By: Ronald Cothran • Contributing Columnist
-- The number of voters not knowing the difference between city council and parish commissioners' job descriptions/duties.
-- The availability of resources to the voters via technology to include budget, observation of the meetings and the agendas that will be covered in each meeting.
-- The number of committees available for voters to attend and physically be a part of based on their desires and expertise to include citizens review committees.
-- The responsibility of the parish during a disaster and the chair during that time.
-- The budget of the parish and how it is obtained to include the cost of the criminal justice services, which equate to approximately one-third of the entire budget resulting in a deficit each year of $4 million due to the juvenile justice cost and the lack of facilities in the state to move those who have been found guilty of an offensive and on probation not to mentioned those at Caddo Correctional Center (CCC).
-- The most laughable thing learned is how I hear candidates state what they are going to do while campaigning but not understanding it takes seven votes to pass any item on the agenda. (Everyone should have a platform but realizing it must pass with the necessary votes is the reality.)
-- How my previous background in psychiatry would benefit me when having to collaborate with a peer across party lines (group dynamics, where you must study your peers and learn what is important to each).
-- The respective Neighborhood Association is extremely important, and information must be shared both in person and via technology.
-- Lastly, I learned, regardless of the decisions needing to be voted on or recommended, if we remember the Word of God that states, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (My understanding: If you did it for the least of them, you also did it unto me.) -- Matthew 25:40.