By Wesley Harris
Candidates for Dubach mayor, police chief and town council outlined their priorities for the community during a public forum Thursday that focused on water infrastructure, economic development, municipal finances and public safety.
Dubach resident Leon Thompson moderated the forum, which drew about a dozen citizens in person and approximately 40 additional viewers through an online stream. Derek Smith oversaw the forum’s audio and livestreaming operations.
Two incumbents were unable to attend because of out-of-town commitments. Mayor Mona Wilson was attending a mayors conference, while Police Chief Don Dufour was in Baton Rouge on business.
Mayoral candidates Kimberly Gill and Corey Beckham, police chief candidate Heath Humble and town council candidates Kyle Hennigan and Richard Stevens participated. Hennigan and Stevens are unopposed but chose to take part in the discussion.
Kimberly Gill, a Dubach resident for nearly 11 years, identified improvements to the town’s water system as her highest priority. She estimated major infrastructure repairs could cost $3 million to $5 million and said the town should pursue state and federal grants to finance improvements in stages.
Gill said if elected mayor, “the first thing that’s going to get funded is we’re going to have water that we can drink. That’s the first thing.”
Gill advocated hiring a grant writer and meeting state health department compliance requirements to make the town eligible for certain funding.
She also emphasized economic development and recreational opportunities. Gill suggested working with Louisiana Tech to develop a plan to attract small businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops and other services. She proposed contacting owners of vacant commercial properties about leasing or selling their buildings.
Gill supported expanding activities at the town’s ballpark and James Lake Park, including festivals, a farmers market and a splash pad. She said events could generate revenue to help maintain the facilities while providing more activities for families.
Corey Beckham, a Dubach native and 1995 graduate of Dubach High School, emphasized financial accountability, self-sufficiency and removing obstacles to growth.
Beckham called for a comprehensive audit of municipal finances to determine the town’s financial position before establishing spending priorities. He said essential services, particularly water, must come first.
Rather than relying entirely on grants or outside contractors, Beckham suggested having qualified town employees perform more maintenance and infrastructure work. He specifically discussed the potential savings of employing someone with the appropriate water system certification.
On economic development, Beckham argued restrictions on housing and business growth could discourage families from moving to Dubach. He also stressed maintaining downtown buildings and addressing deteriorating properties, including the historic Fred Dubach House.
Beckham said existing ordinances could help address neglected properties but cautioned that officials should consider the financial or physical hardships that sometimes prevent owners from making repairs.
He also identified stray animals as a community concern and suggested exploring volunteer- and donation-supported animal control options.
“We have generations ahead of us to plan for,” Beckham said in closing. “I’m running for mayor because I want to ensure [Dubach] is here strong and thriving for the next generations.”
Heath Humble, who retired in March after nearly 30 years in public safety and law enforcement, emphasized increased police coverage, community relationships and departmental accountability.
Humble cited experience with federal, state and local agencies, including the Minden Police Department, the FBI’s public corruption task force and the Louisiana Office of the State Inspector General.
He said his goal would be to recruit enough quality officers to provide police coverage during evenings, weekends and holidays.
Humble advocated community policing, with officers becoming familiar with residents and their concerns rather than concentrating primarily on patrol and enforcement.
He also proposed preparing a detailed departmental budget for public review, seeking law enforcement grants, establishing an anonymous information hotline and implementing procedures to investigate complaints against officers fairly.
Humble emphasized protecting elderly residents and assisting people dealing with domestic violence, addiction and mental health challenges.
Kyle Hennigan, the appointed District B council member seeking a full term without opposition, said repairing Dubach’s water infrastructure must take precedence over other projects.
Hennigan said the town had received notice from the Louisiana Department of Health that it was again eligible for certain loans, but the available amounts would be insufficient to address the system’s extensive needs.
He also raised the possibility of annexing nearby properties and businesses to expand the town’s tax base. However, he said Dubach must first improve existing infrastructure and downtown conditions to make annexation and business development more attractive.
Hennigan cautioned against undertaking festivals and other recreational projects without considering insurance, liability, staffing and maintenance expenses. He emphasized cooperation among council members and realistic spending priorities.
Richard Stevens, who is unopposed for the District C seat being vacated by retiring council member Mary Bilberry, emphasized community pride, cleanliness and business development.
Stevens, an Army National Guard veteran and maintenance supervisor who helped renovate the town’s ballpark, said he wants to encourage property owners to maintain their properties and work with absentee owners to make vacant commercial buildings available for new businesses.
He stressed the importance of expanding Dubach’s tax base, particularly to help sustain the community and protect its elementary school.
Stevens also advocated reviewing insurance requirements he said discourage softball tournaments at the ballpark. He supported additional community events to bring residents together and strengthen civic involvement.
Throughout the forum, candidates generally agreed on the need to improve Dubach’s infrastructure and attract new investment, although they differed on how to finance improvements and balance immediate needs with future development.
