Candidates for City Council – Full Interview

Canidate Response by Question

1. You are welcome to begin with a 30-second opening statement introducing yourself and indicating the office for which you are running.

| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

2. What in your background or experience best prepares you to serve Shreveport as a member of the Shreveport City Council?

|Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

3. In your own words, what are the responsibilities of a City Council member, and what are your top three priorities for your district and the city during your term?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

4. Shreveport’s 2026 operating budget is approximately $700 million and supports major responsibilities including public safety, infrastructure, and essential city services. At the same time, Shreveport faces significant operating and capital expenses as well as requests from city workers for pay increases.  How would you prioritize the city’s budget to balance ongoing operations and long-term investments with the city’s short-term needs?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

5. Public safety remains a central concern for our city.  What specific role should the City Council play in reducing violent and property crime, supporting effective policing, and ensuring accountability for results?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

6. Blight, code enforcement, litter, and vacant properties affect public safety, property values, and business confidence. What tools or policy changes would you support to address these issues while protecting taxpayers and property owners?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

7. What are your priorities for streets, drainage, water and sewer, public facilities and other city infrastructure, and how would you decide which projects should receive funding first?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

8. What specific role should the City Council play in encouraging job creation, business retention, redevelopment, and private investment in Shreveport?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

9.  As Shreveport attracts major industrial, technology, and data-center projects, what factors should the Council consider when approving incentives and infrastructure investments that ensure these projects balance economic benefits with the impact on existing residents and businesses?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

10.  Permitting, inspection, zoning, and development approvals can directly affect the cost and speed of doing business. What changes would you support to make Shreveport more predictable, responsive, and competitive for small businesses, developers, and employers?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

11.  As a Council member, you would represent both your district and the entire city. How will you balance district priorities with citywide needs, and can you describe a situation where a citywide priority should take precedence over a district concern?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |

12. This is your final question and an opportunity to offer your closing remarks. Is there anything else you would like Shreveport voters to know about you, your experience, or your vision for representing your district and the city on the City Council?
| Tabatha Taylor | Louis Paul Gaiennie | Craig Lee | Bennett Prestridge | Jeremy Taylor | Mark Black | Jim Taliaferro | Francine Brown | Alan Jackson | Billy Anderson | Decarlous Muntaqim | James Sneed | Derrick Henderson |