Thomas touts experience in run up to New Orleans mayoral election

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — WGNO is your local election headquarters and we are talking to the candidates in the major races in the Oct. 11 election.

This week were are taking a look at the race for mayor of New Orleans and on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Good Morning New Orleans anchor LBJ speaks with Councilman Oliver Thomas about his plans for the city.

LBJ: Councilman, when it comes to experience in city government. Hands down, your experience tops the other two leading candidates, if you will. It goes back to the early 90s and probably even before that. But beyond that experience, what makes Oliver Thomas the candidate for mayor now?

“Well, how we use that experience and understand what’s going on in government today and then match it with a vision that actually makes it better,” said Thomas.

LBJ: In just about every poll that we’ve seen, residents want a New Orleans that works. We want the infrastructure that works. How will you handle that differently than the current administration?

“The government has kind of moved away from people. I question the work ethic in many cases. In some cases, I’ve question the leadership in critical departments. Make sure they’re held accountable. I want to have the very best people, running our departments and agencies.
And I want you you’re going to see a leader like me who’s going to motivate people not just to do their job, but to go above and beyond,” said Thomas.

Watch LBJ’s full interview with Thomas

LBJ: What do you feel is the biggest issue that needs to be covered in the first 90 days?

“Always public safety is the issue. You and I have been around long enough to know that we’re on that roller coaster where crime goes down. Root causes we don’t deal with and it goes back up again. We have to make sure we can maintain a sustainable effort to keep crime down. Make sure people are safe. Also delivery of services. I think people are sick of paying for twice a week garbage pickup and not getting it. Sometimes on the one day,” said Thomas.

LBJ: Folks have taken the gloves off and we appear to be approaching, closer to that Oct 11th. Is there anything you feel is being misrepresented about you or your campaign that you would like to address?

“Well, for me, of course, there’s so much negativity online and with social media. People have tried to use and stereotyped New Orleans East unfairly as a way to get at me. As a matter of fact, that has to stop. New Orleans East probably has more assets than any other municipal area in this region, It should be respected. We’re leading in violent crime reduction. We have a lot of assets in our community. Let’s expand the footprint. We shouldn’t just focus on economic development downtown,” said Thomas.