Lafayette
City-Parish Council District 3
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Amos Batiste
120 Baywood Ave.
Lafayette, LA 70501
Cell 337-257-0686 Home 337-408-3300
amos.batiste@hilton.com
Democrat
Carencro High, UL, American Business Institute
U.S. Army Reserve (Honorable Discharge), Paraprofessional, Hospitality Industry
Lafayette Crime Prevention Committee, Parks and Recreation Department for 14 years as a camp supervisor |
Dale Brasseaux
221 Jalon Road
Scott LA 70583
337-232-6826
dalebrasseaux.com
dale@dalebrasseaux.com
Democrat
12th Grade |
Shelton J. Cobb
204 Alemeda Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 233-4199
Democrat
M. A. in Administration and Supervision, Southern University, 1969; B. S. in Education, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1964
Director, Louisiana Technical College, Lafayette Campus, 1996-present; Director of Louisiana Technical College System, Lafayette Regional Office, 1989-96; Regional Coordinator of Regional IV, Lafayette, Louisiana, 1986-89; Director of Lafayette Regional Vocational Institute, 1982-89
United States Army, 1964-70; Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Member and Past Chairman, Black Alliance for Progress; Past President, Lafayette Education Association; Past Board Member, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce; Chairman, Elderly Blind Service Board; President, St. Anthony Neighbor OrganizationPublic Service: United States Army, 1964-70; Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Member and Past Chairman, Black Alliance for Progress; Past President, Lafayette Education Association; Past Board Member, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce; Chairman, Elderly Blind Service Board; President, St. Anthony Neighbor Organization |
Lloyd C. Rochon
512 Monarch Drive
(337) 233-2902
www.lloydrochon.com
Lrochon@cox.net
Democrat
High School Graduate, Two Years of College
United States Air Force 22 Years, Awarded three Air Force Commendation Medals and Nominated for a Bronze Star; South Central Bell Communications Consultant; Director of Federal Programs for Lafayette Parish; First and only Clerk of the Parish Council; First Clerk of the Lafayette City/Parish Council; City Manager of Carencro
Member, Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Previous service as Chair of the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board; Board member of the Lafayette Association of Retarded Citizens; Board member of Lafayette Neighborhood Development Corporation; Lafayette Transportation Policy Committee
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Runoff
Shawn D. Wilson
202 West Gilman Road
Lafayette, LA 70501
337-264-9350
337-315-1059 (cell)
www.raisingthebar2007.com
raisingthebar2007@cox.net
Democrat
Executive Leadership Institute, National Forum for Black Public Administrators, 2006-present
Master of Public Administration, Southern University, 1999
Bachelor of Science, Urban & Regional Planning, ULL, 1993
Confidential Assistant to the Secretary, Department of Transportation and Development, April 2005-present; Deputy Director, Legislative Affairs, Office of the Governor, Nov. 2004-April 2005; Executive Director, Office of Lieutenant Governor, Louisiana Serve Commission, March 1998-Nov. 2004; Assistant Dean of Students, ULL, July 1994-March 1998
University of Louisiana Alumni Association President, 2003-2004; Alpha Phi Alpha District Director, State President, 2002-06; Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 2000-04; Lafayette Area Wide Planning Commission, 1995-97; Lafayette Big Brother Big Sister Baord, 1995-98; University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, 1993 |
Elected
Brandon Shelvin
No information submitted
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TRANSPORTATION:
How would you alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic flow in Lafayette? Do you support the Johnston Street redesign? Why or why not? What is your vision for public transportation in Lafayette?
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Certainly Lafayette has traffic issues and everyone feels the pain of that everyday. One way is to build a loop. This would take state, local and federal dollars to accomplish. I like the idea of the Johnston Street Redesign. This is an opportunity for us to again make move forward towards the next century. However, I do want to consider the business owners in this process on Johnston Street as much as possible. My vision for public transportation in the future for Lafayette that we have a tram system in place that would roll from parts of downtown thru the University and hopefully have street cars as well. This would be part of our future public transportation. |
A. Build a loop around the city.
B. Yes, I support the redesign of Johnston as long as business & government can agree on the redesign.
C. Improve the bus service at the Rosa Park transportation center, by applying for federal grants to enhance the funding. |
Building loops on the Eastern and Western ends of the parish. Road construction should be designed so that the roads do not end in a T intersection. Utilize more overpasses and use of traffic controls at key intersections.
I think Johnston Street can and needs improved safety and improved traffic flow. However, my support will only be given to the project when approved by residents and property owners.
