LAPLACE — Five of the six candidates for Parish President outlined their plans and answered questions of concern regarding St. John the Baptist Parish in front of an audience of approximately 350 people Thursday night during a public forum at Belle Terre Country Club in LaPlace.

Incumbent Natalie Robottom is facing challenges from Kent St. Amant, Daniel E. Becnel Jr., DeLisa R. Brown, Charles Julien and Terry Gene Lewis Sr. Brown was the only candidate not in attendance Thursday.

In the three minutes allotted at the beginning of the forum, candidates spoke of drainage in the parish, forming a stronger, self-reliant St. John and creating outlets for the youth of the community.

The first question posed to the candidates was about ways to improve drainage.

Julien and St. Amant said a drainage department needs to be created to focus strictly on parish drainage.

Robottom said a proper levee system would improve drainage.

“St. John Parish is a gravity flow parish,” Robottom said.

“Until we get levee protection that combines some type of pumping system to keep the tidal flow coming in and allow our drainage to go out, we are going to continue to have problems. There is a key to drainage, and it’s making sure the water is pumped out of the area and that requires equipment to make sure the ditches and canals are clean. We’re not done yet. We started so far behind. We have a lot more to do.”

Becnel said it is important to improve drainage in St. John by clearing culverts.

“First thing we need to do is sue the railroads,” Becnel said. “Every single one of those big culverts is blocked with gravel. We’ve got to get them to clean their ditches. If you don’t think they’re clogged, go look at them. Every single ditch from Mt. Airy to the Spillway is clogged.”

On the topic of economic growth in the parish, Lewis and Julien felt working with small businesses and new business is key to bringing people into the community.

“When it comes to economic growth, I want to work with small businesses in the parish,” Lewis said.

“We also want to bring in new business. A lot of businesses are leaving the parish, and under my administration they won’t be leaving and the ones that get here will be strengthened.”

Julien feels the parish has a lot of room to grow.

“We would help individuals trying to start their own business,” Julien said.

“We need to create situations where our people are able to make the money. I think we should go to the West Bank and develop more of the West Bank working with business or people who want to invest in St. John Parish and help with the infrastructure. We need to keep our jobs in St. John.”

To make sure businesses in the parish succeed, St. Amant feels making the application process for permits easier is vital.

“First thing we have to do is streamline planning and zoning,” St. Amant said. “There is no reason why you can’t have a streamlined application process with one week turnaround time for a permit. It’s too complicated. We have to simplify the system. It needs to be user friendly.”

Candidate forums will continue next at Belle Terre Country Club, the candidates for Council-at-large Division B and Council Member District 7 meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Assessor and Sheriff meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The River Region Chamber of Commerce, St. John Business Association and Belle Terre Civic Association hosted the forum.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker