Photographs by Bobby Ardoin
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
*Editor’s Note: This is the first of three stories on what St. Landry Parish candidates including those from municipalities had to say during a St. Landry Federation of Democratic Women presentation at the Opelousas Civic Center on Friday night. Here is what mayoral candidates from Opelousas and another from Sunset told the audience who often cheered and shouted during the presentations
Candidates
Donald Broussard
Broussard claimed his campaign, labeled, “Rise Up Opelousas,” is the only one that outlines a plan for what he said will “reorganize, rebrand,restore and restructure” the city.
Broussard said Opelousas is a city in disrepair, with no city park-generated opportunities for youths. “Young single mothers are having to drive their kids to Lafayette in order to enroll them in youth sports programs,” Broussard said. .
“The time for patience is over; it’s time for a change,” Broussard added.
Matthew Leday
Leday said his administration will provide support for city police officers. Leday added that the Mayor’s Office would initiate a plan to work with parish school officials in order to provide more educational opportunities.
“We need to become involved in these educational policies in order to put our children in the right direction,” Leday said.
Leday said his administration will work to revitalize the Opelousas downtown area, an issue that will be assisted by a transition team. Also on the agenda Leday added, will be a parks and recreation plan.
Charlee Renaud Lear
Lear, the only female among the four candidates, said she is a mother, whose administration will focus much of its attention on the city’s youths.
The current administration Lear said, has obtained a number of grant funding that she described as “falling in their laps. When I’m mayor, I plan to aggressively go after grants.”
Lear said she knows about the conditions on Opelousas streets and the water leaks that have caused issues.
What will be a focus of her administration Lear pointed out, will be revamping downtown Opelousas into a more vibrant commercial environment.
“I love our city and I want to make it a better place for you and your children,” Lear told the crowd.
Julius Alsandor
Alsandor, the incumbent, reminded those in attendance that he has been an elected official for 14 years, with four of those as mayor.
His promise when he first took office, Alsandor said, was to make improvements in the city’s water system and sewerage and that has happened throughout his administration.
Alsandor reminded the crowd that there is “visible evidence” that commercial ventures have increased and “dirt is being turned,” during his administration.
Also Alsandor said, there have been ongoing street improvement projects since he took office, including the recent conclusion of several in each election district.
Sheila Smith Milburn
Milburn, who qualified as a candidate for mayor of Sunset, said the administrative climate in the town has become stagnant.
“We’re on life support. It’s time to stop the old way or doing things. For years it’s been the same old thing and now it’s time for a change.”
Milburn pointed out the town has failed to address what she said are gas leaks and water that is visible on the streets. That leaking water Milburn said, often emits a noxious smell.
