Candidates square off

The Southern University System, Agricultural Research and Extension Center and History Department hosted the 2008 Mayoral Forum for the city of Baton Rouge in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union Thursday.
Mayoral-President can-didates for the Oct.10 elec-tion that participated in the forum included; Wayne Car-ter (R-Zachary), Ron John-son (D-Baton Rouge), Dan Kyle (R-Baton Rouge) and current Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden.
The candidates not on-ly traded jabs on issues affecting the city, but also landed some personal blows.
“I finished number two in class at the Southern University Law Center. Mr. Holden was in my class,” Johnson said at one point with Holden replying, “I may not have a graduated magna cum laude, I graduated ‘Thank You, Lordy.’ But look who’s the mayor.”
The candidates discussed issues from economic de-velopment, crime, racial div-ision, public transportation, HIV/AIDS and to each candidate’s relationship with the university.
Holden said that Kyle, who was a former state legislative auditor, issued the most stinging audit against Southern in the history of the state.
“A political forum is where we get ready for a political race,” said political analyst and moderator of the forum Clay Young.
Senior political science major from New Orleans Kyle Green, who was one of the many students in attendance, felt that the forum was very informative and he urged students to become more involved in the political process.
“Politics control ever aspect of life because it determines what you can do and what you can’t do, so it’s very important,” said Green. “Each candidate can think on a realm and I was very impressed.”