BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ARE POSTED WHEN RECEIVED
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Jay Blossman:
Mr. Blossman has withdrawn his candidacy for this race.
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Bruce Kincade:
Name: Bruce Charles Kincade
Address:
1900 Fig Street, Metairie, La. 70001
Phone:
504-834-5048
E-mail:
bck1952@aol.com
Political Party: Independent
Profession: Tax Law
Education:
De La Salle High Shool, 1970
LSUNO, B.S. Accounting, Dec 1973
Loyola Law School, J.D. Law, May 1977
Univ of Miami, L.L.M. in Taxation , May 1978
Applicable Training :
Research and Writing
Civic Experience:
South Beverly Knoll Civic Association
Political Experience :
Opposed Mr Broussard's re-election bid , 2007.
Polled 7225 votes for Parish Pres, Jeff Parish
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Kenneth Odinet, Sr. :
Name: Kenneth L. Odinet
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB SITE: Not Yet Working
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION
Address:
940 Angela ST.
Arabi, La 70032
Phone:504-450-8112
Fax: NA
Email:k_odinet@yahoo.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
PROFESSION: Engineer
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION: Self-Employed Petroleum Engineer
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION:
Masters of Potroleum Engineering 1957 L.S.U. Baton Rouge
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
Marine Pipeline Construction, Oil and Gas Exploration, Engineering and Contracting Business
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
Lions Club, V.F.W., ST.Maurice Council
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
Legislative House Member District 103 ,1988-2008.
Endorsed by the Louisana Republican Coalition;
ALF-CIO Central Trades & Labor Council of St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, & Washington Parishes ; and The Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO Trades & Labor Council.
Ways and Means Vice Chairman 3 years,
Natural Resources Comm.20 years
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John Schwegmann:
Name: John Francis Schwegmann
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB SITE: n/a presently
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION
Address:
104 Sena Dr. ,
Metairie, Louisiana 70005
Phone: 504-837-2029
Fax: 504-835-7619
Email: jschweg@bellsouth.net
PARTY AFFILIATION: Independent
PROFESSION:Caretaker
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION: self-employed; caretaker for my brother, who is mentally retarded
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION: graduate of Loyola University of the South, business major, 1968
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
C.E.O. of Schwegmann Giant Super Markets;
founder and chairman of the board of Schwegmann Bank and Trust Co.;
past Chairman and member of the La. Public Service Commission for nearly 16 years;
United States Coast Guard-honorable discharge;
Board of Trustees-Loyola University
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
Chairman of numerous fundraising efforts for non-profits;
member of the board of the Magnolia School for the mentally retarded;
current member of the board of the Louise Davis school for the mentally disabled
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
past member of the La. Public Service Commission --- Nearly 16 years of service
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Eric Skrmetta:
Name: Eric Frederick Skrmetta
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB SITE: http://www.ericskrmetta.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION
Address:
PO Box 55896,
Metairie, Louisiana 70055
Phone: 504-833-6791
Fax: 504-833-2678
Email: dest501@yahoo.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
PROFESSION: Attorney at Law/Private Business
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION:
Self Employed Attorney and Mediator
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION:
BS, LSU (Industrial Technology) 1981;
JD, Southern University Law School 1985;
LL.M (Maritime and Admiralty Law) Tulane Law School 1986.
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
My bachelors' degree in technology uniquely positions me to clearly understand the complex nature of the technical issues that will be brought before the commission. Additionally, my Laureate Masters in Maritime Law degree will provide unique insight to the commission, who regulates transportation, including the Mississippi River. After Hurricane Katrina, I had the privilege of serving as a Mediator in the Louisiana Department of Insurance program in which I facilitated a resolution between homeowners and their insurance companies. After completing over 700 mediations I have come to recognize the importance of bringing parties together to resolve their issues. My mediation skills will be invaluable to me as I work with the consumer to resolve their differences with the utility companies.
