On January 2, Sid Edwards took the oath of office to become Baton Rouge’s Mayor President.

Edwards was a political outsider; the head football coach and dean of students at Istrouma High School and had never worked in politics before.

“I got to looking and I got to thinking and I said ‘I just think we can do better’,” Edwards said.

Coming into office, Edwards faced a multitude of problems, and at the forefront was high crime rates. Once Edwards got into office, he hired former law enforcement issues to help advise and coordinate efforts to reduce crime.

“I’ve hired former police chief Jeff LeDuff as an assistant CAO on my team and he is an expert in every level of public safety,” Edwards said. “He has been working tirelessly, I’m talking up until the night, on some initiatives.”

Another issue that comes up when graduates decide on whether or not to stay in Baton Rouge is the road infrastructure. Heavy traffic and potholes have become regular annoyances in the city. Edwards says he wants to work with the state government on upgrading infrastructure.

“We’re going to be spending a lot of time at the Capitol,” Edwards said. “Working with our legislature and our representative on collaborating on some of this.”

Edwards is hopeful that his new initiatives will improve Baton Rouge and make LSU students want to stay in the capitol area after graduating. Edwards has message for LSU students as his office works to improve the city.

“Those that stay will be champions because this is a different era,” Edwards said.

“We’re about to rock this town. There are some things we are doing and some initiative that are going to be put out there real soon. You’re going to be in a different Baton Rouge and there will be no reason to leave.”