Joel Boe, 32, Republican

Project manager

District 9

joelboe.com

Do you support or oppose the $989 million bond proposal, as voters will consider it in November?

I support the public safety and critical infrastructure portions of the bond proposal. As like most voters, I would like to get more details on the other portions of the bond proposal before I can make a decision.

Should city government focus on bringing new businesses and attractions for tourists more than building infrastructure and services?

Both aspects are essential to seeing that Baton Rouge becomes the next great southern city but improving infrastructure and public safety should be our first priority with the others closely behind.

Do you think parish property taxes are too high?

Thankfully, voters get to decide on property taxes at the polls. As a councilman, I will weigh very carefully the impact of any new or modified tax proposal prior to sending to the voters for the final decision.

Do you think the parish budget is too bloated? If so, what are your plans to solve the problem?

As with any budget, with proper management we can always find areas of improvement to reduce costs and improve efficiency. I am committed to fiscal responsibility and ensuring that we stretch our city parish dollars as best we can. The annual city-parish budget hearings are good place to start.

What are your thoughts on the loop project? How do you suggest paying for it?

I support the idea of a loop around Baton Rouge and suggest this project be financed by federal and state dollars, local budget surplus and tolls.

Do you think the parish drinking ordinances are too loose or too restrictive? Should there be a special entertainment district established downtown with extended bar hours, an open container law or sidewalk-patio drinking? Should it extend to bars throughout the rest of the parish?

The current drinking ordinances are fine just how they are, but I would consider establishing a special entertainment district downtown that would give those establishments and areas of downtown some flexibility. We should be careful not to detract from the family atmosphere that we all want to maintain.

Should Baton Rouge have at least a few Metro Council members who serve at-large rather than a geographic district? Why or why not?

Yes, I would like to see some at-large seats added to the council to help defuse any issues that may become hot topics for any specific district.

The “One Baton Rouge” resolution fell short one vote last year. Is it up to Metro Council members to vote on such diversity issues? Where do you stand?

I do not think that it is the responsibility of the Metro Council to vote on the resolution “One Baton Rouge.” We have laws in place that protect diversity.

Children across the nation are getting mauled almost monthly by pit-bull dogs. As a Metro Council member, how would you vote on breed-specific ordinances?

Having narrowly escaped the jaws of a pit-bull as a young child, I would be in favor of breed-specific ordinances.

Name your top three goals if elected to the Metro Council.

1. Give our children and young people an opportunity to become a positive influence in our community. When elected, I have offered my services to represent the Metro Council on the EBR school superintendent search committee.

2. See that the Green Light Plan and the sewer improvement plan is fully implemented.

3. Give law enforcement the tools it needs to protect our homes, businesses and churches.