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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Support A New Vision for Opelousas!</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/e6397555-ccab-43d5-9465-b275ddd55c9f/e6397555-ccab-43d5-9465-b275ddd55c9f.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1926%2C1444&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="42" variant="framed">Join your neighbors in fueling a transformative agenda for our city!Rod Sias has advocated and championed for better schools for our children, affordable housing, and revitalization of our neighborhoods, parks, public spaces, and downtown. Your grassroots support is essential to continuing real achievement.Donate in today to help us build a brighter, more equitable Opelousas for all.Donate now to power positive change in Opelousas! Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.THE BEST CHOICE FOR A BETTER OPELOUSASDignity over Power - People over Politics!Donate by MailMake Check Payable to:Roderick Sias c/o Elect Rod Sias Mayor of Opelousas (in the Memo Section) 318 N Union St, Opelousas, LA 70570

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<h2>ABOUT ROD SIAS - GROWING UP IN OPELOUSAS</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/e3708521-9577-441c-9b5c-e54f1058874a/e3708521-9577-441c-9b5c-e54f1058874a.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1080%2C770&amp;w=1500" alt="Rod Sias with Ajah and Asiah" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">As a lifelong citizen of Opelousas, I can unequivocally say that I love my city!&nbsp; I am the proud father of two daughters, and as a father and citizen, I understand the importance of good public schools, access to home ownership, affordable healthcare, and building opportunities that will enable Opelousas citizens to have a great quality of life here in our historic city. As a professional, business owner, public servant, and community advocate, I bring over 25 years of diverse educational, architectural, administrative, risk mitigation, planning, program, project, and construction management experience. I have previously served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the City of Opelousas and currently sit as a board member on the Central St. Landry Economic Development District (CSLEDD). I was appointed to the St Landry Parish Planning Commission as an inaugural board member, and earned a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from Washington University in St. Louis and previously studied History at Southern University and A&amp;M College.&nbsp; All my personal, professional, and academic experiences have given me the experience and ability to identify and maintain strategic partnerships, absorb information quickly and translate that information into meaningful results, work in cross-cultural environments, identify opportunities and goals, develop strategies to obtain those goals.&nbsp; I am running for Mayor of Opelousas to build a resilient and safe city with a robust economy, 21st Century infrastructure, great parks, access to affordable homeownership, and strong public schools.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/fdac4ffb-fdd9-46f6-9a9e-fea332df39b1/fdac4ffb-fdd9-46f6-9a9e-fea332df39b1.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1994%2C1496&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">

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<h2>The Community Matters TV Show on AOC</h2>Hear Opelousas Mayoral Candidate Rod Sias' Vision for Opelousas.

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Opelousas Must Move Forward with a New Vision!!!

<h1>MEET ROD SIAS</h1>

Our platform is a promise to Opelousas residents – a commitment to take on our toughest challenges and put people first in all Opelousas neighborhoods.

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<h2>COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP</h2><h4 style="text-align: center;">“My vision for Opelousas is to build a dignity economy. This means our local businesses, schools, public spaces, and daily routines will reflect respect and equal opportunity for all.”</h4><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/53314642-646e-445f-8f00-68f40004993b/53314642-646e-445f-8f00-68f40004993b.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=301%2C274%2C848%2C794&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">Leadership isn’t just about policy — it’s about people. Public infrastructure is a physical and social reflection of investment in people.&nbsp; After decades of disinvestment, population loss, and stagnation, our city is at a crossroads.&nbsp; We face the challenges of recovering from a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, educational an economic underdevelopment, and outdated public infrastructure that has left our city unprepared to compete and thrive in 21st century global economy.Every one of these challenges must be met with transformative and proactive leadership, purpose-driven action, and collaborative strategic partnerships that lay a solid foundation to build a city that works for everyone.&nbsp;&nbsp;As a candidate for mayor, my vision for the City of Opelousas is to create a “dignity economy.” This means our local businesses, schools, public spaces and daily routines will reflect respect and equal opportunity for all. While the challenges we face may evolve, the values that bind us — resilience, community, and the unshakable belief in a better future — remain constant.

Join the Movement for Transformative Change!!!Vote Sias - Opelousas Mayor

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"As a lifelong citizen, my vision for Opelousas is to build a dignity economy. This means our local businesses, schools, public spaces, and daily routines will reflect respect and equal opportunity for all."

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Hear Rod's Vision for the City of Opelousas on the Community Matters TV Show. LIVE @ <a href="https://www.aocinc.org/watch-and-listen" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.aocinc.org/watch-and-listen</a>

<h4>Rod Sias Live Interview on the Community Matters TV Show</h4>

Hear Rod's Vision for the City of Opelousas on the Community Matters TV Show.

Watch Rod Sias, Mayoral Candidate for Opelousas on the Community Matters TV Show on the Acadiana Open Channel. Hear Rod's vision for a better Opelousas. Listen Live @ @ <a href="https://www.aocinc.org/watch-and-listen" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.aocinc.org/watch-and-listen.</a> Visit the AOC website @ <a href="https://www.aocinc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.aocinc.org</a>

Rod Sias Live Interview on the Community Matters TV Show

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/3b0f174e-7ebc-4d99-a355-8d72195040ee/3b0f174e-7ebc-4d99-a355-8d72195040ee.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4070%2C2948&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">Gun violence, domestic violence, drug abuse, school violence, bullying, and teen dating violence don't happen in isolation, they're connected. Fixing them means stopping violence now while also fixing what's causing it in the first place.<ul><li>OUR APPROACH:<ul><li>A full plan to reduce violent crime, including new ways to prevent gun violence.<ul><li>More park and recreation programs, running all year &nbsp;</li><li>Mental health counseling, working with St. Landry Parish schools &amp; churches</li><li>Programs that teach kids how to solve conflicts and stop bullying </li><li>Training city workers treat every neighborhood fairly</li><li>Helping struggling families get legal help, healthcare, and other support</li></ul></li><li>Use Real-time technology to prevent violence before it starts and solve cases faster.<ul><li>Building a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC)<ul><li>Add more live security cameras in public spaces and important buildings</li><li>Empower residents to form neighborhood watch groups, look out for their blocks and stop crime before it starts by building stronger community bonds</li></ul></li><li>Build a citywide Emergency Operations Center (EOC)<ul><li>Bring together city fire, everyday citizens, and parish services so they can respond faster to emergencies</li><li>Give city, parish, and regional teams one shared command center during major disasters</li><li>Train volunteer teams to help during emergencies to respond to non-violent, non-emergency, non-criminal calls:<ul><li>Behavioral Health Issues<ul><li>Suicidal ideation/threat</li><li>Substance use crises</li><li>Psychiatric/Mental health crisis</li></ul></li><li>Individual Well-Being<ul><li>Wellness Check</li><li>Sleeper</li><li>Confused/Disoriented Person</li></ul></li><li>Community Disturbances<ul><li>Intoxicated Group/Drunk in Public</li><li>Disorderly Juvenile</li><li>Panhandling (Non-Aggressive)</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Create a civilian review board to give residents a real voice in how policing works in our city.<ul><li>Independent review of cases involving police misconduct</li><li>Independent review of policies that negatively affecting the community</li></ul></li><li>Invest more city funding to hire and keep police officers and fire fighters, so both departments are fully staffed.</li><li>Create a Drug Nuisance Abatement Team to hold property owners accountable for illegal dumping and neglected properties.</li><li>Create an “Expungement and Pardons for Progress” program to remove past criminal convictions and misdemeanors from residents' records to remove any barriers to jobs, voting and full participation in society.</li></ul></li></ul>How We'll Measure Success<ul><li>Reduction and tracking of Homicides per 1,000 residents, including by community</li><li>Reduction and tracking Non-fatal Shootings per 1,000 residents, including by community</li><li>Reduction and tracking Violent Crime per 1,000 residents, including by community</li><li>Percent of Opelousas residents who cite crime and drugs as a top two most important issue for local and state government action</li><li>Percent of uniformed positions filled</li><li>Percent of eligible 911 calls appropriately diverted</li><li>Improve hiring and retention</li><li>Building sustainable fire and police cadet program pipeline</li><li>Strengthen and evolve Safe Streets operations and conduct updated data analysis</li><li>Expand alternative and community-based response pathways to reduce avoidable Police and EMS calls</li><li>Construction of Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and citywide Emergency Operations Center (EOC)</li></ul>

