GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE WDSU NEWS HOT SEAT. I’M TRAVERS MACKEL TONIGHT. WE ARE OF COURSE, CONTINUING OUR DEBATES AND WE’RE FOCUSING ON A REALLY BIG ONE. ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONE ONES ON THE LOCAL TICKET. THE RACE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL AT LARGE, DIVISION B, TWO PEOPLE HAVE QUALIFIED TO RUN BOTH OF THEM ARE HERE. WE HAVE THE INCUMBENT, SCOTT WALKER, AND WE HAVE COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT FOUR, DOMINICK IMPASTATO. GENTLEMEN, THANKS FOR COMING IN. WE HAVE A LOT TO GET TO, SO WE’RE GOING TO GIVE EACH ONE, ONE OF YOU ALL A CHANCE TO MAKE AN OPENING STATEMENT. MR. IMPASTATO, WE START WITH YOU. YOU HAVE 60S TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHY YOU FEEL YOU’RE THE BEST CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE. SURE, I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS OF SERVING DISTRICT FOUR, WHICH IS PART OF THE EAST BANK AND JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT IN THAT TIME WHAT WE’VE DONE IS TURNED IDEAS INTO ACTION DURING ALL THAT TIME, I BELIEVE THE VOTERS ARE LOOKING FOR AGGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP, OR AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT WE’RE PROVIDING, AS IS AN AGGRESSIVE RECORD OF LEADERSHIP AND A RECORD OF RESULTS. WE’VE BROUGHT ROUGHLY $600 MILLION WORTH OF IMPROVEMENTS TO TO OUR AREA IN JEFFERSON PARISH. IT’S INTERESTING THAT THE DAY WE’RE FILMING THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE AIRPORT FLYOVER IS BEING OPENED. I’M PROUD TO SAY THAT I PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD CORRECT ITS MISTAKES AND GET THAT AIRPORT FLYOVER OPENED, WENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C., MULTIPLE TIMES AND FOUGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT AIRPORT ROAD WOULD BE BUILT AND OPENED. AND I’M PROUD TO SAY NOW THAT WE SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR IN ADDITION, WE FOUGHT FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. WE FOUGHT FOR THE LARGEST DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN PARISH HISTORY. WHEN BACK IN THE DAY WE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE A PARISH PRESIDENT EVACUATED PUMP OPERATORS IN OUR HOUSES FLOODED IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. THANKS TO OUR LEADERSHIP. I WENT ON A CAMPAIGN. NO THANK YOU. I WENT ON A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THAT. AND I’M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE’VE DONE THAT IN PLENTY ELSE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. WALKER. YOU HAVE 60S SHROVE RIVERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. GOOD TO BE BACK HERE. WHEN I LEFT THIS VERY STUDIO FIVE YEARS AGO, POLITICS WAS NOT ON MY MIND. BUT ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT I SAW TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND AFFECT CHANGE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WHETHER THAT WAS THROUGH OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INITIATIVES OR PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES. WE WERE ABLE TO AFFECT CHANGE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND WORK NOT ONLY FOR TODAY’S JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT THE JEFFERSON PARISH OF THE FUTURE. I BELIEVE IN STRONG MORAL FIBER. I BELIEVE IN HIGH INTEGRITY, AND I BELIEVE IN STRONG CHARACTER. AND THOSE ARE THREE ATTRIBUTES THAT I POSSESS THAT CARRY ME THROUGH EVERY DAY IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THROUGH THE THE PARISH THAT I HELPED LEAD. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN SELF SERVICE. I BELIEVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE. AND I BELIEVE IN DOING THIS JOB FOR THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH. AND I’M THE RIGHT PERSON TO CONTINUE DOING THIS JOB BECAUSE I’VE DONE IT FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND WE HAVE DONE SOME GREAT WORK IN JEFFERSON PARISH, LED THIS PARISH THROUGH UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, TWO MAJOR HURRICANES, TORNADOES, AND I HOPE TO CONTINUE LEADING THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS. ALL RIGHT, LET’S GET TO THIS QUESTION THAT’S TOP OF MIND RIGHT NOW. IT WASN’T UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SALTWATER INTRUSION. WE’LL START WITH YOU IN 60S. IF YOU’RE REELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE’S DRINKING WATER AND BATHING WATER IS SAFE TO USE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS? YEAH. TRAVERS RIGHT NOW THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS. WE’RE STILL SEVERAL WEEKS AWAY FROM HAVING ANY REAL IMPACTS TO OUR SYSTEMS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WHETHER IT’S THE EAST BANK OR THE WEST BANK. AND THERE ARE PLANS AT WORK RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WHETHER IT’S THROUGH DILUTION OR OTHER WAYS. BUT WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED IN THE COMING WEEKS BEFORE THAT SALTWATER INTRUSION IS AN ISSUE FOR US. AND IF IT DOES COME TO THE WORST LEVELS THAT IT COULD, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO MITIGATE IT IN THE BEST WAYS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS. LIKE I MENTIONED, YOU DON’T KNOW RIGHT NOW IF WATER OR SALTWATER RUNNING THROUGH YOUR DISHWASHERS AND WASHING MACHINES IS IS TOTALLY SAFE OR UNSAFE. EXPERTS DIFFER ON THOSE TOPICS. SO WE HAVE TO GET THE ANSWERS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BEST PATH FORWARD IS FOR JEFFERSON PARISH AND HOPEFULLY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, THIS IS NOT AS BAD AS IT COULD BE. AND IT’S MORE OF A MINIMAL IMPACT THAT WE’LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH. YEAH, SAME QUESTION, MR. IMPASTATO. I THINK WE’RE ALL USED TO HURRICANES AND TORNADOES, BUT NOW WE’RE DEALING WITH SALTWATER IN 60S. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? BUT THEREIN LIES THE ISSUE. WHAT WE NEED IS A PLAN OF ACTION, NOT JUST A REITERATION OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY, AND I’M CONFIDENT IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, PUBLIC WORKS AND WHATNOT, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN JEFFERSON PARISH IS THE RUNNING OF A OF A PIPELINE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS AT A FAR MORE COST EFFECTIVE OPTION THAN WHAT THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HAS PROPOSED ON THEIR END. BUT WE NEED TO RUN A PIPELINE TO GET OUR GET OUR WATER FROM ANOTHER LOCATION THAT IS SAFE AND HAS DOES NOT HAVE THAT IMMEDIATE SALINITY RISK. SO THAT SO THAT WE CAN GET OUR WATER IN FROM ANOTHER PART OF THE RIVER, GET IT IN AND SAVE AND STAVE OFF THAT TIME AND DELAY THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF IT SO THAT WHEN ADDITIONAL RAIN, RAIN COMES IN, THAT SALINITY WILL BE LOWERED. BUT THAT’S A TEMPORARY MEASURE THAT WE HAVE TO GET PUT IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY. AND I’M CONFIDENT WE’RE WORKING AT THE PARISH LEVEL TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THAT’S WHAT I WAS ALLUDING TO. WE’RE HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATIONS. GO AHEAD. YOU WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT? GO AHEAD. IF YOU WANT TO. MY FOLLOW UP IS SIMPLE. THE QUESTION WAS, WHAT’S THE PLAN OF ACTION? I GAVE THE PLAN OF ACTION. MY OPPONENT DID NOT. I TALKED ABOUT DILUTION, BUT. OKAY, LET’S GET TO ANOTHER TOPIC HERE THAT IS REALLY TOP OF MIND AS WELL, TOO. IT’S IMPACTING SO MANY PEOPLE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THE INSURANCE CRISIS RIGHT NOW, THERE’S PENDING LITIGATION OVER THE FEMA MAPS. WE’LL START THIS WITH YOU, MR. IMPASTATO. IN 60S, IF ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO WORK WITH FEDERAL LEADERS AND THE SOON TO BE NEW INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO GET MORE COMPANIES TO WRITE POLICIES TO SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED? IN JEFFERSON PARISH? CERTAINLY WORKING WITH THEM. AND I’VE ALREADY HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PAST OR OUTGOING INSURANCE COMMISSIONER AND THE NEW ONE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. ONE OF THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE TO PUT INTO PLACE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS A GRANT PROGRAM THAT SOMEWHAT MIMICS THE