A power vacuum exists in District 7 of St. John the Baptist Parish, where incumbent Cheryl Millet is not seeking reelection.

Information technology specialist with Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann Law Firm Lamont Bigham, St. Charles Parish Chief Administrative Officer Buddy Boe and Economy Bookkeeping & Tax Service President Steven Fraker are vying for the position.

Bigham said the District’s concerns are levee protection, drainage, economic development, drinking water, maintenance of ponds, recreation expansion, the Fairway bridge at Ridgefield repair and infrastructure maintenance.

“Levee Protection will take a collaborative effort amongst the Council and Administration to continue to push for the building process to begin,” Bigham said. “We can’t be content with only being approved for the building process but must be diligent in pushing for the process to begin.

“Re-visiting installing flap gates at I-10 to keep water from back flowing to the residents and the installation of the I-10 pumping station will help contain the water flow from Belle Terre to Highway 51 across the I-10.”

Bigham wants to look at how the parish handles new businesses and the sales tax it collects for business development.

“Streamlining our economic development with continued legislations to streamline business startups are key,” he said. “Also, as your next councilman I would personally take the initiative to hear the voices of our current business owners and help address their challenges.”

He said a more advanced water system with the conjunction of the Ruddock well is important for giving residents a better quality of drinking water.

“District 7 ponds are a district concern for some residents because of appearance and safety,” Bigham said. “I would use my mediation skills to make sure that we have a solution between our Parish Administration and private owners to give our residents an appearance of excellence and professionalism with safety.”

For recreation programs, Bigham said the awarded recreation tax with the upcoming recreation program coordinator position would help address program concerns in St. John.

For flood protection, Boe said he would work with the levee district, and the State and Federal delegations to obtain the necessary funding to begin construction on a vital flood protection system.

“This will give both residents and business owners the confidence they need to invest in their homes and businesses,” Boe said.

“As a certified economic developer, I’ll work with the Port of South Louisiana, Chamber of Commerce and GNO Inc. to ‘set the table’ to attract new investment in our community and expand the opportunities available to our residents.”

Boe said, as a current government administrator, he would use his relationships and experience to work with partner agencies to quickly move on important infrastructure projects, leverage resources and streamline the experience residents and businesses have with all elements of their local government. Concerning planning and zoning, Boe wants to streamline requirements to obtain a building permit, remove hurdles to open a business and increase code enforcement activities to improve property values in all neighborhoods.

Fraker said the No. 1 priority in all of St. John the Baptist Parish is a levee.

“We must make this an accomplishment that our children will speak of when they are old,” he said. “No longer can we rely, as in the past, for someone who is not effected either way to delay our levee. We cannot let them forget us and the promises they gave to us while more and more disasters happen elsewhere.”

Fraker said during the Parish’s rebuilding process, everyone learned of the problems presented by planning and zoning using outdated regulations on homes and businesses.

“We have been told by our officials that new documents are being reviewed by the parish legal team,” he said. “Let’s use this opportunity to combine building inspection, utilities, signage, occupational licenses and other necessary permits at one location. Each entity having representation and someone with the authority to sign off on what it takes to accomplish the matter in one day or less.”

Fraker said the parish’s system of clean drinking water has been exposed as insufficient and potentially deadly. He said a Mississippi River access system must be built.

He said the area is lacking in playgrounds and recreation areas.

“If needed we can develop a Sumptuary tax on soft drink and fast food sales as this seems to be a contributor to our health problems,” Fraker said.

Community policing with substations in each area, especially around our playgrounds and other
areas where children might be exposed to crime are needed, according to Fraker.