Last week, DeRidder Councilman-at-Large Danny Reynolds announced his candidacy for mayor.

While the list of goals he has for the city goes “on and on and on,” his platform is founded on several priorities: economic development, educational opportunities, expanded art and cultural opportunities, enhanced city maintenance, and strengthened relationships with Fort Johnson and surrounding municipalities, he told the American Press during an interview on Wednesday.

Reynolds moved from Houston to DeRidder to live with his mother and stepfather in the final two weeks of his junior year of high school. In the face of personal hardships, the city was a haven.

“The town just received me,” he said. “It was just a different life. It was the best time of my life, it was the worst time of my life, but DeRidder has always been my safe place. I couldn’t wait to get back here.”

Before graduating from DeRidder High School in 1993, he joined the Louisiana Army National Guard to help pay for college. From 1993 to 2001, he served as a 63H/ Track Vehicle Repairer, a tank mechanic.

Following his service, he moved to Lake Charles. His experience allowed him to work for Leri Seigler Services. Because of this job, he became a bit of a globetrotter, spending time working in Luxembourg and South Korea.

He lived in South Korea for two years. As a site supervisor, he managed an inspection team of 22 people who were responsible for over 3,000 pieces of rolling stock. He told the American Press that his time in the Louisiana Army National Guard and with Leri Seigler required him to develop precise examination skills, a task that was vital for the safety of soldiers. These are techniques that he applies to city service.

“I see everything that people see, and I also see everything that they don’t see,” he explained.

When he moved back to the States, he made a pit stop in DeRidder just to visit. However, the sense of community called him back home.

“I began running into people that I hadn’t seen in years, and it just didn’t take me long to realize that DeRidder is where I wanted to live.”

In the past 20 years, Reynolds established himself as a local businessman, rental property investor and real estate expert. He has previously owned and operated Reynolds Outdoor Advertising and Bizzy Beez Cleaning Service. He currently owns and operates D3 Rentals, and is a producer with EXIT Real Estate Consultants.

His experience with city service began in 2017 after he was offered a position at City Hall as the Public Works Director. There he oversaw operations regarding water, sewage, drainage, infrastructure, maintenance and code enforcement. This position has given Reynolds the knowledge and experience he needs to be mayor, he said.

“Working inside the city, in the administration at that capacity, you learn everything about the city.”

He resigned in 2019 and returned to the private sector.

In 2022, ran for councilman-at-large and was elected by the citizens. He said that serving his city is an act of gratitude for everything DeRidder has given him: career, friends, family, community. Serving as mayor would be just one more way for him to give back.

“Everything that I’ve done has been right here in DeRidder,” he said. “I care a lot about this city. I want it to look good. I want people to be happy. I want our children to come back.”

Platform

Reynolds’ platform is based on several goals.

In addition to expanding education opportunities for young people in DeRidder through seeking partnerships with Northwestern State University, McNeese State University and Sowela Technical Community College, and bolstering art and culture in the city, he hopes to strengthen the connections between DeRidder and other municipalities.

He cited out-of-city relationships that have “deteriorated,” and believes he has the skills and pre-existing network to revive them. This is a vital mission. To help the DeRidder grow and evolve, Reynolds is prepared to model city operations and events after neighboring areas.

“I’ve spent years forming relationships with people, just people, all over, and I think that I can take advantage of that now as mayor and strengthen that,” he said. “I’m not afraid to ask another city how it is they did what they did.”

Economic development is also key for DeRidder’s growth. Reynolds said he is “in tune” with the area’s industrial environment, noting the departing industry.

He is a long-time member and former board member of the Beauregard Chamber of Commerce, and a key member of the newly formed Beauregard Economic Expansion Coalition, which is working closely with Louisiana Economic Development to bring industry to the area.

“I’m very proactive with recruiting and promoting local and new business and industries,” he said.

“We’re now on the map for industries looking for places to go. … I think that DeRidder is ready for growth in that sense.”

Amidst positional changes on both the council and in city administration, there is a sense of optimism, Reynolds said. If elected, he is ready to hit the ground running by facilitating a culture shift at city hall, one that is “challenging, fun” and “makes some progress.”

His first day in office would involve solidifying relationships with city directors and employees; He hopes to help city employees see their role in DeRidder “as a career and not just a job.”

The main task? “Re-establish integrity.”

“From the city worker to the director to the mayor, if we all have integrity in everything we do, then we’re good.”

Ultimately, Reynolds is driven by a passion for DeRidder and the people residing there.

“I just think that now is my time. I got a few good years left in me, and I’m willing to step away from the private sector and focus on the city.”