Daily Star News Editor

The six candidates for Hammond City Council District 2 expressed their views on representative government, their availability to constituents, recreation, video bingo, lot sizes, Cate Square and other issues relating to the running of city government during a forum Wednesday night in council chambers.

The Hyer-Cate Neighborhood Association organized the forum, and broadcaster Mary Pirosko was moderator.

Current officeholder Tony Licciardi, who has reached his term limit and cannot run for re-election, introduced the candidates which are Stephen A. Wells, Gretchen Chauvin, Michelle Brister, Salvadore J. Accomando, Jason Hood and W.L. "Bill" Travis.

Opening statements

Accomando said he is a Democrat and believes everyone needs to be represented equally. He said he had considered leaving Hammond at one point to live elsewhere because there are problems in District 2 but decided, "Why should I leave the place I love?" He said he grew up in the district and knows what the problems are.

Brister, a 15-year resident of Loranger, is an educator, who said she is a "voice for the citizens of District 2."

She said she feels a moral imperative as a mother and woman to do whatever she can to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the district.

Chauvin, who is married and retired from the work force, is a 14-year resident of the district and an active community volunteer. Born and reared in New Orleans, she said she moved to Hammond after a drive through the downtown.

"I saw the charm and uniqueness and fell in love with it," she said.

She said she has seen first hand the results of overcrowding and how it affects quality of life. She said residents should appreciate what they have in Hammond.

Hood, a lifelong resident of Hammond, is a businessman and father of four children. He said his residents tell him of their concerns over issues of growth, like traffic and crime.

"If elected, I will do what I can to preserve the quality of life and the natural charm and beauty of the neighborhoods," he said. "I will be accessible and accountable."

Travis said he has lived in District 2 for 10 years and has been active in community projects like the Pumpkin Patch which has raised more than $300,000 for the Youth Service Bureau. He is a municipal consultant for infrastructure issues.

He said he has witnessed the incredible growth on the North Shore and decided to enter the District 2 race to bring his experience in infrastructure systems to the job of city councilman.

Wells said his entire life, with the exception of two stints in the military, has been spent living within a seven-mile radius of Hammond. He is a retired fireman and fire inspector/investigator and said he is proud to have served the city over many years. He is an ordained minister and pastor.

He said he has worked with every department head in the city in some capacity and will not need on-the-job training.

Representative government

Brister said she is "here specifically as a voice of the people."

Chauvin said representative government is "the way democracy was intended. It's not about me or you but all of us."

Hood said one would have to be a fool not to at least say he believed in representative government and sit on the dais.

"Somebody needs to be a voice," he said.

Travis said, "One of us will be given the duty, the absolute obligation to determine the will of the district and to represent that will."

Wells said the representative for District 2 will not only represent the citizens of the district but of the entire city as well because the councilman will assist in making decisions that are best for the city.

"Every decision we make will affect lives of people for years to come," he said.

Accomando said everyone should be included.

Availability

Chauvin said she is retired and her children are grown, and she will have the time to be available to her constituents. She will circulate e-mail, post office box, phone number and every form of communication. She plans to institute a committee at which senior residents can give their input. She will continue knocking on doors.

Hood said he lives and works in Hammond and has children to chase after.

"I'm out and about," he said.

He plans to set up monthly round-table meetings with residents of the district to discuss the issues and their concerns.

Travis said a year ago his company hired him an assistant which took "a load off of me." His work schedule is flexible. He plans to circulate postcards with his address, phone number and e-mail address on them on which residents can write down their issues and concerns and mail them to him. Every household will have these cards.

Wells said his church work allows him flexibility. He plans on holding quarterly town hall meetings with residents to discuss issues.

Accomando said he will continue knocking on doors, and "I can take time off" from work.

Brister said she is available to speak with residents, many of whom she has discovered don't have computers or phones. She plans to hold meetings in a central location to talk with residents about their concerns.

Improving recreation

Hood said he will make it a point of his work on the city council to see that recreation facilities are improved in the city. He would demand that recreation department heads actively participate in program events. A business doesn't prosper unless the heads show their faces, and it is the same in the recreation department.

Travis said he has seen coaches scrambling for practice facilities. The soccer, basketball and baseball programs are all in need. There is a blueprint for success in recreation, and Ponchatoula has already done it. Hammond is behind.

Wells said Hammond is the largest city in the parish and should have the best athletic programs. He would institute a scholarship for children who can't afford fees. He would also not limit recreation programs to athletics but include arts and music.

Accomando said Hammond needs a major sports complex to attract new people to the city.

