One Candidate for Mayor Did Not Respond To Questions Posed by Republican Party

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has released copies of candidate questionnaires returned by candidates for Mayor of the City of Central.
Candidates’ answers are considered by the East Baton Rouge Republican Parish Executive Committee in making its endorsements. Completing the party’s questionnaire is a prerequisite to being endorsed in contested races.
Sen. Dan Claitor is chairman of the party’s endorsement committee for this election and sent out and received the candidates’ answers.
In the Central Mayor’s race, candidates Marc Michelli and Jr. Shelton answered all of the 44 questions and returned the questionnaire to Claitor. Candidate David Barrow did not respond. Barrow did not give reasons for failing to respond.
The results of the questionnaire were as follows:
1.
Describe your
political philosophy.
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Conservative Republican, Fiscal Conservative, Pro-Life, Pro-2nd Amendment.
SHELTON: Christian, conservative Republican. As an elected official, I have the sworn duty to uphold the laws of the State of Louisiana, the United States, and those within my city. It is pretty simple. Look to the laws on governing and be certain they are enforced, work to improve those laws and in matters that have no lawful consequences, do what is best for the people. I involve God in every decision I make. I make no apologies for that. I believe if your decisions are guided by Him, you will make the right decisions.
2.
Why are you running
for Mayor of Central?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: My primary goal is to set Central on a pro-active and progressive approach to the drainage, infrastructure, and development issues we are currently facing. Central needs a strong foundation to build upon.
SHELTON: I have had the honor of serving the citizens of Central for 4 and a half years. My reasons for running again include the original reason: To be a leader that will enhance the sustainability of our families. Since the Flood of 2016, there is much work left to do! I want to complete that work.
3.
Describe any infrastructure
projects you would pursue
as Mayor of Central.
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Promoting Commercial and Residential growth using smart growth principles.
SHELTON: Drainage is the top priority in Central. I have brought over $100 million in work and money to improve our drainage. You never finish drainage work. I will continue to improve our system of drainage. Roadways always need improving, whether it is repairing or building new roads. Central is woefully short on connector roads, and we must address the traffic problems as any municipality with better roads and mapping of roads. Bridges need to be replaced and I will continue to work with the parish on those as well as working with the state to widen corridors throughout the city that are state highways.
4.
How will you address
the drainage issue in Central?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: My first step as Mayor will be to introduce a street, drainage, and infrastructure engineering manual to the council, with the goal of creating uniform and modernized infrastructure and design techniques and specifications.
SHELTON: As stated above, drainage is a never-ending project. I have a Master Drainage Plan being developed now that incorporates not only new canals and improvements to old ones, but also an ongoing yearly maintenance program. Our Federal partners and state agencies will need to be continually interacting with us in planning and implementation of drainage projects.
5.
What is your philosophy on growth in the City of Central?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Growing the city at a reasonable rate that does not negatively impact the traffic and school system. We also need to hold developer agreements to a higher standard.
SHELTON: Pretty simple: A city that is not growing is dying. There is no in-between.
6.
Do you favor construction of
a new City Hall as proposed?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: No, I believe drainage and infrastructure hold a higher priority than City Hall as proposed.
SHELTON: Yes
7.
Will you support public records law and work to insure the
public’s right to information about city government?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
8.
Should Central have a
full-scale police department
or continue using
primarity part-time officers?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Central should begin the process of working towards a full-scale police department.
SHELTON: I believe we should keep the same model, until such time that we have the statistics showing that our crime rate is rising and we can fully fund a full-time department. Currently, the Sheriff’s office takes care of all criminal activity and our police handles the traffic. The amount of a budget for a full-time department cannot be supported by our current tax structure of merely sales tax and no property taxes for the city.
9.
Will you make beautification of the City of Central a priority?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes, according to the 2010 Resiliency Study, Beautification is a top priority to the residents.
SHELTON: Yes
10.
Will you make sure the City of Central properly maintains curbs, gutters, and grass on
neutral grounds and rights of way belonging to the city?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
11.
What are your plans to address traffic problems in Central?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Find unique ways to encourage urban sprawl.
SHELTON:Central has an abundance of parish roads and state highways that bisect us. I will continue to work with those agencies to improve those roadways, but it is also important that we as a city build our own connector roads allowing traffic patterns to emerge that will eliminate heavily trafficked areas.
12.
Will you prioritize construction of a bridge across
the Amite River connecting
Hooper Road to Watson?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes, absolutely.
SHELTON: Yes
13. Will you oppose any privatization plan that provides for financing of roads or highways in East Baton Rouge Parish by any foreign government or any bank owned or controlled by any foreign government?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
14. Will you oppose any privatization plan that allows major roads or highways to be owned or operated by any private entity?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
15. Do you support the right of the voters of the proposed City of St. George to vote on whether to incorporate?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes, absolutely.
