SHOULD SHREVEPORT CHAMBER BE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SHREVEPORT/CADDO PARISH?

That’s the proposal that Tim Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber made to Caddo Commission committee recently. And he will soon be making it to the Shreveport City Council.

MAY EMPLOYMENT IN SHREVEPORT BOSSIER DECLINES

The news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for May was good for the state. But not good for Shreveport Bossier.Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.4% in May. This puts the state unemployment rate at an eleven year low.

SHREVEPORT CRIME NUMBERS DOWN THROUGH MAY

Each month the Shreveport Police Department (SPD) compiles crime statistics. These are posted on the SPD website.The May report was posted on June 13.Here is a summary for Jan.

SHREVEPORT SALES TAX REVENUES—FIRST 4 MONTHS 2019

A key economic indicator for local government is monthly sales tax revenues.Sales taxes are the mother’s milk of local governments, and Shreveport is no different. Unfortunately the revenue reports are somewhat delayed.The Shreveport April tax numbers were only posted the city’s website on June 20.

PERKINS ANSWERS CRITICAL THINKING COALITION

On May 31, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins held an open forum to discuss citizen concerns that reached the boiling point after the death of Anthony Childs.

GOREE RESPONDS TO EMAIL IN RE SCHOOL BOARD DEFICIT

Dr GOREEThis is your statement as reported in media 1. Is CPSB operating in a deficit 2. If so what is the amount and how being paid 3. If not explain the statement.Please respond NLT 25 JuneThanksJohnMr. Settle,Thank you for reaching out for clarification.

LESS THAN 7 WEEKS TILL QUALIFYING FOR CADDO SHERIFF/COMMISSION

Yep, its about time for local parish election talk to heat up. Aug.6-8 are qualifying dates for the fall Oct. 12 primary.Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator will seek re-election. Prator was first elected sheriff in 2000. He will be considered to be a heavy favorite. https://www.facebook.

SUMMARY OF THIRD CLASS ACTION WATER BILLING LAWSUIT RECENTLY FILED

Every account is supposed to pay a separate, flat monthly fee, one for water and one for sewer.The city has adopted a practice of charging each account a separate monthly fee based on how many water meters each account has.

MARTINEZ GIVES NLEP REPORT TO CADDO COMMISSION

In what was an obvious sales pitch, North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) president Scott Martinez addressed the Caddo Commission on Monday. And it was a good report.NLEP serves a 14 parish north Louisiana area.

CADDO SCHOOL BOARD PLAYING “CHICKEN” ON CROSSING GUARDS?

At first the Caddo School Board played ostrich---put head in sand. Now, it looks like they are playing the old school yard game of “chicken.”Caddo School officials ignored a request by Shreveport city council chairman to meet with a committee to discuss funding of school crossing guards.

SAGGING PANTS ORDINANCE…A PERSPECTIVE

Hopefully, the saggy pants saga has ended. The Shreveport city council voted 6-1 to repeal this ordinance Tuesday, June 12.The vote had been decided long ago—like after the May 27 work session, if not before. This issue has dominated local news since that date.

SHREVEPORT RETIREMENT PLAN AUDIT REVIEW ON JULY 9

Milliman Inc., an international independent actuarial and consulting firm, provided valuation reports of the city’s retirement plan for 2016-2018. At councilman John Nicholson’s urging, a representative from Milliman Inc. will be at the July 9 council meeting to review their audits.

CLASS ACTIONS ON WATER/SEWER BILLINGS BECOMING A CITY GODZILLA

The latest monster movie to be released is “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” Its touted as a whole host of monsters that beat the hell out of each other. It’s likely that three Godzilla class actions suits will soon be beating the hell out of city reserves.

WHAT WILL BE TOTAL PUBLIC COST FOR PROPOSED CROSS BAYOU DEVELOPMENT?

It’s the $64 thousand dollar question.Its been asked from the first day the latest development project has been announced. Its yet to be answered.Gateway Development Consortium rolled out their initial proposal for a massive $1 billion development of Cross Bayou Pointe last year.

SHOULD SHREVEPORT HAVE A SEPARATE CITIZEN POLICE REVIEW BOARD?

Many citizens concerned about the actions/inaction of the Shreveport Police Department resulting in the death of Anthony Childs are calling for the creation of a police citizen police review board.