Brister said there needs to be more diversity in recreation programs in the city. Her research shows the addition of arts and music to recreation programs helps lower the juvenile crime rate and reduces dropout rates.

Chauvin said the recreation program needs a Web site and brochures which list programs available so that parents don't have to go out of their way to search. Once programs are advertised, children will want to participate.

Video bingo

Travis said the parish's residents voted video poker out several years ago.

"What's the difference between that and video bingo?" he said.

If elected, I see no need for this.

Wells concurred. He said standing-room-only crowds at city council meetings opposed video bingo, yet the city council snubbed those people and four out of five voted for it. They voted again to override the mayor's veto. He would do all in his power to have it repealed.

Accomando said, "We don't need it."

Brister said she would talk to the residents and do what the majority says.

Chauvin said the issue continues unsettled with the council and should go to ballot and let the voters decide.

Hood said he would hold meetings with the residents of the district and represent them.

Quality of Life

Wells said "it does my heart good" to see citizens coming together and taking pride in their neighborhoods, but there must be adequate housing for the new people coming in so that all may enjoy a quality of life.

Accomando said he would ensure the neighborhoods retain their character and fight litter and crime.

Brister said she would generate ideas from her constituents.

Chauvin said the city needs to take leadership and guide development.

Hood said more neighborhoods need to form associations so that there is a voice for different districts.

Travis said there needs to be more firemen and police. The quality of life is only as good as the services the city provides. Infrastructure needs to keep up with the growth, and there must be housing for the increasing population.

Lot sizes

Accomando said he would "get behind" the new ordinance on increasing average subdivision lot sizes to 65 feet.

Brister agreed lot sizes should stay larger.

Chauvin said the controversy is over new developments, and residents want quality not quantity in new homes.

"We need more setbacks and more greenspace," she said. "With overcrowding you get fire safety issues and more traffic."

Hood said larger lot sizes are a good thing. The focus needs to be more on the structures being built rather than the lots. Hammond is quickly running out of room.

Travis approves the council's action on lot sizes and said more density puts more demands on infrastructure. High-density housing detracts from quality of life.

Wells said the ordinance is a good compromise. The city must look at the big picture and the effects on issues like traffic control and drainage.

Qualifications

Brister said she is well-educated and has time to dedicate to the job of council member. Women are good listeners, nurturers and protectors. She plans to donate 20 percent of her salary back to the city each month for organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Restoration House, a different charitable organization each month.

Chauvin said she has been an active volunteer and active in neighborhood associations and sees the council member's role as cohesive. She has witnessed irresponsible growth and what happens when there isn't a plan.

Hood said he started attending council meetings several months ago and realized that one must build relationships to get things done in a community, and he has the qualities to build those relationships.

Travis said he is a resident of South Spruce Street and a registered voter. Those are his qualifications. The qualities that make him right for the job are his 12 years of consulting work on the North Shore and his firm belief in a representative form of government.

"Those qualities back up my qualifications," he said.

Wells said he is a minister and a people person. He would be a strong leader and able to persuade or dissuade the council on the issues affecting his constituents.

Accomando said he is a lifelong resident, active in community organizations like Knights of Columbus and knows the problems of the city.

Cate Square renovation

Chauvin said Cate Square does need a facelift, but there are three parks in District 2. Those parks are important, too.

Hood said the renovation is already under way, the money approved by the city. The park needs new playground equipment, and it would be nice to have a restroom available and the playground fenced in.

Travis said the money allocated for the renovation probably should have been spread around. The restroom could create a security issue. Residents would want it clean and secure.

Wells said more than $400,000 has been allocated for Cate Square's renovation, but there are six parks in Hammond, three of those in District 2.

"It's a bad plan to spend half a million dollars on one park," he said.

All the city's parks should be family-friendly - safe, secure and fenced in. Wells said he wouldn't want his wife walking near some of the city's parks. Security guards should be hired to make sure everyone is safe.

Accomando said he grew up using Zemurray and Orange Street parks, and "there's nothing there to be proud of." The city must bring park facilities up to date. Recreation brings people together.

Brister said the controversy over the renovation seems to be the amount of the money. She thinks the money should be spent on equipment and security, not landscaping.

Traffic problems

Hood said the city has hired consultants to study the traffic problems. The city should take their advice and do what they recommend. In the district, no-parking signs have been knocked down and this should be addressed.

Travis said Southeastern Louisiana University is addressing its parking problems by building a multi-level parking facility on campus. Holy Ghost School creates traffic problems in the district, and the city planners should sit down with school leaders to find a solution.