FORTIFIED ROOFING PROGRAM THAT’S THAT STARTS ON TUESDAY. AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE CAN DO A GRANT PROGRAM AND TAKE ONE TIME MONEY IN THE PARISH, PUT THAT MONEY INTO OUR JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS HANDS TO DO HAZARD MITIGATION ANALYSIS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL HOMES. ONCE THEY HAVE THAT ANALYSIS, ONCE THE EXPERTS ANALYZE EACH INDIVIDUAL HOME, THEY CAN GET AN INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT TO REDUCE THEIR INSURANCE PREMIUMS DIRECTLY IN ADDITION, THAT GRANT MONEY CAN BE USED, LIKE THE FORTIFIED ROOFING, TO IMPROVE THEIR HOMES, TO LOWER THEIR INSURANCE RISK, WHICH WILL MAKE IT ONCE WE CAN LOWER OUR RISK IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE CAN MAKE IT MORE MARKETABLE AND ATTRACTIVE TO GET INSURANCE COMPANIES TO WANT TO WRITE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND PARTICULARLY IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THAT’S AN IMMEDIATE PLAN OF ACTION. WE CAN DO AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. I’M THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PLAN. I’M THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS PRESSED FOR AN ACTUAL REAL PLAN OF ACTION. I DON’T BELIEVE IN JUST WAITING FOR THE STATE TO HANDLE IT. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION, MR. WALKER. 60S I’LL REPEAT IT HERE. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO WORK WITH FEDERAL LEADERS AND THE SOON TO BE NEW INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO MAKE SURE MORE COMPANIES WRITE POLICIES IN JEFFERSON PARISH? I’M NOT OPPOSED TO PARTS OF THAT PLAN, BUT THE FUNDING IS STILL A QUESTION MARK. THAT IS A BIG PRICE TAG FOR WHAT MY OPPONENT SUGGESTS. BUT WORKING WITH OUR NOT ONLY STATE BUT OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION, OUR JEFFERSON PARISH DELEGATION IN BATON ROUGE HAS BEEN FANTASTIC. OUR NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT AS THIS FORTIFIED ROOFING PROGRAM GETS OFF THE GROUND, BECAUSE THE GRANT MONEY THAT’S AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE. OCTOBER 1ST IS GOING TO GO AWAY VERY QUICKLY. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MONEY COMES BACK AND THAT WE LOOK AT OUR BUILDING CODE IN JEFFERSON PARISH. I KNOW IT WAS RECENTLY UPDATED, BUT NOT SINCE THE INSURANCE CRISIS HIT US. AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE’RE DOING WITH OUR BUILDING AND OUR BUILDERS AND OUR RESIDENTS SO THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND SAY, ARE WE DOING THIS IN THE SMARTEST AND MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO MINIMIZE IMPACT THE COST ON OUR OUR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE TRYING TO BUILD AND AND MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SAFETY BETWEEN HOME HOMEOWNERS AND BUILDERS WITH THEY’RE PUTTING ON TOP OF HOUSES. WE’RE GOING TO GET TO CRIME AND THE ECONOMY IN A SECOND HERE. BUT WE WANT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING REALLY QUICKLY HERE WITH BOTH OF YOU. ALL ADS ARE FLYING ALL OVER THE PLACE. THEY’RE ON TV RIGHT NOW. MR. REPOSADO WILL START THIS WITH YOU. AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT, HOPEFULLY TO 30S HERE. YOU’VE BEEN ACCUSED IN ADS RUN BY A PACK OF CUTTING BACKDOOR DEALS WITH A KNOWN POLITICAL CONSULTANT IN 30S. CAN YOU ADDRESS THE ALLEGATIONS IN THOSE ADS? THERE’S NO BACKROOM DEALS. I HAVE A POLITICAL CONSULTANT. HE HAS A POLITICAL CONSULTING, BUT I HAVE NO BACKROOM. I DECIDED I’M RUNNING FOR THIS SEAT BECAUSE I’M THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB. WHAT I HAVE DONE IS EARN THE RESPECT OF LEADERS ACROSS JEFFERSON PARISH OF GOOD GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE SAID, MY AGGRESSIVE STYLE OF LEADERSHIP IS WHAT THE PARISH NEEDS. I’VE NEVER MADE A BACKROOM DEAL. I NEVER EVEN TALKED TO COUNCILMAN WALKER ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST HIM. IN FACT, THERE WAS AN EFFORT SUPPORTED BY HIM TO EXTEND MY TERM LIMIT TO PREVENT ME FROM RUNNING FOR THIS SEAT. AND I SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT. I WILL NOT GO FOR AN EXTENSION OF ANYBODY’S TERM LIMITS, INCLUDING MY OWN. REALLY