Forum at LSUE gives candidates an opportunity to speak out

Eleven candidates from St. Landry and Acadia parishes took the opportunity to answer questions and make their cases as to why they should be elected at a  forum Thursday on the LSUE campus. 
The forum was co-sponsored by the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and the LSUE Student Government Association. 
The candidates are on the ballot in Saturday’s primary election. 
Each candidate was asked a question by Dr. Michael Alleman, forum moderator. Candidates also were given an opportunity to make an opening statement within a three-minute time limit. 
The forum was held in the Health Technology Building auditorium.  
Acadia Parish sheriff candidates attending were K.P. Gibson and Keith Latiola. Candidate Brian Richard did not attend. 
Gibson was asked, “What qualifications do you possess to hold the office of sheriff and what do you feel is the most important thing needed to maintain a strong and effective department?
Gibson cited his 25 years in law enforcement, which includes 13 years as police chief in Crowley. His tenure as police chief included maintaining a budget, being accountable to people and making improvements, he said. 
Enforcement is the top job for the sheriff and he will put more deputies on patrol, he said. Gibson said he will add deputies to the narcotics division. 
Latiola was asked, “Higher unemployment equates to a higher crime rate. If elected, what steps would you take to insure public safety especially among our elderly?”
Latiola said he has 35 years experience in the sheriff’s office where he has served as a supervisor in every division. 
Latiola said the patrol division should be increased, but said narcotics enforcement needs to be done by working with all law enforcement in the parish. 
Latiola said he would have a program to call the elderly to check on them.
In the Acadia Parish Police Jury District 8 race, Robert Guidry attended. Felton Moreaux was absent. 
Guidry was asked, “Part of your district occupies Eunice or it its surrounding area. Do you feel you can work cooperatively with other municipalities to accomplish work that needs to be done?”
Guidry said “yes” and that he has worked and listened to the concerns of the people in the area. 
Guidry said he has been a resident of Iota for 29 years, is employed in the agriculture industry, has served four years as a juror and has been the jury’s vice president for two years. 
Three candidates for the St Landry Parish Council  District 12 seat attended. 
Jimmie Edwards, incumbent, was asked, “What do you see as the parish’s major challenges and what would you do to make them better?”
Edwards answered to continue to the Smooth Ride Home Program and move forward with better roads and drainage. 
John Marshall was asked, “What useful experience or knowledge or perspective would you bring to the pairsh?”
Marshall said he has owned a company for 15 years that does drainage and landscaping and that experience gives him the knowledge to get things done. 
Imelda Allison Thomas was asked, ‘What do you see as the parish’s biggest asset and how would you use that to increase economic growth in the parish?”
Thomas said additional fire hydrant are needed to minimize insurance premiums, save homes and lives.  She also mention drainage.
St. Landry Parish Council District 13 candidates Coby Clavier and Gary Courville, incumbent, attended. 
Clavier was asked, “What do see as the biggest problem facing parish government and what would you do to improve that problem?”
Clavier said basic maintenance of drainage and roads is the biggest problem. Clavier said he would speak up and make sure work gets done in the district.
Courville was asked, “Have you thought any legislation you are interested that parish council enact, repeal or review and, if so, what is it you propose?”
Courville stressed the council is a legislative body and its members cannot direct work. Following the home rule charter is his first priority, he said. 
Candidates for District 41 state representative Phillip DeVillier, Greg Fruge and Germaine Simpson attended the forum.
DeVillier was asked, “What does economic development mean to you and what do you plan to bring about economic growth to District 41.”
DeVillier said economic development begins with good road, schools, businesses and health care. 
The state must change its mind set and develop an honest budget, he said. 
Fruge was asked, “How would you help higher education in District 41 given the dire financial restraints that have been put upon, i.e., funding problems, pay raises for faculty and staff and keeping schools open?”
Fruge noted the importance of LSUE and the importance of providing workforce training through community and technical colleges. 
Other issues for the state include roads, bridges, insurance costs and funding higher education, he said. 
Simpson was asked, “As a state representative, how do you feel the budget will affect District 41 and our state in general?”
Simpson said she has opposed cuts to higher education, hospice and home health. 
Public school educators and students should be not be penalized for opting out the 2015 tests, she said. 
Students should have the opportunity to train to work in the oil and gas industry, she said.