Wells said traffic is a problem throughout the city, and this should be addressed.

Accomando suggested reopening Hanson and making Church Street one way. He said city leaders should sit down with Holy Ghost to talk about problems.

Brister said she will sit down with her residents, generate ideas and bring them back to the council.

Chauvin said increased population means more traffic. The neighborhood residents are requesting more speed bumps and four-way stops. People are using the neighborhood as a short cut.

Reducing crime

Travis said there needs to be more community watch-style programs to deter crime. He supports more pay for policemen as well as the right equipment.

Wells supports more police and increased patrols. He said citizens should stand up and take more control in their neighborhoods to report crimes, take down license plate numbers and report loiterers. With the infusion of more people, crime will grow if people become apathetic.

Accomando said there needs to be more motorcycle patrols.

"People in this town are scared," he said.

Brister said the people in her district want higher pay for police officers and increased patrols. Juvenile crime has been growing. Increasing the number of recreation programs will help deter youth crime.

Chauvin said her son was kidnapped near SLU. Enhanced Neighborhood Watch programs and emergency alerts would help neighbors be aware of problems like burglaries, so that they don't have to read about them the next day in the newspaper.

Hood said more attention needs to be paid to one's next-door neighbor. Residents need to watch their streets, and the city needs to install more and better lighting.

Sales tax revenues

Wells said firemen and policemen need raises. The city works off a budget but must become fiscally responsible. Priority should be given to a larger jail, more room in the courthouse. If too much money is spent frivolously, the post-Katrina revenue windfall will disappear.

Accomando said city hall is cramped. There are other needs, but the city should keep some money for "a rainy day."

Brister said spend money on the courthouse, senior citizens, police and firefighters.

Chauvin said the city must look at roads, drainage and other services for the new population moving into the area. With growth comes ever-increasing expenditures.

Hood said no issue is more important than safety. All areas are experiencing more crime. There should be a new jail and pay raises for firemen and policemen.

Travis said in the long run, Hammond Square will raise more sales tax revenue, but during construction it will fall off.

"There's a trap door, and we must be sure we don't fall through it," he said.

Alcohol at festivals

Brister said there should be alcoholic beverages sold at city events, like Hot August Night.

Chauvin said downtown events where alcohol is sold have seen enormous successes and profitable for the city. There doesn't need to be a change.

Hood said it's illegal have open containers of alcohol in the city, but the council should waive ordinance for events like Blues and Barbecue.

Travis said alcoholic beverages are part of the culture of Louisiana, and one must take personal responsibility, unless there is a huge groundswell against it.

Wells said it is against the law to sell and use alcohol in the city and that it is a travesty that the other five candidates didn't speak against it. In high schools he stresses that people can have a good time without alcohol, and the candidates are sending the opposite message.

Accomando said alcohol should be sold in plastic or Styrofoam cups so that no one gets hurt from broken glass.

Animal control

Chauvin said when she moved to Hammond there was no animal control, but that the shelter has made enormous strides in addressing the problem. She added that the program needs more manpower. The city and parish need to work together to get more patrols.

Hood said animal control isn't a problem in his neighborhood but in others. The city should pay an independent contractor to help. There should be more patrols at night.

Travis said the shelter has to handle the whole parish. The city should work with the parish.

Wells said animal control is a big problem as evidenced by the number of big and ferocious dogs he sees as well as cats and raccoons. The shelter is understaffed. The city should have a full-time animal control officer with his own vehicle who would answer to the mayor. He sees packs of dogs roaming.

Accomando said the parish takes too long to respond because it is spread too thin. In his door-to-door campaign dogs have chased him.

Brister said there are problems in specific areas, and she thinks the city should have a shelter within the city limits.

Closing statements

Wells sited his work under seven different mayors, that he is a people person and would hit the ground running. He has given 32 years of public service and cares about the community.

Travis said he brings the most experience to the issues that Hammond has facing it, like infrastructure. He said all the candidates have good intentions and thanked them for having the courage to step up.

Hood said he is deeply committed to the city. He would like to see the neighborhoods maintained and infrastructure improved. As growth occurs, safety is crucial.

Chauvin commended those who attended and for caring about their representation in the district. Hammond is a unique and rare place, and they must ensure quality growth. She stands on integrity, foresight and planning.

Brister said it is her moral obligation as a woman, mother and educator to work for the residents' quality of life.

Accomando said the election is about the people of District 2 and he will work to make sure their concerns are heard.