A snapshot of public opinion

The relative youth and newcomer status of the Metro Council sparked post-election hype, but is hope for change dwindling? In late March, 225 polled Daily Report subscribers for their opinion.

Overall, 40% of respondents said the new Metro Council is doing a better job, 11% said it is doing worse and 49% said it’s doing about the same. But among respondents who said they follow the Metro Council closely, the numbers weren’t so good for new council members. Before the new council took office, 75% of respondents said they were optimistic, 5% were pessimistic and 20% were unsure. But a few months into the new council’s tenure, only 56% said they remain optimistic, while those who said they are now pessimistic jumped to 24%.

How council support stacks up by party

Non-scientific poll taken of Daily Report readers March 23-26.

DEMOCRATS

Optimistic 63%

Pessimistic 15%

Unsure 22%

REPUBLICANS

Optimistic 53%

Pessimistic 26%

Unsure 21%

INDEPENDENTS

Optimistic 42%

Pessimistic 21%

Unsure 37%

David Kees

Owner of The Buzz Café

“I have been outspoken about the unnecessary alcohol provisions in East Baton Rouge. My bottom line suffers dramatically from not being able to sell alcohol at our current location (because of its proximity to a church). I think the new council members know that it is imperative for all businesses in Baton Rouge to have fair and balanced regulations. The younger demographic wants to go out and have a drink, a good meal and mingle with other young professionals. The longer we continue to discourage this behavior in Baton Rouge, the longer we suffer from talent leaving the area.”

Raymond Allmon

Leadership Development Facilitator for charter schools operator Advance Baton Rouge

“The city has been so quiet on education lately, but with a new superintendent and a new council there are any number of ways we can attack the problems. Advance Baton Rouge has to create the avenues to allow the council to participate in partnerships for better education, but with these new faces it’s refreshing. It feeds into that ‘anything is possible’ idea. I like that they have streamlined things. They’ve cut out some of the committee meetings, and I can follow them on Twitter.”

Danny McGlynn

Attorney and downtown property owner

“Well, so far, so good. I’ve got hope that they’ll be more open minded about what’s good for the whole community rather than just their constituents, and that they won’t be stuck in the same rut as the old Metro Council was.”

Erin Monroe Wesley

President of Forum 35 and general counsel for Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu

“Forum 35 is excited about the new slate of Metro Council members. I can already tell that this group is energized and excited about moving Baton Rouge forward. East Baton Rouge is at a critical crossroads in terms of defining who we are and what we represent as a parish. Forum 35 hopes the Metro Council will seek the input and counsel of groups like Forum 35, and that it will engage the service of young leaders on local boards and commissions.”

Davis Rhorer

Executive Director of the Downtown Development District

“Tara Wicker represents downtown, and already she has been very active. I did present the motion to create a cultural district downtown, and they deferred that for 30 days because they said they wanted more information. The council seems quite engaged though, at this point, and I think they see the bigger picture. New Orleans alone has 19 of these cultural districts. Other areas of Baton Rouge are talking about creating them, too, it’s just that downtown happens to be the first.”