Editor: Two sides of the same coin

Mayor Kip Holden says East Baton Rouge Parish is “thriving.” Mike Walker, a term-limited councilman and Holden’s most serious and well-financed challenger, says it’s time to bring “our parish back from the edge of the cliff.” Holden says the local economy is creating jobs, building wealth—especially in the digital media and movie industries—and ranks as one of the nation’s top performers during the global recession. Walker says we’re losing thousands of jobs and our focus should be on jobs in the oil, natural gas and petrochemical sectors. Holden says we’re winning job-creating, economic development battles against foreign cities and countries. Walker says we need a “jobs policy, not a foreign policy.” Holden says investments in downtown Baton Rouge will continue. Walker says there’s already been too much investing in downtown. Holden says his door is always open. Walker says that door is always closed. Two men, two views, one Baton Rouge. So, how is it that Holden and Walker see almost every issue from 180 degrees of separation? Get Business Report Executive Editor JR Ball’s take on it by reading his latest column here. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.