WHY I AM RUNNING
I moved to Lafayette in 1983 after graduating from LSU Law School. Lafayette Parish was the place to be in our state, full of opportunities, wonderful people, and a dynamic culture.
We have been a community that suffered through the energy crash of the 1980’s, but we were also the community that led our state’s revival from this extraordinarily difficult time. In fact, we became the light of economic and cultural renewal for our state.
I, along with many of our residents, feel our community is currently adrift, uneasy with being led by inadequate leadership, and dealing with a politics that will not serve our children and grandchildren’s future.
I want this to change. I am running for Mayor-President because I cannot sit idly by and allow what we have built together to be subjected to a politics of self-interest and duplicity.
This election is about change, about bringing the notion of public service back into this important leadership position, and about respecting the voices of all of our people.
I want to be the Mayor-President for every person in Lafayette. I seek this office to perform the duties of Mayor-President full-time, each and every day. For the people of the City of Lafayette, as well as for the people of Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Scott, Youngsville and our unincorporated areas.
I will work to construct a future of opportunity for every individual, bring good governance to our community, and tackle the problems confronting us in a manner that secures progress, ensures safety, and results in a sense of trust in the decisions being made.
We have been told that problems such as drainage, for instance, are being tackled. I will tell you we do have a drainage problem. In fact, we have two drainage problems. The first one deals with water. The second one deals with the drainage of money benefiting the insiders and dealmakers while the basics of local government are being neglected.
Strong, stable leadership, and professional, well-trained and better paid police, fire and emergency corps, will not only save lives, protect property and promote security, but will also attract new businesses and new taxpayers.
The same can be said for a transportation and traffic system that is not stuck in trying to catch up to growth but plans for growth and efficient transportation years ahead.
Every citizen, no matter who they are, must be secure in knowing their city-parish government works for them fairly, equally, and respectfully.
Lafayette Parish is a community of enormous potential. I love Lafayette, but I strongly dislike Lafayette’s politics.
The politics we have are getting in the way of the potential we possess. I do not want it to be this way.
I want to be your Mayor-President to unleash our citizens’ talent, creativity, good-nature and hard work to secure our potential, individually and as a community.
This means transparent governance, honest and fair decision making, and a willingness to admit mistakes and correct them.
I love our citizens, and I will be a Mayor-President who demonstrates this love every day I serve.