Business development, keeping youths here figure in Morgan City Council forum

Candidates for Morgan City Council made their case Monday at a St. Mary Chamber forum, where business development and keeping young people from leaving for better opportunities were key points of discussion.
Three races developed during July qualifying. The primary will be Nov. 5, a Tuesday election because of the presidential race. Early voting will be Oct. 18-29 except for the two Sundays during that period.
In District 2, Jean Paul Bourg is challenging interim incumbent Bonnie Leonard.
In District 3, five-term incumbent the Rev. Ron Bias will face Marcelle B. Hoskins and Julia “Blaze” Johnson.
And in District 5, another five-term incumbent, Lou Tamporello, will run against Eriq Blanchard.
Incumbents Tim Hymel in District 1 and Steve Domangue in District 4 qualified for re-election without opposition.
If a runoff is needed in District 3, it would be Dec. 7.
Here’s an account of the District 2 race. The other districts will be profiled in next week’s editions.
District 2
Bourg’s presentation focused on his experience as a Morgan City public works and mosquito control supervisor, his work as parish public works director, four years as a board member for Gravity Drainage District No. 2 and a stint as parish chief administrative officer.
“I’m willing to talk to anybody about any of the issues in front of us, and I still have some existing relationships with all those levels of government …,” Bourg said. “There will no learning curve for me. I’ll hit the ground running.”
Bourg’s priorities are business retention and development, flooding and drainage and recreation opportunities.
“We need to have good-paying jobs,” he said. “We need to support our businesses so businesses will want to come here.”
Asked whether city ordinances need a review, he said most ordinances are old and could use an update.
“As a councilman, I’ll work on any ordinance that’s going to increase the quality of life. Business retention and development, beautification and things like that.’
Bourg said $1 million in annual proceeds from a 3/10ths-cent sales tax could be used to match grants for infrastructure work.
Incumbent Leonard has served as an interim council member since being appointed April 23 to succeed James Stephen, who resigned to take a job out of the area.
“I ask questions, I study issues and cast votes on issues, deciding what I believe to be in the best interest of the city. …
“Communication involves listening, sharing and willingness to be there,” she said. “As a woman, I have that.”
She pointed to some recent city government accomplishments, including a grant that will fund a new swimming pool and $12 million in state Water Sector Program funding for a water plant upgrade that will save money otherwise spent for chemicals.
She also took issue with a question based on the premise that Morgan City is losing a great deal of population. She said the 2020 Census found that the city lost only about 100 residents in the previous decade.
A big increase in the number of children signed up for youth sports programs and the number of electric customers indicate there is no mass exodus, she said.
(The 2020 Census, widely regarded as compromised by the pandemic and a controversy over inclusion of a citizenship question, showed Morgan City’s population at 11,472, down from 12,404 in 2010.)
Asked about attracting new business, Leonard said a recent business development in Morgan City resulted from a public-private partnership, and she’d like to see more.
She’d also like to see a review of city ordinances.
“People are working on the problems,” Leonard said, “but sometimes their hands are tied because ordinances restrict them.”