Election Central: Chamber Refutes False Statements from Shelton Supporters

    In a statement released Tuesday (March 11) by Chairman Wayne Leader, the Central Chamber of Commerce assured the public that last week’s Mayoral debate was held in keeping with all rules and refutes any accusations of unfair play.
    “After exhaustive research by myself regarding any improprieties regarding the recent Mayoral Debate hosted in part by the Central Chamber of Commerce and the Central Community Alliance, I stand 100 percent behind the actions of our President Ron Erickson, panelist Lucky Ross, and Rodney Bonvillian, and the process by which the debate was procedurally administered. I consider this issue closed and no further statements will be made,” Leader said.
    Several days after the debate, Jr. Shelton expressed disappointment that he understood the rules differently than the Dave Freneaux campaign.  It has since been discovered that Harry Rauls, representing the event co-sponsor CCA, gave additional instructions to Shelton’s representative several days before the debate, but failed to contact the Freneaux campaign with the same information.  

    Harry Rauls is a candidate himself for the Central City Council and a political appointee of Shelton’s to a committee of the East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Party Executive Committee.  Rauls has publicly stated his support for Shelton in the mayoral election. Rauls has even gone so far as to publicly state that there were certain instructions given to the candidates as to how their two questions were to be formulated when in fact no such thing was ever done.
    The program handed out at the debate clearly stated that the eight questions submitted to the candidates came from the sponsoring groups “and from the candidates.”  Two questions were submitted by the Chamber, two by CCA, two by the Freneaux campaign, and two by the Shelton campaign. Bonvillain presented Freneaux’s questions at the pre-debate preparation meeting and clearly stated that they came directly from Freneaux.  According to a press release from the CCA, whose representative was present at the preparation meeting, the “questions presented by Mr. Freneaux were determined by panelists to be fair questions for debate.”
    Hearing of Shelton’s dissatisfaction with the debate, the Chamber’s Board of Directors reviewed the matter and concluded that statements of wrongdoing or misbehavior were unfounded and were deemed false.  The Chamber leadership continues to stand by the integrity of the debate, noting that it was well attended and was televised for voters on the local Cox Cable channel.
    Freneaux has challenged Shelton to a second debate at the time and place of his choosing, in which he said Shelton could “write all eight questions and is allowed to fully prepare to answer them. I will arrive at the debate and answer them cold, with no preparation.” Freneaux said he is well-informed of the city’s issues and can answer impromptu questions and concerns – the same way he pledges to do as mayor for the citizens of Central.  Freneaux also said he is willing to answer questions about his personal life and past business experience.  “No restrictions,” he said.  At the printing of this issue, Shelton has not accepted the challenge for second debate.