Rayne Candidate Forum

Last week, citizens of Rayne and Acadia Parish packed the Rayne Civic Center Ballroom for the 2018 Rayne Candidate Forum. We are proud to offer the forum with the purpose of informing citizens. Our Chamber’s Legislative Committee under the direction of Chairperson, Daniel Nugier, as well as the Acadia Parish and Rayne Chamber’s Board of Directors, was responsible for organizing the event.

The forum began with candidates for Rayne City Council. Each of these candidates were given two minutes to address the crowd. 

The latter half of our program featured candidates for Rayne Police Chief and Mayor of Rayne, who had 2-minutes to provide an opening statement. The questions for the Mayor and Police Chief candidates were presented in 2 rounds. Each candidate selected a number corresponding with a question and all answered a different, unique question. The candidates were then allowed a 2-minute closing statement following the question & answer rounds. A Chamber representative was present in the front row and held up the yellow card when there were fifteen seconds remaining.  The red card was raised when time was up, and candidates were asked to immediately conclude.

After explaining the format, we began with the candidates vying for seats for the Rayne City Council.

Candidates spoke in alphabetical order by ward:

1. Ward 1
   • Romel J. Charles
   • Curtrese L. Minix
   • Lester “Peadey” Washington
2. Ward 2
   • Millard “Mills” Conques was not in attendance
   • Kenneth J. Guidry
   • Aleke Kanonu, Jr.
3. Ward 3
   • “Greg” Arabie
   • Calise Michael Doucet

Following the Alderman , we began with candidates for Rayne Chief of Police and City of Rayne Mayor.

Opening statements for Chief of Police was as follows:

1. Carroll Stelly
2. Eddie Guidry

Promptly after opening statements, we began Round #1 and #2 of questions.

Question #1 | Answered by Eddie Guidry

What is your plan to build trust with the community in an effort to gain access to information to solve crimes?

Question #2 | Answered by Carroll Stelly

What do you perceive is the departments’ biggest challenge and how would you solve it?

Round 2

Question #1 | Answered by Eddie Guidry

It is expensive and costly to train new officers and local competition for talent is increasing. What is your plan to recruit and retain quality officers for your department?

Question #2  | Answered by Carroll Stelly

What is your specific plan to reduce drug trafficking?

Following Round #2, we heard the closing remark from each candidate-(2 minutes each)
Closing remark for Chief of Police was as follows:

1. Carroll Stelly
2. Eddie Guidry

Following the same format, we continued with candidates for Mayor of the City of Rayne.

Opening statements for Mayor was as follows:

1. Brian Seth Mouton
2. James “Morris” Montgomery
3. “Chuck” Robichaux

Promptly after opening statements, we began Round #1 and #2 of questions.

Question #1 | Answered by James “Morris” Montgomery

With an aging RV Park, what is your plan to improve the City’s main tourism attraction and how would you pay for it? What will you do to continue to improve the grounds to attract new tourists?

Question #2 | Answered by Brian Seth Mouton

With a diverse group of citizens represented in all corners of Rayne, how will you be proactive at creating unity and eliminating divisiveness across the city?

Question #3 | Answered by “Chuck” Robichaux

Business growth is the key to growing the tax base. How will you make it easier for businesses to start? How will you streamline the permit process?

Round 2

Question #1 | Answered by Brian Seth Mouton

Rain events are becoming unpredictable and sizable. The current administration has made strides in improving drainage. What is your specific plan to continue to improve drainage and keep water off citizens’ property?

Question #2 | Answered by “Chuck” Robichaux

What do you think is the greatest challenge to businesses? What would you do to eliminate this problem?

Question #3 | Answered by James “Morris” Montgomery

What would you like to see continued or changed from the last 4 years? If it is negative, how would you change it?

Following Round #2, we heard the closing remark from each candidate-(2 minutes each)
Closing remarks for Mayor was as follows:

1. “Chuck” Robichaux
2. Brian Seth Mouton
3. James “Morris” Mongomery

We would like to thank everyone who joined us, including the candidates, Chamber Members, Board of Directors, and the citizens of Acadia Parish. Also, please be reminded that Early Voting for the November 6^thelection will begin on Tuesday, October 23 and will end on Tuesday, October 30. Sample ballots may be obtained at the Acadia Parish Registrars Office.