Questions Posed by Mac Watts
Watts’ Question #1 - Over the last five years in the city of Central, what community events
or programs have you organized and been directly involved in that promote positive visions
and improves quality of life in our city?
Watts’ Response:
I am involved in many organizations that serve the City of Central and the citizens of Central in
many different capacities. I am a member of, The Central Chamber of Commerce whose mission
statement is to guide, inspire and promote the business and professional interest of Central and to
enhance the economic, cultural and recreational opportunities for its citizens. I am a Charter
member of the Central Rotary Club, and a Charter Member of The Central Kiwanis Club and I
am a life long member of Zoar Baptist Church.
I am deeply involved with all of those organizations but there are five (5) organizations inside
the city of Central which I personally created and one (1) that I co-sponsored its creation. In my
opinion these organizations, along with the organizations referred to above, provide key vital
services such as promoting our visions, bringing total involvement from our citizens and
continuously addresses quality of life issues that are so important to our citizens. The
organizations are as follows:
1)-MMPAC-Mayor’s Ministerial Prayer Alliance of Central-The individuals who have one
of the greatest impacts on our community is our pastors. Strong Christian leadership is
imperative to the success of our city. Therefore, I organized this group to include all local
leaders; State Representatives, Cliff Richardson and Bodi White, State Senator, Dale Erdy,
school superintendent, Mike Faulk , all school principals, Police Chief, Doug Browning, city
council members, Joan Lansing, Aaron Moak, Ralph Washington, Lucky Ross, Louis DeJohn,
Jr., Metro Councilman, Scott Wilson, a representative from the EBRP Sheriff’s office, Central
Fire Department. Chief Bill Porche and all local pastors and clergy from within our city can meet
once a month for breakfast. The meeting is held at a different church within our city and is a
prayer and devotional which allows all of these individual and me to communicate all the issues
facing our city and our citizens.
2)-Cooking in Central- This first event, “COOKING IN CENTRAL” was initiated shortly
after Hurricane Katrina caused so much damage to the state of Louisiana. I personally knew the
City of Central to be a city known for its Christian attitude in helping others, and we called that
year’s event, “Cooking for our Neighbors.” The next three years, were dedicated to
“COOKING FOR OUR KIDS” to designate funds for our new school system. This will
continue this year with all proceeds sold by the schools staying in those schools.
A small portion of the proceeds will go to the Blue Star Moms to buy and erect a monument at
Port Hudson National Cemetery, commemorating our fallen soldiers. Any proceeds left over
will be placed in escrow to go towards creating the Central Fairgrounds. The future Fairgrounds
will be for use by not only Cooking in Central, but may be utilized by our schools and
community members. The by-laws of incorporation for Cooking in Central states that in the
event this function ceases to operate, all land, furniture, fixtures and assets shall be donated to
the City of Central.
3)- CENTRAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION : C.E.D.F. I formed this
organization to assure long-term economic growth using our proposed Master Plan as a tool for
growth while maintaining our rural values. It is very important that we strive to bring business to
our area that is friendly to our desires while also increasing our sales tax base to eliminate the
need for property taxes. This foundation is made up of community volunteers who work
diligently with a nationally known economic consultant. We were able to obtain financing for the
consultants services through a state grant. Upon his direction and though the service of our
volunteers the foundation has grown to include nineteen (19) members on the Steering
Committee with thirty four (34) business owners, to date. All monies pledged to this foundation
have come strictly from private citizens and business. It is very important that we strive to bring
business to our area that is friendly to our desires while also increasing our sales tax base to
eliminate the need for property taxes. The money pledged to the foundation will be utilized to
promote the qualities our city has to offer such as great schools, low crime, and proximity to the
airport and quality work force availability. Promotions of the amenities and qualities of our city
will be done locally, regionally and nationally through various forms of media outlets.
4)-Mayors Youth Council- I created this organization to include students from Central High
School and Central Private School in grades 9-12 to involve our youth. I value their vision and
seek their input for the growth of our city which they will inherit in the near future. It is my
belief and it is important that we leave this city a better place for our youth. We cannot do that
if we do not include these young people in the planning process.
5)- BLUE STAR MOMS- I started the “MAYOR’S 100 CLUB” In which our citizens could
contribute $100.00 cash or $100.00 worth of items needed for our young men and women
serving our country overseas. This event takes place each Thanksgiving. Blue Star Moms, is an
organization of mothers who have sons, daughters, spouses or other loved ones serving our great
country overseas, or have lost someone in the service of our country. This is an organization that
is near and dear to my heart.
6)- COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR- This gathering is held once a month at Central Drug
Store. I have had the pleasure to hold a coffee at PriceCo also. I created this gathering to allow
the citizens of Central the opportunity to come by and discuss any concerns they may have and
to offer suggestions for our newly developing city.
