Candidates Attend Forum
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Photos By Freddie Herpin)
It was perhaps a final chance for Opelousas municipal candidates to meet publicly and answer questions about their ideas and platforms before early voting starts Oct. 27.
The St. Landry Parish Democratic Committee-sponsored event Thursday night at the Delta Grand attracted nearly 100, including candidates who were not featured at the event.
Mayorial, city marshal and police chief candidates were placed in the spotlight as they had several minutes to also introduce and provide closing remarks.
The candidates were asked questions by moderator Ashley Hebert.
MAYOR
Attending were Donald Broussard, Rod Sias, Devin Manuel McKnight, Kenon Lamb and Sona Anderson. Incumbent Julius Alsandor did not attend but sent a statement read by committee chairperson Patrick Guillory.
Anderson – She presented her four principles for Opelousas that included revitalization, 24-7 mayor access, transparency and economic growth.
Her plan includes a first 100-day approach and initiatives to eliminate blight and educate residents on how to preserve their neighborhoods.
Broussard – This campaign is guided by four pillars backed by seeking major investors to approach the city with capital projects that will stimulate the economy. The downtown area, said Broussard, can become a vibrant entertainment center by using old buildings as music and arts venues. Opelousas qualifies as an opportunity zone which allows investment in high poverty areas, he said.
Manuel-McKnight – She promoted herself as the best candidate for change, a local woman who she said loves Opelousas. While failing to provide specific plans, she touted her energy and leadership ability as assets that she said are necessary for a failing city.
Sias – He presented his business experience in municipal planning as the major factor in his electability. The current city problems are obvious, Sias said, but he has enough experience with infrastructure improvements to make repairs. His experience as former city CAO also provides him with an edge that perhaps other candidates lack.
Lamb – He promoted his collaborative approach to solving city problems. Lamb wants to rezone parts of Opelousas in order to help stimulate small enterprise such as barbershops, groceries and other businesses. Lamb said he plans to be a listener who wants to fix parts of a city that look terrible.
POLICE CHIEF
Incumbent Graig LeBlanc attended. Candidates Ebony Martin and Yolanda Lewis were absent.
LeBlanc – He reminded the audience of his 29 years of law enforcement experience, with four of those as chief. Crime has been reduced during his first term, LeBlanc said and officers are now better paid, equipped and held more accountable. Department technology includes drones, all-terrain vehicles and other technological advances.
CITY MARSHAL
Candidates Bruce Alsandor and Easton Shevlin attended. Incumbent Paul Mouton was absent.
Alsandor promoted his law enforcement and officer training experience at the city, parish and federal levels, which included officer-training programs. Alsandor said he plans to bring enhanced professionalism to the office.
Shevlin said he has experience with the current marshal’s office and can work alongside the other law enforcement agencies in a cooperative posture. Shelvin said he has been a warrant supervisor who has already built relationships in the area.
