Council candidates questioned

• By AMY WOLD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Sep 26, 2008 - Page: 3B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Broken street lights, people parking on sidewalks and the $989 million bond proposal.

Those were some of the questions candidates for Metro Council districts 4 and 6 tried to answer Thursday night during a forum at the Park Forest Baptist Church organized by the Park Forest Citizen’s Association.

Running for District 4 are Republicans Wayne Messina and Scott Wilson.

Running for District 6 are Democrats Donna Collins-Lewis and Sarah Holliday and Republican Martha Jane Tassin.

The primary is Oct. 4.

Both districts represent portions of the Park Forest neighborhood,  off Greenwell Springs Road, east of Joor Road.

The candidates were asked what experience they have that will help them perform their duties as council members if elected.

“Eight years,” said Tassin, the incumbent councilwoman for District 6. “I know the people of this district and I know the problems of this district.”

Lewis cited her experience with the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps, a group set up by former Gov. Kathleen Blanco after Hurricane Katrina.

Holliday said she brings leadership skills from membership in a number of organizations and her skills as a counselor.

In District 4, Messina said it comes down to being able to listen to constituents while having the leadership qualities “to make the tough decisions that have to be made.”

Wilson said his experience in owning his own business means he understands budgets and finances, and knows the importance of providing customer service.

The candidates also were asked their opinions about the performance of Mayor Kip Holden — who faces three challengers in the Oct. 4 primary — and their stance on the $989 million bond proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot.