WDSU HOT SEAT. TONIGHT, WE ARE CONTINUING OUR DEBATES AND WE HAVE A BIG IMPORTANT RACE TO FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW. IT DEALS WITH JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE. TWO PEOPLE HAVE QUALIFIED TO RUN IN THAT RACE. THEY ARE BOTH HERE TONIGHT. IT ENCOMPASSES ALMOST ALL OF THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND SOUTH KENNER. JOINING US TONIGHT, THE INCUMBENT, BYRON LEE, WHO IS SEEKING REELECTION. HE HAS DRAWN ONE CHALLENGER CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, FORMER STATE SENATOR DEREK SHEPHERD. HE IS ALSO HERE. GENTLEMEN, WE GOT A LOT TO GET TO, SO THANKS FOR JOINING US. LET’S TALK ABOUT OPENING STATEMENTS. WE WANT TO GIVE YOU ALL A CHANCE TO MAKE A PITCH TO VOTERS. SO MR. LEE WE GO ALPHABETICAL. YOU HAVE 60S TO MAKE A PITCH AS TO WHY YOU FEEL YOU ARE THE BEST CANDIDATE. BEFORE WE GET TO QUESTIONS HERE, WELL, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME. IT’S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE TO SERVE THE MY CONSTITUENTS IN DISTRICT THREE WHEN THEY ELECTED ME NEARLY FOUR YEARS AGO, THEY MADE A DECISION BASED ON ME BEING A CANDIDATE WHO WAS VERY TRUSTWORTHY. AND SO I’M HONORED TO HAVE SERVED. AND I’M ALSO GRATEFUL THAT ALTHOUGH DESPITE TWO HURRICANES OR TORNADO AS WELL AS OUR COVID CRISIS, WE WERE ABLE TO ABLE TO PERSEVERE IN OUR DISTRICT AS WELL AS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES THAT EXISTED. AND SO I’M VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO APPROPRIATE. A $71 MILLION IN OUR DISTRICT TO ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE NEEDS ARE BEING MET FOR ALL THOSE THAT WE REPRESENT ON BOTH THE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK AND SO WITH THAT $71 MILLION, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE GREAT IMPROVEMENTS IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR STREETS, FOR ROADS, FOR BRIDGES, FOR DRAINAGE, BUT ALSO OUR PARKS AND RECREATION. THEY’VE BENEFITED SO GREATLY AND OUR COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BENEFIT GREATLY FROM NOT ONLY WHAT I’VE DONE NOW, BUT ALSO I PRAY THAT THEY REELECT ME, THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE PROGRESS WE’VE MADE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SHEPHERD. YOU NOW HAVE 60S TO MAKE AN OPENING STATEMENT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. AND I’M EXCITED TO BE HERE. $71 MILLION. YOU JUST HEARD THE COMMUNITY. DO YOU SEE IT? IS IT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR IT’S JUST A SIGN ON THE WALL SAYING YET TO BE COMING NO MORE. IF YOU’RE IN SOUTH KENNER, YOU NEED HEALTH CLINIC. YOU ARE A FOOD DESERT. YOU NEED SERVICES. I’M HERE TO HELP. IF YOU’RE IN WAGGAMAN AVONDALE AREA, YOU KNOW YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE THE BASIC SERVICES. DO YOU SEE? $71,071 MILLION WORTH OF SERVICES. I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT SOME LIGHT. THAT’S CUTE AND FANCY, BUT I’M TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING WHERE YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TO BOUTIQUE OR CROSS THE RIVER TO FEED YOUR FAMILY. IF YOU’RE IN HARVEY OR IN MARRERO, HAVE YOU SEEN ANY HELP FOR YOUR HOME OWNERS INSURANCE? HAVE YOU SEEN ANY HELP FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART? NO. IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE. AFTER 20 YEARS OF BEING IN POWER, YOU SEE THE CONDITION OF YOUR COMMUNITY. I ASK YOU TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND WITH ME. THIS IS OUR TIME TO SAY, LET’S CHANGE COURSES RIGHT NOW. LET’S TRY A NEW WAY. LET’S GO FORWARD AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THANK YOU. I’M DEREK SHEPHERD. ALL RIGHT, LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW AND JUST GET THIS OUT THE WAY. THERE YOU GO. SOMEBODY SOMEBODY QUICK ON THE TRIGGER RIGHT THERE TO WRAP YOU UP. OKAY. LET’S TALK ABOUT RESIDENCY. BOTH OF YOU ALL RECENTLY TOOK A LEGAL ACTION AGAINST EACH OTHER, CLAIMING THE OTHER DOES NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT. WE’LL START WITH YOU, MR. SHEPHERD. YOU TOOK FEDERAL MONEY FOR A LOAN FOR A HOME IN MISSISSIPPI. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? AND DO YOU LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE? I’VE LIVED IN DISTRICT THREE ALL MY LIFE. I’M THANKFUL THAT THE SUPREME COURT SAW FIT THE COURT OF APPEALS TO SAW FIT TO UNDO AN UNJUST DECISION THAT WAS DONE BY THE LOWER COURTS. I’M HAPPY TO BE HERE AS AN OPTION FOR THIS. I’VE LIVED IN MARRERO ALL MY LIFE AND I’M PROUD OF IT. BUT MORE THAN THAT, I KNOW WHO DOES LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP. PEOPLE. LET’S JUST TAKE THE MANHATTAN CORRIDOR. ACCIDENT AFTER ACCIDENT, TRAFFIC JAM AFTER TRAFFIC JAM. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. LET’S TAKE AMES BOULEVARD. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CLEAN IT UP, TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE. IF YOU LIVE IN THE AKERS ROAD CORRIDOR, YOU KNOW THE CONDITION. I WOULDN’T LET ANYBODY WALK DOWN AKERS ROAD. IT’S TIME TO CLEAN IT UP. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT ME. IT’S ABOUT WE. I DON’T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF. SO THAT’S A YES? YOU DO, IN FACT. ABSOLUTELY. AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS DETERMINED THAT FIVE COURT OF APPEALS IN A UNANIMOUS DECISION DETERMINE IT IS WAS IT WAS SILLY AT THE TIME. BUT I’M GLAD JUSTICE PREVAILED. ALL RIGHT. WE COULD PROBABLY TALK ABOUT THIS THE WHOLE 20 MINUTES. AND FORTUNATELY, WE’RE OUT OF TIME. MR. LEE, HE CHALLENGED YOUR RESIDENCY. DO YOU LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE? YES, I DO. MY HOME IS IN DISTRICT THREE. MY DOMICILE IS IN DISTRICT THREE. MY AUTOMOBILES, MY INSURANCE, EVERYTHING LINES UP PROPERLY. UNLIKE MY OPPONENT HERE WHO LIVES IN MISSISSIPPI, WHO ALL HIS VEHICLES ARE REGISTERED IN MISSISSIPPI. I HAVE MY VEHICLES REGISTERED IN LOUISIANA. IT’S HYPOCRITES TO SAY THAT HE IS A GUY WHO OWNS AND HE LIVES IN DISTRICT THREE, BUT YET HE CLAIMS TO LIVE IN BY HIS MOTHER’S HOUSE FOR A 54 YEAR OLD MAN LIVES BY HIS MOTHER’S HOUSE. IT MAKES NO SENSE. AND SO WHEN THE CHALLENGE TOOK PLACE, THE CHALLENGE TOOK PLACE BECAUSE EVERY FANCY AUTOMOBILE THAT HE HAS IS REGISTERED TO HIM AT HIS HOME IN MISSISSIPPI. AND SO I DID NOT SUE HIM, BUT CERTAINLY SOMEONE DID SUE HIM. BUT HE ALSO HAD SOMEONE TO SUE ME. SO HE PRETENDS TO BE A VICTIM WHEN HE’S NOT A VICTIM. ALL RIGHT. REALLY QUICKLY, BECAUSE HE MENTIONED THAT IN ABOUT 20S. DO YOU WANT DO YOU HAVE YOUR CARS REGISTERED? MISSISSIPPI FIRST. