Highlights of Races for Council, School Board

By Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News — CENTRAL — Early voting at the Central Library was outstanding. 4,700 people came to vote, indicating Tuesday’s overall turnout will be strong. Signs are plastered all over town, and candidates are still walking neighborhoods and sign-waving. Mostly, the campaigns have been positive. It all demonstrates that democracy and civic engagement are alive and well in the City of Central.

Here are a few thoughts on the races for Central City Council and the Central School Board:

Central City Council

City Council-at-Large – Aaron McKinney and Josh Roy are well liked and should glide to victory.

City Council District 1 – Tim Lazaro is unopposed.

City Council District 2 – Ray Ashford and J. D. Lavergne. Two good candidates.  We’re more familiar with Lavergne because he went through the Republican endorsement process which includes an extensive questionnaire and interview.  He is a solid conservative with strong Christian values.

City Council District 3 – Dr. Kim Fralick and Perry Whitney.  Again, two good candidates.  Dr. Fralick seems to have the edge because she had a good record when she served before and she has walked the district.

City Council District 4 – D’Ann Wells is unopposed.

City Council District 5 – Vanda Mannino and Briton Myer. Briton is the incumbent and is a good conservative. He is endorsed by the Republican Party.  Vanda Mannino is also an excellent conservative.  She is working hard and making the race very competitive.

Central Community School Board

School Board District 1 – Jeffry LaCour, Jason Leaphart, and Joshua Schopp.  This is a very unusual race. Joshua Schopp had an unfortunate scandal and has not actively campaigned.  The presumptive favorite, Jason Leaphart, has been extremely low key.  Although he has a fair number  of signs, he doesn’t seem to be out with the voters.  By far the best campaign is by Jeffrey LaCour who is working hard and presenting himself well. He will get a lot of votes.  Running as a Democrat in Central is a hard-sell but his effort is very respectable.

School Board District 2 – Roxanne Atkinson is unopposed.

School Board District 3 – David Walker is unopposed.

School Board District 4 – Kim Powers and Nick Carmena. Kim Powers has been a leader who has fought against the roll forward of property taxes without a vote of the people, against closing schools, mask mandates, vaccine mandates, and the Woke culture which promotes CRT and transgenderism. Nick emphasizes that he is a team player but in one way or another usually says, “I agree with Kim.” The race is about leadership. Nick is well liked and both candidates have worked. It’s a toss up.

School Board District 5 – Mike Davis and Chris de Pierne. Both good men. Mike Davis is the Republican but did not compete for the Republican endorsement. He is well qualified.  Chris is an interesting candidate.  He has lots of good questions about how things are being done. He would add a lot to the board.

School Board District 6 – Michael Hooper was unopposed.

School Board District 7 – Carol Norwood, Christy Sloan, and Jeannie Spell. Carol Norwood has been an active candidate, but has really been hurt by being a lifelong Democrat and involved with Together Louisiana.  Her challenge is to broaden her appeal from just the west side of the Comite to the east side. Christy Sloan is a sweet lady, a life long resident of Central, loves this community, and is working.  Jeannie Spell has a solid background as a teacher and a successful business woman and realtor with more than $40 million in sales.  She’s a real people person.  Her challenge is to broaden her appeal to the west side of the Comite.  She’s walked every door in most precincts.

Just a bit of advice to all our candidates, most of whom have never run before:

• First, thank you for offering yourself.  It is a sacrifice to run and an even bigger sacrifice to serve.  You have shown you really care about this community, and everyone owes you a debt of gratitude.

•Second, remember that you have a life, a real life.  Don’t get so invested in this that it hurts your family relationships or damages your self esteem.  Everyone is not going to vote for you.  That’s okay.  You are offering yourself to serve.  If most voters don’t accept your offer this time, just find other ways serve or come back next time.  Good luck!