2023 Candidate Questionnaire
Parish Council
District 2
Topics
Housing
What changes, if any, would you pursue to Lafayette’s Development Code?
As a Parish Councilman I’m committed to hear and consider all ideas, proposals, and concerns, the people of Lafayette Parish may present to me, specially if those ideas move us forward and makes us more competitive and attractive for our young people to stay in Lafayette and thrive here.
Sidney Morales
Coming into office I do not have an agenda to change specific codes, but one thing I am certain of, and that is: “change is constant and necessary” for any community to grow, evolve, and not end up dying.
I’m a proven visionary leader who takes an idea and develops it into an organization and/or business. With a common sense approach, we can move our Parish forward if we keep politics aside. Thankfully, I’m not a politician. I’m just a servant leader determined to serve the people of Lafayette Parish.
Donald E. Richard did not answer this question.
Would you support using public funds for housing initiatives? Why or why not?
I will support loans for first-time buyers. I believe the purchase of your first home is a crucial step in a person’s journey to a better financial life and possibly the beginning of wealth building.
Sidney Morales
I am completely open to evaluate and consider all house developments, including public-private funding related to housing developments and business developments.
Donald E. Richard did not answer this question.
Quality of Life
What role should local government should play in economic development and the job market?
Local government should be actively pursuing (job producing) businesses to make Lafayette Parish their home. I believe we need to be more aggressive in marketing our great Parish and our quality of life to prospective large businesses from other States.
Sidney Morales
I’m willing to consider all proposals including investing to develop the necessary infrastructure to secure businesses that will add quality jobs to our region.
Donald E. Richard did not answer this question.
Should Lafayette spend public dollars to finance quality of life programs and to what extent?
Yes, we should invest public dollars to improve quality of life to include walk ways and the development of a new Performance Art Center, but we must do it smartly, by securing State and Federal funds (grants) to assist with the projects.
Sidney Morales
We must work in priorities to improve the quality of life of our people. It begins with water, sewage, drainage, roads, safety and security; and from those basic services, we can build and create what’s needed to become the leading Parish in our State.
Donald E. Richard did not answer this question.
Flooding
Would you support stricter development standards to limit flood risk related to new construction?
I don’t have enough information to form an opinion or provide an answer to this question. I would need to see the Pros and Cons of proposed changes before deciding one way or the other.
Sidney Morales
Donald E. Richard did not answer this question.
How would you prioritize spending on stormwater management and infrastructure in the future?
Safety and security to the families of our Parish is our duty. We must continue the development of drainage systems. They will not only bring safety but it will help reduce the super high costs of home insurance in our region. It is a priority.
Sidney Morales
Donald E. Richard did not answer this question.