Second time around

• By SCOTT DYER
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Jan 6, 2009 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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After Mayor-President Kip Holden was sworn into office for a second term Monday, he attributed his landslide victory as evidence local voters are tired of the divisive politics of the past.

Without naming anyone, Holden noted that his recent re-election came in spite of efforts by his opponents to divide East Baton Rouge Parish along racial and political party lines.

The first black mayor-president in Baton Rouge history, Holden was opposed by fellow Democrat Ron Johnson and two Republicans, former Councilman Wayne Carter and former state Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle.

Holden wound up winning 71 percent of the votes cast in the Oct. 4 primary, burying the opposition.

“The people of East Baton Rouge were not fooled by their schemes, and overwhelmingly said, ‘Those days are long gone,’ ” Holden said.

En route to his victory, Holden won every precinct in East Baton Rouge Parish — a first for the parish, he said.

Holden emphasized the need for unity in order to keep the politics of the past in check.

“I am not so naïve as to think we will walk out of here today and encounter only those who want to work together to improve our community,” Holden said.

“There are always others who prefer to hold us back, tied to the politics of yesterday, looking only for what benefits them personally,” he added.

Holden noted that for Baton Rouge to become one of America’s next great cities, it’s important for residents to focus on their commonalities instead of their differences.

And Holden emphasized the importance of providing a good quality of life for everyone, including the needy and homeless.

Holden said the needs of the homeless became apparent Christmas Day, when homeless and other people in need flocked to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul dining room.

“The Bishop said they had expected 300 people for a hot meal, and they wound up serving 730 people — more than double what they had anticipated,” Holden said.