Dubach mayor candidates answer questions

The town of Dubach has two choices for its next mayor in the March 20 election: incumbent Ruby Dawson and challenger Mona Durrett Wilson.

The winner will finish the late Mayor Mary Claire Smith’s unexpired term. Dawson was appointed after Smith’s resignation in August 2020 to fill the position in the interim until an election could be held.

Early voting continues today and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish Registrar of Voters office.

The Ruston Daily Leader recently spoke with both candidates and asked them the same slate of questions to give them a chance to introduce themselves to voters and indicate their priorities in seeking office.

1. Why do you want to be mayor of Dubach?

Dawson: I love Dubach, and I care about the people in Dubach. I really want to unite all people. This is what I have on my cards: “Bridge the gap that divides.” Bring us together so we can work together as a town.

There are some things I want to do for the town of Dubach. I want to bring businesses to the town of Dubach, and I still want to see some things completed.

Wilson: I’m a lifelong resident of Dubach. I went to Dubach High School and graduated there. My children graduated from Dubach High School, and my grandchildren are going there. I’m living in Dubach and invested in Dubach.

I’m also a realtor, and I have some investment connections, and I think I can bring new business to Dubach, and also new people. Within the last five years, I have subdivided and sold off lots in Dubach. We’ve gained 38 people in the city limits because of that.

I want to do more of that. I want to take some of the vacant lots around town and get some buildings put on them — some new homes, some things for rent, things to sell, things like that. We need to add to the number of people that are in Dubach.

2. Why do you believe you’re the best candidate for the job? What do you bring to the table?

Wilson: I’ve been a realtor for about 37 years. I own my own real estate company and a property management company. I have been an employer for several people, so I know how to delegate and how to utilize and get people working.

I think it’s mainly my passion for Dubach, my willingness to stay in Dubach and to help Dubach stay on the map.

Dawson: I’ve been on (Dubach Town Council) for about six years before I moved into the positon of the mayor. On council, my thing was always to work for my constituents, bring their concerns to the town, and not only hear what they have to say, but work on what they were telling me to get it done.

Whenever I get a call about anything, I get on it and get it done.

3. What are some issues in the town you’d like to address if elected?

Dawson: I want to see the Hamilton Road project completed. I want to see us be able to use the ballpark. The ballpark is something we’re paying insurance on, and Dubach doesn’t have anything that will bring or attract people to our town.

We need something like the ballpark to give our children something to do. Right now when they get out of school, they have nothing to do.

Wilson: We have some serious water issues that I think need to get addressed. We need to get some grants to probably help subsidize some of it. Our water has not been up to par in over five years. That needs working on.

We got a grant for some sewer work that never got really completed. It’s just kind of at a standstill, almost.

I want to keep (Dubach School) open. I want to keep the kids here. I wanted to keep it open as a high school, because going to a small-town high school, for me it was a lot better.