Comments on Key Issues by Central Candidates

Here are comments from candidates for Mayor, Police Chief, and City Council in Central’s April 5 municipal elections.

These answers are taken from questionnaires the candidates filled out from the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish.  Some candidates chose not to answer questions submitted by the party.  The grid above shows the candidates’ answers that could be summarized briefly.  The answers below include some of the candidates’ more extended answers to the other questions.

JR. SHELTON

Candidate for Mayor

Biography: Lifelong resident of East Baton Rouge Parish • 1969 Graduate of Broadmoor High School • 1973 Graduate of LSU School of Business, BS in Business Administration • Married 39 years to Rita M. Shelton • Four Children • Six Grandchildren • 36 year resident of Central • 47 year member of Broadmoor Baptist Church • Deacon 41 years • Business owner, 37 years, Shelboze, Inc. • Central Private Board Member, 16 years • V.P. of Central Private Board and Finance Chairman • Central Private School Board Member Emeritus • Member of The Republican Parish Executive Committee • Realtor with C.J. Brown • Chairman, C.J. Brown Agents’ Council • Former member and board member of Baton Rouge Homebuilders Association

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as Mayor of the City of Central?

A. JR. SHELTON: We were incorporated in 2005 as a city and I do not believe we have been given the leadership necessary to move the city forward to provide the citizens with the goods and services, safety, and economic development needed to underwrite the lives of our citizens. I believe I am the person who can do that, unselfishly and with independent thought, owing no one person or group, but rather owing my service to all of the citizens of Central.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Mayor?

A. JR. SHELTON: I want our economic development to be a model for municipalities across the nation. I want our citizens to have a trust in their government that gives them confidence that every decision made is done so with their interests first and foremost. I’d hope they would be happy with the progress made on infrastructure improvements with regard to streets, drainage and sewerage. Four years is really a short time in the life of a city, but while I believe we can accomplish the aforementioned items, we need to produce a long range plan that is the stepping stone to great things for Central. If we don’t have a road map of where we are trying to go, we won’t get anywhere.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. JR. SHELTON: Government, in my opinion should work in the background of the lives of its citizens. That is to say, we should first provide for the safety, health and welfare of our citizens by being certain we give them the right to make decisions without government being intrusive, but by our laws and ordinances being fair and collectively ensuring the opportunity for the peaceful living they want. I believe if government works right, it is not talked about by citizens. We should be a facilitator of progress, not the determining factor of someone’s success of failure. Government should not be a candy store handing out samples, but rather it should be an entity that puts into place the mechanisms that allow citizens to live their lives, without infringing on other’s rights, in a way that provides for themselves and their families the lifestyle they so choose.

Q. What if any new taxes would you support?

A. JR. SHELTON: I am, as a rule, against any new taxes. I believe that new taxes are a cop out on not trying to reduce spending or move monies from one purpose to another. In Central, for the most part, our expenses are fixed. We have enjoyed over a million-dollar surplus for the last several years. However, I believe most of the surplus is derived from not providing services to our city. With careful planning, I believe we can do more without having to raise taxes. Central will reach unprecedented growth in the next few years and that is why our economic development must be planned in a way that ensures the success of each part: Commercial, Retail and Residential. We operate with only a sales tax, no property taxes, and if any one of these parts of economic development over develops, then none will be successful.

Q. What specific changes could be in Central’s budget to ensure the best prioritization of use of public funds?

A. JR. SHELTON. As stated above, I believe our surplus is contrived by not providing all the services we can for our citizens. As of now, our dedicated funds for road improvements and drainage are not being utilized to the fullest extent that they can be. Our DPW department is contracted out and I believe we need to review that contract to add to it services our citizens are now lacking. We can still budget a surplus each year to protect ourselves for future and unknown emergencies.

Q. Would you oppose the commitment of public funds for promoting fairs, festivals, concerts, conventions, or other activities in Central?

A. JR. SHELTON: As a small community operating only on sales taxes, I don’t believe we have the luxury of being able to “gamble” on a payoff of giving public funds for private activities, hoping for a bigger return. So my answer is yes, I would oppose it.

