re: What schools would ST. George affect?

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1. Why can't the city of BR afford to balance it's budget without the assistance from the unincorporated portions of the parish?

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Economies of scale. Lack of checks and balances will throw both governments off. Both cities will have unfettered power held by people of the same political affiliation.

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2. Would you not agree that it is unfair for the unincorporated portions of the parish to contribute tax revenue to the city of BR without the return of city services?

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I would agree if it were true. Costs for police protection are spread across the whole parish and based on how much your property is worth and how much in sales taxes you pay. Unincorporated areas receive just as adequate police service as incorporated areas and yet people within the city limits pay extra. People in the city limits also pay for EBRSO services that they do not receive (as well as EBRSO services that they do receive) and some unincorporated areas receive BRPD services that they don't pay the extra BRPD tax for.

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3. How in the hell can you possible defend the EBR parish school system?? Would you (or have you) send your own children to EBR schools?

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Forming a new city is separate from forming a new school system. I'm very much against forming a new city but only mildly against a new school system. I'd like for them to not bus students around, but I'm not sure if they still do that. I personally think EBR just has bad students. I don't blame the government for the failure of every majority black inner city school system in America. Central and Zachary do nothing different. They have better students.

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4. Do you defend the actions of Delgado when he vows to sue to stop the incorporation of St. George? Do you not think that citizens have the right to form their own city under lawful methods?

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Of course. I also have the right to an opinion about (mis)information and a political power grab that will only server to increase my taxes. I don't need an extra police chief.

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5. Do you think that the formation of St. George and the independent school district would help keep middle class families like mine in EBR? If so, is this not good for the city of BR and the parish whole?

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There's no evidence to show that anything would be technically better, but I suspect it may have a self-fulfilling prophecy effect. If people believe that a magic wand was waived and the schools were fixed then they will start to send their children to public schools and the schools will improve as the amount of students with caring parents increases.

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6. Why do you discount/ignore the published city budget that St. George leaders have submitted? Did you see that there is a $20MM annual surplus? Why would you think that schools could not be built and taxes would go up? Is there a fundamental flaw with their proposed budget?

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Yes, I'm not sure where to begin with the budget that Bodi White and Lionel Rainey put forth. It is not a realistic budget. It's amazing that Lionel Rainey, a salesman, started a consulting business last year and immediately landed a $717k contract with the state. I'm very distrustful of politicians (of any political party) and prefer governments that are on the up-and-up. I fear that this new government will be largely managed through nebulous contracts and that taxes will go up. Some of us paid attention to what they did in Central. Honestly, I think Kip deserves some credit for being a good city manager and working with what he had. Ironically, he's done more for the St. George area than any other mayor has before.

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7. When deciding on new office locations (such as IBM), do you think that business leaders consider the "public school option" when trying to attract employees to a new region?

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IBM is relocating people from Austin to Baton Rouge so obviously the school systems aren't a factor although no PR campaign is going to say that.

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8. Specifically, what do you think would be the negative impacts to the city of BR?

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Unfettered Southern Democrat control. Rational, competent folks like Kip will be run out of town and replaced by people like C. Denise Marcelle and Dee Dee Slaughter.