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On Stands Now!
On Stands Now!

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John Delgado (R)

  • By Maggie Heyn Richardson, David Jacobs

« RepublicanResume: Attorney. Bar owner. Metro Councilman.On race: I don’t think that we have a race problem any greater or less than any city in America. There are clearly racial divides in our community and our country, but it’s not anything we can’t overcome. First, improving the economic situation in north Baton Rouge will help level the playing the field, because in a lot of ways it’s an economic problem and not just a race problem. And second, it’s important to have a continuing dialogue—not just reacting to events—but a continuing dialogue on race in our community that we would start in the mayor’s office. On rebuilding after the flood: I’ve requested that the Department of Public Works provide us with a report on our various drainage canals, bayous and waterways in our parish. Part of the flooding was exacerbated by years of neglect on our waterways. When bayous are overgrown and aren’t maintained, it keeps that water in. We also need to address completing the Comite River Diversion Canal, which affected the northeast corner of the parish. On his biggest first-term goal: One of my main priorities is to develop the waterfront from the new bridge to the Iberville Parish line. We have 13 miles of untouched property there. Every other major city on a river considers the riverfront prime real estate, but in Baton Rouge we’ve never focused on it. Let’s think big and develop it.»

Do you believe Baton Rouge has a race problem, and if so what 2 steps would you take as mayor in your first year to address it?

I don’t think that we have a race problem any greater or less than any city in America. There are clearly racial divides in our community and our country, but it’s not anything we can’t overcome.

1. It’s more of a focus on economic development in north Baton Rouge than it is addressing a part race problem. Improving the economic situation in north Baton Rouge will help level the playing the field, because in a lot of ways it’s an economic problem and not just a race problem. I’ve already proposed an economic opportunity zone here.

2. It’s important to have a continuing dialogue, not just reacting to events such as the police shootings or the Alton Sterling shooting, but a continuing dialogue on race in our community that we would start in the mayor’s office. It’s important to have those discussions to see where those lines of divisions are and also see where those lines of community are.

East Baton Rouge Parish and its residents were severely impacted by the August floods. What specific ideas do you have to rebuild our community and strengthen its people?

First, I’ve requested that DPW provide us with a report on our various drainage canals, bayous and waterways in our parish. Part of the flooding was exacerbated by years of neglect on our waterways. When bayous are overgrown and aren’t maintained, it keeps that water in.

We also need to address the Comite River Diversion Canal, which affected the northeast corner of the parish. Why this project has lingered forever is beyond me. We need to take very active steps to make this happen and that means getting everyone together, including state, local and federal officials in the same room.

We also have to look at how we create opportunities from this. For example the blighted properties, both residential and commercial, that flooded. We need to ask how we can use this as an opportunity to redevelop them. The comeback of New Orleans after Katrina is a great example.

In order for you to consider your first term as mayor a success, what is the No. 1 thing you hope to have accomplished?

It’s not just one thing, but one of my main priorities is to develop the waterfront from the new bridge to the Iberville parish line. We have 13 miles of untouched property there. Every other major city on a river considers the riverfront prime real estate, but in Baton Rouge we’ve never focused on it. Let’s think big and develop it.

The most valuable thing is the land and we have it. To me, if I can get that done, I would consider it a success. San Antonio took a ditch—a floodway that ran through middle of the city—a dirty ditch and built it into an international attraction.

His background:

Resume:
Attorney. Bar owner. Metro Councilman.

History:
Sponsored creation of an economic development district in north Baton Rouge. Co-sponsored ordinance allowing for ride-sharing companies like Uber. Fought against allowing an industrial barge cleaning facility near River Road. Vociferous opponent of the St. George incorporation effort. Supported the failed “fairness ordinance” meant to ban discrimination against LGBT people in housing, employment and public accommodations.

Agenda:
Promote retail and entertainment development along the riverfront. Hire 200 additional police officers. Have officers wear body cameras. Maintain fire department spending. Support a public-private partnership to fund the BUMP plan connecting interstates 10, 12 and 110 with U.S. 190 and Airline Highway. Fix bridges, build connector streets and expand roadways. Bring in a “professional management company” to run the transit system. Recruit more charter schools to Baton Rouge. Seek more money for Head Start programs. Bring an emergency room to north Baton Rouge.


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