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE AND I HAVE A TRAILER THAT I USE FOR MY BUSINESSES ALL REGISTERED HERE IN LOUISIANA. MORE IMPORTANTLY, MORE IMPORTANTLY, I BOUGHT MY MOTHER A HOME WHEN SHE CAME BACK FROM THE WEST COAST. I’M PROUD OF MY MOM. I LOVE MY MOM AND LIKE MOST PEOPLE, I LIKE MY MOM. SO, YES, I BOUGHT A HOUSE AND I’M PROUD TO TO TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOM. I’M NOT GOING TO LET ANYBODY STAND ON THIS STAGE AND SAY ONE THING ABOUT ME AND MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER. I DIDN’T GO THERE WITH HIM. BUT BUT IF YOU WANT TO CHECK THE TRANSCRIPT, ANYBODY CHECK THE TRANSCRIPT OF HIS TRIAL? HE STATED ON PAGE 24 OF HIS TRANSCRIPT THAT I HAVE SLEPT IN THIS DISTRICT, THIS DISTRICT FOR THE PAST YEAR FOR 10 TO 15 DAYS. IS THAT A YEAR OR IS IT 10 TO 15 DAYS? THAT’S WHAT HIS TESTIMONY SAID. BUT I DIDN’T GO THERE. BUT I PROMISE YOU ONE THING. SAY ONE MORE THING ABOUT MY MAMA. REALLY. I HATE I HATE TO WRAP THIS UP BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO GET TO ISSUES LIKE LIKE CRIME THAT A THREAT IN ABOUT 20S DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO? YES. LET ME SAY LET ME SAY THE PROOF IS THERE. HE OWNS A. 2023 AMG CONVERTIBLE. HE HAS A PICKUP TRUCK. HE HAS A BMW SUV, AS WELL AS A BOAT ALL REGISTERED TO THE HOME IN MISSISSIPPI. AND SO LET ME SAY, THIS IS HE’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THIS IS NOT ABOUT HIS MOTHER. IT’S ABOUT HIS IT’S ABOUT HIS HIS REALITY AND THE REALITY IS, IS THAT HE WANTS THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS. MISSISSIPPI’S BENEFITS AS WELL AS LOUISIANA BENEFITS. OKAY. I WISH WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS. LET ME JUST BE CLEAR, THOUGH. THE COURT HAS ALLOWED BOTH OF YOU ALL TO RUN OTHER CANDIDATES. WHY THERE’S QUALIFIED. SO WE COULD PROBABLY TALK ABOUT THIS THE ENTIRE 20 MINUTES. BUT WE DO WANT TO GET TO SOME IMPACTFUL TOPICS HERE. LET’S START WITH YOU, COUNCILMAN LEE. LET’S TALK CRIME RIGHT NOW. IF REELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME IN THE WEST BANK ON IN PLACES LIKE LINCOLNSHIRE AND IN SOUTH KENNER, WHICH WHILE JEFFERSON PARISH CRIME IS DOWN, THOSE AREAS HAVE HAVE SEEN SLIGHT INCREASES IN 60S. WELL, WE WE’VE WORKED WITH THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TREMENDOUSLY AND WE FEEL THAT WE ARE PART OF THE THE DECLINE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE OVERALL. WE CERTAINLY HAVE SOME CHALLENGES OVER IN ON THE EAST BANK, BUT ALSO IN LINCOLNSHIRE IN LINCOLNSHIRE. I’VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT COMMANDER TO PUT IN DIFFERENT INTERVENTIONS, NOT ONLY THE INTERVENTIONS SUCH AS HAVING CRIME CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT ALSO WE ARE PAYING FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE PATROL TO ENSURE THAT FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING OFFENDED THAT OUR SHERIFF’S OFFICE DEPUTIES CAN CATCH THEM QUICKER. ALSO, WE’VE WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF NONPROFITS, BISHOP JAMES NELSON BROWN HAS A NONPROFIT IN MARRERO. WE HAVE FUNDED PROGRAMS OVER THERE TO ENSURE THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY WORKING WITH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NEED OPTIONS, WHO NEED AN EDUCATION AND ALSO NEED SUPPORT, BUT ALSO WE’RE WORKING WITH THAT PROGRAM FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHOM HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED TO HELP PREVENT THEM FROM RECIDIVISM. