Every vote counts in Stonewall mayor runoff

STONEWALL, La. -- Early voting began Friday and runs through June 20 for the Stonewall mayoral election on June 27.

The race was sent to a runoff when both candidates took home 50% of the vote last month.

Candidates Ken Kaffka and Randy Rodgers tied at 374 votes each.

Kaffka is the current Stonewall mayor, but Rodgers held the position from 2018-2022.

Both candidates have faced growing pains in office because of Stonewall's growth.

"We're on a growth stage. We're experiencing new things coming to town. The town is having to adjust and learn, and it's a learning process for everything that's been going on," said Kaffka.

Kaffka said restaurants, a grocery store and Barksdale Federal Credit Union are coming to town. Stonewall has already benefited from the Lumiere Christmas park and some of the other locally owned businesses that have opened in recent years. 

The candidates hope to continue the economic momentum to attract small businesses.

"We just make Stonewall attractive to businesses as best we can," Rodgers said. "We can just tell them 'Hey, we're growing. We're going to have lots of houses here.'"

A new subdivision with space for 204 homes is planned for just outside the city limits. 

But there are some limits for Stonewall government. It operates off a 1% sales tax. The town doesn't collect property tax. 

Rodgers recognizes the need for a sewer system throughout the town and is willing to pursue one if taxpayers are in support.

Rodgers served four years on Stonewall Town Council and four years as mayor. He's president of North DeSoto Water System, serves on the parish planning commission and has prior business management experience

He described himself as a hands-on person.

"I don't sit in the office and wait for somebody to come to me. I'm usually out working on something, mowing the ditches or we've got tractors and stuff that I operate," Rodgers said. "And if somebody wants to see the mayor and happened to drop in rather than making an appointment, they give me a call."

Kaffka served on the volunteer fire department and as a UPS driver before his election to mayor. Kaffka said his main focus in office has been safety and infrastructure.

"The roads are the main issue for Stonewall, and we have projects going on right now," Kaffka said. "So that and we have some future plans for other roads that people in the community have been wanting for 20 years to happen."

One major project is ongoing on Stanley Road. Rambin Road is next, he said. 

Both candidates discussed the importance of voters getting to the polls.

"Well, I just wish for everybody to go vote, express their opinion, have a voice. If you don't have a voice and it's hard to turn around and say something that's negative about something if you don't have a voice in what you're doing. ... Go out there, voice your opinion," Kaffka said. 

Rodgers said he's run into some voters who admitted they didn't get to the polls last month. But he thinks most voters have made up their minds who they will support.

"It's going to just be turnout," he said.