By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Brock Batiste, a Wallace resident and process operator at Noranda Aluminum, has announced his candidacy for the District 1 seat on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council in the Oct. 22 general election.

Batiste, 34, a native of Edgard, said he entered the political arena because he has a deep, abiding commitment to his hometown and has devoted himself to affecting “real and substantive change in Edgard and all of St. John Parish.”

Batiste said he plans to focus on economic development, including attracting industrial and manufacturing venues by emphasizing the region’s infrastructure and highlighting parish-owned property as potential sites for set up. He also wants to work to increase small business viability and home ownership in the parish. He is also looking to improve recreation, water quality, education and technology in the parish, including high speed Internet access for all areas.

Batiste said he is a co-founder of the west bank civic and social club Men About Changing Society, or M.A.C.S., whose focus is civic advancement and entertainment set in local venues. He said the club has sponsored a wide range of social events, including a celebrity football camp, a community car wash, holiday food giveaways and a senior citizens luncheon. The group has also sponsored students to help them achieve various academic and social endeavors.

The District 1 seat is currently represented by Haston Lewis, who has not announced candidacy for re-election. Qualifying for the Oct. 22 general election begins Sept. 6.