NAME: Conrad Henry Appel, III
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.conradappel.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address:
Committee to Elect Conrad Appel
P.O. Box 55909
Metairie, La 70055-5909
Phone: 504-841-0027
FAX: 504-841-0028
Email: info@conradappel.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
PROFESSION: General Contractor
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION ConstructionSouth, Inc - President
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION: BS in Electrical Engineering LSU 1973
APPLICABLE TRAINING:
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
Jefferson Business Council - Chairman
East Jefferson Council The Chamber - Chairman
Jefferson Economic Development Commission - Chairman
Port of New Orleans - Chairman
Bureau of Governmental Research
Children's Museum
Metropolitan Crime commission
GNO, Inc - Executive Committee, Chairman International Trade Sector
New Orleans Business Council - Executive Committee Ad Hoc member
Economic Development Transition team
Governor's Task Force on Workforce Training Restructuring
More upon request
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS
I have never run for office before - I belong to the Pachyderm Club
1. What are your top three priorities and what would you do to implement them?
Improved the quality of life for District 9 through economic growth of the entire region - I am currently assisting the Departments of Transportation and Economic Development in restructuring their efforts. I will be sure that this work is completed. We must concentrate on the assets that we have, keep it simple, and recognize that a disciplined, long term program will produce amazing results
Design and implement a new integrated healthcare system for the State - insure the economic well being of the three hospitals in the district (East Jefferson, Ochsner, and Tulane) I will help draft legislation that will insure that we have a medical delivery system that provides for all socio-economic classes of our state and does it in a manner that is integrated, operates efficiently, and makes provision for growth
Continue the push for reform, accountability, and excellence in traditional education and in the redesigned workforce training system - I will oversee the implementation of the workforce training reforms that I helped to write. I will press to overhaul the higher education component of our state system so that institutions are funded according to their proper needs. This may involve making some painful changes to the present structure of our institutions
2. What are your thoughts on the ethics reform measures and do you think they are adequate for investors to take a new look at business in Louisiana?
Clearly these reforms are of great value in selling our state. My experience of 30 years of economic development work will identify me as the go to person in the Senate for economic development and I would expect to have much to say about guiding the state in these areas.
3. What criteria would you set for the use of reoccurring surplus budget funds?
If the funds are truly reoccurring then they should be used according normal budgeting procedures. However, if not truly reoccurring these funds should be used only for non-recurring expenses. In particular they should be invested into capital assets that will provide a return to the state in the form of jobs or income.
4. Education:
a. What can the legislature do to better educate a workforce to meet the needs of economic development projects?
As a member of the Governor's Workforce Training Task Force I helped write the Workforce Training reforms that were passed into law. These must be implemented fully. The key principle is that business's needs should govern the way the system operates as it is business that provides the opportunities for employment and dictates what training is required. Finally the dollars must be better spent, in the classroom not the bureaucracy
b. Comment on the use of state funds going to public school students who attend private schools.
I have a great concern as to public funds going to private schools. The current test case in Orleans Parish may determine how much, if any, and under what circumstances we should invest in this effort.
c. What can the legislature do to improve public education?
I believe that the reforms instituted several years ago, including accountability and high stakes testing, are now producing results. I believe that it is incumbent upon the legislature to allow these reforms to continue unaltered. I believe that the legislature must be concerned with the ultimate structure of the education system in Orleans Parish. Finally, as relates to Jefferson Parish the legislature must support the efforts of the current Board and Superintendant to implement reforms in the education system.
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