re: How would you improve Baton Rouge?

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So what are your suggestions for Improving our capital city?

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Massive improvements in the permitting office to streamline business and construction permits. I would ensure there are trained and dedicated people who can also help local entrepreneurs navigate state-level permits through the city permitting office, making it a one-stop shop to do everything.

I would embark on an infrastructure campaign to buy up properties that prevent connecting streets to one-another. Basically, by hook or by crook, I would increase surface street connectivity and largely eliminate large single-point access subdivisions. This would also include building several more bridges over Bayou Manchac, Bayou Fountain, the Comite River, Amite River, Dawson’s Creek, etc.

Massive dredging/debris cleanup of ditches, bayous, and canals for improved drainage.

I would combine BRPD with the EBR sheriffs into one department. I would focus heavily on improving pay or policies to make working there more attractive to potential candidates.

I would also eliminating ticket revenue as a source for police revenue. The difference would be made up with dedicated property tax millages redirected from BREC and the Library Board, both of which can have their funding reduced without needing to significantly reduce services or staff. The idea would be too put a greater emphasis on police being involved in loss prevention for retail stores, investigating residential break-ins, and tracking catalytic converter thefts. I want a police department that doesn’t just help you fill out a form and shrug when something gets stolen, but actually works hard to investigate burglaries and put people away for stealing.

I would push for the adoption of the St. George “olive branch” plan for building new schools across the unincorporated portions of the parish. Via adoption of the olive branch, a separate school district would not be necessary.

I would also strengthen efforts by the state legislature at the local level to ensure that no child in EBR graduates past the 5th grade without being able to read and write. Those that cannot will be sent to a summer literacy program to help them with specifically that. They will repeat 5th grade as many times as necessary before they learn how to read. The readings will continue until moral improves.

I would imprison the CATS board and replace it with an expanded version of Tiger Trails combined with a program that partners with employers to utilize small shuttle busses to carpool employees, and partnerships with rideshare apps and grocery stores to provide some subsidized rides for shoppers.