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
I feel that volunteerism and community service are an important part of how I give back to my community. A partial list of my service to my community is as follows:
- United States Secret Service adjunct, President George Bush Advance Team, North American Leaders Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 2008
- Judge, ABA National Representation in Mediation Competition, Regional Finals 2008
- Judge, Championship Round, ABA National Representation in Mediation Competition, Regional Finals 2007
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Citizens Academy, Member, 2007 to date
- Board Member, East Jefferson YMCA, 2007 to date
- Executive Board Member, Boy Scouts of America, Southeast Louisiana Council, 2007 to date
- Member Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce, Business Advisory Committee, 2007 to date
- Chairman, Louisiana Film Foundation, Inc. 2006 to date
- Board Member, Jefferson Education Foundation, Inc. 2005 to date
- Chairman, Aid for the Emergency Responders, Inc. 2005 to date, Contributing Organizer, New Orleans Air Show 2006
- Chairman, Jefferson Parish Presidents Film and Digital Media Advisory Committee 2006 to date
- Board Member, Krewe of Mid City, 2000 to date
- Lieutenant, Krewe of Endymion, 2005 to date
- President, South Sena Drive Civic Association 2005 - 2007
- Member, Blue Lodge 483, 2005 to date
- Member, Blue Lodge 102, 2005 to date
- Jerusalem Shriners, 2005 to date
- National Rifle Association, Life Member
- Fellow, Institute of Politics, Loyola University, 1981
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS:
- Member, Louisiana Republican Party Jefferson Parish Executive Committee, 2008 - 2012
- Judge, ad hoc THO, First Parish Court for the Parish of Jefferson, March 2008
- Commissioner, Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission, 2006 - 2007
- Staff Employee, Governor's Office of the State of Louisiana, 1980 - 1981
- Staff Employee, Lt. Governor's Office of the State of Louisiana, 1978 - 1980
1. What in your experience most qualifies you to run for this position?
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RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR QUESTION NO. 1:
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BRUCE KINCADE::
This position is actually custom-made for my watch- dog personality.
I am very independent, determined, self-willed, headstrong , positive and hard to govern. The office of Public Service Commissioner needs someone who will fight for the working class. And not someone who is cozy with the utility companies who want to buy your favor.
If I can look Hurricane Katrina in the eye, I can stand up to the utility companies. I lost 3 houses to Katrina and it took a year to bring them back into commerce. Old Metairie experienced chest deep water which I weathered near Airline Highway Tuesday, Aug. 30 and
Wednesday , Aug. 31. Lastly, I was the primary caretaker of my parents for 6 years before they passed with early Alzheimer's in 2002 and 2005. I do not regret a minute spent with them during their last ordeal.
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KENNET ODINET, Sr.:
My experience that most qualifies me for this position is my education, Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering, along with 40 plus years working in the Oil/Gas/Pipeline and Energy Construction Industry. In addition I have twenty years of service in the Louisiana Legislature as the Representative of District 103.
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JOHN SCHWEGMANN:
Although I served on the La. PSC for 15 years and 8 months during the 1980's and 90's and was faced with the enormous challenge of huge cost over runs pursuant to the construction of nuclear power plants, the breakup of AT&T, and the LP&L- Texaco matter, just to name few, I consider my foremost credential my independence from undo influence from the utility companies. During my entire years of service, I refused to accept any campaign contributions from the utilities I regulated, nor from any of their executives.
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ERIK SKRMETTA:
My education and life experiences in engineering. It is also important to approach problems between providers and consumers with an open mind and ability to determine the issues and work toward a resolution that will serve all. My experience in Mediation will enable resolution to problems that come before the commission.
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2. What will you do to protect homeowners from extreme natural gas price hikes that can result in excessive utility bills?
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RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR QUESTION NO. 2:
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BRUCE KINCADE::
I would vote against the price hikes. The utilities involved enjoy a monopoly status so the prices charged the citizenry has to be tightly controlled. The utility company should be allowed to earn a fair profit each quarter but at the same time the rates charged
should be reasonable. Every decision I would make as Commissioner would have to answer the question ," How does this impact the working class ?" It is the working class that surrenders its taxes to the government and provides free enterprise with vital profits.
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KENNET ODINET, Sr.:
To prevent excessive utility price hikes I would encourage increased gas production during periods of high usage in order to stabilize prices thru the normal supply and demand channels. I would encourage the import of greater supplies of liquefied petroleum gas in order to keep supplies in tune with resident demands.
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JOHN SCHWEGMANN:
We should consider a number of alternatives, such as long term contracts for supply, utilities and or the state owning their own natural gas fields.
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ERIK SKRMETTA:
I will encourage the Congress to require commodity trading in natural gas to be regulated under rules similar to stocks. This should stabilize inflated trading and have the effect of getting prices down to a level that will be more acceptable to consumers.
I will encourage: providers to develop flex fuel technology to include the use of fuels that will be less expensive and reduce demand on natural gas which should result in lower prices and also encourage price averaging by both providers and consumers.
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3. Louisiana has some of the highest electric bills in the nation due to inefficient use of energy. Would you support policies that decoupled company profits from the generation of power and which would promote companies to help customer usage become more energy efficient?
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RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR QUESTION NO. 3:
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BRUCE KINCADE::
3. Louisiana has some of the highest electric bills in the nation due to the inefficient use of energy . Would you support policies that decoupled company profits from the generation of power and which would promote companies to help customer usage become more energy efficient ?
