Shreveport Times Endorses Jerri!!!

Our recommendation: Reynolds, de Pingre' in House District 10

11:51 PM, Oct. 9, 2011 |

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Webster and south Bossier parish voters have the pleasant challenge of choosing among four earnest, competent candidates to replace the term-limited Jean Doerge in state House District 10.
The Times gives a slight edge to two candidates in an election Oct. 22 that is expected to proceed to a runoff Nov. 19.
Jerri Ray de Pingre' is former classroom teacher who now is human resources manager in the family-owned KaJohn Oil. The Minden Republican prioritizes job creation and reining in state government. De Pingre' cites Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy's recommendations such as reducing state government through employee attrition and canceling contracts with thousands of state consultants. One-time dollars shouldn't be used to plug budget holes.
The educator doesn't buy into the school accountability complaint that teachers are only teaching to the test. But she also believes teachers should be allowed the freedom to teach and their evaluations should be more in the hands of on-site principals rather than value-added standards being implemented.
Regarding higher education, de Pingre' would consider consolidating degree programs, noting that there are degree programs in nursing at five different colleges within two hours of one another.
Gene Reynolds, of Dubberly, is a retired educator who served as a principal in Webster Parish and after retirement helped Cameron Parish schools recover from the devastating hurricanes of 2005. He is a Democrat who opposes any tax increases as Louisiana continues to struggle with its budget.
Nor does he favor using one-time funds to plug budget holes. Citing the frustration of constitutional protections that leave education and health care most exposed to budget cuts, Reynolds believes "all areas should be subject to cuts or adjustments to minimize the effect of the cuts to essential services."
Not unexpectedly, education is a top priority, particularly noting the need to build a skilled work force to meet employer needs and move the state forward economically. Noting that performance scores have all but flat-lined, Reynolds wants more local control of schools, including teacher evaluations.
His first legislation would focus on the aquatic scourge of giant salvinia and water issues.

Newspaper Article

Don't miss page 6A of today's (10/9) Shreveport Times!

Two Upcoming Opportunities to Meet Your Candidate

Iron Chef - Minden Chamber of Commerce



On July 31, 2011 from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Jerri will be participating in the Minden Chamber of Commerce's Iron Chef Competiton which will be held at the Minden Civic Center.  Tickets are currrently on sale at the Chamber Office for $10.  Come on out and support your Candidate and the Chamber.  We're not sure what Jerri will be cooking, but we're positive that you won't go home hungry!






Meet Your Candidate & Campaign Fundraiser



On August 2, 2011 from 7:00  - 9:00 pm, come join us at 106 Pine Forest Circle - the home of Danny and Melinda Wilson.   You'll have the opportunity to meet and get to know Jerri ,as well as bid on some great auction items. One that's sure to be hotly contested is 4 Tickets to a 2011 New Orleans Saints Home Game. Come hear Jerri's plans and share your ideas with her.  Let's SEND JERRI TO THE HOUSE!!!

Jerri Announces Candidacy for Louisiana House of Representatives

EDUCATOR AND BUSINESSWOMAN JERRI RAY de PINGRE' ANNOUNCES CANDICACY FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES     

MINDEN---Minden Republican JERRI RAY de PINGRE' announced on June 23, 2011 , that she would be a candidate for the Louisiana House of Representatives this fall.

The educator and businesswoman said she would be a citizen legislator not a professional politician. "As a wife and a mother, I believe I can bring to government the life experiences as well as the professional background necessary to move Webster Parish and the state of Louisiana forward."

As Representative, de Pingre' said she would vote NO to new taxes, oppose any attempts to bring back the Stelly Tax, oppose tax payer funded bailouts, and would support the state's efforts to oppose as well as legally question the constitutionality of our current national healthcare program.

She is a 1977 graduate of Minden High School and was selected that year as Miss Minden. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe. She taught at Phillips Middle School, Glenbrook School, and Webster Junior High School. She coached the varsity girls' softball team at Glenbrook, coached little league softball for the Minden summer recreation program, and developed an after-school program called  "Just for Girls" for at-risk youth.

de Pingre' has worked for 22 years in private business as an outside sales person as well as an administrator.

She has served as chairperson for membership for the Minden/South Webster Chamber of Commerce, on the Advisory Board for Northwest Louisiana Technical College, and as a charter member of the Minden Noon Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. She is an associate member of the Minden Young Women's Service Club and the Minden Junior Service League. She has served as a volunteer fund raiser for the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Hilman House, and the Webster/Claiborne chapter of the LSU Alumni Association. She is a member of the NLU/ULM Alumni Association, the LSU Alumni Association, and the Kappa Delta Alumni Association.  Jerri also volunteers at the Minden St. Jude Auction and has served as church Deacon, choir director, Sunday school teacher, organist and worship team member.

She has been married to Benny L. de Pingre' for 30 years and they are the parents of two children, Kara Margaret and John Major.

The election for the House of Representatives is Saturday, October 22.
                                                                                                  

For more information, send an email to  sendjerritothehouse@gmail.com.