Scott E. Lemoine, 39, Republican

Tax accountant for Lemoine & Associates; owner of Roly Poly

District 11

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

I support separating the proposal between priorities and luxuries. We should focus on public safety and drainage, both of which need improvement. It is unfortunate voters must decide on this proposal in its entirety since a heavy focus on tourist attractions at this time may detract from other parish needs.

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

Any city’s top priorities for its citizens should include providing protection, developing infrastructure, and stimulating commerce. Accomplishments made by government in these areas will result in many positives such as increased tourism. The lack of focus in the past on these issues has hindered our economic potential.

Do you think parish property taxes are too high?

I don’t believe they are too high, but I am against rolling property taxes forward, as well as taxing property owners for economic development projects. I also plan to propose changes to decrease the property tax placed on businesses related to furniture and equipment.

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

I plan on immediately reviewing all expenditures in our budget and working with the entire council to remove all wasteful spending. The next council needs to prioritize spending on areas that are of necessity to our city. Taxpayers are tired of seeing their hard-earned money appropriated to unnecessary programs.

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

I believe that before pressing forward with the loop project, we need short-term solutions. We must first make the necessary corrections where our current interstate systems are deficient, revamp the Green Light Project to post-Katrina levels and synchronize the lights throughout our metro area. Once complete, we should then resume discussions and plans on the loop 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?

I agree that one way to energize excitement in downtown would be to broaden the drinking ordinances, but I strongly believe government cannot provide unfair advantages to certain businesses or areas. Any alterations in the drinking ordinances must be fair to all restaurants and bars throughout the parish.

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

I support having at-large members elected to the council. Our current design allows officials to promote issues that may be unique to certain districts. The addition of at-large seats will prove to unify the council’s vision. This will assist in helping address issues that affect the entire community.

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?

Everyone should applaud what our community has accomplished on issues regarding diversity. We have come along way, and I am proud of our progress so far. Nevertheless, we as council members need to focus on our infrastructure, public safety and business development needs.

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?

As a parent of three and a volunteer coach, I know the importance of protecting our children. If this, or any breed, is proven to be a natural and not a man-made threat, then I would most certainly support a breed-specific ordinance with penalties also imposed on their owners.

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

1. Traffic and infrastructure problems. I want to finally find solutions to our traffic issues throughout our metro area. I will widen roads, add new lanes and turning lanes, and synchronize stop lights. I want to correct the problems that have not only hindered our growth and efficiency in business, but has also have affected our quality of life in Baton Rouge.

2. Public safety. I will upgrade and maintain the facilities for our law enforcement, firefighters and first responders. I will provide to law enforcement the tools needed to perform their jobs effectively. I will see that patrols are increased in the neighborhoods in District 11. I will have speed humps and stop signs installed in our neighborhood’s thruways to control speeding vehicles.

3. Business development. My experience owning businesses and in assisting many businesses throughout the city allows me to identify the problems that affect the business community. I will work to reduce government bureaucracy and develop necessary business tax incentives for key public and private projects.