Q. What, if any, do you believe is the appropriate role for the City Council in addressing the crime problem?

A. JR. SHELTON: The City Coun-

cil needs to take the leadership role in providing safety for our citizens. They should allocate necessary funds upon the request of our Police Department that will help deter any crime within our city, no matter the severity of that crime. The biggest deterrent to crime, I believe, is a strong, outward show of resistance before it becomes an uncontrollable situation.

Q. Do you feel the war on drugs has been effective or ineffective?

A. JR. SHELTON: Most would probably say it has not been effective. My answer is where would we be if there were no “war on drugs”? The problem with this “war” is there’s so much money involved that the bad guys refuse to give up. Drugs will destroy society. I would be willing to see harsher sentences, carried out to the fullest extent. I do believe the war is worth battling. Whether we are effective will never be determined, but if we quit, we are guaranteed failure.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

A. JR. SHELTON: Create an inviting environment for businesses to operate. By that, do not approve intrusive, restrictive ordinances that discourage businesses.

Q. Do you favor construction of a City Center by the City of Central or leaving it to private enterprise?

A. JR. SHELTON. The free enterprise system should always take precedence over government intervention. The city has no business in the development business and competing with private developers.

Q. Do you favor construction of a new City Hall or continue to lease space for City Hall?

A. JR. SHELTON: With only three city employees, no one has convinced me of the necessity for a multi-million dollar project for a City Hall. I am fine with a leased space until we have the need for more space that would dictate our own building.

Q. Do you believe in increasing access by citizens to public records and meetings of the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, and the city contractor, in accordance with the Louisiana Constitution, the Public Records Law, and the Open Meetings Law?

A. JR. SHELTON.  Absolutely. The request should be made; the request should be honored within the legal timeframe. No one should impede this process. The city attorney DOES NOT have to be involved in these request, as the City Clerk is an attorney and can handle the process expeditiously.

Q. Will you support continued privatization of city departments, agencies, services, or functions, in the way that the City of Central has done in the past?

A. JR. SHELTON: Yes. As long as the contractor adheres to the contract, is open and honest with the citizens and there is strict oversight by the Mayor as to their work, then privatized services can be a success. Not all companies can provide this however. The first contractor we had as a city, in my opinion, was not forthcoming with the citizens or elected officials and didn’t provide the services in a professional manner. Our current contractor, IBTS, has restored the public’s confidence and provided the services in a professional way. They seem eager to work within the city’s oversight.

 

 

DAVE FRENEAUX

Candidate for Mayor Did not respond to questionnaire.

RALPH WASHINGTON

Candidate for City Council

Q. If you have held elected office, what policies or bills were hallmarks of your service?

A. RALPH WASHINGTON: I have served on the City Council and as Mayor Pro-Tem since the first day of incorporation in July 2005. It has been an honor to be on the ground floor of creating a completely new city in a conservative, free enterprise model, unlike any other in Louisiana. We are completely privatized. Our city of 27,000 has a city government with only two employees. Everything is contracted out to a private, non-profit organization called IBTS, which has 26 of their employees assigned to Central. We have an annual budget of $6.3 million and have a surplus of more than $1.3 million a year. Our accumulated surplus is now almost $20 million, which makes it possible to make needed infrastructure improvements without going into debt. We have created a positive environment for families or anyone to live with low crime and great public school system. Although the Council is not responsible for our school system in Central it has been very supportive and helped create an economic climate for the school system to prosper. I have worked to make sure that our council takes a strong stand in favor of public access to public records and open meetings. In addition, we have completed a Master Plan that should guide development for years to come.

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as a City Council member?

A. RALPH WASHINGTON.  I believe I have made a difference in the past and that I can continue to make a difference for the next four years. We still have much to do, and I would be honored to be part of it.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Council member?

A. RALPH WASHINGTON: Better infrastructure with roads and sewer. Better services to our people, and a new contract between the City of Central and the city contractor.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. RALPH WASHINGTON: I think government should be limited in its involvement in our lives. We should be concerned about public safety and the physical development of the city but it should be limited in how it impacts our lives.

 

DR. KIM FRALICK

Candidate for City  Council

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as a City Council Member?

A. DR. KIM FRALICK: I have spent the last three years attending council meetings, committee meetings, workshops and other planning activities. I have diligently worked to keep myself informed and educated. I believe after these observations that I have enough knowledge and experience to run for the office of City Council. I have a desire to serve the community and would strive to fairly represent all the citizens of Central.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Council member?

