JEANERETTE — Four days before the election, the three candidates for Jeanerette mayor attended a forum fielding questions from more than 100 local residents about the future of the town.

Tuesday night’s forum organized by P.O.W.E.R. (Preparing Our Way Economically and Resourcefully) also featured one candidate for the Ward 4 seat, the only Board of Aldermen seat that will be up for grabs during Saturday’s election. Louis Lancon was present at the forum, while incumbent Kennth Kern did not attend.

For the mayoral seat, incumbent Aprill Foulcard, Carol Bourgeois Jr. and Aquicline Rener-Arnold were all present for the event.

After a brief two-minute introduction from each candidate, moderator Mary Brown read questions submitted in writing from people attending the forum.

Those questions ranged from what each candidate will do about the state of Jeanerette’s water quality to how each candidate would make better use of Jeanerette’s Main Street.

The mayoral race has Foulcard vying for her second term in office. Bourgeois, a former tax collector for the town, has served on boards and commissions around Iberia Parish. Rener-Arnold is a former Iberia Parish Councilwoman who previously ran for mayor.

Although Jeanerette is currently in the middle of a state takeover due to unsubmitted audits and fiscal troubles, the questions submitted by the audience members were largely concerned with a lack of jobs, the quality of water and even too much noise on Martin Luther King Drive.

One of the highlights of the night was a question posed to the three mayoral candidates asking what would change in Jeanerette in four years if they were elected mayor.

Bourgeois said Jeanerette’s water problems would be solved if elected, and programs would be taken advantage of.

“We’ll have things going on economically speaking, as well as socially,” Bourgeois said in response to the question.

Rener-Arnold cited economic growth under a plan that will see improvements within her first year in office, as well as better water quality.

“If some of you aware of the improvements on Hopkins Street in New Iberia with the sidewalks and lights, that’s something I’ve looked into. You will see economic development and revitalization happening within the city.”

Foulcard said increased revenue would be a major change within four years. The incumbent cited better equipment for the Jeanerette Police Department as an improvement made within her first term.

“I will continue to find resources to help our departments, as well as tap into grants,” Foulcard said.

Foulcard said that water quality would be improved, and that the city will continue to pursue grants for the sewer lift station.

Candidates for Mayor and Ward 4 Alderman were present to discuss issues with voters at a forum Tuesday in Jeanerette. The candidates attending Tuesday’s forum were:

• Aprill Foulcard, incumbent (Mayor)

• Carol Bourgeois Jr. (Mayor)

• Aquicline Rener-Arnold (Mayor)

• Louis Lancon (Ward 4 Alderman)