Mayor-PresidentBobby Simpson and Senator Melvin “Kip” Holden addressed and responded to thereligious community at a forum held at the Catholic Life Center on Tuesday,Oct. 25. Simpson and Holden arecandidates for the Mayor-President position of East Baton Rouge.
The forum washosted by the Working Interfaith Network (WIN), a society of 35 congregationsrepresenting all faiths. Established in the East Baton Rouge Parish 10 years ago, the goal of WINis to empower people of faith to achieve justice for the common good, throughcompassion and political responsibility.
“WIN buildsbridges between church and community,” said Tara Cador, WIN participant.
There wereapproximately 285 citizens in attendance at the forum. During one segment of the program,audience members had the opportunity to speak out and give personalobservations directed toward the two candidates.
Concerns amongattendees included education, community policing, crime, the avoidance ofseparation of church and state, animal control, housing affordability,abandoned vehicles, construction of sidewalks and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Anotherparticular concern was pollution, as presented by Southern University SophomoreClass President Niiobli Armah. Armah shared his concern of pollutants released by the Exxon MobileRefinery and Chemical Plant and its potential harmful effects on SouthernUniversity students and the Scottlandville community.
“SouthernUniversity is one of the largest HBCUs and the university means a lot to BatonRouge,” said Armah. “There arestudent issues that need to be addressed more often (from politicaladministrators).”
Senator Holdenwas the first candidate to address the audience on their observations. On the issue of crime, recentstatistics show that Baton Rouge was ranked 11 per capita in the nation inviolent crime. Holden addressedthis issue by stating that we should embrace community policing here in thecity.
Holdencontinued that police must be paid adequately, and they must get to knowindividuals and businesses in neighborhoods. By doing so, relationships arecreated, and possible crime is monitored and avoided. He continued that policemust also visit schools so that the adverse stereotype between police and youngadults is ended.
In reference toeducation, Holden stated that truant students must be counseled and evaluatedto determine why they are disobeying school rules. Secondly, donations andofferings must be made to start mentoring programs. Lastly, Holden offered paidleave for working parents, only if the time is spent as volunteer hours attheir child’s school.
“We must reachout and save young people,” Holden said.
Mayor-PresidentSimpson spoke about the complaints and concerns of citizens. He also told audience members thatvoicing their opinions and observations is the first step in making change.
“I would liketo challenge you to access the Internet,” said Simpson. “You can file anycitizen service complaint.”
The city’sgovernmental website is www.br.gov. Here, people can file complaints and checkback to monitor progress.
Simpson statedthat in regards to education, he believes in a holistic approach with students.Concerning the issues of truancy, he said he is willing to partner with theDepartment of Corrections so that the concern of truant students in Baton Rougeis resolved.
In addition,Simpson praised the works of WIN and encouraged faith-based individuals toparticipate and partner with the organization.
Upon therequest of the WIN Leadership Team, both candidates agreed that if elected,they would refine community policing, build alliances between the community andschools, improve the issue of truancy among students, promote economic growth,and regularly meet with and appoint a WIN member to the candidate’s cabinet.
In theirclosing statements, both candidates restated their platforms, future goals, andvision for the city of Baton Rouge. They also encouraged participants go out and vote on Election Day, Nov.2.
