In Opelousas, Mayor Julius Alsandor addressed the public on Friday about the progress made in his first 100 days in office.
Alsandor, who was a longtime member of the city council, took office as mayor on January 1. Alsandor says there has been a lot of progress, but some challenges are still present.
“I sit in this seat, but it’s not about me. It’s the people who sit in these seats and do the job every day,” Alsandor said.
Alsandor said he is optimistic for his city and its future. He says his main mission is community outreach.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to come to city hall, and I’m not able to speak to everybody in the city, so allowing this to be messaged through the media, through these types of channels, through social media, they’re going to see these small things that they probably have not. And, this is the message we will continue to send,” Alsandor said.
The mayor says the city has made progress with street repairs and infrastructure during his first three months in office. He also says city hall is working to rebrand itself, they’re supporting youth in the community and working closely with the police department.
“Opelousas did a damn good job by electing us to this position right here, and I say that with a smile on my face. McLendon and I spoke about this several years ago: How would it be if I was mayor and you were chief? Karma is enlightening,” Alsandor said.
He says with all new things come challenges.
“Dealing with the financial side of it right now… because there are things we want to do, but we are hesitant to do that right now because of finances. Most municipalities are dealing with that right now,” Alsandor said.
Alsandor hired the former mayor of Scott, Purvis Morrison, as his city project manager. Morrison says he loves using his experience in Opelousas.
“Coming here and doing what he’s asking me to do is a joy. It’s something that I love doing. It puts the community in a position as to where I can get to things a little quicker than it would take him to maybe find these things,” Morrison said.
