The two candidates running for the Lake Charles City Council District A seat met for a debate Sunday and discussed issues such as the need for more affordable housing and changing the perception of the district.

The debate, hosted by the Cary Chavis Experience, involved T.A. Jones and Ronnie Harvey Jr. The two are running in the March 26 election for the seat formerly held by Mary Morris, who died last August after being elected to her third term.

Jones spent 35 years working for the Lake Charles Fire Department and retired as chief of fire prevention. He also serves on the Calcasieu Parish East Gravity Drainage Board. Harvey is the principal at Washington-Marion Magnet High School and was named the 2022 Louisiana High School Principal of the Year.

Jones said he wants to see north Lake Charles return to its former glory, with businesses on every street corner. He said the lack of affordable housing remains the top issue.

“There’s no housing; there are vacant lots,” he said. “People have lost what they used to have. We need to have that back.”

Harvey spoke of the need to market District A as attractive in order to change the perspective for residents who live within the district, and to bring in new businesses. He said the same branding effort should be applied to the schools within the district.

“It’s about controlling the narrative,” he said. “We have to write our own story.”

Harvey said he wants to conduct a needs assessment within the district and educate residents on how to deal with those problems.

Both Harvey and Jones are small business owners. Harvey spoke of a need to pay attention to business owners who have already invested in District A. Jones said business owners or budding entrepreneurs should be made aware of the various available financial incentives, such as grants and tax increment financing, and be encouraged to apply for them.

“You have to sit down with the city’s Community Services Division and find out what funds are available,” he said. “You’re already set up.”

Harvey and Jones agreed that the Enterprise Boulevard extension project to access U.S. 171 should be completed. A feasibility study indicated the extension would cost between $30-40 million and provide a $1.2 billion economic impact. Harvey said completing this project could bring businesses to the area and spur economic development.

“It’s already in place; why not finish it?” Harvey asked. “If we let it continue to be a dead end, it would be an injustice for the people of the district.”

When asked about the fate of the hurricane-damaged Capital One Building, Harvey said he supports what’s best for the district. He said the city should be strategic on how much time the building owners are given to make a decision.

“If they can repair it, I’m all for it,” he said.

On the topic of term limits, Jones said he is in favor of them because some elected officials can become ineffective if they remain in office too long. Harvey said the voters can decide if an elected official is being effective.

The debate took place at The Sound Church.

Marshall Simien is currently serving as interim council member for District A.