Keeping our schools, our parks, our streets, and our community and commercial spaces safe should be built around equal opportunity for all, proactive intervention, community-based healing, and reforming our city’s crisis response infrastructure. Keeping residents safe means investing in restorative justice, adult and youth health, and providing economic opportunities.

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<h2>A Safer City For All</h2>

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/91906319-2847-4b23-94ad-1e4a97f7bf4c/91906319-2847-4b23-94ad-1e4a97f7bf4c.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2304%2C1728&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="50" variant="framed">Rod Sias, former Opelousas Chief Administrative Officer and current board member on the Central St. Landry Economic Development District (CSLEDD) has announced his launched his campaign to become the next mayor of Opelousas."As a lifelong citizen of Opelousas, I can unequivocally say that I love my city!&nbsp; I am the proud father of two daughters, and as a father and citizen, I understand the importance of good public schools, access to homeownership, affordable healthcare, and building opportunities that enable Opelousas citizens to have a great quality of life here in our historic city. I am running for Mayor of Opelousas to build a resilient and safe city with a robust economy, 21st Century infrastructure, great parks, access to affordable homeownership, and strong public schools."Rod Sias' priorities for the City of Opelousas are based on five development foundations. 1) <a href="/d76fc0a1-f939-4435-bf90-54b237fccc3f#block-b996a90f-2672-4916-8874-c11da9e8f8f7">A Safer City For All</a>, 2) <a href="/d76fc0a1-f939-4435-bf90-54b237fccc3f">Civic Engagement Beyond the Ballot Box - Connecting Talent to Opportunity</a> 3) <a href="/d76fc0a1-f939-4435-bf90-54b237fccc3f">Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Communities</a>, 4) <a href="/d76fc0a1-f939-4435-bf90-54b237fccc3f">Growing Jobs and Opportunities for Everyone</a>, and 5) <a href="/d76fc0a1-f939-4435-bf90-54b237fccc3f">Upgrading City Systems and Spending Wisely</a>."My vision for Opelousas is to build a dignity economy. This means our local businesses, schools, public spaces, and daily routines will reflect respect and equal opportunity for all."For More Information about Elect Rod Sias for Opelousas Mayor, visit <a href="https://www.votesias.com/">https://www.votesias.com/</a>.

Rod Sias Launches Campaign For Mayor of Opelousas.

ROD SIAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES HIS CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR OF OPELOUSAS.

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<h4>Rod Sias Launches Campaign For Mayor of Opelousas</h4>