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION, MR. SHEPHERD. IF YOU ARE ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME ON AREAS OF THE WEST BANK, LIKE LINCOLNSHIRE AND IN SOUTH KENNER THAT ARE SEEING SPIKES WHILE VIOLENT CRIME IS DOWN IN JEFFERSON PARISH? YOU ALSO HAVE 60S. YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS OF THE COMMUNITY. AND MY OPPONENT IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE COMMUNITY. NUMBER ONE, THE CONVENIENCE STORES IN THESE COMMUNITIES ARE HARBINGERS OF THE CRIME, NOT THAT ONE CONVENIENCE STORE WILL BE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE. UNDER MY WATCH IF THEY ARE SERVE IN MINORS, THEY WILL BE SHUT DOWN. THEY DO NOT SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND THE BENEFICIAL MANNER BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED BY MY OPPONENT OVER, OVER AND OVER IN OUR COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT I WANT TO DO IS GIVE OUR SENIORS A PEACE OF MIND AND OFFER THEM WITH SOME OF THIS $71 MILLION THAT WE DON’T SEE IS A DOORBELL CAMERA FOR EVERY SENIOR IN OUR COMMUNITY INSTALLED. SO THAT THE SENIORS CAN HAVE A SENSE OF OF OF OF OF COURAGE TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER THEIR DOOR. I KNOW. BECAUSE I KNOCK AT THEIR DOORS AND I HEAR THE TERROR IN THEIR VOICES. SO NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO ADDRESS THE SPEEDING ISSUES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PEOPLE ARE JUST RUNNING STOP SIGNS LEFT AND RIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO PROVIDE SPEED BUMPS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS TO SLOW DOWN THE TRAFFIC AND DO THAT. AND THEN LASTLY, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE JOBS. WHAT HAPPENED TO OFFERING OUR CHILDREN IN SOME JOBS DURING THE SUMMERTIME TO GIVE THEM SOME SENSE OF SELF PRIDE AND WORTH? THAT’S WHAT I’M GOING TO BE DOING. WE’RE GOING TO GET TO WE’RE GOING TO GET TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ONE SECOND. SO LET ME ASK YOU THIS. YES OR NO QUESTION. WE’LL START WITH YOU. YES OR NO. DO YOU SUPPORT JPSO GETTING BODY WORN CAMERAS AND RELEASING MORE VIDEO? YES OR NO? YES, ABSOLUTELY. YES OR NO. COUNCILMAN LEE, DO YOU SUPPORT THE CURRENT SHERIFF WHO RAN UNOPPOSED? JOE LOPINTO? YES, I DO. YES. MISTER SHEPARD. OKAY, LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS NOW. WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS 30S, BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT IT UP AND IT IS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO GET TO DOORBELL CAMERAS FOR EVERYBODY. IT’S A GREAT IDEA, BUT HOW DO YOU PROPOSE IN 30S DOING THAT AND HAVING PEOPLE PAY FOR THAT WITHOUT VIOLATING THEIR RIGHTS? I’M NOT GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR IT. IT’S GOING TO BE A GRANT THAT WE EITHER USE THROUGH JEFF CAPP OR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OR WE’LL DONATE THE MONEY TO A NONPROFIT AND A NONPROFIT WILL DO IT TO THEM. NOW, WE CAN’T DO THE INTERNET. HOWEVER, WE CAN DO THE CAMERAS AND HAVE THE INSTALLATION DONE ALL RIGHT. HOW DO YOU THINK I KNOW HE’S BEEN PUSHING THIS IDEA. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN ABOUT 30S ON GETTING CAMERAS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT? WELL, WHEN HE WAS OUT AT SOME OF THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION MEETINGS TOUTING THIS, HE WAS PROPOSING AS IF HE WAS GOING TO BE SANTA CLAUS ON CHRISTMAS DAY FOR OUR SENIORS. THE REALITY IS, IS THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING IN THE CONSTITUTION CALLED A PROHIBITING OF DONATION. HE MAY HAVE DESCRIBED IT AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL TODAY. HOWEVER, THE WAY HE’S BEEN TALKING IS, THOUGH, HE’S GOING TO BE DOING THIS SINGLE HANDEDLY. THE REALITY IS, IS THAT MR. SHEPHERD WILL FIND