West End group schedules forum

The West End Council of Neighborhood Associations, in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the local chapter of the NAACP, has scheduled a candidate forum Wednesday specifically for residents of Districts 2 and 5.

Residents of the two districts that make up New Iberia’s West End can submit questions to the candidates at the forum, which will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at West End Park. Mayoral and mayor pro tem candidates have been invited to the event as well.

District 2 candidates  are Marlon “Marlo” Lewis, Benjamin T. Meyers, “Tommy” Volter and Felina Wesley.. District 5 candidates are Sherry Guidry and Raymond “Shoe-Do” Lewis.

Mayoral candidates are Roy Crews III, “Freddie” Decourt and Steven Stansbury.

“We did one last year and we had a great turnout. We want residents to be fully informed and see and hear from the candidates,” WECNA member Robby Carrier-Bethel said.

Questions for the candidates will be posed by audience members on the night of the forum.

Carrier said those attending can write down their questions, which will be placed in a box. After the questions are vetted by organizers, moderators will pull questions randomly from the box and field it to the candidates.

The idea for a forum specific to Districts 2 and 5 first began last year during the Iberia Parish Council elections. Carrier-Bethel said about 100 people attended that event, and organizers are hoping to see that number double Wednesday.

“We have so many issues that are going on in the country that affects our parish and our city that we want to make sure the residents are able to have an open dialogue and a conversation with the persons running for those seats,” Carrier-Bethel said.

Carrier-Bethel also emphasized the objectivity of the forum, considering that Marlon Lewis, a candidate in District 2, is a member of the organization putting on the forum.

“Every district has different issues. Every district has unique issues pertaining to your specific district,” she said. “We just had one of the worst floods in the West End. People need to be able to ask questions. Maybe it’s about the Armenco Canal or things of that nature that weren’t able to be talked about at the Sliman.”

District 5 Councilman Raymond “Shoe-Do” Lewis has made it known he won’t be participating in the forum in a letter given Friday to WECNA and The Daily Iberian.

“After receiving your invitation, I humbly decline the invitation to participate in this forum,” Lewis’ letter reads. “As you know, our issues that impact District 2 and 5 affect all of New Iberia. By choosing to limit this forum to District 2 and 5, we are being selective as to what issues that we discuss and who we choose to discuss them with.”

According to Lewis, the forum is creating a “segregationist-type atmosphere” by not inviting candidates in other districts, the mayor and the mayor pro tem. However, Carrier-Bethel said the mayor and mayor pro tem candidates have been invited and are expected to attend.