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/6f8410c0-4112-422e-b917-fac29b2fe525/6f8410c0-4112-422e-b917-fac29b2fe525.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2048%2C1360&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Promoting an Opelousas that is clean, healthy, with sustainable revitalized communities by addressing environmental and medical health disparities, improving quality of life, advancing long term sustainability for current and future generations. Building a healthy and cleaner community takes active, daily commitment, block by block, and neighborhood by neighborhood. We are committed to clean streets, planned, safe and managed green spaces and parks, and public health systems that meet the needs of our communities in Opelousas.<ul><li>OUR APPROACH:<ul><li>Eliminate Environmental Health Disparities<ul><li>Reduce exposure to environmental hazards in high-risk households through targeted remediation and prevention.</li><li>Expand environmental monitoring and mitigation in targeted areas of the city.</li><li>Prioritize investment in upgrading water and sanitation systems to address contamination from agricultural and industrial runoff and aging infrastructure.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Improve Resident Health Through Expanded Outreach &amp; Prevention Programs<ul><li>Broaden access to health services (prenatal, older adult, chronic disease)</li><li>Establishing and strengthening overdose prevention programs, response, and recovery systems.</li><li>Develop and Improve access to safe, permanent housing for individuals experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness</li><li>Develop strategic partnerships to construct and new Women’s Shelter to address women with children who experience housing insecurity and homelessness</li></ul></li><li>Improve Neighborhood Livability Through Clean Streets &amp; Green Spaces<ul><li>Implement a comprehensive city-wide street sweeping program, storm drain repair and waste removal operation from empty city lots</li><li>Maintain safe, accessible, and high-quality green spaces across all neighborhoods</li><li>Upgrade, expansion and redesign our city parks, bike paths, and new public recreational spaces</li><li>Become Green City Certified</li></ul></li><li>Begin the City’s Transition to Sustainability, Green Friendly, and Zero Waste Infrastructure<ul><li>Develop a long term City-wide Sustainability Plan.</li><li>Installation of EV Infrastructure in the city’s downtown, economic corridors and public works facilities.</li><li>Installation of solar arrays on all public roofs.</li><li>Implement residential and commercial waste diversion program.</li><li>Develop and implement new Green Building codes with net-zero standards for new construction.</li><li>Expand government composting, green procurement, and energy-efficient buildings.</li><li>Implement a comprehensive city wide Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) plan to control runoff, prevent localized flooding, and reduce water pollution.</li></ul></li></ul>How We'll Measure Success<ul><li>Percentage of overdose mortality reduction from and established baseline</li><li>Infant mortality rate</li><li>Homes weatherized or treated for lead / hazardous hazards</li><li>Rate of reported dirty streets per 100 residents, including by community</li><li>City Green Certification</li><li>City Transition to Sustainable Infrastructure</li></ul>

We are committed to clean streets, planned, safe and managed green spaces and parks, and public health systems that meet the needs of our communities in Opelousas. &nbsp;

<h2>Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Communities</h2>

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/0b8030db-6356-487c-9167-f14878230e46/0b8030db-6356-487c-9167-f14878230e46.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2560%2C1707&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">Opelousas residents deserve a modern, responsive government built for the 21st century. To meet short-term and long-term goals, our city must build a strong and evolving organizational foundation to manage public resources responsibly, maintain and manage fiscal stability and growth, operate an inclusive, high performing workforce, deliver reliable city services for all residents, and govern with increasing transparency and accountability.&nbsp; From fire stations and police stations, public libraries to recreation centers and public pools, our roads, water, sewer, and energy infrastructure, we must continually evaluate, repurpose, modernize, and reconstruct and expand when necessary, replacing outdated public infrastructure with high-quality, sustainable, accessible public infrastructure with strategic investment.<ul><li>OUR APPROACH:<ul><li>Increase Public Access to City Data, Drive Innovation, Transparency, and Accountability to Improve City Decision-Making and Service Delivery.<ul><li>Develop a comprehensive, public OpenData dashboards.</li><li>Strengthen financial planning, forecasting, and reporting to support informed decision making.</li><li>Require agencies to publish annual performance plans aligned to city goals with oversight and accountability.</li><li>Improve recruitment, onboarding, and retention across all agencies.</li><li>Strengthen employee development and leadership pathways to build a skilled, resilient City workforce.</li><li>Strengthen boards and commissions with training and accountability criteria.</li><li>Conduct regular resident surveys to gauge satisfaction with city services.</li><li>Fully funded our pension obligations so city workers can retire with dignity.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Invest in the long-term recruitment, staffing, and retention of city personnel.</li><li>Modernize and Repurpose underused assets to Ensure Reliable, Well-Maintained, and Resilient Infrastructure and Utility Systems that Meet Current and Future Demand.</li><li>Maintain Safe, Functional, and Energy Efficient City Facilities and Fleet.<ul><li>Optimize and modernize the City’s government footprint.</li><li>Reorganization of Public workforce to manage dedicated zones.</li><li>Modernize public works facilities and equipment.</li><li>Maintain, expand, and modernize the City’s conduit, water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure.</li></ul></li></ul>How We'll Measure Success<ul><li>Facility Conditions Index</li><li>Planned Road Repair and New Construction</li><li>EPA Standards</li><li>Average age of fleet</li><li>Linear miles of bike infrastructure constructed</li><li>Lane miles repaved</li><li>Water main breaks per 100 miles</li><li>Sanitary sewer overflows per 100 miles</li><li>Serious fatal crashes and serious injury crashes, per capita Linear footage of conduit rehabilitated</li></ul>

