This is the fifth in a series of candidate question and answer features St. Tammany News will run before the upcoming elections. Each candidate was asked a series of the same five questions.

A resident of Slidell from 18 years, Richard Readon has more than 20 years of experience in finance management. He knows the ins and outs of a budget and how to make tax dollars work most effectively for you and your family. He has more than a decade of experience in customer relations for a major auto company and well as a record of volunteer service. He and his wife Christy have five adult children.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing your district? Sales tax, our primary source of income, is now down 7 percent since the beginning of the year. The budget for 2010, has been conservatively adjusted down 9 percent. This leads to a drastic reduction in available city services, salary freezes, and infrastructure funds.

RICHARD REARDON

Although our current financial picture has been painted as strong, it will gradually weaken as tax revenues continue to decrease. It is impossible to build within, when we have limited resources. Our drainage system in District B, is nearly 60 years old in some areas. Storm water runoff is compromised by outdated lift stations, poorly maintained subsurface drainage, and collapsing sewerage lines.

None of these issues can be addressed without additional revenues and bond issues. We do not need to increase taxes, we need to generate tax income or acquire funds to correct our decades-old drainage issues.

What can be done to protect Slidell from future hurricanes? Our levee protection system for South Slidell, and essentially the City of Slidell, is non-existent. Until the recent land acquisition of the Salmen property, running west from Pontchartrain Drive to the railroad tracks, there were no workable plans to build any type of levee. Now, we have a commitment from the parish to supply the materials and workforce to begin construction and have an anticipated completion date of July 2010, to a height of 13 feet.

With the recommended connection of existing levees to the east of Slidell, we will be able to have some protection. However, the continuation of this levee system lies in the hands of the federal government for future financing. This is only the start of a long and complicated project, but is clearly the beginning of protection.

Do you think the city’s finances are in good shape? If not, what can be done to improve them? Slidell currently has a strong financial picture. However, the steady decline in sales tax revenues, our primary source of income, is cause for great concern. We need to make our tax base attractive when we go out soliciting industries. In doing so, we can keep our tax dollars and apply them to needs of our city. We have three major interstates converging at Slidell. We are easily accessible. Our location should make us attractive for growth, but we need to go on the road and promote our city, our schools, our police force and our quality of life.

What can be done to improve the quality of life in Slidell? We, St. Tammany Parish and Slidell currently have the finest school system in the state. We have one of the highest accredited police departments in the state. Our training facility is recognized nationwide as one of the finest available. We have made a remarkable recovery, far exceeding those of surrounding area, from the devastation of August 2005. What more could you ask for? We do have quality of life in Slidell. However, to continue moving forward, we desperately need economic development, or the quality of life and city services will decline.

What can be done to bring more jobs to the city? Location, education, location. I see Slidell on a gradual, conservative growth pattern.

We need to approach our growth opportunities with caution, however, not letting ourselves be wooed by quick financial gain. We have a marvelous education system. We need to expand on that. We should look into reestablishing our vocational and technical training facility, training our youth in the fastest-growing employment fields of today.

A trained workforce is a valuable tool in selling our city’s future. This could well become the backbone of the economic development we need so desperately.