Scott Wilson, Republican

District 4

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

I support the public safety and infrastructure provisions of the bond proposal. I preferred a split of the proposals on the ballot.

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

Our first priority should be to provide infrastructure—roads, drainage, sewerage, proper traffic flow—for our people and businesses to have the best opportunity to succeed. Solid infrastructure will attract new business investment.

Do you think parish property taxes are too high?

Voters have an opportunity to vote yes or no to property taxes—allowing them to decide what is too high or too low. I make my personal decisions on taxes based on the track record of the entity asking, the amount and the length of time.

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

As a businessman, I always believe budgets can be trimmed. So, as a councilman, I will ask tough questions during budget hearings each year to make sure departments are submitting budgets without pork.

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

It’s important that an outer loop around Baton Rouge not flow through or too near existing neighborhoods and business areas. I support completing “inner loop” roads such as the Central Thruway, Hooper Road and O’Neal Lane projects so we can achieve faster traffic flow in the area. The several parishes benefiting from the outer loop should pay for it, along with federal funding 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. I support a downtown entertainment district with a strong security provision.

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 the addition of two or three at-large council seats. However, I feel these should be added to the 12 single-member districts—not subtracted from them.

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?

State and federal laws address the issue of diversity. I do not believe it is the council’s place to pass resolutions that are already addressed by current law.

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?

I am not a fan of pit-bulls. However, I believe the responsibility to control any animal lies with the owner. Our laws should be strongly written, and enforced, accordingly.

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

1. To protect and improve the quality of life—creating a Metro 4 Citizens Advisory Committee.

2. To make sure our new road and infrastructure projects are built on time and on budget.

3. To provide enough local funding for law enforcement to stop crime from growing across the parish.