KSLA News 12 hosted the Shreveport mayoral forum on economic development at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyon’s Playhouse Oct. 14. Four of the seven mayoral candidates were present to answer various questions. These candidates included incumbent Tom Arceneaux, John-Paul Young, Tammy Phelps and Stormy Gage-Watts. Other candidates not participating in the forum included Siavash Fakhriravari, Chaunta Mero and Micheal D. Williams.
From left, Arceneaux, Gage-Watts, Phelps and Young answer questions on economic development at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse Oct. 14.
Candidates answered questions one at a time and had one minute to complete their answers. Topics included safeguards, data centers, transparency, the emergency reserve and more. One question focused on Shreveport’s three biggest financial challenges and how each candidate planned to address them.
Arceneaux focused on the obligations of the sewer consent decree and the need for additional water infrastructure, stating that the economy is improving. Meanwhile, Young saw the population decline and public safety as serious issues, emphasizing plans to enlarge the police department.
Phelps shared a similar focus, wanting to create a salary schedule to work toward increasing pay for police officers. Gage-Watts stated that Shreveport needs to be cleaned, protected and invested in. Her plans include hiring a local landscaping company, partnering with law enforcement agencies, and investing with a city planner.
Candidates were asked about the biggest reasons they believed Shreveport was losing young professionals and college graduates to other cities and what they could do to change it.
Phelps stated that the city’s size, job opportunities and education level need to improve and that it will be a while before more young people are seen staying in Shreveport. Young also expressed concern that people are moving to other cities around the same size due to safety, better roads, reliable water systems and trash pickup, making it difficult for Shreveport to be called home.
Gage-Watts suggested that affordable housing, more high-paying jobs for young people and a thriving downtown would convince more college graduates to stay in the city.
Arceneaux, however, disagreed with the premise of the question, arguing that “in many instances, leaving home is a rite of passage.” He reflected on his own experiences leaving Shreveport and how he came back realizing this could be where he could raise a family. He believes that Shreveport is on the right track, with the best critical mass of young professionals.
Owner of Flames Mediterranean Restaurant Siavash Fakhriravari is another Shreveport mayoral candidate who holds open discussions with the public every Thursday at his restaurant. At one of these discussions, he emphasized that there is “no future without the younger generation.” His plans include building more attractions in the city to bring in more people.
Candidates also answered about what new approaches to job creation and investment they would pursue and which opportunities they would prioritize.
Phelps responded that she would want to start with local businesses and put them first to allow them to grow. Gage-Watts, a small business owner herself, expressed similar views on putting existing businesses first rather than reaching out to new businesses.
Young’s plans include expanding the people of Shreveport’s access to skilled trade education, due to “a large population that are ready to learn trades that can provide them with a great livelihood for the rest of their lives.”
During his administration, Arceneaux has created an 11-point plan, including a one-stop shop to help create and expand businesses, which he plans to continue carrying out.
After all questions were answered, each candidate had the chance to give a closing statement. Arceneaux argued that Shreveport was moving forward, not backward due to the large development projects that he expects to benefit the economy. Gage-Watts hopes to bring more safety, cleanliness, and investment to Shreveport, like Young, who sees some of these priorities as basic functions of city government. Phelps hopes to see professional city services being provided every day and move the city forward.
Oct. 20–27, eligible voters will be able to vote early or cast their ballots on Election Day Nov. 3.