LAFAYETTE, LA. — The two candidates heading to the run-off to have a seat on the first Lafayette City Council in decades are Attorney Glenn Lazard and Community Activist Janet Jackson.
Janet Jackson
Link to Janet Jackson's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/votejackson5/
Background:
- Wife, mother, grandmother
- Master’s degree in Human Service Counseling, Liberty
- Former Correctional Officer in Alabama, where she served on community boards to establish neighborhood projects for the youth. Janet has a passion for seeing former inmates restored and returned successfully to their families and communities
- Director of XHouse, a neighborhood outreach to the youth and their families in District 5
- Women of Excellence Award (2017) for excellence in leadership and community service in Lafayette
- Jamal Smiles Award (2018) for providing a safe place for mentorship
- State Prayer/Action Chapter Leader for Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Louisiana
- Member of Engaged Citizens of Acadiana, a community group founded to address public policy that affects the people of Acadiana
- As a Foreign Exchange Trading coach and an ordained apostle, she has led several women’s empowerment groups throughout the area.
Plan of Action:
- Address drainage – not only in our streets but of District 5 funds into other districts
- Fight for funding of roads & infrastructure in District 5
- Work with law enforcement to improve public safety and reduce crime in North Lafayette and downtown
- Build bridges between police and community
- Take advantage of Opportunity Zones to attract business to District 5
- Address the real needs of citizens, not just those that get the most publicity
- Continue to serve, mentor, heal and strengthen fellow community members
- Be accessible to constituents, return calls, listen and lead!
( https://www.votejanetjackson.com)
Glenn Lazard
Link to Glenn Lazard's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Vote-Glenn-Lazard-113052960095931/
Glenn is a long-term resident of the district who is married to Elaine Boyd Lazard, a retired educator, according to his website. His goals upon taking office will be insuring a smooth transition in the change of government, economic development throughout the entire district, infrastructure improvements, including the Evangeline Thruway corridor, and ensuring that everyone has equal access to public services.
Glenn is a veteran of the United States Army and has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (then USL), and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Southern University Law Center / Baton Rouge. He is a member of and holds leadership positions in several legal organizations that are very actively involved in providing free legal education and assistance to residents of our community.
He has previously served on the Board of Directors of several community non-profit organizations including SMILE Community Action Agency (8 years, board chair for 2 years) and Lafayette Neighborhoods’ Economic Development Corporation. He is a public school volunteer and previously served as the volunteer trial advocacy coach at Northside High School for 6 years. He is a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church where he is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Eucharistic minister. He is also , actively involved with the Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Holiday appreciation event held annually at the Martin Luther King Center since its inception over 20 years ago, and the annual city wide Easter egg hunt held the Saturday before Easter in Heyman Park for the past 12 years.
He has received numerous awards, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Men of Excellence, and the Trailblazer award from the Greater Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce.
