Phil Capitano: The absolute wrong choice for Kenner.
The majority of my political activity in Kenner was during the time that Phil Capitano was Mayor. Even though Kenner has a “strong mayor” form of government, he always sought ways to give himself more power. He is a strong advocate for an appointed police chief. He was an opponent of civil service and when he finally “got on board” with it, he only would support it if it would take effect after the election (where he could use city employees to campaign on his behalf).
As Mayor, he spent 10,000 on a “City of Distinction” award. The video that came with the award listed Kenner as being bound on the north by the river and the south by the lake. It also featured then Mayor Phil Capitano stating that Kenner has a very high “medium income”. How embarrassing! (The award seemed to be a scam as well, read the article).
Phil Capitano was revealed at a budget hearing to have spent city money at Hooters and to upgrade a hotel using city money even though such an expenditure was not needed for city business. He basically stopped coming to council meetings so he wouldn’t have to answer questions that councilpersons and citizens wanted to ask him. Open, honest and transparent government is not something you get with a Phil Capitano administration.
I could go on and on. However, even if you ignore all that, there are two reasons why Phil Capitano is not suited to be Mayor of the City of Kenner.
A) If you look at his campaign finance expenditures, you will see someone who uses campaign funds to eat… a lot. Now, I am not one to begrudge someone eating a lot, I have done my fair share of that. However, does it really look like he is using his campaign funds to get elected? Or does it look like he is using campaign funds to supplement his diet? Who are these “constituents” that he is eating with? Was campaign business really done at all those meals?
B) The man is running for Mayor and he cannot even pay his mortgage! What kind of message does that send to the city? The man is willing to move $25,000 into his campaign account while allowing his house to go over $10,000 in arrears? Where are his priorities? The house is being foreclosed on.
How can anyone with A and B even think about getting elected? Throw in the rest of his history in Kenner and how can anyone seriously think that this man is right to lead a city?
Kinda makes a name change to someone you are a blood relative too seem a bit inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t it?