Councilman Addison Says Time to End Racial Politics

BATON ROUGE — Democratic Metro Councilman Bones Addison said Wednesday it’s time to end racial politics in East Baton Rouge, and he is setting an example by backing Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Walker’s candidacy for Mayor-President.  “Some friends say, ‘Why don’t you stay out of the Mayor’s race?’ but I tell them ‘This is about the human family and all of us being together.’”

Addison, who is completing his third four-year term, said he has known Mike Walker for more than 20 years and that they have worked closely together on the Metro Council for the past 12 years.

“Mike Walker is a very hard worker.  What you see is what you get.  He tells you where he stands.  He tries to find common ground and to make the situation better.  I believe that, as Mayor-President, he would hit the issues head-on, especially crime and infrastructure — roads, bridges, and the sewer system.  We have some very serious problems, such as the sewer system, which has ballooned under the current Mayor from $686 million to $1.4 billion with no explanation from the Mayor.”

“We passed the Green Light Program but we still don’t have traffic moving in the right direction.”

Regarding Mayor-President Kip Holden, Councilman Addison said the public has a completely distorted impression.  “People have the impression that he is very friendly but that is not the case at all.  Behind the scenes, he is very contentious and at odds with the other public officials that a Mayor-President has to work with, such as the Metro Council, the Sheriff, and the D.A.  We need a Mayor who will embrace other people and work with them to get things done.”

“If you disagree with the Mayor on anything, he shuts you out.  I like Mike Walker because he reaches across races, incomes, and politics and works with people.”

Addison said he has been watching the political commercials.  “The Mayor says we are first in this and first in that, but that’s not the way people here feel.  Whether it is education, crime, or employment, we are nowhere near where we need to be.  And the murder rate is indisputable.”

“We really need to move the City-Parish in a different direction.  As an African-American leader, I want a better Baton Rouge.  We can do that with all races and all parties if they meet us half way.  I want us to get away from racial politics.  Mike Walker will do that.”

Addison said a number of key black leaders will be publicly expressing their support for Walker between now and election day.