Economic development and recreation are on the minds of candidates for Concordia Parish Police Jury District 3, Place A.

Cynthia &uot;Cyndie&uot; Dillon

Dillon, who not running with any party affiliation, said her vision for Concordia Parish’s future includes more activities for young people.

&uot;I’d have to say I would like to see more children’s recreation activities,&uot; Dillon said.

Dillon, who works in accounting at Callon Petroleum in Natchez, also believes the parish should work on drainage issues, improve roads and give more attention to appointed boards such as the Riverland Medical Center board.

Dillon also would like to see the parish continue to apply for grants for various projects, such as the library.

&uot;I’m excited about getting in there and seeing what all we can do,&uot; Dillon said. &uot;Our parish is on the move.&uot;

As far as economic development, Dillon wants the parish to look into using undeveloped land for an industrial park, as well as encourage construction of a port in Vidalia.

&uot;That would be a very critical asset to the parish,&uot; she said of a port.

Dillon said she would also like to see residential neighborhoods taken care of better, which she said would also be an incentive to lure business prospects.

With the parish in good financial shape, Dillon said she thinks a police jury working together with other entities can help keep up that progress.

&uot;At lot of that has to do with everybody being focused on our growth, everyone pulling together, everyone working together,&uot; she said. &uot;That’s what makes Concordia Parish great.&uot;

Randy Temple

The incumbent, Temple is serving his second, though not consecutive, term on the police jury.

But he continues to look toward the future, noting that the &uot;present jury has not accomplished near what I would like to see.&uot;

Temple said a jury with a blend of experience and fresh ideas can help move the parish into the future.

&uot;Economic development is going to be a top priority for everybody,&uot; Temple said.

Because Concordia is not on an Interstate system, it is even more important to finish four-laning projects in the region, Temple said, so that &uot;we can get infrastructure (to the point) where industries feel comfortable coming here.&uot;

Temple would like to see Concordia Parish leaders come together for an economic &uot;summit&uot; of sorts &045; a committee that could share ideas for attracting industry.

&uot;Collectively, we will be able to focus more,&uot; he said.

In addition to economic development, Temple believes the police jury needs to concentrate on quality of life issues such as drainage projects and road improvements.

One of the obstacles the jury encounters, Temple said, is the amount of money available for road improvements.

A one-cent sales tax is dedicated to solid waste improvements, with anything left over to be used for drainage and highways. The parish gets some money from the state but could use more funds for those projects.

Temple said a more systematic approach to road improvements &045; rather than patch jobs &045; could save money in the long run.

Temple also said the parish has a strong recreation district, with a board committed to &uot;excellent youth programs.&uot;

As chairman of the jury’s finance committee, Temple said the jury will continue to look for ways to save the parish money.