The last in our series of Kenner Mayoral candidate profiles.
Kenner District 1 Councilman Gregory Carroll is an
interesting guy.
A lifelong resident of District 1, the soft-spoken Carroll
has an inate ability to rally his constituents on issues that will impact them.
While other elected officials hold sporadic community
meetings, if at all, and struggle for attendance, Carroll can easily fill a
room. He has frequent formal and informal meetings with his constituents,
listens to their concerns, and fights for them.
He doesn’t let partisan politics or campaign contributors
dictate how he serves his district.
While I am not a resident of District 1, I have attended
several community meetings held by Carroll. I have seen firsthand his ability
to command a room, his ability to listen to residents concerns, and then vote
and act accordingly.
When Mike Yenni wanted to close playgrounds that impacted
the residents of his district, Carroll rallied his constituents and
successfully fought the playground closures.
When Yenni wanted to sell streets to the Levee Authority
that would restrict access to historic cemetaries, Carroll again successfully
rallied the troops, went before the Levee Authority, made his case and limited
te Levee Authority’s impact on his constituents.
When residents voiced their concerns regarding Yenni’s plan
to sell airport buyout property, Carroll held several community meetings and
ensured that his constituents were heard.
The Most Conservative Member of the City Council
As the only Democrat on the 7 person Kenner City Council,
and the only Democratic Mayoral candidate, Carroll is easily the most fiscally
Conservative member of either group.
Carroll was against Yenni’s plan to double property taxes.
He was also against Yenni’s 2030 Plan, not the concept of beautifying Kenner,
but against the significant debt that was incurred and some of the projects
involved.
Councilman Carroll has worked with our youth on Kenner
playgrounds. He understands the vital role that Recreation plays in our
community.
He has worked diligently to provide funding for badly needed
police and fire equipment.
Honesty, Integrity,
Responsiveness, Vision
Those are some of the primary character traits I look for in
an elected official and on these Greg Carroll excels.
When discussing issues, even when we’ve disagreed, and we
have disagreed, Councilman Carroll has always been honest and straightforward.
He has listened to my, and other, opinions. When his position and mine were
different, he has told me why he feels his position is better for the City of
Kenner or his district. I have never been surprised by Councilman Carroll’s
vote on an issue and I feel he has always voted for what is right for his
district and the city..
As I mentined, while I am not in his district, I do have
some pretty strong opinions on issues. When I’ve called, texted or emailed
Councilman Carroll, he has always promptly replied. The same cannot be said for
thie other elected officials seeking the Mayor slot.
Councilman Carroll wants a better Kenner. He doesn’t feel
entitled to be Mayor and he’s not out to personally enrich himself or feed his
ego. Again, the same cannot be said of the other elected officials seeking the
Mayor slot.
