4 hopefuls back mayor’s plan

• By STEVEN WARD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Oct 24, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Members of a Mid City community development organization on Thursday asked candidates squaring off in District 7, 10 and 11 Metro Council runoff elections how they would work to bring businesses to Government Street and spur economic development.

Candidates said they would work to obtain tax breaks and other financial incentives to attract new businesses to Mid City, but provided no other details.

Five candidates from the three races participated in the forum at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City hosted by the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance.

The District 7 race features incumbent Byron Sharper, 41, running against challenger C. Denise Marcelle, 47. Sharper is seeking his third term.

Political newcomers Tara Wicker, 38, and Larry Selders, 26, are running for the District 10 seat.

Alison Cascio, 29, is battling Scott Lemoine, 39, for the District 11 seat on the Metro Council. Lemoine, who had a previous commitment, did not attend the forum.

Candidates differed when asked if they support Mayor-President Kip Holden’s $989 million bond tax proposal. Holden’s bond proposal includes a new Parish Prison, public works improvements, public safety facilities and a riverfront tourist attraction run by the Audubon Institute.

Wicker, Marcelle, Selders, and Cascio all said they support the mayor’s proposal because of the plan’s progressive vision of moving Baton Rouge forward.

Sharper said he opposes the plan because businesses should pay their own way if they locate in Baton Rouge and not depend on taxpayers to foot the bill.

“We have a $182 million surplus in the city-parish. Why don’t we use that money for these economic development projects,” Sharper said.

Candidates were also asked if they would work to lure businesses to the community that give young men a chance to work even though those men may have made a mistake in their life and have a criminal record.

Sharper said he has already worked on job training for young people at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center on Gus Young Avenue.

Marcelle, who works in a law firm, said she has seen young men who have been rehabilitated and want to work. She said she would work to offer incentives to businesses who hire people who might have a criminal record but are willing to work.