As Election Day nears, candidates are making their final pitch to voters. That includes candidates in St. Landry Parish, where KATC's Marcelle Fontenot moderated a candidate forum tonight at LSUE.
Voters heard from several candidates who are running in five different races, including the race for parish president.
This year, four people are running for St. Landry Parish President. Current Parish President Bill Fontenot ran unopposed in the last election.
Bill Fontenot wants to continue the work the parish has been doing, including paving roads. He says 325 roads have been paved during his administration, and he hopes the work will continue for the next ten years.
Fontenot tells us he believes the biggest issue is the cost of running a government. He hopes to work with agencies on how to cut costs. He believes his experience as a civil engineer and an administrator makes him the best candidate.
Ken Marks currently serves on the parish council. He wants to become parish president because he believes the council is lacking in leadership and accountability.
Marks believes the parish's biggest issue is finances. He plan is to identify how many tax dollars are being collected and how they're being spent. Marks believes that his experience as a manager for a major corporation for 30 plus years makes him the best candidate.
Don Menard served as the parish's first president. He says accessibility and accountability are what's lacking in the parish. He added that one of his priorities is to put money back into the parish.
He says he's implemented new policies and procedures during his tenure, and he's looking forward to serving the people again if elected.
Tanisha Wiltz says she wants to run for the position because she believes the parish has been on the decline.
Wiltz also believes the parish's finances is what's troubling. She wants to lower taxes and create more jobs and opportunities for the youth.
She says she's the best candidate for the role because she represents the people who want to see a change in St. Landry Parish.
If you'd like information on this or any other local race, go to https://www.katc.com/news/elections-local.
If you'd like to find out more about Marks, click here.
If you'd like to find out more about Menard, click here.
If you'd like to find out more about Wiltz, click here.
Election Day is this Saturday, October 12.
