WHERE WILL COUNCILMAN JACKSON MEET SOUTHERN HILLS CONSTITUENTS?

In what can only be considered "unusual", the Shreveport city council clerk's office sent out an announcement that Alan Jackson, the newly appointed council member for District E., would have a "Meet Dr. Alan Jackson" event at Southern Hills Community Center on Thurs. Jan. 6 at 6 p.m..

WHAT IS BASIS FOR PROPOSED PAYRAISE FOR ALL SHREVEPORT EMPLOYEES?

This is a question being asked by many Shreveport citizens. Quietly because no one, including this writer, want to be the proverbial bad guy.The budget adopted by the Shreveport city council for 2022 included a 2.5% pay increase for all city workers.

NEW COUNCILMAN JACKSON TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

Dr. Alan Jackson, Jr. will be at the Southern Hills Community Center this Thurs. Jan. 6At 6 p.m. to answer questions that are submitted to him in advance by email toAlan.Jackson@shreveportla.

SHOW ME THE MONEY FOR PROPOSED SHREVEPORT PAYRAISES

It’s a question that needs to be answered before the vote on the proposed pay raises which is on the Jan. 11 agenda.Actually, the first question is how much additional funds are needed to give all Shreveport employees a 13% pay raise for 2022.

Meet Shreveport's new council member, Dr. Alan Jackson

ByJOHN E. SETTLE JRFocus SB News The long wait for a new council person for Shreveport's District E ended on Tuesday, Dec. 28. By letter to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, Governor John Bel Edwards appointed Alan Duval Jackson Jr., Ed.D.

Shreveport, I’ve got a soundstage to sell you

JOHN PERKINSContributing ColumnistWith the hope of film production returning to Shreveport now firmly planted in Mississippi, where film tax credits are unlimited and there is movement toward elimination of the state income tax, word came that the Shreveport City Council approved Mayor Perkins’...

Bad optics at Shreveport City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 28

Shreveport City Council member James Green likes to quote a saying from his mom that “when you start out right, then you end up right.

Hammons makes positive impact at first Bossier council meeting

At long last, SoBo, as in South Bossier, has a duly elected council member. Brian Hammons took office as the Bossier District 1 council representative at last week's Bossier council meeting on Dec. 21.District Judge Mike Craig swore Hammons into office.

The interim councilman for District E should have been a Republican

PRENTISS SMITH Contributing ColumnistIt’s a shame that Shreveport City Council members could not come together and choose someone locally known and affiliated with District E to represent the district.

What happens if Caddo Commission repeals UDC?

By JOHN E. SETTLE JRFocus SB News It is expected that the Caddo Commission will consider the repeal of its version of the Unified Development Code (UDC) in January. This controversial ordinance affects parish property within the five-mile zone of the Shreveport city limits.

The elf rings Salvation Army bell at Government Plaza

ByJOHN E. SETTLE JRFocus SB News It was not the first time, but it was the best time.Previously, I had appeared as The Elf ringing the Salvation Army bell at Forbing Kroger and the Airline Super Walmart.This time it was Government Plaza in the 500 block of Travis Street.I picked the 12 noon to 3 p.

Krefft’s Suggestions to Shreveport Council on pay raises

Ken Krefft is a numbers guy who is highly respected.  This is his suggestion for pay raises: A 9% raise doubles in 8 years; a 13% in 4.6 years.Give 1-time $1,000 bonus to all non-public safety employees w/ a 9% salary hike.  We simply can't sustain doubling our city payroll in just 4.6 years.

HOW IS SHREVEPORT GOING TO FUND PROPOSED PAYRAISES?

Council members Tabitha Tayor, James Green and Jerry Bowman, Jr. are sponsoring a series of ordinances to increase the current salaries of all full-time city of Shreveport employees by an aggregate amount of 13 %.The ordinances are on the agenda for the combined work session/regular meeting on Dec.

The scourge of black-on-black killing continues unabated, even during holidays

PRENTISS SMITH Contributing ColumnistA recent series of stories on KTBS Channel 3 about the “deadliest zip codes in Shreveport” was an eye opener and a look into who is being killed and where they are being killed in Shreveport.

Do we really need five fire trucks / two fire SUVs in downtown on a Tuesday?

It was not a fire truck vehicle show.It was not a “park a fire truck downtown” training exercise.It was not a group fire truck vehicle inspection arena.And thankfully, it was not because of a fire in the downtown area.