Flood protection, growth shape Denham Springs mayor’s race
Three candidates offer different approaches to infrastructure, development and accountability as Denham Springs prepares for its first change in mayors in 12 years.
DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — How to protect residents from flooding while preparing for growth is shaping the contest to lead Denham Springs into its next chapter.
Republicans Jim Gilbert and Ben Harris face no-party candidate John Cavalier. Mayor Gerard Landry, in office since 2014, is not seeking reelection; his successor takes office in January.
Gilbert, a councilman with nearly four decades in petrochemicals, served Livingston Parish Fire Protection District No. 5 and was the parish president’s chief of staff. He helped develop a post-flood drainage master plan. He proposes tracking city goals, extending flood-reduction work and attracting businesses, citing his experience as preparation.
Harris, a city water employee for nearly 25 years, including several years as superintendent, is also a reserve police officer certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. He favors lower flood insurance rates and a comprehensive master plan that prioritizes residents and existing infrastructure over commercial development.
Cavalier owns Cavalier House Books in the Historic Denham Springs Antique Village and serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Following the 2016 flood, he gathered residents’ input and helped write the recovery plan the city adopted.
He proposes combining existing plans with his business experience to guide infrastructure upgrades and responsible population growth. His campaign website calls for community input and regular updates to keep a comprehensive plan useful as conditions change.
The proposals point to a shared challenge: turning planning documents into improvements residents can measure, while deciding how development fits around those investments.
Flood insurance adds a household-cost dimension. FEMA’s Community Rating System rewards floodplain management beyond minimum federal requirements with premium discounts. That provides one avenue for communities to influence insurance costs, although a campaign pledge alone does not establish what savings residents would receive.
Denham Springs assigns floodplain management and Community Rating System responsibilities to its Office of Planning and Development. Its online property portal lets residents review flood risks, locate available elevation certificates, and contact city staff.
All three candidates are scheduled for a forum from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at PARDS L.M. Lockhart Park, featuring a meet-and-greet and voter-submitted questions.
Early voting runs Oct. 20-27, excluding Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The online registration deadline is Oct. 13; the in-person and mail deadline is Oct. 5. Election Day is Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Most absentee voters must request a ballot by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and return it so the registrar receives it by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2. Military and overseas voters have separate deadlines.
