and with Lieutenant Colonel Bobby Dale Calendar, whom he praised for their efforts in Central.

Wade Welborn said that the Sheriff handles the criminal cases. He has a 31 year relationship with Sheriff Gautreau and would assist on those criminal cases, but that he would concentrate on doing what the Sheriff Office cannot do; filling in the gap with a community oriented police department.

All candidates for Central City Council answered the following questions:

City Council Question # 1:  Are you in favor of single member districts and term limits?  Why or why not?

Answering yes to both issues were all challengers Tony LoBue, Mike Mannino,  Charles Lee Hinton, Wayne Messina, and one incumbent, Ralph Washington.

Incumbents Lucky Ross and Aaron Moak were opposed to both districting and term limits, while Joan Lansing is undecided on districts and against term limits and Louis DeJohn proposes the alternatives of divisions and staggered term limits. 

City Council Question #2:  Given the current contract for city services, as a council person what would you do to assure that the citizens are getting the best services for their investment?

Most candidates sited the benefits of privatization of our city services along with accountability measures and citizen feedback.  Lucky Ross stated that the City of Central pays $187 per citizen per year for our city services, while surrounding cities of Baker, Zachary, Port Allen and Denham Springs pay amounts ranging from 3 to 6 times that figure.

Charles Lee Hinton expressed his reservations with the current arrangement, wanting more itemization and contracting services with local contractors.

Both Mayoral candidates answered the following questions:

Mayoral Question #1:  What do you see as a solution to the various traffic problems in Central?

Incumbent Mac Watts answered that the solutions to our traffic problems are “time and money.”  He and challenger Jr. Shelton agreed that the major remedies are in process of being addressed; four-laning key thoroughfares such as Sullivan and Hooper and Magnolia Bridge, traffic studies and intersection improvements with synchronization. 

Shelton said of widening Hooper from Blackwater across the river to Watson, “That is our loop…We don’t need the Baton Rouge loop.”

Mayoral Question #2:  What is your vision for the future of the City of Central?

Mac Watts said, “The city of Central is to me the greatest place in this country to live.”  He lauded the nature of the city, with its conservative character and rural values and emphasized that they should be maintained into the future for our children and grandchildren.  

Jr. Shelton likened Central to an economic engine and emphasized the addition of appropriate businesses to move the city forward and sustain our lifestyle and maintain the rural fabric of Central with its peace and tranquility.  “Central can be the model city in the United States.”

Greenwell Springs Baptist Church will be hosting a different kind of candidate forum. On Monday, March 22, the church has invited the candidates to participate in a “faith-based” forum in the church sanctuary. The event begins at 7 PM and is open to the public.