By CHRISSY SMITH
Slidell news bureau
PEARL RIVER – There are three important elections on the ballot for the Town of Pearl River coming up Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Perhaps the most talked about in Pearl River is the election for mayor, considering recent indictments against current Pearl River Mayor James Lavigne and Town Clerk Diane Bennett Hollie. Lavigne is still running for mayor and is hoping to win the seat in Tuesday’s election, hoping to win his seventh consecutive term in office after first being elected in 1990.
“People will tell you that I have shown integrity, experience, and success,” Lavigne said. “I’m in my office at 5:30 to 6 a.m., my door is never closed. I have a cell phone, travel Pearl River constantly and my home at 65134 Holmes St. is available 24/7/365. In Pearl River everybody knows most everything anyway; but if you want to know or see, just ask me.”
Also running for the mayoral spot are Clay Harper, David McQueen, and Claud P. Stucke.
“I want to make a difference and improve things for all of us because there is a lot that needs improvement,” Harper said. “Restoring public trust and ensuring transparency in the government is what is most important.”
McQueen, who has served on the Board of Aldermen for 28 years, said he wants to have an open door policy and believes it is time for new leadership, in light of the recent indictments against Lavigne.
(See Election, Pg. 10A)
“I want to bring everyone together to work as a team, and technologically update Town Hall to give citizens more access to the decision making process,” McQueen said. “I will work with the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce in attracting new businesses to our town, and work with current businesses to maintain steady economic growth.”
The fourth candidate, Stucke, said he is committed to the community.
“I believe that with my administrative skills and working with the governing body collectively, we can solve issues and set higher standards for the good of our town. Every aspect of our governing body will be legal. I want the citizens of Pearl River to be proud of our town,” Stucke said.
Another big election for the Town of Pearl River on November 4 is for chief of police, a position that is wide open with the decision by longtime Chief Bennie Raynor to not run again. Five candidates vying for the position are Mark Barrios, Ed Haisch, J.J. Jennings, Eddie Lagman, and Matthew McQueen.
“For the town overall, the top priority is restoring public trust. The next priority is enhancing public safety. For too long, the Police Department has been the first area to be cut when the budget got tight. That has to stop,” Barrios said.
Haisch said stabilizing and repairing the town’s governmental foundation and restoring the town’s image is most important right now.
“We have to get our numbers back up. We are down to six officers and we need to get back to 12. I have a plan to get two officers hired within a couple of weeks after being elected. I know how to work a budget to get this done to protect our citizens,” Jennings said.
Lagman said the town’s top importance is regaining trust.
“We need to get the trust back of our community while boosting morale within the department. Due to recent events within the department, people have lost confidence. I will overhaul the department’s budget to support better pay, and secure federal grants to upgrade equipment for safety and proper training,” Lagman said.
McQueen wants to bring budget stability to the Town of Pearl River.
“Operating in the red impedes daily operations as well as any ability for future planning. I plan on reigning in spending as well as utilizing federal grant money. I want to ensure that the police department stays focused on public safety and not its mismanaged coffers,” McQueen said.
There are 13 candidates running for Pearl River Alderman, but only five will be elected. Bridgett Bennette, Ella Brakefield, Ken Cooper, Terry Crawford, Marie Crowe, Lora Cutrer, Jacob de Bram, Jessica Gauley, Betty Hodge, David McGregor, Lola Monroe, Virgil Phillips and Kathryn Walsh are all vying for one of the five spots.
Currently, Crowe, Walsh, and Brakefield are running for re-election.