QUICKLY, DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT IN ABOUT 10S? BECAUSE WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU TOO. IT’S AN ABSOLUTE LIE ABOUT TERM LIMITS, BECAUSE HE WAS NEVER IN A MEETING THAT I WAS IN TALKING ABOUT TERM LIMITS AND I NEVER SUPPORTED EXTENDING TERM LIMITS AND I DIDN’T CARE IF HE RAN RAN AGAINST ME BECAUSE I TOLD HIS POLITICAL CONSULTANT WHEN HE CAME AND SAID, WHY DON’T YOU MOVE OUT OF THE WAY, RUN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. LET DOMINIC TAKE YOUR JOB AND RUN FOR IT. I SAID, NO, BRING IT ON. I’M NOT AFRAID OF ANYBODY RUNNING AGAINST ME, FOR GOODNESS SAKE. ALL RIGHT. LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION ABOUT 30S. MR. WALKER, IN THE LOCAL PAPER, OBVIOUSLY, WE’RE FAMILIAR WITH THESE ADS NOW. THEY’RE BEING PAID FOR BY A NEW ORLEANS BASED BUSINESSMAN. HE IS ACCUSED YOU OF HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT BUSINESSMAN. MAN. IS THAT TRUE OR FALSE? WAIT, SAY THAT AGAIN. THE BUSINESSMAN THAT’S BEHIND THE PAC, SIDNEY TORRES, DO YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AT ALL? I HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP WITH SIDNEY TORRES. I’VE HAD ONE MEETING EVER WITH SIDNEY TORRES THAT WAS IN MY OFFICE PRIOR TO THE NEW GARBAGE CONTRACT BEING BID OUT. AND HE DIDN’T BID ON IT, BUT IT WAS A MEETING ABOUT THAT. AND MY OPPONENT IS AFRAID TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND TAKE RESPONSES ABILITY FOR WHAT HE’S DONE IN KENNER AND REALIZE THAT IT’S BETWEEN HE AND SIDNEY AND HIS POLITICAL CONSULTANT AND SIDNEY AND NOT SCOTT WALKER. REALLY QUICKLY, ABOUT 20S, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT? I TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR SIDNEY TORRES HAVING AN ISSUE WITH ME. HE BUILT THE CITIZENS AND THE CITY OF KENNER FOR $1.7 MILLION OF OVERBILLED THING. HE CAME TO ME TO ASK ME TO HELP BACK THE CITY OF KENNER OFF SO HE COULD KEEP HIS MONEY. I SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT. THE TAXPAYERS DESERVE THAT MONEY BACK. HE SAID, WELL, THEN I’M GOING TO RUN ADS AGAINST YOU. I SAID, BRING IT ON. NO ISSUES HERE. ALL RIGHT, LET’S GO WITH A QUICK YES OR NO. WE’LL START THIS WITH YOU, MR. WALKER. YES OR NO? DO YOU SUPPORT JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF JOE LOPINTO? ABSOLUTELY. MR. IMPASTATO ABSOLUTELY. ALL RIGHT. MR. IMPASTATO, YES OR NO, DO YOU THINK JPSO SHOULD RELEASE MORE BODY WORN CAMERA TO THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA NOW THAT THEY HAVE THAT TOOL IN THEIR TOOL BELT? WELL, I BELIEVE IF IT’S A PUBLIC RECORD, THEN IT SHOULD BE RELEASED. WHAT I WOULD HATE TO SEE HAPPEN IS COMPROMISING ANY INVEST, NEGATION OR POTENTIAL ARREST, BECAUSE THAT’S THAT’S THE ULTIMATE GOAL. AND LISTEN, THE BENEFIT OF BODY WORN CAMERA IS IT DOES TELL THE TRUTH OF WHAT HAPPENED. WHAT I WOULD HATE TO SEE HAPPEN IS INFORMATION RELEASED THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE ANY OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS BECAUSE THEY NEED WHATEVER TOOLS NECESSARY. AND THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE CAMERAS IS IT RECORDS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. SO AS LONG AS THAT’S MAINTAINED, I THINK THAT’S WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT. ALL RIGHT. REALLY QUICKLY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT 20S ON BODY WORN CAMERAS? DO YOU SUPPORT THE RELEASE OF THE VIDEO TO THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA NOW THAT THEY HAVE THAT TOOL TO SAVE YOU TIME? WE’VE GOT NO DIFFERENCE ON THAT ANSWER. OKAY. WELL, THERE YOU GO. WAY TO SAVE TIME. WE APPRECIATE IT SO WE CAN GET MORE. LET’S TALK CRIME AND LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS. WE’LL START THIS WITH YOU, MR. WALKER. IT’S GOING TO BE THE SAME QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU ALL, THOUGH. BOTH OF YOU ALL HAVE BIG LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT RIGHT NOW, MR. IMPASTATO, YOU HAVE SEVERAL LOCAL POLICE CHIEFS, MR. WALKER. YOU HAVE THE SHERIFF, JOE LOPINTO, IN 30S. WHY DO THESE ENDORSEMENTS MATTER TO VOTERS WATCHING RIGHT NOW? I ALWAYS SAY IF YOU GET THE ENDORSEMENT, GREAT. IF YOU DON’T, IT DOESN’T