Watts’ Question #1 - Over the last five years in the city of Central, what community events
or programs have you organized and been directly involved in that promote positive visions
and improves quality of life in our city?
Shelton’s Response/Rebuttal:
As a private citizen, I have been deeply involved in the operation of the oldest private school in
Central, Central Private School. This school was begun in the mid-sixties to give our community
and its families an alternative to the EBR School System. Many great citizens of Central had a
hand in the beginning of this school and many families have benefited from its operation. I
served on the Board of Directors, the Long-range Planning Committee, and the Finance
Committee and was chairman of that committee for many years. Other than church, there is no
greater commitment one can make than to the education of young people and serving their
families. Central Private has been a beacon to Central and I am proud to have a part in its life.
Not having been in public office where I would have the ability to begin programs, I would like
to detail how I believe some improvements to programs already in place could be made and
outline new programs I hope to begin.
The Ministerial Prayer Alliance is a good panel to have in place. However, I in addition to
getting together to discuss issues, I would propose purposeful programs that bring church and
government together to promote the visions and quality of life we would like to preserve in
Central. For instance, we have a beautification problem in Central. Many residents either can’t,
because financial or physical limitations clean up or mend their property and it might become
unsightly or even blight. With Church Youth Groups, Retired Skilled Labor Groups from
churches, we as a city could identify certain property that could use the help. The churches
succeed in outreach programs, the City gets areas beautified and the property owners feel helped
by the churches and their city. Also, we need to create a Food Bank program which could work
and be promoted through this Alliance with the Ministers. Simple programs, but effective for the
quality of life in Central.
The Economic Development Foundation is a panel that needs to target specific businesses that
will assure good paying, sustainable jobs and companies whose base is set in Central assuring us
that their profits will be invested in Central and benefit our city. Big box stores, such like
Lowe’s, as was first announced by the Economic Foundation as a targeted company, will come
only when the traffic count is sufficient to ensure them a profit. Let’s target our own citizens who
may have their businesses located outside of Central to relocate here, let’s try to get professional
service companies, CPAs, health clinics, light manufacturing, and consumer goods retailers.
These companies success determines our success as a city and the services we can provide
through the sales taxes they collect.
Just as my opponent has had an opportunity to begin new programs as Mayor, I too have
programs I would like to institute as our next Mayor. A council made of the presidents of our
city’s homeowners associations is greatly needed. These associations do a great service to their
neighborhoods by keeping up with their local issues. A conduit for their issues to get to our
government is well overdue. I will work to develop this council in the first 3 months of my term.
Also, it is imperative a board or council of all our schools principals and leaders, be they public,
private or parochial, and city leaders be formed to insure continuity of our city and school system
in working together for the improvement of our community. I would not want the city to intrude
upon our school system’s functions, but I feel open communication in timely intervals over
common issues would benefit our families and assure commonality in all of our city’s schools.
A group of business leaders and city officials need to be formed to tackle issues among our
existing businesses. As a government, we need to work to facilitate businesses from the
beginning stages of planning their business, to the opening of their doors and finally to their
successful operations. These local businesses are our lifeblood and we need to help them as a
city as best we can. Our local businesses need to know our government appreciates them. Only
local businesses understand our local business climate and no out of state consultant will know
our business problems better than our own business leaders.
Finally, we need programs for our Senior Citizens. I have already begun plans on forming an
organization which will give our Senior Citizens activities to participate in, here in Central, for
social, health and better living services. We owe it to our seniors to continue their quality of life.
These citizens have contributed greatly to our lives in Central and we need to keep them actively
involved.
We can never rest as a city or administration on what has been done in the past. We must
constantly adapt and move forward. I pledge untiring efforts to constantly work with any and all
organizations which will improve the lifestyles of our citizens.
Watts’ Question #2 - Our city services are currently privatized, can you explain why the
decision was made to privatize and would you change that, and if so, why?
Watts’ Response:
Upon the creation of the city we were faced with a difficult challenge of providing quality city
services to our citizens while maintaining affordability that did not require us to increase taxes.
The City Council put out an RFP, which is a document that municipalities and other public
entities use to acquire information from companies who provide the type of services we would
require for all of our city services. The company, CH2MHILL, was the only company to submit
information that could provide all the services we had requested. After much review by the
Council and a committee of volunteers, it was concluded that the only way our new infant city
could provide the necessary services to its citizens at an affordable cost was through
privatization.