A. DR. KIM FRALICK: I hope to have helped develop a concise plan of action for retail growth in Central. I will work to make sure our city council will be elected by districts in the next election. I will work with our P&Z to iron out the kinks that still exist in our Zoning Ordinances. I will help institute better communication between the elected officials and the citizens through town hall meetings, neighborhood meetings and media of different forms.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. DR. KIM FRALICK: The purpose of government is to ensure the individual rights of all citizens are protected. Civil government should be limited by the governed people, its constitution and a system of checks and balances.

Q. Do you feel the “war on drugs” has been effective or ineffective? Why or why not?

A. DR. KIM FRALICK: Ineffective. Government cannot address the problems of the heart. Drug misuse, prescription or non-prescription is a spiritual problem. I do believe, however in faith-based initiatives and support them.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

The citizens must support the local businesses and the elected officials must seek those businesses that are needed and the citizens will support. This will entail a current Feasibility Study. I also believe that certain tax incentives could be explored as well.

WAYNE MESSINA

Candidate for City Council

Q. What are the major influences on your life?

A. WAYNE MESSINA. My family. How I was raised by my mother and father. My teachers and coaches.

Q. If you have held elected office, what policies or bills were hallmarks of your service?

A. WAYNE MESSINA. The contract with IBTS, UDC, Architectural Design passed. We brought the Counsel on Aging to Central. Term limits passed. Districts passed but were vetoed.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Council member?

A. WAYNE MESSINA. Bring back Central pride. Economic development. Districts with two at large if that is what the people want. A Greenwell Springs BREC park and RV Park.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. WAYNE MESSINA. To ensure that there will not be anarchy. There must be “Law” but that law should not infringe upon a person’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is stated in the Preamble to our Constitution.

Q. Do you feel the “war on drugs” has been effective or ineffective? Why or why not?

A. WAYNE MESSINA. I would hate to think where we would be as a nation if we did not have the “War on Drugs”. It is as effective as the court system will allow it to be.

Q. Do you support capital punishment? Yes.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

A. WAYNE MESSINA: Friendly, welcoming environment by the leaders of Central. Show them we are behind them and we are business friendly.

JOHN VANCE

Candidate for

City Council

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as a City Council member?

A. JOHN VANCE:

I have become disappointed in the way our city government operates. It seems that private interest and personal relationships have become more important than doing what is right for the citizens of Central. Some citizens are equipped to support the leaders and some are equipped to lead. I believe my life experiences have equipped me to lead.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Council member?

A. JOHN VANCE: I hope to return belief in local government to act responsibly and with integrity. Our city will continue to grow and with good leadership we will grow in a manner that will be in the best interest of citizens of Central.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. JOHN VANCE: The purpose of local government is to enact the voice of the people. The local government should protect and promote the safety, wellness and prosperity of the citizens they represent. All of the duties should be conducted within the laws of the state and federal government and most of all within the Constitution.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

A. JOHN VANCE: Ensure the government does not interfere with or create obstacles that prevent local businesses from being competitive. In short, the government needs to get out of the way and allow local business to make their own decisions.

HARRY RAULS

Candidate for City Council

 

Q. If you have held elected office, what policies or bills were hallmarks of your service?

A. HARRY RAULS: Have never run for elected office other than business, social, or civic organizations. Currently appointed to Central P&Z since 2010 and have participated in Central’s Master Plan, new Comprehensive Zoning Plan, Governmental and School System committees.

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as a City Council member?

A. HARRY RAULS: I believe Central is positioned, and has all the attributes, to be one of the leading cities in the state. But we must insure uncontrolled growth does not overwhelm our resources and Central’s quality of life. The Councilmen we elect to serve for the next four years are vital to the successful future growth of the City of Central. I believe I have the maturity, experience, integrity, independence, fiscal responsibility, moral character, and the commitment to serve only in the best interest of the citizens of Central.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Council member?

