Melanie Smith-Johnson, 48, Democrat

Program manager for Southern University’s Center for Social Research, Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Scholar Program

District 2

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

Baton Rouge has experienced tremendous economic and population growth. Our city is under enormous economic, cultural and infrastructural demands. The mayor’s proposal coincides with the state’s plan for economic development and tourism, which will create jobs and provide infrastructure and services to improve the quality of life our residents.

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

City government has to focus on multiple issues simultaneously, which include business and economic development, tourism, infrastructure development and services. In governmental policy planning, evaluation and implementation are keys to success. We have to plan for continued growth to maintain a certain quality of life for our people.

Do you think parish property taxes are too high?

Who wants to pay higher taxes? I don’t think any of us do, but the needs of a growing community cannot be provided to the citizens without the monetary means to do so. Considering homestead exemptions, our property taxes comparably speaking are relatively low.

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

All budgets should reflect the placement of necessary monetary funds to meet the needs and services of the community. The question should not be whether or not the parish’s budget is too bloated, but whether the funds are distributed properly throughout the parish. Accountability is the key!

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

Baton Rouge grew overnight after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The evident transportation and traffic problems in and around our city, along with research that has been conducted, support the need for this project. The city and state have developed a Transportation Mobility Fund to help address funding for this project.

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?

Ordinances relating to alcohol sales were supported by the voters and more specifically residents for Metro Council District 2. No, I do not think they are too loose.

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

We have a council that is representative of our parish and our city. At the same time, our council members serve the constituents to help manage and improve the quality of life for the entire parish of East Baton Rouge.

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?

One of the responsibilities of the Metro Council is to focus on growth and development for the entire parish of East Baton Rouge. If diversity issues impact our community, which I believe they do, then it is up to the Metro Council and other civic-minded leaders to be involved.

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?

We should have tough ordinances on any activity that endangers our children. We should have ordinances in place to protect our citizens from any form of danger.

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

My top three goals for District 2 include job development, crime reduction and community beautification and revitalization.

We WILL create job opportunities and workforce training opportunities for the residents of District 2. We WILL reduce crime in our community by increasing police presence, creating youth violence programs and developing conflict-resolution centers in our community. We WILL revive our community by developing community beautification and revitalization projects.