A WAY TO CREATE A LIE AND TRY TO BRING TRUTH TO THE LIE WHEN HE SHOWS UP BEFORE THE CAMERA. BUT WHEN HE’S OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, HE’S JUST CONSTANTLY LYING ABOUT SO MANY THINGS. HE WAS SAYING IT WAS $31 MILLION BEFORE. NOW HE’S SAYING IT’S 71 MILLION ONLY BECAUSE I KNOW THE FACTS. HE’S HIS WHOLE THE WHOLE PROCESS OF HIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN TO DISTORT THE TRUTH. I’VE NEVER BEEN IN OFFICE FOR 20 YEARS. I HEARD HIM SAY THAT I SERVED TWO TERMS BEFORE, AND NOW I’M HERE. AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I DISPEL THAT. NO, REALLY QUICKLY, DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT? ARE YOU ARE YOU THIS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU HAVE A 20 YEAR DOMINO. NATION OF A COMMUNITY IS EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE OF WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN. HE TOUTS THE FACT THAT HE GAVE CRIME CAMERAS TO CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, BUT HE CAN’T GIVE IT TO YOU. LET ME. HE CAN’T MAKE SURE THAT YOU, THE INDIVIDUAL, HAVE IT. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEAS. NO, NO FRESH LEADERSHIP. YOU GET CAUGHT IN THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD. HE LET ME JUST. NO, NO. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE, AGAIN, AGAIN, I INTERRUPTED HIM. I SAT HERE AND LISTENED TO ALL OF YOU, EVEN WHEN HE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MY MOM. I’LL SIT THERE AND I LISTEN. NOW, EITHER EITHER HE’S GOING TO RESPECT WHAT I HAVE TO SAY OR I’M GONNA OVERTALK HIM EVERY TIME HE TELLS A LIE. NO, I DON’T WANT YOU TO OVERTALK EACH OTHER, BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND. BUT WE DO HAVE. WE HAVE TIME. I JUST WANTED TO FINISH MY GUIDE REALLY QUICKLY. AND MY POINT IS, IS THAT THIS IS ABOUT YOU. THIS IS ALL ABOUT WHENEVER HE HAS AN IDEA TO HELP A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, IT’S THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. WELL, IT’S TIME TO HELP YOURSELF. YEAH, GO AHEAD. WELL, WELL, IN ABOUT 20S IF YOU CAN, BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET TO A LOT MORE NEARLY ABOUT EIGHT, NINE MONTHS AGO, THIS GUY HERE TOLD CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE THERE TO FIGHT FOR THEM. HE PROMISED THEM THAT HE WOULD CREATE A UTOPIA. HOWEVER, NOW HE’S RUNNING FOR THE COUNCIL AND HE DOESN’T EVEN HE MAY THE LAST COUNT, THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, HE MAY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 20 MINUTES. THIS GUY IS NOT COMMITTED TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN HE WANTS A NEW TITLE. WELL, LET ME LET ME WE COULD TALK ALL DAY AND WE WANT TO TRY TO KEEP IT CIVIL. AND I DO APPRECIATE THE SPIRITED CONVERSATION. LET ME JUST POINT THIS OUT TO FOR THE FACT YOU HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE BEFORE FOR THIS TIME. YOU DID SERVE IN THE COUNCIL. AND MR. SHEPHERD, I KNOW YOU WERE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE ALSO, AND NOW YOU WERE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. SO I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY BOTH OF YOU ALL HAVE EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS. LET’S JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. BUT LET’S GET TO THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE A POINTED QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU ALL. LET’S START WITH YOU. WE’LL GET TO YOU IN A SECOND, IF THAT’S OKAY. MR. SHEPHERD. MR. LEE, SOME PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS LIKE SOUTH KENNER AND AVONDALE HAVE BEEN CRITICAL, SAYING THAT YOU HAVE FAILED TO DEVELOP, YOU HAVE FAILED TO DELIVER ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN 30S. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT? WHEN PEOPLE SAY THERE AREN’T ENOUGH GROCERY STORES OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CERTAIN PARTS OF DISTRICT THREE, WELL, WE HAVE 3 OR 4 NEW SUBDIVISIONS THAT’S BEING BUILT IN THE AVONDALE, WAGGAMAN AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING PLACE. WHAT HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE IS A GROCERY STORE FROM DAY ONE. I SAID WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE THAT I WOULD BE RECRUITING GROCERY STORES. WE HAVE WORKED WITH JETCO. I PROVIDED. A $2.5 MILLION INDUCEMENT TO THE LARGEST GROCERY STORE OPERATOR WHO WAS INTERESTED IN COMING TO THE AVONDALE WAGGAMAN AREA. THEY DECIDED THAT THE OTHER STORES THAT THEY WERE OPENING HAD TO BE A PRIORITY. BUT HOWEVER, THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT TOTALLY WALKED AWAY FROM BRINGING A STORE TO THAT AREA. IT IS AN AN EFFORT THAT NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ALSO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS OUR PARISH PRESIDENT. WE’VE ALL WORKED COLLABORATIVELY ON THAT EFFORT IS NOT A IT’S NOT A ONE MAN ISSUE. IT REQUIRES LEADERSHIP. I PROVIDED THAT. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT MADE THE DECISIONS YET. IT BREAKS MY HEART. BUT THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE. WE ARE BRINGING A MOBILE GROCERY STORE HERE IN THAT COMMUNITY AND THAT’S GOING TO BE STARTING WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. THAT’S GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOOD AND GROCERIES FRESH, FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES TO THAT COMMUNITY. I HATE TO WRAP YOU UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE. YOU TALKED ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CRITICIZING HIM. HE BROUGHT SOMETHING UP ABOUT YOU. WE HAVE A POINTED QUESTION FOR YOU. YOU JUST WANT A SCHOOL BOARD SEAT. LAST FALL, YOU WERE SWORN IN IN JANUARY. WHY SEEK ELECTION TO THE COUNCIL NOW IF YOU JUST WON THAT SEAT LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO, YOU HAVE 30S AS WELL. BECAUSE MISS DORA, NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS HE TRIED TO DO, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO BOUTTE TO GET YOUR GROCERIES. YOU HAVE TO GO ACROSS THE RIVER. I AM A BIG SAINTS FAN. I REMEMBER JIM MORA LOVED HIM. HE GOT US TO THE PLAYOFFS, BUT IT TOOK SEAN PAYTON TO GET US TO THE SUPER BOWL, AND NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS HE’S TRIED TO DO, IT HASN’T HAPPENED. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I REMEMBER FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE LOOKED EVERYONE IN THE FACE AND SAID, IF I DON’T DO IT, DON’T VOTE FOR ME. AND HERE HE IS ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED SERVICES, NOT ONE NEW BUSINESS HAS FILED AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE WITH THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN AVONDALE, WAGGAMAN, OR THE KENNER HEIGHTS AREA. I HATE TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT COULD YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOARD? BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE’RE