A. HARRY RAULS: A more equal representation of area citizens in city government via districts or possibly Home Rule Charter. Completed or improving street and sewer infrastructure projects and improved flood control. Steady and sustain Economic Development. Expanded professional, business, educational, and medical facilities. Improved community sports, music, arts, cultural and entertainment activities for area youth. Expanded and viable community college. Retirement living village and senior citizens assisted living facilities. An established Community Center with city offices, meeting rooms, and community areas. Fiscal responsibility and balanced city budget. A secure and safe city with great police and fire protection.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. HARRY RAULS: I equate civil government as the local grass roots beginning point of all government, i.e. All government is local. It affects where you live. You want it to be unintrusive to let you do as you please, but when your rights are being disturbed by your neighbor, rules for you and your neighbors and surrounding community are formed into a civil governments. They form a Parish, a State, a Nation. Limits of the civil government are those rules governing your local community on a local basis.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

A. HARRY RAULS: We need a strong Chamber of Commerce which provides business classes, seminars, and leadership training. In my opinion, our current Chamber is more of a business to business lunch and social club. I would also suggest sponsoring a Central Jr. Chamber of Commerce to encourage new business startups, support and training, and community involvement.

Q. Should the City Council be apportioned by single member districts, at-large, divisions, or a combination? How many members should the Council have?

A. HARRY RAULS: With a city of 66 miles and 28,000 residents, I believe we need districts for better area representation. I prefer five districts with two at-large as was approved by the present council and then vetoed by the current mayor. Having just five districts will result in the same 3-2 split we currently have. That is why we need two at-large to be concerned for the overall city benefit on a majority vote. I would also recommend the at-large elected by the largest vote be the Mayor pro-tem, thereby being elected by all Central voters. This gives each Central voter a voice in his area as well as a voice for the city as a whole. Seven Councilmen also give the advantage of using standing committees. Complaints of bigger government are easily offset by better citizen representation and management. Additional cost is easily offset by reallocation of the Mayor’s Economic Development budget which has only been wasted for eight years with no economic development to speak of. Two additional Councilmen will cost less than about half that.

 

SHANE EVANS

Candidate for City Council

Q. What are the major influences on your life?

The major influences on my life are learning and trying to model my life on the way Jesus lived his life, my parents and grandparents, my wife Anita, and becoming a father.

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as a City Council member?

A. SHANE EVANS: Because I feel that Central has given me and my family many gifts, which have included a deep sense of community, lifelong friendships, safe schools that have been a blessing to my children and a sense of pride in what we are and what we can become. I feel I owe a debt to Central for these things and hope to repay it through service as a City Councilman.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you hope to have accomplished as a Council member?

A. SHANE EVANS: In four years, I hope to have been a part of a team effort that has enhanced public safety in Central, as well as addressing infrastructure improvements that are planned and executed in a very fiscally responsible manner. I also hope to have been able to review and readdress certain overly restrictive components of the City of Central zoning requirements pertaining to rural residential properties.

Q. In your opinion, what is the pur-

pose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. SHANE EVANS: To provide adequate police, fire and emergency medical services to ensure comprehensive coverage for the community. Careful identification, approval, planning and inspection of both private and civil engineering projects and diligent maintenance and stewardship of city assets and infrastructure. To identify and entice business, recreational and residential development that will be positive long term assets to the city, aesthetically, socially and economically. I believe the limits of a city government should be to the duties outlined above. What that means to me is that it is a city government’s duty to focus on those items while remaining vigilant to not unnecessarily interfere with law-abiding citizens lives, or the use of their private property.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

A. SHANE EVANS: Not to impose overly burdensome building restrictions on new commercial construction. I will go further and add that home-based business should be encouraged, rather than the current anti-home-based business environment that exists. Some of this country’s greatest businesses started in garages.

Q. Should the City Council be apportioned by single member districts, at-large, divisions, or a combination? How many members should the Council have?

A. SHANE EVANS: As a result of my experiences on the campaign trail, and speaking with many Central residents, I believe that the City Council should consist of five district council persons, and two at large for a total of seven. I observed at a recent council meeting that one was absent due to illness, and another barely made it due to  an injury. If that injured council person had been unable to attend, they would have not been able to conduct city business.

 

JAMES SALSBURY

Candidate for Police Chief

Q. Why are you offering yourself for service as Police Chief of the City of Central?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: I want to build onto what I have started as Asst. Police Chief of Central.

Q. Four years from now, what specifically would you like to have accomplished as a Police Chief?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: To have a basic working police force with contract employees and reserve officials.