Opelousas residents deserve a modern, responsive government built for the 21st century. Our city must build a strong and evolving organizational foundation to manage public resources responsibly, maintain and manage fiscal stability and growth, replacing outdated public infrastructure with high-quality, sustainable, accessible public infrastructure with strategic investment.

<h2>Upgrading City Systems and Spending Wisely</h2>

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/09a30bb7-51db-4e29-83b3-906934e90323/09a30bb7-51db-4e29-83b3-906934e90323.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1162%2C602&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">Development in Opelousas has to be planned fairly, so it doesn't create new inequity in our public infrastructure. Every resident deserves a neighborhood with modern infrastructure, and access to food, banking, housing, and other essentials. Every resident deserves a home they can afford, and every developer should design and build housing that protects residents from being displaced. A fair and planned approach to development means Opelousas residents have real access to stable housing, infrastructure, and resources.<ul><li>OUR APPROACH:<ul><li>Make homeownership more accessible.<ul><li>Partner to turn vacant city lots into affordable and market-rate homes for young families and seniors</li><li>Revitalize entire neighborhood, block by block, citywide</li><li>Build a neighborhood revitalization plan using local, state, and federal investment plus private funding</li><li>Create a Neighborhood Revitalization Fund to help seniors and low-income families make critical home repairs and stay in their homes</li><li>Launch a “Ready to Own” program: up to $10,000 in down payment assistance for qualified first-time homebuyers, and lease-to-own options for those who don't' qualify.</li></ul></li><li>Make Opelousas a competitive, welcoming home for growing businesses and industries.<ul><li>Increase city tax revenue through the redevelopment, modernization and new construction of targeted public infrastructure:<ul><li>New Aquatic Center.</li><li>Parks Improvements / North Park Design.</li><li>Water Plant - Renovation and New Expanded Facility.</li><li>2 new Water Towers - North Park &amp; Cherry St.</li><li>Expansion of Animal services - Address dangerous dogs and spay &amp; neutering program.<ul><li>Fully Staffed Animal Control.</li><li>Expanded and upgraded Animal Facilities and Services.</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>Restorative Justice Center.<ul><li>Women’s Shelter.</li><li>Juvenile Services.</li></ul></li><li>New Police Station - Real Time Crime Center (RTCC).</li><li>New Fire Station(s) - Emergency Operations Center (EOC).</li></ul></li><li>Multi-Jurisdictional Partnerships to develop and fund critical infrastructure.<ul><li>St Landry Airport Expansion and Redevelopment</li><li>Industrial Park Modernization</li><li>Municipal Utility Facility</li><li>Municipal Telecommunications Facility</li></ul></li><li>Enhance and expand the Opelousas Cultural Economy as a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable cultural destination.<ul><li>Continued Library Expansion.</li><li>Museum Redevelopment and Expansion.</li><li>Enhance and expand Historical and Cultural Sites and events.</li><li>Expanded strategic partnership with the St Landry Tourism Commission.</li><li>Build Workforce Development Systems for All Residents that Lead to Quality Jobs and Career Advancement.<ul><li>Align workforce pipelines to growth sectors (Creative, Life Sciences, Tech, Healthcare, Hospitality etc)</li><li>Provide occupational skill trainings, career navigation support, and apprenticeship opportunities to job seekers, including returning citizens</li><li>Proactive participation in Census Program to secure additional resources</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>How We'll Measure Success<ul><li>Reduce Total Vacant Building Notices</li><li>Total Vacant Lots Redeveloped</li><li>Unemployment Rate</li><li>Labor force participation rate</li><li>New Infrastructure Development</li><li>Estimated total visitation to Opelousas</li><li>Small Business Growth</li></ul>