SHELTON: Yes
16. Will you support the current system of electing a Mayor-President with a Metro Council, instead of a separate Mayor and City Council for Baton Rouge?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
17. Will you support repealing the CATS tax?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: yes
SHELTON: Yes
18. Will you support privatization of CATS?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
19. Will you support the 2nd Amendment and oppose any additional local, state or federal gun control?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
20. Do you support strengthening Louisiana’s open carry law?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
21. Will you oppose efforts by local, state or federal government to monitor private communications by American citizens without a warrant signed by a judge particularly describing the person, place, and lawful reason for the search and seizure?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
22. Will you oppose further infringements on the Right to Property?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: YesSHELTON: Yes
23. Will you support Louisiana law that marriage is between one man and one woman?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
24. Will you support the right to life and oppose the judge-invented notion that abortion is a constitutional right?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
25. Will you oppose local funding for Planned Parenthood, ACORN, and other organizations with a pro-abortion or left-wing agenda?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
26. Will you oppose hate crimes laws?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
27. Will you oppose the “Fairness Ordinance” (rejected by the Baton Rouge Metro Council) which would give a special status or privilege based on sexual orientation?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
28. Will you support a balanced budget at the city level and veto an unbalanced budget?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
29. Will you oppose any and all tax increases during your term as Mayor?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
30. Will you oppose local governmental entities in East Baton Rouge rolling forward property taxes without a vote of the people?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
31. Will you support legislation to require agencies such as BREC, CATS, and the Library Board, to get two-thirds’ approval from the Metro Council before being allowed to submit tax increases or new taxes to the voters?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
32. The threat of Islamic terrorism seems to be growing worldwide. What will you do to defend Central from the danger of terrorism?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Making sure the City of Central Police participates in the Joint Police Task Force as well as the Tri‐Parish Task Force in sharing the information through regional and federal law agencies.
SHELTON: I will continue to work with the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security in planning and preparing for any attacks of terrorism. Central is located in close proximity to Exxon, a prime target, and our city is heavily populated with Exxon employees. It is necessary for us to be vigilant and cooperative with all agencies that protect us from attacks. Our Sheriff’s Office and City Police are our primary first responders and I will assure them that any help the city can give in funding, training, or equipment to protect us will be available.
33. EMT, or Electro-Magnetic Pulse, is a phenomena that occurs when a nuclear weapon is detonated above ground level. A high altitude nuclear explosion could destroy the electric grid and all computers, telephones, cell phones, electronic equipment, and motorized transportation for up to 1,000 miles, leaving Americans in the dark and without transportation or communication. The Congressional study on EMT estimated that within six months, half the American population would be dead. Even a single nuclear device in the hands of terrorists or a terrorist state, launched from a freighter off the East coast, could have these consequences. There is no need for a highly sophisticated missile system that can hit a specified target, only that the weapon be detonated at a high altitude. Will you work to harden Louisiana’s electric grid to protect East Baton Rouge Parish from a successful EMT attack and prioritize other safeguards to make such an attack less likely and minimize the possible impact of such an attack?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
34. Do you believe the world’s climate is warming? If so, do you believe it is caused in part by human activity? Do you support controls on CO2 emissions?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: I believe the climate is warming, but I have not seen the evidence that proves it is largely caused by human activity. I believe that CO2 emissions controls are largely used to pursue increase in
governmental control. Furthermore, they drive up unfair costs on U.S. industries creating a disadvantage in the global market.
SHELTON: No
35. Will you oppose any legislation that requires Central, East Baton Rouge Parish, the State of Louisiana or U.S. to reduce its energy consumption, including a carbon tax, or Cap and Trade legislation?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
36. Do you favor reducing or eliminating the federal role in local public schools?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
37. Will you support neighborhood schools in public education?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
38. Will you support the creation of the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
39. Will you support building a border wall?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
: Yes
40. Do you support returning illegal immigrants to their home countries?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
41. Will you support requiring Central city contractors to affirm that they are not hiring illegal immigrants as a prerequisite to working on Central projects?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
42. Will you oppose making Central a Sanctuary City?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
43. Do you support Central Police and Sheriff’s deputies assisting federal immigration officials in the enforcement of federal immigration laws within Central?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Yes
SHELTON: Yes
44. How will you address the crime problem in the City of Central?
BARROW: Did Not Respond
MICHELLI: Making sure our local police department works in conjunction with Parish and State Police departments and are provided a proper budget to fully staff full time employees and work towards a full scale police department.
SHELTON: Central has an elected Chief of Police. The actual crime fighting plans are his responsibility. However, as Mayor, I will continue to be certain that our City Police Department is equipped with the necessary tools to do their jobs well. I will also continue a cooperative spirit and attitude between the city, they City Police Department and our EBR Sheriff’s Office, to be certain our citizens are well protected.