CULT HERO 50 CENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH TRUMP MAY AFFECT COUNCIL ANTI-TRUMP RESOLUTIONS

Politicos expected yesterday's Shreveport City Council meeting to be a repeat of the Monday council work session with lengthy self-serving monologues from the four Democrat council members on the need to pass three resolutions condemning actions of President Trump.

DING, DING, DING, DING, ROUND 5: CADDO COMMISSIONER JOHN-PAUL VERSUS MAYOR TOM

The drama continues in the fuss between Caddo Commissioner John-Paul Young and Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux over the rights of Shreveport Police Department to arrest trespassers.Judge James Boddie, judge ad hoc, was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to hear the case.

SHREVEPORT CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO APPROVE EXPO HALL LEASE TODAY

It’s time to move on and give Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson what he wants.He has a key to the city, a lease of Millennium Studio, a pending lease of an auxiliary building adjacent to Millennium, and lotsa downtown real estate.Today, the Shreveport City Council should approve the Expo Hall lease.

BIG SHREVEPORT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY)

Shreveport councilman Gary Brooks is the chairman of the council's Public Safety Committee.Brooks has held several informative committee meetings this year. Tomorrow's committee meeting addresses many important safety issues.The meeting begins at 1 p.m., before the 3 p.m. council meeting.

CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS ON SHREVEPORT COUNCIL AGENDA FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

The Shreveport City Council has its work session today, Monday.Tomorrow, Tuesday, is its regular session.One can expect many citizen comments as well as debate among council members on four items, which in reality are two issues.

PROPOSED SHREVEPORT COUNCIL ORDINANCE GREATLY RESTRICTS LIQUOR STORES

The agenda for the Shreveport City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 25, has a first reading of an ordinance that will greatly restrict issuance of liquor store permits. This ordinance could be adopted at the Council's meeting on April 8.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SHREVEPORT'S BLIGHT AND THE MAGIC SOLUTIONS

Once they return, I am expecting the delegation that went to the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative on blight to have magic solutions for Shreveport's blight. One should expect a white paper report from the group.

HAS MALL ST. VINCENT BENEFITED FROM ADDITIONAL SALES TAX REVENUE?

Back in 2013, the Shreveport City Council created a special sales tax district for Mall St. Vincent. This district adds an extra penny to be collected on purchases at the mall's stores. The additional sales tax did not apply to  Dillard’s and the then open Sears.

SETTLETALK READER OPPOSES PURPOSED EXPO HALL LEASE

The proposed Expo Hall lease is not an economic development deal—it’s a giveaway that puts taxpayers at risk while offering no guaranteed return for the city.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SHREVEPORT'S BLIGHT AND THE MAGIC SOLUTIONS

Once they return, I am expecting the delegation that went to the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative on blight to have magic solutions for Shreveport's blight. One should expect a white paper report from the group.

UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION RACE WILL HAVE BIG IMPACT ON NORTH LOUISIANA

April of next year seems like an eternity from now, but we all know how time goes by.Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell represents 24 districts in north Louisiana. He is termed out and thus a new commissioner will be elected next year.

SHOULD CADDO COMMISSION EXTEND TAX BREAK TO ENTITY HIRING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS?

The Caddo Commission is considering providing more tax breaks to T & A Truck Stop in Hosston, Louisiana.This drama has been playing out for the last three commission meetings--two work sessions and one regular meeting.

ANOTHER FIRE AT VACANT APARTMENTS , ANOTHER FIREFIGHTER INJURED

If this headline sounds familiar, it is.On Saturday, March 15, Shreveport firemen were dispatched to the Villa Norte Apartments on Fullerton Street. The building was vacant at the time and there were no occupants.The last fire reported at these apartments was in November of last year.

NO NEW SPEED CAMERAS IN SHREVEPORT UNTIL LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS

The installation of speed cameras in Shreveport neighborhoods has been approved by the Shreveport City Council on a 4-3 vote. Grayson Boucher, Jim Taliaferro and Gary Brooks opposed the cameras.The council action authorizes as many as 12 cameras throughout the city. The cameras will operate 24/7.

PROS AND CONS OF PROPOSED EXPO HALL LEASE TO CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON

The Shreveport City Council will be asked at its next meeting on March 25 to approve a proposed lease to Curtis "50" Jackson. The lease is similar to the lease of Millennium Studios to Jackson. On paper, the lease does have significant advantages to the City of Shreveport.