Chandler wants to clean up the city. He’s quick to compliment improvements, such as the recent planting of crape myrtles along his street. But he also doesn’t hesitate to point out needs and to ask for assistance from city leaders as well as from the people of the community.
Such activism is simply in Chandler’s blood or part of his spirit. He said he’s always been involved.
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Chandler is a New Orleans native who fled his transitioning Gentilly neighborhood in 1984 after he’d been “held up seven or eight times on the street” and had his home burglarized at least eight times, he said.
He moved to Mandeville and stayed for 20 years until the apartment he was renting changed hands and the new landlord upped the rent.
The retired sales and marketing man who was living on Social Security panicked.
Chandler, who now also has a computer ministry called “It’s All About Jesus,” did what came naturally. At about 3 a.m. one day as he sat at his computer, he closed his eyes and visualized the face of Jesus.
“I said, ‘Lord, I’m up against a brick wall and I have no solutions to this problem, but You have all solutions’,” said Chandler. “He said, ‘Be still. It’s already been handled. I’ve got a house for you’.”
Chandler said he opened his eyes and looked at his computer monitor. On the screen was the name and number of a Bogalusa real estate agent and the address of a house he would own within the month.
“I was shocked,” said Chandler. “I was not aware what my fingers were doing.”
He didn’t even know where Bogalusa was, but when he visited the house, it felt like home. He moved in three weeks later on Feb. 15, 2003, and he’s been working to improve the area ever since.
Chandler said he sometimes grows impatient with inaction and what he feels are excuses from city leaders, and with the acceptance of the status quo he feels is prevalent in the people of Bogalusa. He said he wants to change attitudes and inspire action to bring out the best of Bogalusa.
Despite the city’s financial straits and the tough economy in general, Bogalusa can be made better, said Chandler. If the city doesn’t have the money to demolish condemned buildings or do other things, maybe the community can help, he said.
“We can do it if we want to,” said Chandler. “First, we have to change the attitudes of the citizens. That’s 50 percent of the solution. People need to want to see a better Bogalusa. That enthusiasm can be contagious.
“Second, I think we need leadership with a can-do attitude. I’m tired of hearing them say they don’t have the money, so we can’t do something.”
If you can’t afford to pay a bill or purchase a needed item at home, you figure a way to do it anyway, he said.
“Think outside the box,” said Chandler. “Take responsibility. Get the people involved. Manage the money we do have better, instead of using cop outs and excuses.”
Chandler has a vision of a bright future for Bogalusa, and he wants to help bring that vision to reality.
“We need to get out of our rut and look up,” he said. “Forget about the negatives. Put on those rose-colored glasses. Work with what we’ve got. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we’ve got to start somewhere. It’s all about attitude, attitude, attitude. Get rid of the negativity and think positively. We can do it.”
Comments
Cholly wrote on Oct 5, 2009 4:43 PM:
x resident wrote on Oct 3, 2009 8:01 PM:
Cholly wrote on Oct 3, 2009 7:28 PM:
Marcus wrote on Oct 2, 2009 10:02 PM:
Q wrote on Oct 2, 2009 12:24 PM:
I whole-heartedly agree with you. The days of Bogalusa being a decent city have long passed.
Q "
question wrote on Oct 2, 2009 8:55 AM:
gatorjaws wrote on Oct 2, 2009 8:27 AM:
Mr. Chandler must have seen something in Bogalusa that none of the rest of us can see. He didn't even know where it was until six years ago. Had he seen the Bogalusa of, say, 1960, I might understand his cheerleading. Now I just wonder what medicine he's taking. "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Oct 1, 2009 8:21 AM:
... such SMALL THINKING! Bogalusa is changing for the better as I WRITE THIS!
... LOOK AROUND YOU, FOLKS, I HAVE SEEN MORE PROGRESS IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS THAN IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS!
... GO BOGALUSA! "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Oct 1, 2009 8:11 AM:
" Ms J. You do not have a clue as to some of Mr. Chandlers email tyrates against others. This man also has a knack for stretching facts as well as fiction to weave his tales to his satisfaction. Hardly real journalism. "
RAISE YOUR SIGHTS, folks ... YOU can cause CHANGE TO HAPPEN! but, you have to THINK POSITIVE! ACT POSITIVE!