Public transportation will continue to be needed in Lafayette and should be expanded to more of the city/parish. This effort may improve readership.
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The solution to congestion and improving flow is contained in the Consolidated Thoroughfare Plan. The problem is finding the financial resources. Our challenge is to gain the confidence of the citizenry through proper budget management and working professionally with the administration and fellow councilmen so that we can develop a solution.
I would support the re-design of Johnston if the owners of the property there are in favor of the re-design.
Our current Public Transportation system cost approximately $3,500,000 per year to operate. One half of this is from the Federal Government and one half is from the Cities General Fund. Although our current system is not the best, it is the best that we can do with our limited resources. My vision is to continue with the current Public Transportation system and to make improvements as resources become available.
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I actively support state/federal delegations seeking additional funds thru governmental channels. Excess funds should be used for one-time projects like deferred maintenance and replacement construction. New funding options include public-private partnerships, tax incremental financing, or user fee increases. I support Johnston St. redesign. As a major corridor, it will spark economic activity and improve a major route. Of concern is the uncertainty of who pays, burden on local property owners, consumers, and sustaining lengthy construction. I envision a dependable, efficient, and affordable service that accommodates the needs of all riders. We should study integrating Lafayette’s three systems, UL Transit buses, Public School buses and City busses. |
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HOUSING AND GROWTH:
Will you support funding as required by state law for the Lafayette in a Century (LINC) Comprehensive Plan for the parish? What does “smart growth” mean to you, and what do you see as its application potential in Lafayette? What is your vision to improve the existing blighted areas in the city of Lafayette?
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I support the Lafayette in a Century program. Again, I believe that most of it should be implemented in the four years if possible. Smart growth to me means the rebirth of communities. I love the smart growth plan. We already have this happening in district 3. However, we must revitalize our neighborhoods. The plan is to first fight crime, and make areas safe. If that happens then we can look to development. |
A. YES, I would support the funding as required by State Law.
B. Smart Growth is the way of the future to develop a better community & improve the quality of life. I think its application potential will depend on the presentation given to the community on smart growth.
C. Work with Federal funding through community development to improve each and ever existing blighted area in Lafayette. |
I will support funding for the Lafayette in a Century LINC. Smart growth means utilizing existing resources for its best use; Lafayette is quickly becoming land poor (especially in the city) we need to develop existing property to its best possible use.
Blighted areas should be eliminated if at all possible through existing code enforcement, self improvement by owner, neighborhood improvement plans, community black grants, or sale of abandoned properties.
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I would support funding of the Comprehensive Plan if funds are available.
The principles of Smart Growth including building where there is existing infrastructure, i.e. roads, utilities, mix land uses, walk-ability, public spaces, facilities within 5-7 minutes of walking time, limited need for public transportation, are concepts that can be applied in some cases in Lafayette Parish and appeals to some elements of our society.
First, we must identify the blighted areas, identify the owners of the property, then use the provisions of the Lafayette Code of Ordinances, Chapter 62, Nuisances. This works very well when implemented on an impartial basis. |
I will uphold the law and hold the administration accountable for doing what legal. LINC is a process and plan that this government has committed to guide the growth and development of Lafayette. Smart Growth is a balanced approach to managing and directing growth and. It should guide the decision-making processes for developers, civic leaders (elected and appointed.) A staple of my campaign is creating quality, affordable housing using blighted properties first. Lafayette should be more aggressive at adjudicating blighted properties and holding property owners accountable for maintaining a community standard. We must create qualified buyers for target areas. Vacant land is prime for maintaining green space, thus improving the quality of life within a community. A guiding principle has to be minimal displacements and diversified housing stock with mixed land use. |
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DRAINAGE AND FLOODING:
In what way can natural drainage be maintained and improved in Lafayette Parish and the construction of subdivisions and commercial sites be restricted to prevent drainage and flood problems in the future? What are your views on impact fees or a similar assessment to address infrastructure stresses resulting from new development?
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Drainage is an issue. However, is crucial that contractors and planning and zoning take into consideration flood zones when planning subdivisions. There must be a plan in place to eliminate flooding. It is the job of the public works dept. to maintain our natural drainage. I do not support impact fees. At this time people need to have faith again in government. Adding additional fees to the consumer would not be a good idea. |
A. Have a complete comprehensive drainage plan in place and follow the plan, and by using smart growth we could help prevent flood problems in the future.
B. Impact fees are similar assessment will be needed with better planning for new development. |
Natural drainage should be properly maintained and improved with concrete where possible. New development residential and commercial should be planned with flooding and drainage as primary concerns. Natural flooding and drainage plans should be improved on by this planning and new problems avoided.
I am not in favor of impact fees at this time. However, cost of services and infrastructure must be paid. The city-parish and municipalities do not have the resources to cover these additional costs.
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Natural drainage channels can be maintained and improved in Lafayette through systematic weed spraying and periodic inspections to remove debris from natural drainage channels. Subdivisions and commercial developments must be required to present a comprehensive drainage analysis to provide for a zero percent increase between the pre and post discharge rate.
I am opposed to impact fees because the collection of them will not be sufficient to cover the cost of necessary improvements, unless the fees are set at an exhorbitant rate.This increase plus the increase in permit fees which may be required to implement Act 12, the Uniform Construction Code, could make housing unaffordable for many middle income residents. |
We should continue requiring retention ponds and incorporating them into commercial and subdivision designs. Zoning ordinances should be revisited to become more modern with regards to volume and layout of parking and design elements. The coulee system is key and can be more effectively managed. Expansion is critical in areas with natural coulees that have not been widened or lined. Developers are partners that help drive this economy. New developments raise property values and generate revenue to provide services. An impact fee is one example of how a city can manage growth. A concern is the effect impact fees have on the housing market and the economy. The benefit is an ability to keep up with the demands placed by growth and development. |
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ENVIRONMENT:
What is your vision for creating additional public parks and green spaces in the city and parish of Lafayette? What would you do with the UL-Lafayette horse farm property? Would you support clean up of existing waste sites that would be impacted by planned public works projects? For example, if hazardous wastes lay buried in the path of a proposed road, what remediation would you support?
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I love the idea that we build nicer and safer parks in our city. Personally I think that we need more and we do need more green spaces. I think that the Horse Farm if it has to be sold should be turned into a beautiful memorial park. The best there is in the south that offers all sorts of fun things for our community to enjoy. I would support the clean up of existing waste sites. When it comes to the people in the community and their health I am there. |
A. I would look at the proposed Horse Farm property (outside the box) 100 acres, relocate Heyman Center, housing for horses (4) costing about Fifty Thousand a year, paid for by private donations. Passive park, nature in the middle of the city and 5 acres for dog walks only.
B. Yes, I would support clean up of existing waste sites but only after the party responsible paid their share of the cost of the clean up. |
We need new parks and improved green spaces throughout the city and parish. I would save the farm as green space and a park offering programs for which this area is best suited. Waste sites must be clean and made hazard free for our citizens.
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I support the creation of additional parks and green spaces; however, the location of these facilities should occur only after an in depth evaluation of the location of existing parks and green spaces. Additionally, I believe we should seek input from the citizenry about their desires.
What I would not do is sell or exchange the horse farm property. We have an excellent engineering and architecture department at UL. We could ask UL to use this as a student project to come up with innovative uses of this property.
I would support clean up of waste sites impacted by planned public works projected. The remediation would be determined after an Environmental Impact Study, which would be required before any construction is done where hazardous waste is buried. |
Parks and Green space measures the quality of life of a community. I envision a community with a first-class park and green space system operating on the cutting edge of outdoor living. There should be dedicated millage for parks to allow for innovative planning and development. We should expand the services offered by our parks to reach a modern generation. Development of the horse farm should be carefully studied considering multiple approaches like public-private partnerships or fee for entry.
I support cleaning any contaminated site, in the path of development or not. The challenge becomes paying for clean up. I value the health and wellbeing of our residents.
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DISASTER PLANNING:
How would you ensure that timely communication is maintained between Lafayette Parish citizens, emergency help agencies, and sanitation removal companies during power outages and the days following during recovery? If the evacuation of Lafayette is ordered in the face of a natural disaster such as a major hurricane, how can the city help its needy, elderly, nursing home and bed-bound people, and those without a means of transportation evacuate? What else should be considered?
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If the evacuation of Lafayette is ordered in the face of a natural disaster such as a major hurricane, how can the City help its needy, elderly, nursing home and bed-bound people, and those without a means of transportation evacuate? What else should be considered? Naturally this is an issue and the best answer is that all department heads would have meetings prior to a natural disaster and plans would be in place. This depends naturally on the type of disaster. Again, it is critical that we have plans in place and that maybe we have quarterly drills to make sure that the plan will work. This question is a little difficult to answer based on the fact that we are assuming and we are not sure of what type of problems we will encounter or may be facing. |
A. Disaster planning should have one plan in place that all agencies would follow
B. Have a plan in place to transport all needy, elders, nursing homes and bed-bond people to a safe area. Also, the plan would include the safe return after the emergency is over. |
Emergency services should be redesigned to insure that all emergency agencies services are coordinated into one to delivery mechanism. Each agency should play its part in this coordinated effort.
If an evacuation should become necessary propert notification is a must 24-30 hours if possible. All city facilities and services should be utilized to get our people out; city busses and vans, school board busses, and police officers and sheriffs should assist ambulance services and any other means available.
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The local office of Homeland Security does a good job of maintaining communications between governmental agencies and emergency help agencies during an emergency. An area that we can improve on is accelerateing the process for entering into contracts for removal of debris. We should have an emergency plan that includes a step by step process to address all areas of recovery.
One way of addressing the evacuation of the needy and elderly is to have a plan whereby the school board provides buses for the transportation of these populations. The evacuation of nursing home residents must be done by the nursing homes. The primary care givers for bed bound people must accept responsibility for evacuating these citizens. |
I have experience in working, managing, and leading in a disaster. My responsibility is to ensure that systems are in place should a disaster occur and that the Parish has a qualified, equipped, and well staffed emergency operations center that is functional and operational.
Government must take care of those who have fallen through the cracks of our safety-net system, and our plan should have them pre-identified. It is important that the plans are integrated and that leadership connects at all levels. We need an established communication plan that includes all means of communication in advance of a disaster. Such as automated phone calls, television - radio, and text messaging and cellular answering services. Plans of the university and school system should be considered.
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SOCIAL ISSUES:
The hospitals and emergency care units seem congregated in mid-city or on the south side of Lafayette. What vision do you have to help the residents of the north side of Lafayette attain emergency medical assistance more quickly? The attempt to rename Willow Street to Martin Luther King Drive generated a lot of controversy. Since hindsight is 20/20, how would you have handled the situation? What lessons can you take forward that will benefit your tenure on the Council?
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I believe that with the future development of Upper Lafayette there is the potential of another hospital opening in Upper Lafayette. Certainly we have our Lady of Lourdes and Lafayette General. I believe that it would be feasible to see another hospital in Upper Lafayette. First of all, let’s make one thing clear. The blame does not fall on one or two people here. The blame falls on everyone on the council and the administration as a whole. This is an issue without me knowing all of the behind the scenes politics turned out to be a nightmare. There were two councilmen fighting for what they believed in and because of politics it got ugly. Nothing will ever get done on the council if the majority is only willing to do things for a certain group of people in the community. We are all people and we all deserve to be treated fairly. People in Upper Lafayette District 3 pay taxes to, and they deserve better roads and safe communities as well. I will not jeopardize my principles on any issues when it affects me and the people in district 3 and their quality of life. |
A. Help facilitate through government (example: tax credit & etc.) a hospital are clinic to locate on the North side.
B. I would have met with every property owner and worked to accomplished the renaming of Willow St. instead of telling people they had too.
C. The lesson I can take forward on my tenure with the Council is common sense and negotiation. I will always represent District 3 with dignity and honor. |
A new hospital is needed north of the University underpass and possible North of I-10. Increase medical services through the existing carrier. Renaming of Willow became an issue for political reasons not for social concern. I would do what the law requires through petition to the planning commission and the parish council. Name calling and personal motives very often cause conflict and are devicesive.
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Plans for the location of a major hospital on the northside are currently being developed.
Before putting the Willow Street item on the agenda, I would have researched the matter and contacted the property owners to find out if we had consensus for change; if they did not agree then I would have dropped the matter. If the property owners agreed or had no objection, I would have spoken to each councilman and explained to him what I intended to propose and asked for his support. If I did not have sufficient votes to insure passage, I would not have put this matter on the agenda.
I view the opportunity to offer myself to serve in public office as an awesome responsibility and I will always remember that if I am elected, I must serve the best interest of the public. |
I envision a regional emergency care facility serving St. North Lafayette and St. Landry. As a city we can work to educate the community on life saving techniques to ensure that there is always someone that can take small steps to extend a life and determine what is in fact an emergency. Renaming Willow placed an emphasis on strained community relations. Time was wasted, property value did not increase, crime rises, and we did not advance the causes for which Dr. King was murdered. We must consider opinions of residents and businesses impacted. Councilman should honor district representation, maintain respect and professionalism in debating issues before the council. We should expand programs, services, and facilities at the King Center. We must promote justice, respect, civility, peace, and non-violence to reduce crime, and beautify the community and work to create an environment that the community will embrace. |
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