Q. In your opinion, what is the purpose of and what are the limits of civil government?

A. To provide the services day to day to live in a free country, respecting the will of the people and the Constitution.

Q. What specific changes could be made in Central’s budget to ensure the best prioritization of use of public funds?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: Allow the Police Department to control its own budget within the total appropriation approved by the Council.

Q. What if any, do you believe is the appropriate role for the City Council in addressing the crime problem?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: The Council can best help by supporting the needs of the Police Department.

Q. Would you support focusing resources on addressing misdemeanor crimes such as panhandling, vandalism, and prostitution or on violent crimes? Or both?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: We must do both. I want to focus on all crime.

Q. Do you believe there is a connection between the prosecution of misdemeanors and violent crime rates?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: Absolutely.

Q. What other methods, in addition to more officers on the beat, would you advocate to address the pressing problem of violent crime?

Simple things would help, such as better record keeping and better communications among law enforcement agencies.

Q. Louisiana has one of the world’s highest percentage rates of incarceration, along with a huge crime problem. What are your thoughts about the growing prison population?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: Use inmate labor for the building of new prisons, thus reducing costs to the taxpayers and developing skills for inmates.

Q. What would be the single most important way to help small businesses grow and expand in Central?

A. JAMES SALSBURY: Having our own functioning police department will help reduce crime and thus help attract new businesses.

 

ERIC FRANK

Candidate for City Council

 

[Editor’s Note: Eric Frank did not respond to the Republican Party questionnaire.  However, he did provide a statement to the Central City News, which is reprinted below.]

Biography. Graduated from E.D. White Catholic High School in 1987, attended Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, 1987-1988, graduated from LSU in 1993 with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts, resident of Central for 21 years, married to Alice Frank for 23 years with two  children, owner and operator of Eric Frank Photography LLC for 13 years, active member of St. Alphonsus Church, volunteer with Cooking in Central (as a cook), and member, Knights of Columbus.

Thank you for the opportunity for me to let you know why I want to be your Councilman. It is hard for me to put into words the passion that I have for our community but I will try my best.

For those of you who don’t know, I am a transplant to Central. When my wife and I moved here 21 years ago we were looking for a home, but instead we found a community. A community that welcomed us with open arms.

I am proud to call Central home, and I am committed to protecting and improving the community that we live in. I want those who built Central, as well as their children to continue believing in and investing in our hometown. Fostering that sense of community, and keeping our young talent, while honoring and respecting our traditions, is the formula for success.

The hard working people of our community have paved the way for many of us to have opportunities that we dream of, opportunities that our community has made possible. I am committed to this greater calling. If we value family and community, it is because we know that it fosters the environment for individual success. So, if the community is an essential element of our individual success, we cherish it, we honor it, and yes, we love it.

A council position should be held by an individual who can actually bring solutions that will change our town for the better. Our town needs a new approach before it is too late. If we do things the way that they’ve always been done, then things will remain the way that they’ve always been.

We need to work on issues today while keeping an eye on what we want for the future. We can’t have a councilman simply putting out today’s fires while larger issues pass us by. We need a progressive city councilman who will be proactive in building partnerships for our already successful schools, beautiful neighborhoods and plans that create opportunity.

As our city grows with business, housing and open space, future planning should benefit all of us living and working in Central today and tomorrow. As councilman, I will work to keep you informed about what is going on and what we can do to make a difference in our community.

I am running to serve Central because I love Central. Putting Central first means putting the people of our community first because they are the essence of the community that we love. Central first means we will help our neighbors because it’s the right thing to do. Putting Central first requires that our elected officials and public servants set aside ideological or personal differences to attend to the service of the residents in our community. That is why I am running.



All Candidates for Central’s Mayor, Police Chief, and City Council Are Republicans

The GOP invited all candidates to complete a six-page questionnaire on issues affecting Central. They were also asked to document their claims of residency, university degrees, military service, and other credentials.  Most of the candidates completed that questionnaire.  The candidates’ answers are public, and the Central City News is publishing them here. A grid showing summaries of the responses to some questions is found on pages 4-7.  Some of the more detailed answers are found below.

Note: Some of the candidates chose not to answer the questions or to provide any information on their campaigns to the newspaper.  Others did not answer the questionnaire but did provide us with a statement.  We are publishing their statements at the end of this article.

 

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