Mayor candidates speak during first Baldwin forum

Candidates for mayor of Baldwin gathered Tuesday at the town civic center in an event sponsored by the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce
Baldwin residents packed the meeting room in what was billed as a candidate forum, but no questions from the chamber or the audience were asked of the candidates
Benny J. Druilhet was first up for the mayoral candidates.
Druilhet said Baldwin needs “someone with the desire to see Baldwin revitalized and grow.” He said he has leadership and experience for the mayor’s position.
He said he was instrumental in the naming of Martin Luther King Street and other Baldwin initiatives, as well as bringing local concerns to other bodies such as parish government. He has been justice of the peace in the local area for nearly 12 years and is a retired senior oil inspector. Later he worked as the weatherization assistance program manager for St. Mary Community Action Agency, the program’s budget increasing from $50,000 a year and serving one parish to $1.3 million a year and serving eight parishes.
Druilhet said Baldwin is “a lovely town” and should be a safe, clean and prosperous town.
Many issues that need attention demand leadership and experience, he said, and electing a leader should not be a popularity contest.
“Leadership, effort and desire” will help the town, he said.
Mike Lancelin told the group that he has been alderman in Baldwin since 1994 and has been dedicated to infrastructure and business.
Lancelin said planning, setting goals and staying focused is the key to Baldwin’s success. He said the community, with a positive and strong leadership, can partner with municipal government to foster Baldwin’s future.
He said he has 30 years of business experience, which leads him to understand how business functions. Lancelin said he will work to find businesses to locate and grow, and will continue to improve infrastructure and recreation facilities.
“I believe I have the experience that counts, experience that I will put to work for you,” he said.
Donna Lanceslin is a retired educator in St. Mary Parish. She said she is not a lifelong politician and that no public officials “have taken a seat knowing 100 percent” what the job entails.
Lanceslin said she wants to make a difference in the lives of Baldwin residents, including herself in the equation. She said she will work for restoration of Baldwin’s former state: a safe, clean, thriving town.
She said she plans to work with state legislators and others to “make a difference in Baldwin.”
Lanceslin said important points are police officer training and eliminating crime; fiscal and economic soundness, and grants to fix the town’s water quality issues; and fixing the current town financial crisis.
She lauded the town’s beautification program.
“Baldwin is ready for a chance,” she said.