BOTHER ME. IT NEVER HAS BOTHERED ME. I WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH EVERY DAY AND I DON’T WORK FOR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS. I CERTAINLY SUPPORT SHERIFF JOE LOPINTO AND EVERYTHING THAT OTHER POLICE ORGANIZATIONS DO ACROSS THE PARISH, AND WE SUPPORT THEM IN EVERY WAY THAT WE CAN. EVERY DAY WE’VE DEDICATED SPEED TRAILERS TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE THAT HAVE LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERAS INSIDE OF THEM. WE’VE DEDICATED FUNDING FOR BULLETPROOF VESTS FOR CANINES TO HELP THEM DO THEIR JOBS A LITTLE BIT BETTER. I THINK THAT IS WHY WE’RE HERE. WE’RE NOT A LAW ENFORCEMENT BODY ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY SUPPLEMENT WITH JPSO DOES AND HELP THEM DO THEIR JOBS A LITTLE BIT BETTER. SAME QUESTION, MR. IMPASTATO, YOU ALL ARE BOTH TOUTING ENDORSEMENTS. WHY DO THESE ENDORSEMENTS EVEN MATTER TO VOTERS WATCHING? RIGHT. WELL, I DON’T KNOW IF IT MATTERS TO THE VOTERS, BUT HERE’S HERE’S WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT ABOUT ALL OF THEM. AND LOOK, SHERIFF LOPINTO HAS DONATED A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO MY CAMPAIGN. SO I KNOW HE’S CONFIDENT IN THE JOB THAT I’VE DONE IN THIS PARISH AS WELL. WHAT IT TELLS THE STORY IT TELLS IS THAT I KNOW HOW TO KEEP CITIZENS IN JEFFERSON PARISH SAFE AND HAVE MADE AN AGGRESSIVE PUSH TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS AT EVERY LEVEL, CITY AND PARISH, HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO FIGHT CRIME AND KEEP OUR CITIZENS SAFE. AND WHAT WHAT I’M PROUD OF WITH ALL OF THOSE CHIEFS OF POLICE IS THEY KNOW I’M THE KEY TO KEEP THEIR CITIZENS SAFE IN 30S VIOLENT CRIME IS SOMETHING THAT HAS PLAGUED NEW ORLEANS, OBVIOUSLY, SOME OF THAT SPILLS OVER INTO JEFFERSON PARISH. IF YOU’RE ELECTED IN 30S, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AS A REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP? A PARTNERSHIP TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE IN NEW ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON? WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE DONE I’M SORRY. WAS IT ME? YES. ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO IS KEEP THE FUNDING FOR THE MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE IN PLACE. WE JUST THIS PAST WEEK REAFFIRMED THAT. AND THAT’S BEEN A SIX YEAR PASSION OF MINE AND PROJECT OF MINE. WHAT THAT DOES IS CREATE A REGIONAL SUPERPOWER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT INCLUDES THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ON THE WEST BANK AND INCLUDES ALL JEFFERSON PARISH ENTITIES ON THE WEST BANK AS WELL. AND NOW IT’S BEEN EXPANDED PARISH WIDE. I THINK THAT’S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE EXPANDED TO THE EAST BANK, INCLUDING NEW ORLEANS AS WELL. BUT REST ASSURED, OUR PRIMARY GOAL, MY MY PRIMARY GOAL IS PROTECTING THE BORDERS OF JEFFERSON PARISH. SAME QUESTION, MR. WALKER. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR A REGIONAL CONCEPT TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS TO KEEP ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON SAFE? BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES, AS THEY SAY, CRIMINALS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES. YEAH. AND WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER WHEN EVERYBODY’S WORKING WELL TOGETHER, EVERYTHING IS BETTER AND I THINK I’M ANXIOUS TO MEET THE SOON TO BE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NOPD. AND DISCUSS THINGS WITH HER. BUT RIGHT NOW, IT IS ABOUT JEFFERSON PARISH AND KEEPING JEFFERSON PARISH SAFE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS OUR SHERIFF’S OFFICE DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND WHEN PEOPLE COME IN FROM ORLEANS PARISH OR OTHER PLACES AND COMMIT CRIMES, THEY ARE CAUGHT QUICKLY AND THEY DON’T RUN AROUND VERY LONG. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUPPLY OUR SHERIFF’S OFFICE WITH THE TOOLS IT NEEDS TO DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO TO KEEP CRIMINALS AT BAY FROM ANYWHERE. I’M GOING TO START SPEEDING IT UP A LITTLE BIT. WE WANT TO GET TO A LOT MORE. I HATE TO ASK YOU TO DO THIS IN 30S. WE’LL START WITH YOU, MR. WALKER. IN 30S. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO KEEP JEFFERSON PARISH’S POPULATION ROBUST, TO ESSENTIALLY STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN THAT’S HAPPENING IN PLACES LIKE NEW ORLEANS WHERE OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST ARE LEAVING? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR THAT? IN ABOUT 30S? LOOK, WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE LEAVING AND OUTMIGRATION QUITE OFTEN, AND WE’VE GOT AN OLD POPULATION AND WE NEED MORE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR OUR SENIORS AS THEY AGE OUT OF SOME OF OUR OLDER HOUSING STOCK SO YOUNGER PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND RENOVATE THOSE PLACES AND REVITALIZE OUR HOUSING STOCK. WE’VE GOT A COUPLE OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN JEFFERSON PARISH INVOLVING HOUSING STOCK, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT GOES BACK TO EDUCATION, WHICH I LIKE TO TOUT A LOT. EDUCATION AND GETTING OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT EARLY SO THEY CAN PROGRESS THROUGH OUR SYSTEM. SO THEY CAN BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, SO THEY CAN BECOME OUR FUTURE LEADERS. SO THEY WANT TO STAY HERE AND THEY HAVE A GREAT PLACE TO STAY. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION, MR. IMPASTATO IN 30S, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ESSENTIALLY STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN AND MAKE SURE THAT JEFFERSON PARISH KEEPS ITS ROBUST POPULATION? I THINK IN LARGE PART WE AGREE ON THIS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID IN DISTRICT FOUR AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DONE PARISH WIDE, IS A PROPERTY FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. WE CAN TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE CAN TAKE AND ALLOW CITIZENS WITH A CERTAIN PLAN IN PLACE TO DO SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATIONS TO THEIR HOMES AND GET AN ABATEMENT OF THEIR PROPERTY TAXES IF THEY’RE ABLE TO SHOW A SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE IN THEIR HOUSE. THAT’S ONE WAY WE CAN INCENTIVIZE YOUNG FAMILIES TO INVEST IN AN OLD AGING HOUSING STOCK AND OVERALL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. AND I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY. ONE OF THE KEYS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS GETTING OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM ON TRACK AND UPGRADE THAT. THAT’S THE THE KEY. ALL RIGHT. YOU ALL ARE BOTH FROM THE EAST BANK. THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED RIGHT NOW, PLACES ON THE EAST BANK, ESPECIALLY IN OLD METAIRIE AND IN THE VETS CORRIDOR, ARE THRIVING RIGHT NOW. HERE’S A QUESTION WE’LL START WITH YOU IN 30S. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO HELP BUSINESSES ON THE WEST BANK PLACES LIKE LAPALCO AND MANHATTAN THAT FEEL LIKE THEY’RE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW AFTER COVID 19? HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE BUSINESSES TO DEVELOP AND START THERE IN 30S? I THINK IT’S A SIMILAR APPROACH. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS ALLOW THEM INCENTIVES TO REINVEST INTO THEIR PROPERTIES, TO UPGRADE THEIR THEIR PROPERTIES IN THEIR BUSINESSES IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO TO DECIDE HOW THEY CAN ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS. THE OTHER THING IS WE NEED ACTIVISTS ANUM ON THE WEST BANK. WE NEED THERE’S A REASON VIRTUALLY EVERY WEST BANK ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO IS WAITING ON THIS RACE BELIEVES I’M THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THIS. I’M ESSENTIALLY I’VE GOT THE SUPPORT OF THAT OF THOSE WEST BANK OFFICIALS BECAUSE I HAVE MADE IT MY MY GOAL AND MY AGGRESSIVE APPROACH TO HELP IMPROVE THE WEST BANK. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION, MR. WALKER. IN 30S, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO HELP THE BUSINESS CORRIDORS ON LAPALCO IN MANHATTAN, ON THE WEST BANK? HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE BUSINESSES TO COME AND THEN STAY? WELL, IT’S DEBATABLE ABOUT WHY YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE WEST BANK. ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE IN CHARGE OVER THERE. BUT THE WEST BANK IS PRIMED FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. AVONDALE IS ONE OF THOSE LOCATIONS WE’VE WORKED WITH COUNCILMAN LEE’S OFFICE FOR THREE PLUS YEARS NOW TO GET A GROCERY IN THE AVONDALE, WAGGAMAN AREA BASED SERVICES LEAD TO BUSINESSES THERE. THERE ARE SUBDIVISIONS COMING ONLINE IN AVONDALE, WAGGAMAN AREA, OTHER PARTS OF THE WEST BANK. THAT’S WHERE GROWTH IS HAPPENING AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND BE THERE AS WELL. AND WE’VE ALREADY WORKED ON SOMETHING THAT COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO MENTIONED A LITTLE WHILE AGO, NOT ONLY RESIDENTIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT BUSINESS FACADE IMPROVEMENTS IN TERRYTOWN, WHICH WAS THE FIRST SUBDIVISION IN JEFFERSON PARISH. ALL RIGHT. WE ALL KNOW THE AIRPORT FLYOVER OPENED. WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO SKIP THAT BECAUSE WE ARE A LITTLE BIT OUT OF TIME. BUT I KNOW IT WAS A BIG EFFORT BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, THE STATE AS WELL. LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS IN 30S, THE HAYNES SCHOOL SITE. WHAT IS YOUR IDEA AND YOUR VISION FOR THAT IN 30S? BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS PROBABLY NEXT YEAR. WELL, THE COUNCIL CAN’T MAKE A DECISION ON IT UNTIL THE PROPERTY IS SOLD AND SOMEBODY COMES TO US WITH A PLAN. BUT MY ITERATION FROM DAY ONE IS THAT THE NEIGHBORS WANT RESIDENTIAL AND IT SHOULD BE RESIDENTIAL. SO WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, WHATEVER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOOKS LIKE, WHETHER IT’S R-1A, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ZONED FOR OR R-1 B, WHICH GIVES YOU A BIGGER LOT ON THAT FOOTPRINT IS WHAT I’M FOR AND WHAT EVERYBODY ON THE COUNCIL HAS INDICATED THEY ARE FOR AS WELL. SO TO MAKE A LONG ANSWER, SHORT RESIDENTIAL, RESIDENTIAL, RESIDENTIAL. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION, MR. IMPASTATO AND 30S, WHAT WOULD YOUR PLAN BE IF ELECTED FOR THAT SCHOOL SITE? CONTINUATION OF THE PLAN THAT I ALREADY PROPOSED. I’M THE ONLY ONE IN THIS RACE THAT ACTUALLY CAME OUT PUBLICLY AND MADE A STANCE AND MADE A PROPOSAL AT THE PARISH COUNCIL TO PROTECT THAT PROPERTY. IDEALLY, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT POTENTIALLY PURCHASING THAT PROPERTY FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE IT GREEN SPACE, TO MAKE IT AN OPEN AREA FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK THAT’S WHAT THE RESIDENTS THERE AND I’M I’M INVOLVED IN WITH THOSE NEIGHBORS. AND I KNOW THAT’S IDEALLY WHAT THEY WANT. IF THAT CAN’T WORK FOR SOME REASON. AND ONCE WE FOUND OUT, IT JUST CAN’T HAPPEN, THEN I AGREE. RESIDENTIAL ONLY, BUT NOT UNTIL WE HAVE EXHAUSTED THAT POSSIBILITY OF MAKING THAT GREEN SPACE. ALL RIGHT. LET ME ASK YOU THIS. IT’S GOING TO BE THE FINAL QUESTION BEFORE WE DO CLOSING STATEMENTS. WE’LL START IT OFF WITH YOU, MR. IMPASTATO. WHEN YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, YOUR VOTING RECORDS ARE EERILY SIMILAR. OBVIOUSLY, YOU ARE BOTH MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN 30S. HOW DO THE VOTERS HOW WOULD YOU LIKE VOTERS TO DIFFERENTIATE YOU FROM YOUR OPPONENT IN 30S? WELL, TWO WAYS. ONE, MY AGGRESSIVE STYLE OF LEADERSHIP IS, ONE, I DON’T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER MY FEET. WE GO AFTER OPPORTUNITIES AND WE’VE BEEN VERY CREATIVE ON BIG PICTURE PROJECTS. WE’VE DONE MORE PARISH WIDE ON PARISH WIDE INITIATIVES THAN MY OPPONENT HAS, INCLUDING THE MASTER DRAINAGE STUDY THAT IS STUDYING THE DRAINAGE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS ACROSS THE ENTIRE PARISH, NOT JUST ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT JUST ONE DISTRICT. I INITIATED THAT AND IN ADDITION, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US, MY OPPONENT WAS QUOTED IN THE NEWSPAPER AS SAYING THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS HE VOTED FOR, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS AGAINST IT BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS TO VOTE AGAINST HIM. I WOULD NEVER DO THAT. I DON’T BELIEVE THAT’S PROPER LEADERSHIP. THERE’S ONE ITEM WHERE YOU HAD A CONFLICT WITH YOUR POLITICAL CONSULTANT. I DIDN’T BECAUSE HE’S NOT MY POLITICAL CONSULTANT, SO I DIDN’T HAVE A CONFLICT AS WE DIDN’T AGREE WITH IT. YOU DIDN’T AGREE WITH IT AND YOU STILL VOTED FOR IT. IT WAS OVER. MARDI GRAS STANDS AND HE WAS THE ONLY VENDOR AND I DIDN’T HAVE A CONFLICT. THERE WAS NOTHING. I WAS VOTING. BUT YOU SAID YOU WERE AGAINST IT, BUT YOU STILL VOTED FOR IT. I WAS AGAINST YOU ALL VOTING FOR IT. THE PEOPLE WHO EMPLOY HIM AS A POLITICAL CONSULTANT. THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE VOTED AGAINST IT IF IT WAS THAT BIG A DEAL IN 30S. SAME QUESTION. YOUR VOTING RECORDS ARE EERILY SIMILAR. YOU ARE ALL BOTH REPUBLICANS. HOW SHOULD VOTERS DIFFERENTIATE YOU FROM YOUR OPPONENT IN 30S? I’VE DONE THIS JOB FOR FOUR YEARS AND I’VE DONE IT EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. IN MY OPINION, WHEN I’VE BEEN THERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, I’VE WORKED HARD EVERY DAY. WE’VE HAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VENTURES. WE HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY VENTURES. WE’VE HAD EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INITIATIVES THAT I’VE LED, THINGS THAT ARE TANGIBLE RESULTS DRIVEN PROJECTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH. I’M NOT TERM LIMITED. I’M NOT RUNNING AGAINST A FELLOW INCUMBENT TO TRY AND PUSH HIM OUT OF THE WAY SO I CAN STAY IN OFFICE AND CONTINUE TO DO A JOB FOR FOUR MORE YEARS OR EIGHT MORE YEARS AFTER I WAS TERM LIMITED OUT OF MY PREVIOUS POSITION, I’D LIKE TO DO FOUR MORE YEARS AND THEN MOVE OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE I RESPECT TERM LIMITS AND I’M NOT GOING TO DO IT ANY LONGER THAN THAT. ALL RIGHT. I WISH WE COULD TALK ABOUT MORE. AND THERE WAS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT WE COULDN’T GET TO, UNFORTUNATELY. BUT BUT WE ARE OUT OF TIME. WE’RE GOING TO GIVE YOU ALL A CHANCE TO MAKE A 32ND CLOSING STATEMENT. WE’LL START WITH YOU, MR. WALKER, AS WE GO REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER THIS TIME. I JUST SAID SOME OF IT, BUT BUT LOOK, EVERY DAY I WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THAT’S WHAT I WILL CONTINUE TO DO FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. I’M VERY BULLISH ON THIS PARISH. IT’S THE PARISH I GREW UP IN. IT’S THE PARISH I LOVE. MY CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP HERE. MY FAMILY IS HERE. I’M INVESTED IN JEFFERSON PARISH. I HAVE I USED TO HAVE TWO BUSINESSES IN JEFFERSON PARISH. I SOLD MY DONUT SHOP A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. I STILL HAVE ANOTHER BUSINESS IN JEFFERSON PARISH. I AM HERE. I’M WORKING FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS PARISH EVERY SINGLE DAY. AGAIN, IT’S NOT ABOUT SELF SERVICE. IT’S ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE. IT’S ABOUT DOING PEOPLE DOING THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS PARISH EVERY DAY WITH NO ULTERIOR MOTIVES. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. WALKER. MR. IMPASTATO, YOU GET TO WRAP US UP IN 30S HERE. EVERY NICKEL I’VE MADE FROM THE JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DONATED BACK TO CHARITY DURING COVID. WHEN EVERY BUSINESS IN THE PARISH WAS SHUT DOWN UNCONSTITUTIONALLY. I DONATED EVERY NICKEL THAT I MADE BACK TO THOSE VERY BUSINESSES THAT WERE SHUT DOWN. THIS IS NOT MY CAREER. GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH WITH A CAREER THAT FEEDS MY FAMILY AND MY THREE KIDS. AND I’M PROUD OF THAT. THIS IS 100% SERVICE FOR ME. THIS IS 100% ABOUT MAKING THIS PARISH A BETTER PLACE. THE CITY OF KENNER WAS BETTER WHEN I LEFT IT. THE THE DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DISTRICT FOUR IS BETTER NOW SINCE I GOT THERE. AND THE PARISH WILL BE BETTER ONCE I’M ELECTED TO THIS SEAT. ALL RIGHT. DOMINIC IMPASTATO, SCOTT WALKER, WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT ALL THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES WITH ALL THE VOTERS OF JEFFERSON PARISH. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. YOU CAN SEE THIS ENTIRE SEGMENT, THOUGH, ON