If you THINK you CAN'T, YOU CAN'T, If you think you CAN, YOU CAN!
GO BOGALUSA! "
AriesTaurus wrote on Sep 30, 2009 5:58 PM:
The majority here are retired and cannot afford a higher tax base and therefore won't vote for taxes for new schools, etc. As long as the money is not available, then there won't be much progress. As far as the Daily News wanting improvement for this city; in the words of my late father: "You can throw the Daily News paper into the air and read it before it hits the floor." "
Watcher wrote on Sep 30, 2009 3:11 PM:
Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 30, 2009 1:45 PM:
... Thanks, but I'm not for sale nor for hire! I believe Bogalusa SELLS IT'S SELF!
... our job is to make the "product" more attractive and salable!
... IT'S ALL ABOUT BOGALUSA!
GO BOGALUSA! "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 30, 2009 1:39 PM:
... NO WHERE do I play "the race card".
... "RACE" is a cop-out, folks! and not acceptable as CONSTRUCTIVE.
... I see all people: White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, ALL PEOPLE PULLING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER BOGALUSA!
PLEASE STOP PLAYING THE "RACE CARD" ... THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING FOR
The RACE CARD is a "stumbling block" to progress! in OUR BOGALUSA!
... an OBSTACLE to the path of PROGRESS!
GO BOGALUSA! "
MS J wrote on Sep 30, 2009 9:41 AM:
Filler up... wrote on Sep 29, 2009 10:27 PM:
At least now he's got a posting to a posting to a posting that all about his posting to himself!
Keep up the good work Mr. Chandler! Maybe this administration or the next cause this ones headed to the fed pen, can hire you to be a marketing/sales guy for the city. Heck call yourself a grant writer they get paid alot more in Bog. "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 29, 2009 4:49 PM:
Fall in love with "The magic City" once again! She deserves your love!
WORK to make things in The Magic City BETTER!
GET INVOLVED! VOLUNTEER! LET CITY HALL KNOW WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO!
... come next election, ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES!
... Then VOTE for the BEST CANDIDATES and HOLD THEM TO THEIR PROMISES!
.... Don't let them "take the easy way out" ...
GO BOGALUSA! "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 29, 2009 4:44 PM:
" You have got to be kidding ! How can a man that is two sided be praised like the politicians? Perhaps we should continue with our streak and elect Mr Chandler for Public Officce. "
.... Sorry, Cholly, I'm not available to serve in a public office at this time.
... WHAT about YOU, Cholly?
.. at my age, I am satisfied to be an "ENCOURAGER".
GO BOGALUSA! "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 29, 2009 4:41 PM:
" Mr. Chandler,
Nice to put a face with the name and posts!
Good luck in your quest to make Bogalusa a better place!
Sincerely,
Q "
... Thank you, "Q", you are so kind to this old man! :-)
... ATTITUDES MUST CHANGE IF BOGALUSA IS TO GO FORWARD!
... SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGHER, FOLKS!
... ATTITUDE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
... THINK POSITIVE, ACT POSITIVELY!
... WATCH BOGALUSA BURST INTO A NEW MAGIC CITY! "
Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 29, 2009 4:34 PM:
" You have got to be kidding me. Have you looked into this guys tyrates ? Is this the best the Daily news can do ? "
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT, "Watcher"?
... My "TYRATES" are about IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOU AND ME HERE IN BOGALUSA!
... The Daily News is all about improving Bogalusa and Washington Parish, as well.
... are YOU on our TEAM, "Watcher"?
... GO BOGALUSA! "
Roy Black wrote on Sep 29, 2009 1:15 PM:
Dee wrote on Sep 29, 2009 1:12 PM:
Watcher wrote on Sep 28, 2009 6:27 PM:
Q wrote on Sep 28, 2009 3:59 PM:
Nice to put a face with the name and posts!
Good luck in your quest to make Bogalusa a better place!
Sincerely,
Q "
Cholly wrote on Sep 28, 2009 10:40 AM: