Integrity and independence from the MESS that is there now. We need someone from OUTSIDE of the political factions that are tearing our city up right now. That eliminates every candidate announced except Jacque Roy.
I think everyone agrees that we desparately need change on the council and administration. I suppose that narrows it down to Roy and Sams, although Sams is perceived by some to be an insider. Change. Change.
Sounds like the Antoon Clan is at it again! Yes, let’s have a law-suit happy mayor who, by the way, will be PART-TIME?!?!?!?! What the fuc* are people thinking?
For the second time today, nochocolatecity, Mr. Roy will be a full-time mayor if elected. You should e-mail him and ask him for yourself. That’d be responsible of you.
Why are you jousting with these Brewer supporters who are just trying to rile you and create a false issue. Roy will have plenty chances to clear up questions like this BUT, if you know Jacques you know that he is not short on committment or dedication and when he undertakes the mayor’s job he will be 1000% immersed in it. This is the kind of shit that Delores throws when she has nothing else.
Most important? Fiscal responsibility, attention to infrastructure needs, semi honest, and can speak in public without sounding like some rap song. IMHO of course
CFS at the Council Meeting this week said “Look, we tryin to move dis City fahwud. Evahthing I did was above bawad. If this clown gets elected there will be a serious race to the U-haul Store. I say education is important but we really need someone who can speak the kings english and not ebonics.
According to nochocolatecity the Antoons are behind Roy’s Mayoral run. So let me get this straight. Antoon supports Roy candidacy. Roy being in the race splits the white vote three ways. This will ensure that two black candidates are in the runoff and that ultimately we will have a black mayor. This leads to a major exodus of whites from the City of Alexanria. Blacks take over completely. Follow me so far? Ok…here is the connection. Antoon sells Chicken and Ribs for a living. Blacks love Chicken and Ribs. Antoon makes a killing. Tommy then converts the old Weiner Works into a watermelon stand and bait shop. Sorry Chocolate, I don’t buy it.
So far, I think it’s worth noting, more than 50% of people who have answered this poll have voted that Holding Government Accountable is THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE in this mayoral election.
The only group that can hold the government accountable is the voters. If people don’t vote, they deserve what they get.
Good people need to step up and offer themselves as public servants. I know everyone says that good people don’t want to put up with the hassle, but, that is not necessarily true.
Rick Ranson, Lindsay Torbett and Jay Bolen are just 3 examples of good people who served the public with intelligence and integrity. None of these fine gentlemen made public service their career. We need more folks like them to step forward.
In the end, the ultimate responsibility and accountability for good government lies with the person you look at in the mirror every morning.
1) Accountability 2) Putting the day-to-day operation back in the administration’s hand and out of the council’s hand which is what the charter actually says. 3) Putting the City as the leader in economic development and what it sees needs to happen, not have it follow the direction of many self-serving groups 4) INFRASTRUCTURE – if we don’t increase our capacity to serve residents and businesses with water, sewer, gas and electricity – we’re dead in the water in terms of growth 5) Increasing the tax base – NOT BY RAISING THEM – look at the pockets around the city, that lie within the City which are presently receiving all of the city services and have not been annexed – these are areas the City is losing property taxes on. Go beyond that and look just beyond our borders at areas receiving 3 of the 4 services and consider annexation. 6) Review and scrutinize every current contract for professional services – example attorneys – IF we have a City attorney, do we need an attorney for the Council? do we need 4, 5, 6 additional attorneys on retainer? Put these under contract for specific time periods of for specific projects. (attorneys are just one example) 7) Planning & zoning – get them some help! If we can’t hire engineers and others for this department then let’s outsource it and be done! 8) Personnel/Human Resources – the fact that it takes forever for someone to be hired at the City is ridiculous! Start running this like a REAL business – post the job internally for 3 weeks, then post outside. Use DOL or an outside source to screen candidates and then process internally – get rid of this someone in personnel is off every Monday and Friday and btw if your paperwork is on so-and-so’s desk nothing is done until they come back from leave, vacation, etc. I understand civil service is involved, but other cities have found a way to make it work, why can’t we? 9) Downtown – some of you aren’t going to like this, but succesful cities have thriving downtowns – this has been proven by researchers. Thriving does not mean it is the hub of shopping, it means downtown has been reinvented in most places to something eclectic – an alternative place to go, built usually around something historic, cultural, or out of necessity. In our case we have all 3. We have the history downtown – granted Dean presently has it tied up with an outrageous price tag. The only way to get him to move is change the accessed value to what he thinks it’s worth and start making him pay property taxes on $12 mill. Cultural – the arts district has a solid foundation with River Oaks and Caughlin Saunders – find ways to use them more. Necessity – government is downtown, therefore it will also be necessary for people to be downtown. Build off that base, along with the artist base to entice others to be downtown after 5 and on the weekends. It can work, but we need some creativity – something that is lacking in our leaders at this time. 10)20-40-year-olds – ENGAGE THEM!!! These are our most creative group of people, they want a reason to stay, they are the most mobile and have the ability to leave a city. Seek new fresh ideas from them. Find reasons for them to BELONG. Not everyone has two kids, a spounse, a house and a dog. There are still people who want to go out, enjoy a good reasonably priced dinner at a non-chain restaurant, enjoy music that is current of various genres and have places to meet with their friends – not necessarily bars and not always coffee houses.
Ok, that’s my top 10. Sorry if it’s more than you wanted.
Your top ten has summarized priorities as I have heard them expressed in the community for some time. Folks have got to get to the polls. Failure to do so is what has brought us to this point. I appreciate the thought that it took to express your top ten.
Great list! Ya’ll might have noticed that Pineville is doing something about their aging systems. “The city of Pineville is borrowing as much as $5.68 million to pay for improvements to its water and sewer systems”
Before anyone critizes Jacques Roy maybe they should actually talk to him and find out what his plans are. Jacques is a very dedicated man, and if he does become mayor, he will do an awesome job. No questions about it!!
CenLamar 
Integrity and independence from the MESS that is there now. We need someone from OUTSIDE of the political factions that are tearing our city up right now. That eliminates every candidate announced except Jacque Roy.
I think everyone agrees that we desparately need change on the council and administration. I suppose that narrows it down to Roy and Sams, although Sams is perceived by some to be an insider. Change. Change.
Sounds like the Antoon Clan is at it again!
Yes, let’s have a law-suit happy mayor who, by the way, will be PART-TIME?!?!?!?!
What the fuc* are people thinking?
For the second time today, nochocolatecity, Mr. Roy will be a full-time mayor if elected. You should e-mail him and ask him for yourself. That’d be responsible of you.
That’s funny because I overheard him say he was going to continue to practice law last Friday night at the diamond grill.
Why are you jousting with these Brewer supporters who are just trying to rile you and create a false issue. Roy will have plenty chances to clear up questions like this BUT, if you know Jacques you know that he is not short on committment or dedication and when he undertakes the mayor’s job he will be 1000% immersed in it. This is the kind of shit that Delores throws when she has nothing else.
Sams is running the best race and seriously getting people’s attention/support.
Most important? Fiscal responsibility, attention to infrastructure needs, semi honest, and can speak in public without sounding like some rap song. IMHO of course
CFS at the Council Meeting this week said “Look, we tryin to move dis City fahwud. Evahthing I did was above bawad. If this clown gets elected there will be a serious race to the U-haul Store. I say education is important but we really need someone who can speak the kings english and not ebonics.
According to nochocolatecity the Antoons are behind Roy’s Mayoral run. So let me get this straight. Antoon supports Roy candidacy. Roy being in the race splits the white vote three ways. This will ensure that two black candidates are in the runoff and that ultimately we will have a black mayor. This leads to a major exodus of whites from the City of Alexanria. Blacks take over completely. Follow me so far? Ok…here is the connection. Antoon sells Chicken and Ribs for a living. Blacks love Chicken and Ribs. Antoon makes a killing. Tommy then converts the old Weiner Works into a watermelon stand and bait shop. Sorry Chocolate, I don’t buy it.
So far, I think it’s worth noting, more than 50% of people who have answered this poll have voted that Holding Government Accountable is THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE in this mayoral election.
The only group that can hold the government accountable is the voters. If people don’t vote, they deserve what they get.
Good people need to step up and offer themselves as public servants. I know everyone says that good people don’t want to put up with the hassle, but, that is not necessarily true.
Rick Ranson, Lindsay Torbett and Jay Bolen are just 3 examples of good people who served the public with intelligence and integrity. None of these fine gentlemen made public service their career. We need more folks like them to step forward.
In the end, the ultimate responsibility and accountability for good government lies with the person you look at in the mirror every morning.
1) Accountability
2) Putting the day-to-day operation back in the administration’s hand and out of the council’s hand which is what the charter actually says.
3) Putting the City as the leader in economic development and what it sees needs to happen, not have it follow the direction of many self-serving groups
4) INFRASTRUCTURE – if we don’t increase our capacity to serve residents and businesses with water, sewer, gas and electricity – we’re dead in the water in terms of growth
5) Increasing the tax base – NOT BY RAISING THEM – look at the pockets around the city, that lie within the City which are presently receiving all of the city services and have not been annexed – these are areas the City is losing property taxes on. Go beyond that and look just beyond our borders at areas receiving 3 of the 4 services and consider annexation.
6) Review and scrutinize every current contract for professional services – example attorneys – IF we have a City attorney, do we need an attorney for the Council? do we need 4, 5, 6 additional attorneys on retainer? Put these under contract for specific time periods of for specific projects. (attorneys are just one example)
7) Planning & zoning – get them some help! If we can’t hire engineers and others for this department then let’s outsource it and be done!
8) Personnel/Human Resources – the fact that it takes forever for someone to be hired at the City is ridiculous! Start running this like a REAL business – post the job internally for 3 weeks, then post outside. Use DOL or an outside source to screen candidates and then process internally – get rid of this someone in personnel is off every Monday and Friday and btw if your paperwork is on so-and-so’s desk nothing is done until they come back from leave, vacation, etc. I understand civil service is involved, but other cities have found a way to make it work, why can’t we?
9) Downtown – some of you aren’t going to like this, but succesful cities have thriving downtowns – this has been proven by researchers. Thriving does not mean it is the hub of shopping, it means downtown has been reinvented in most places to something eclectic – an alternative place to go, built usually around something historic, cultural, or out of necessity. In our case we have all 3. We have the history downtown – granted Dean presently has it tied up with an outrageous price tag. The only way to get him to move is change the accessed value to what he thinks it’s worth and start making him pay property taxes on $12 mill. Cultural – the arts district has a solid foundation with River Oaks and Caughlin Saunders – find ways to use them more. Necessity – government is downtown, therefore it will also be necessary for people to be downtown. Build off that base, along with the artist base to entice others to be downtown after 5 and on the weekends. It can work, but we need some creativity – something that is lacking in our leaders at this time.
10)20-40-year-olds – ENGAGE THEM!!! These are our most creative group of people, they want a reason to stay, they are the most mobile and have the ability to leave a city. Seek new fresh ideas from them. Find reasons for them to BELONG. Not everyone has two kids, a spounse, a house and a dog. There are still people who want to go out, enjoy a good reasonably priced dinner at a non-chain restaurant, enjoy music that is current of various genres and have places to meet with their friends – not necessarily bars and not always coffee houses.
Ok, that’s my top 10. Sorry if it’s more than you wanted.
Your top ten has summarized priorities as I have heard them expressed in the community for some time. Folks have got to get to the polls. Failure to do so is what has brought us to this point. I appreciate the thought that it took to express your top ten.
I could not agree more!!!Kudos to you my friend….Want to qualify for mayor?
Great list! Ya’ll might have noticed that Pineville is doing something about their aging systems. “The city of Pineville is borrowing as much as $5.68 million to pay for improvements to its water and sewer systems”
Before anyone critizes Jacques Roy maybe they should actually talk to him and find out what his plans are. Jacques is a very dedicated man, and if he does become mayor, he will do an awesome job. No questions about it!!