This process has been an on going learning experience in many ways, but it has proven to be a
very prudent financial decision for the City of Central. Further, this new cutting edge idealism
that our city council adopted has proven to be the envy of municipalities nationwide. It has
allowed us to eliminate the high cost associated with hiring employees such as skyrocketing
benefit cost which are bankrupting cities and municipalities across the country. It allows the
flexibility to assure Central and surrounding area residents are hired while also giving us
maximum quality control over the services being provided. Additionally it allows us the benefit
of tapping into a larger company’s resources eliminating the costly overhead of having to hire
individuals who specialize in certain fields such as engineers. This cost when distributed
amongst all of their clients substantially lowers the cost of services for the citizens of Central.
The prioritization effort along with very conservative financial management has allowed us to
have a balanced budged every year since inception with a current surplus of approximately one
million dollars, ($1,000,000.00).
I am not in favor of changing the privatization of our city services but I am in favor of
continuously reviewing and making changes within the structure that better utilizes our tax
dollars. Currently, there is a mechanism in place with CH2MHILL’s annual contract which
allows for such reviews and permits reductions or ads to the contract at the desire of the council.
Watts’ Question #2 - Our city services are currently privatized, can you explain why the
decision was made to privatize and would you change that, and if so, why?
Shelton’s Response/Rebuttal:
I believe much of my answer to my own Question #2 answers this. I of course as a private citizen
was not in on the decision to privatize, but I do say it was a wise decision. However, I would not
want to rely on the fact that CH2MHILL was the only company at the time to provide all the
services we needed to keep us from exploring new companies and services. The very fact that
SAFEbuilt can be contracted with directly for building services and thereby save the city money,
may open the contract obligations to other companies now. As I stated in my answer, privatizing
is not an issue with me, implementation is. No matter which company we would contract with, it
is of utmost importance that we get our money’s worth. No tax dollar spent can be wasted. Strict
oversight is needed with any company contracted with the city. In addition, we must deal at an
arms length with anyone receiving city tax dollars in payment for services. The citizens must feel
confident and comfortable with any city contract we enter into on their behalf.
Watts’ Question #3 – Explain to the citizens of Central how you will keep Central as a
destination community for young families, retirees and business investors without
sacrificing the overall quality of life.
Watts, Response:
I do not want the City of Central to become another suburban sprawl where quantity is
considered more important than quality. By that I do not want to lower our standards by inviting
sub-standard housing developments which will add an increased burden to our school district and
municipality by not paying a proportionate share of taxes. We want to grow; however, it needs
to be in a way which will attract quality development without sacrificing our standards in the
process. What I have observed from other municipalities that have been down the same path
previously that quality attracts more quality and so on. My goal for Central is to maintain our
image as being one of the state’s and nations preferred communities to live for all the right
reasons. Included within this are…high educational standards; low crime; upscale and
affordable housing; conservative government that operates within its means. An overall
community that’s foundation is built upon Christian principles. If we continue to maintain this
philosophy and use the tools that we are putting in place, such as our proposed Master Plan and
continued strong Planning and Zoning measures we will be successful beyond our expectations.
Watts’ Question #3 – Explain to the citizens of Central how you will keep Central as a
destination community for young families, retirees and business investors without
sacrificing the overall quality of life.
Shelton’s Response/Rebuttal:
When we incorporated five years ago, we began a process that is much like being on a
rollercoaster, once it starts you cannot get off. As a city, certain things happen just because you
are a city. Certain businesses want to locate here, certain types of housing are offered because
you are a city, certain factions of businesses locate just because you are a city and certain
governmental regulations restrict you because you are now a city.
We have not hit our stride yet in growth, partly because of the nation’s economy. However, we
must begin now to plan for our growth. We do not want substandard housing or government
subsidized housing, but rather we do need affordable housing with options for our young
families. Our Master Plan is late; we must complete this and our zoning ordinances to know our
paths we are taking in growth. Today, we have developers in limbo because of our plan not being
completed. Residents are in a quandary because they aren’t sure what our Master Plan will do the
value of their property. I am not really interested in becoming like another city which city
planners will try to tailor cities to. I want Central to keep the fabric which we all chose to live in.
Just because a business may be hidden behind a row of shrubs, does not make the rural feeling
for me. I want to be assured we have acreage that will remain rural, that our children will have
places to ride horses, our families will enjoy areas that they can still hunt because we haven’t
zoned everything residential, ponds and waterways will remain so our families can enjoy tubing
and fishing. And we can do this by using common sense in planning and zoning, master planning
and working with all factions and all neighborhoods in the process. The businesses that will want
to locate here will provide many services that perhaps we don’t enjoy now. We need to assure
our citizens that Wax Road won’t become Baton Rouge’s Jone’s Creek Road with one business
after the other lined up, parking lot to parking lot. We need to be certain that our business areas
don’t become Florida Boulevard and Airline Highway, with empty storefronts and abandoned
property. We need to focus on working with good sustainable businesses with good intention,
keeping our conservative, Christian values in every decision we make to assure our Central
citizens that we will remain CENTRAL.