Editorial: Kip for mayor

Mayor Kip Holden deserves to be re-elected.

Why? Quite simply, he has done a good job of moving the city forward.

Assisted by no-nonsense Republican businessman Walter Monsour, the Holden administration has taken bold action on a variety of fronts to attack challenges as they arose, including crises.

Hurricane Katrina sent hundreds of thousands of evacuees to our city, paralyzing our streets and stretching public services to the limit. Holden proved a level-headed, engaged leader who guided local government and the city through those anxious, hectic months.

Then Mother Nature struck again as Hurricane Gustav ravaged our power and communications systems. Holden took an active role to lead, inform and reassure a city unprepared emotionally or logistically for the challenges thrown at us.

Naturally, we haven’t agreed with all of the mayor’s decisions, and we feel he has some more work to do. Finishing the Green Light Plan to deal with traffic is No. 1 (and proceeding with the loop is on the list, too).

Downtown is still without an entertainment district, even though it will cost taxpayers next to nothing. The mayor needs to commit his full support to empowering downtown businesses to create an irresistible atmosphere for shopping, dining and celebrating.

Many people were surprised four years ago when East Baton Rouge voters elected our first African-American mayor. But then again, it may have had something to do with the previous mayor, Bobby Simpson. Voting for Holden probably seemed risky to some, but we believe their risk paid off.

We like the mayor’s bold thinking. His three opponents, meanwhile, seem to have more baggage and personal agendas than visionary ideas or proven leadership skills.

The mayor has set forth an exciting vision with his proposed bond issue. It addresses core needs such as drainage and traffic, and it offers economic development and enhances quality of life. The bond issue, we believe, will take Baton Rouge to the next tier by beefing up our convention center and by doing a better job of utilizing the natural wonder that is our riverfront—something visiting planners have long criticized us for failing to appreciate. Adding an iconic tourist attraction like Alive (page 43) on the Mississippi River, run by a class organization like the Audubon Institute, will attract thousands and provide fun for us as well.

The bond issue is a crucial step toward our future, and we support its passage in the November election._But before that vote, on Oct. 4, Baton Rougeans will be asked to choose a mayor to lead us through the unknown challenges and crises that are ahead in the next four years. The mayor did just that during his first term, which is why we believe he deserves another.

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