All too often during elections many of us go to the polling booth on election day or during the early voting period unfamiliar with the individuals on the ballot. Such might be the case for some of you concerning our upcoming mayoral race between former city councilman Harold Doucet and former City Councilman Derrick Freeman that will have us electing a new Mayor on Saturday, June 25. It may also be that we have heard inaccurate or incomplete information from a friend, co-worker or family member on who the best candidate will be without finding out for ourselves. Asking the questions that are relevant is important.

I’ve been lucky enough to get to know both mayoral candidates very well, so I have a clear understanding of what each will bring positively or negatively to the position. I will share my thoughts with you today and next Sunday as well. Whether you, the reader, agree with me or not when it comes time to vote is not the point of this column. It is to ensure that you have as much information as possible when making your choice for Mayor.

I believe actions speak very loudly about a person. I believe the people you allow to represent you or those you align yourself with speaks volumes about your character. It matters to me not, that you are a police office, doctor, lawyer, successful business person, media professional, industry worker, former military or trash man. You can find a dirty nickel in every jar of coins. So I watch people. And I have been since arriving in Port Arthur a good four and a half years ago.

The difference between these two candidates is like night and day. One promotes himself, while the other promotes community and moving forward. One creates slanderous attacks based on false allegations, while the other replies with poise and facts. During the May 7 election early voting period, a social media attack from Mr. Doucet and his camp took aim for a second time at his opponent, Mr. Freeman, stating that Mr. Freeman was going to be indicted, arrested and sent to prison for public corruption. As we all know now, this is not the case and has been confirmed by Jefferson County DA Bob Wortham that there is nothing filed with his office. It would be pretty important if someone was going to be indicted. Ultimately, it was a ploy to steal votes.

Now, I say second time, as a couple years back the same allegations came up by the same group to defame Mr. Freeman. At that time I was scheduled to meet with a member from Mr. Doucet’s group. Unbeknownst to me, they recorded that meeting. Very soon after, I visited with Assistant District Attorney Cory Crenshaw over a cup of coffee at Starbucks on 365 to discuss the recording. We also touched base on the allegations against Mr. Freeman. Second verse, same as the first! Same story, nothing was at the DA’s office. You have to wonder what kind of people strategize to do this over and over? And why?

Accusations from the Freeman camp claimed that Mr. Doucet did indeed receive money from the city while on city council. Something he has stated multiple times that he did not nor will not do. Now, not receiving money and not being able to receive money due to other benefits he is receiving are two completely different things, and a very inaccurate way to portray himself. However, I guess you can spin it as many ways as there are people who will listen. Fact of the matter is The News has documents from the city that show Mr. Doucet’s reimbursement for travel, which looks to be approximately $4,500 at a per-mile rate of .51 cents. Matching this up with his mileage log turned in to the city for reimbursement, it does look like excessive travel was turned in driving to City Hall on an almost daily basis, much more than needed and much more than any other city council member.

Our city government has an organizational structure that allows the city council to create city ordinances and policy without having oversight of implementation. This is the responsibility of the city manager. This is why you hire a good city manager. A city council member or mayor who feels their responsibilities should be more than what they are, is frankly in the wrong business and should not be elected. Case in point, while Mr. Doucet was on city council, he was in former City Manager Floyd Johnson’s office almost daily telling him how to do his job. As stated above, we have the documents that show Mr. Doucet traveled to the City of Port Arthur administration office nearly every day. These documents, along with statements from other former and current city council members, show clear overreach on Mr. Doucet’s part. Ultimately Mr. Johnson could not do his job and was terminated. We have a much stronger city manager now in Brian McDougal, who is doing a great job. Do we want to take a chance that Mr. Doucet could run off someone who is making positive changes? That may be a question you should ask yourself.

Mr. Freeman is a firm believer in the city charter and has proven time and time again in public records that he will follow the chain of the organizational structure. I feel 100 percent that he will allow City Manager McDougal the space to continue doing the great job he is.

As I am running long on info this week, we will stop right here. Next week we will get into supporters, falsities and half-truths being shared with Port Acres residents, attendance while previously on city council and more.

Follow me on Twitter @rich_macke