Development in Opelousas must be planned and implemented in an equitable approach to prevent structural inequities in its public infrastructure. Every Opelousas citizen a right to shared prosperity and deserve to live in a neighborhood with access to modern infrastructure, accessible food services, housing, banks, and amenities.

<h2>Growing Jobs and Opportunities for Everyone</h2>

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f43fe5f6-e2d4-4328-b4d6-00ab760b7ec6/f5722a9c-abeb-4529-905b-071ada072025/f5722a9c-abeb-4529-905b-071ada072025.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C5184%2C3456&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">Connecting Talent to OpportunityVoting isn't the only way people help build a city. Opelousas has always grown because of the hard work of teachers, service workers, city employees, business owners, and skilled tradespeople. To keep growing, we need to invest in young people, older adults, and communities that have been overlooked, through job training, mentorship, better schools, and public spaces. We also need to protect longtime residents from being priced out as the city grows, after decades of the city not investing enough in these communities. Growing our city and preserving our legacy means connecting talent to opportunity.<ul><li>OUR APPROACH:<ul><li>Support young people, older adults, and communities that need it most.</li><li>Improve schools across the city.<ul><li>Fully fund and staff the city's Community Outreach Department and Capabilities</li><li>Expand Parks and Recreation extracurricular programs and park infrastructure</li><li>Develop and Expand access to in-school and out-of-school science, arts, music, language, humanities, and athletic opportunities at the elementary and high school level through summer and year-round A.I.M. Academies (Arts, Industry, Medical Academies)</li><li>Guarantee Universal Early Education by supporting our City’s public Early Learning Center and Head Start Program</li><li>Partner with St. Landry Parish schools, parish government, and local non-profit organizations to expand support for students and families</li></ul></li><li>Create Comprehensive Employment, Career Pathways, Mentorship, and Internship Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults.<ul><li>Develop apprenticeship and summer internship programs across city departments</li><li>Create coordinated, data-driven education-to-career pathways across City agencies and partners.</li><li>Expand paid employment, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships in high growth industries</li><li>Connect disengaged youth to education, training, and employment through targeted outreach and coordinated re-engagement services.</li><li>Provide structured mentorship and wraparound supports to improve engagement, persistence, and long-term outcomes for youth and young adults through age 24.</li></ul></li><li>Ensure that Older Adults Can Age with Dignity, Independence, and Security.<ul><li>Improve access to coordinated, home and community-based services for older adults</li><li>Improve housing stability and financial security for older adults.</li><li>Develop Parks and Recreation Programs and Facilities to address elderly health and quality of life.</li><li>Strengthen intergenerational engagement and digital inclusion.</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>How We'll Measure Success<ul><li>Percent of Opelousas students reading at grade level by grade three (per state and federal standards).</li><li>Number of quality early childhood seats funded by city and strategic partners.</li><li>Percent of Youth Ages 16–24 not in school or working.</li><li>Number of youth placed in paid jobs, apprenticeships, or training programs each year</li><li>Percent of legacy homeowners contacted and remain in their homes</li><li>Building summer A.I.M Academies (Arts, Industry, and Medicine)</li><li>Number of households served by City Outreach programs and services</li></ul>

Democracy and civic participation does not begin or end at the ballot box. Prioritizing and supporting youth, older adults, and diverse communities by investing in workforce pipelines, mentorship opportunities, schools, and public facilities and protecting legacy residents who built our city is key to our city’s present and future growth.

<h2>Civic Engagement Beyond the Ballot Box </h2>

Campaign Site to Elect Rod Sias for Mayor of Opelousas.

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