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KENNET ODINET, Sr.:
3. To more clearly define the use factor and resulting cost in utility bills, I would propose:
a.That energy companies establish a base price per customer to be billed monthly, in order to amortize the entire grid and generating plants.
b. In addition to the above base price, a change for actual monthly kilowatts used would be added.
c. Company profits could be calculated as a percentage of the foregoing changes in a and b above.
d. In order to minimize profits, the homeowner would be encouraged to reduce power usage.
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JOHN SCHWEGMANN:
Question 3: I don't fully understand the first part of the question. Concerning the second part, I certainly support a team effort between utilities and their customers to support energy efficiency.
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ERIK SKRMETTA:
Traditional rate structures discourage gas utilities from promoting energy-efficiency because their profits often suffer when customers cut back on use. The decoupling concept suggests that through conservation, usage will drop and people will pay lower bills.
My concern is that if decoupling is approved and it results in an overall net cost increase to consumers and proves to only enhance profitability for service providers then I will move to stop the decoupling experiment.
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4. Many states are passing laws to promote the use of non-polluting renewable energy resources, called Renewable Portfolio Standards. What will you do to encourage the use of renewable energy resources in Louisiana?
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RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR QUESTION NO. 4:
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BRUCE KINCADE::
I think we should embrace the FLORIDA model that requires utilities to produce at least 20% of their electricity from renewable resources.
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KENNET ODINET, Sr.:
It would be most advantageous to investigate the Wind power generation. The offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are presently being studied as generating sites. Water harnessing is being used by our neighbors in Nova Scotia to generate large quantities of power. The Mississippi River should present a study challenge for local power generation.
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JOHN SCHWEGMANN:
As far as renewable energy is concerned, I was part of the decision process to approve Louisiana's first hydroelectric dam project. This should clearly evidence my desire for alternative sources and willingness to take chances. These type projects are not without risk.
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ERIK SKRMETTA:
I will encourage the use of renewable sources of energy. Providers must have the opportunity to implement proven technologies and develop others. I will work with Congress and the Legislature to develop tax credits for providers to take steps to develop these technologies under a comprehensive energy policy.
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5. POWERPLANT DEVELOPMENT
A. In your opinion, what criteria must be met in order to support nuclear power plant development?
B. Louisiana has the most to lose from greenhouse gas pollution. In your opinion, what criteria would justify power generation using coal or coal-like fuels?
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RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR QUESTION NO. 5:
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BRUCE KINCADE::
I think we should embrace the FLORIDA model that requires utilities to produce at least 20% of their electricity from renewable resources.
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KENNET ODINET, Sr.:
5.Two problems are inherent with nuclear power:
1. Cost of infrastructure (Generating Plant) - - The cost is almost prohibitive for utility companies to invest borrowed capital and make an ultimate profit thru the years. I would propose a study to determine the possibilities of government and public stock utility companies to build a facility thru a joint venture long term process for financing the plant.
2. The second problem with nuclear plants is the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Disposal sites are scarce, and they are also under scrutiny by all environmental groups.
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JOHN SCHWEGMANN:
(A): Pursuant to nuclear power generation, I doubt a utility will embark on new construction with the stipulation, should there be any cost over runs that the La. ratepayer will not be responsible for giving the utility a return on the excess investment.
(B): Pursuant to coal generation, first and foremost, it must be environmentally safe, it must be cost efficient, to include a reliable source of supply.
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ERIK SKRMETTA:
PART A:
I suggest that future nuclear facilities be built contiguous to the St. Francisville facility as it will expand an existing safe facility. To place nuclear power facilities in non-traditional locations will only delay development through actions of groups opposed to such facilities.
PART B:
Louisiana is quite green in power generation through the use of nuclear and natural gas for production. However the use of coal is a valid option and the consumers need for lower rates support its use. We can use coal to produce energy in a more environmentally friendly manner. Technologies should be encouraged as one means to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Some that exist for clean coal are gasification and treating flue gases or chemically treating coal. We must protect the environment but we must also provide for our citizens requirements and take into consideration their financial issues.
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6. Currently, a member of the public can only speak at a Business Executive meeting if a commissioner agrees to put him/her on the agenda at least 24 hours in advance. How will you work to make this process more open to the public?
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RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR QUESTION NO. 6:
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BRUCE KINCADE::
(A response to this question has not been received.)
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KENNET ODINET, Sr.:
(A response to this question has not been received.)
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JOHN SCHWEGMANN:
I will offer a motion or take whatever step is needed to be able to introduce a guest from the public and invite that person to speak. This comes as a surprise, when I was Chairman this was never a problem.
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ERIK SKRMETTA:
I will work with the other commissioners to develop a mechanism to improve the current system. However, without their support it will be impossible change the rules.
Outside of a business executive meeting it is always possible for any member of the public to contact a commissioner to express their issues and I will remain available to discuss any matter at any time convenient to the public.
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