NOT BEING SERVED. WE ARE NOT BEING SERVED. WE HAVE HAD 23 YEARS OF ATTEMPTS. SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA AND NO SUPER BOWL. WE’RE FAMILIAR WITH JIM MORA. HE’S ACTUALLY ON STAFF HERE TO HELP US WITH SAINTS ON SIX STUFF. WE GOT A LOT TO GET TO. 30S, GO AHEAD. REALLY QUICKLY, THOUGH, MR. LEE. WELL, WITHIN THOSE 20 YEARS, HE WENT TO JAIL. WITHIN THOSE 20 YEARS HE DID. HE COMMITTED CRIMES. AND IT’S AMAZING HOW HE CAN LOOK AND SAY 20 YEARS IS ENOUGH. AND THAT HE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS. THE THE REALITY IS, IS THAT I DIDN’T CAUSE HIS PROBLEM. THE COMMUNITY DIDN’T CAUSE HIS PROBLEM. HE HE HE CAUSED HIS OWN PROBLEMS. HE’S LYING AS HE USUALLY DOES. AND YET HE OFFERS NO CONTRITION WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO HIS OWN LIVES. HE WANTS TO POINT OUT CHALLENGES. HE WANTS TO POINT OUT CHALLENGES. HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT THAT HE WON’T ANSWER. THE QUESTION YOU ASKED HIM IN THE QUESTION AFTER EIGHT MONTHS, WHY ARE YOU JUMPING FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD? SO I APPRECIATE THAT. MR. REALLY QUICKLY, IF YOU COULD ADDRESS THAT. I HAD TO HELP YOU FIX YOUR TIRE ON JAMIE BOULEVARD BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THERE. NOW, LOOK, LET’S JUST BE CLEAR. I DON’T DENY MY PAST ABOUT WHAT I’VE DONE. MATTER OF FACT, I’VE OWNED IT. AND I’VE ASKED THE VOTERS FOR A SECOND CHANCE, AND THEY’VE GIVEN ME THAT. HOWEVER, MY OPPONENT HAS COMMITTED CRIMES TO THAT. I DID NOT REPORT WHEN MY TIME CAME BECAUSE I THOUGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GO HIGH WHEN HE GOES LOW. BUT HOWEVER, WHERE I’M AT, ANY POINT IN TIME, I CAN NAME THEM ONE BY ONE, CHAPTER BY CHAPTER. OKAY. YOU WON’T GO THERE. LET’S GO THERE. THAT’S THAT’S PROBABLY A DISCUSSION FOR FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. THANK YOU. POSSIBLY ON CAMP STREET OR ANOTHER LOCATION. SO WE LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES. DON’T WE? AND I KNOW, MR. LEE, IF YOU REALLY QUICKLY ABOUT 10S, IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT, BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO ASK YOU ALL ABOUT A CRITICAL ISSUE. OKAY. PLEASE, INSURANCE. WE WANT TO GET TO THAT. SO REALLY QUICKLY IN ABOUT 10S, THIS GUY LIES. HE’S A HYPOCRITE. AND SO THE REALITY IS, IS THIS. I’VE SERVED HONORABLY, OKAY? THE PUBLIC KNOWS THAT THE PUBLIC TRUSTS ME. AND THEY DO NOT TRUST HIM. OKAY. REALLY QUICKLY, IN 30S, THE INSURANCE CRISIS IS CRIPPLING PEOPLE IN JEFFERSON PARISH IN 30S. IF YOU’RE ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO GET BETTER INSURANCE RATES FOR SO MANY PEOPLE WATCHING THIS IN DISTRICT? YES. $31.2 MILLION IS WHAT THE TIMES-PICAYUNE REPORTED IS ALLOCATED FOR DISTRICT THREE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME RELIEF. ALL YOU WILL HEAR IS RHETORIC OF HOW WE HAVE TO DO THIS AND HOW WE HAVE TO DO THAT. THEY TALK ABOUT HOW TO HELP YOU. WELL, I HAVE A SPECIFIC PLAN TO HELP YOU, AND THAT IS TO TAKE SOME OF THIS MONEY AND DIRECTLY GIVE YOU A GRANT TO OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS OF YOUR HIGH FLOOD AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE. $1,000 TO 5000 FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY TO OFFSET IT. WHY NOT? IT’S YOUR MONEY. THIS MONEY CAN GO TO YOU. YOU KNOW, YOUR HOME, YOUR CONDITION BETTER THAN THE GOVERNMENT, BETTER THAN MY OPPONENT. I’M HERE HERE TO HELP YOU DIRECTLY. LEE ALL THE TIME WE HEAR ABOUT IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ALL OF Y’ALL ARE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. IT’S TIME TO HELP EVERYONE. WE ARE. THAT’S A DIRECT, SPECIFIC PLAN, AND IT’S IN MY PLAN THAT I’VE MAILED TO EVERYONE. OR IF NOT, YOU GO TO DEREK SHEPHERD.COM. THANK YOU. 30S. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE CRISIS? WELL, I’M GOING TO DO WHAT I’VE WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING. I’M GOING TO WORK WITH OUR DELEGATION BECAUSE THEY ARE IN BATON ROUGE. THEY’RE ON THE FRONT LINE. I’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF MEETINGS OVER THIS ISSUE. THE REALITY IS THAT THE INSURANCE COMMISSION IS DOING EVERYTHING THAT HE CAN. I BELIEVE AS LONG AS AS WELL AS THE LEGISLATURE, IT IS NOT MY JOB TO DICTATE HOW THEY DO THEIR JOB, BUT IT IS MY JOB TO TALK ABOUT THE PAIN THAT THAT THESE HIGH INSURANCE PRICES AND AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS HAVE AFFECTED THE CITIZENS IN OUR STATE AS WELL AS IN MY DISTRICT. ALSO, OUR CONGRESSMAN, TROY CARTER, HIS WORK IN VERY, VERY HARD TO TRY TO WORK THROUGH THIS THIS ISSUE WITH OUR FLOOD INSURANCE AND SO I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM AS WELL AS THE OTHERS IN THE LOUISIANA DELEGATION TO TRY TO BRING SOME SOME SUPPORT TO LOWERING PRICES. OKAY. WE ARE AT A TIME YOU’VE YOU’VE HEARD IT. THIS IS IMPORTANT. YOU’VE HEARD I’M GOING TO DO WHAT HE’S BEEN DOING. NOTHING. YOU GET NOTHING. I DON’T KNOW. THAT’S THE WHOLE POINT. YOU GET NOTHING. YOUR INSURANCE KEEPS GOING UP. I HATE TO CUT YOU OFF. NOTHING. INSURANCE IS NOT A DISTRICT ISSUE. I THINK HE’S CONFUSED ABOUT THE ROLE OF A COUNSELOR. JUST HELP YOU. I THINK HE’S I THINK HE’S YOU CAN HAVE I THINK HE IS ALWAYS IN BATON ROUGE. BUT IF IT WAS A FAMILY FRIEND THINK HE HE’S TALKING ABOUT FAMILY FRIENDS THAT’S ALL HE DOES IS FAMILY. HE’S TALKING ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THAT’S ALL HE DOES WHEN KNOW WHEN THIS GENTLEMAN IS GOING THROUGH THE ROOF. YOUR INSURANCE IS MORE THAN YOUR HOMEOWNER. EXCUSE ME. IF YOUR HOUSE. IF YOU COULD STOP TALKING OVER EACH OTHER, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. YOU HAVE ABOUT. YOU HAVE ABOUT 10S. NOW, BECAUSE WE HAVE TAKEN UP SO MUCH TIME. I APPRECIATE THE SPIRITED DEBATE IN ABOUT 10S. IF YOU CAN MAKE A QUICK SUMMARY HERE OF WHY YOU WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR YOU. MR. SHEPHERD, REALLY QUICKLY AND I DON’T MEAN LIKE 10S YOU HAVE A CHOICE. THIS TIME. YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE COURSES. HE CAN’T GET THE JOB DONE NO MATTER WHAT THE DEAL IS. HE CAN’T GET THE JOB. ALL HE WILL GIVE YOU IS EXCUSES AND ALIBIS. OKAY. MAKE A CHANGE. HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP TO THE POLITICAL MACHINES AND SAY NO MORE. THANK YOU. THIS IS OUR TIME. I’M DEREK SHEPHERD, NUMBER 80. GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU. MR. LEE, YOU HAVE ABOUT 10S BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU. I HAVE A HONOR. I HAVE REPRESENTED MY DISTRICT HONORABLY. THE VOTERS KNOW THAT I HAVE. I’M BYRON LEE AND I’M ASKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR VOTE ON OCTOBER THE 14TH. I’M NUMBER 79. ALWAYS SUPPORT SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST. ALL RIGHT. BYRON LEE, DEREK SHEPHERD, SPIRITED CONVERSATION. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THAT’S ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE ON THE HOT SEAT. I’M TRAVERS MACKEL. YOU CAN SEE TH