MONTEREY — Being involved and speaking for the people are high on the priority list of the two candidates for police juror District 5, Place A.

Jimmy Jernigan

First-term incumbent Jimmy Jernigan, a contract welder, said along with seeing people on the job, he makes a point to get feedback from his constituents.

“I visit people and see if they’ve got complaints,” he said. “I look at the district and the roads. I think that helps a lot, when you get out and see the people and let them know you’re concerned with what’s going on.”

Jernigan decided to run in the last election because he thought he could do a better job as police juror.

“I thought I could help more than what was being done in my district, and I think I’ve accomplished that,” he said.

To Jernigan, the biggest issues in the parish are sewage system problems and roads in need of paving.

He’d like to see more jobs, too, he said.

“(One goal is) trying to get some kind of industry coming into Concordia Parish where more people could be employed.”

Jernigan, who graduated from Ferriday High School, said his experience put him ahead of his opponent.

Jernigan, 61, has two children and two grandchildren and lives with his wife in Jonesville.

Joe Scott

Ferriday resident Joe Scott, 64, has one simple motto for his campaign.

“I’m the people’s candidate,” Scott said. “I’m going to run for the people.”

Scott, who has four children, said he hopes to bring jobs to the area, keep roads in good shape and improve the parish’s drainage systems.

Scott, a graduate of Ferriday High School, said he worked with the police jury for 25 years as an engineering specialist, digging ditches and doing roadwork.

That will help him if he wins the seat, he said.

“I know about digging ditches and roadwork,” Scott said. “I talk with people. I know what’s going on in the parish.”

Scott said he decided to run for office because he thought he was needed.

“They can vote for me because I’m looking for jobs,” Scott said. “I know what’s going on out there in the parish.”