THIS IS HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT MAKES SAUSAGE: NEW INTERSTATE SERVICE ROAD?

JOHN PERKINSI attend Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG) meetings. I am interested in how our Infrastructure system became so fouled up.

PIPES SEEKS TO CURB LOCAL VIOLENCE

KERRY M. KIRSPEL FOCUS SBViolent crimes have dominated the news in recent months, and it sometimes seems as if nothing is being done successfully to stem the tide of violence in our community and in our nation.But one man has made it his goal to put violence on hold locally.

WHAT WILL BE THE COST TO SHREVEPORT AND BOSSIER CITY FOR LED LIGHTING OF TEXAS STREET BRIDGE?

On Oct.

LISTEN UP: THE WIND WAS PRESENT, THE RAIN WAS PRESENT, BUT THE STORM WAS GONE!

BILLY ROY WAYNEDuring Hurricane Laura, I sat in my dining area looking out the window. I made my coffee stronger than usual that morning.The fierce winds and heavy rain beat down upon my home. I would be a liar if I told you I wasn’t frightened.

CANDIDATES MOUTON & WOOD--SOCIAL SECURITY OR JUDGESHIP?

There are 3 candidates for an open judgeship on the Shreveport city court: Emily Settle Merckle, Edward Mouton, and Paul Wood.The judges will take office on Jan. 1.Wood will be 62 on Jan. 9.  He can draw social security on his birthday.Mouton will be 64 in March of next year.

IF PERKINS GOES TO D.C., WHO RUNS THE CITY?

JOHN E. SETTLE JR.It’s a question that has not been discussed much by local politicos.Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is a candidate for the U.S. Senate. If elected, he must resign as mayor of Shreveport.If Perkins loses his Senate race, he still could be headed to the nation's capital.

GOOD IDEA TO PUMP WATER OUT OF CROSS LAKE FOR DRILLING?

That is not the exact question the Shreveport Infrastructure Committee will consider at its meeting tomorrow (Tues. at 1:30 pm).But the impact of  pumping 375 million gallons of water from Shreveport's water supply will certianly be an overriding consideration in the committee's deliberations.

DOES CADDO SCHOOLS HAVE A PLAN FOR PHASE 3?

By JON GLOVERIn mid-March 2020, forced by the COVID-19, the Caddo Parish school system started what would be the new norm for education in the parish.  It was unconventional.  It would be a challenge for everyone. It was the new style of teaching, learning done with technology using Chromebooks.

CADDO COMMISSION ZOOM MEETINGS DO NOT SERVE THE PUBLIC

Caddo Parish attorney Donna Frazier is dead wrong in saying that electronic meetings work well. Of course, that is the company line as a parish employee.The Parish recently filed litigation challenging state legislation that regulates meetings of governing bodies during emergencies.

IS IT TIME FOR SHREVEPORT TO CAN RECYCLING?

Shreveport's effort to have a meaningful recycling program has never achieved expectations from the perspective of citizen involvement. That point can not be argued.The recycling effort does, however, extend the useful life of the city's landfill. How much is an open question.

PUTTING LIPSTICK ON THE PIG AGAIN

JOHN PERKINSThe flashy new condo development in Ledbetter Heights is being called by local architects, “the new Jackson Heights Projects except built with poorer quality materials” and “another warehouse for poor people.

QUESTIONS ON PROPOSED SHREVEPORT BOND PACKAGES

On Sept. 22 the Shreveport City Council will again vote on the proposed $50 million dollar bond refinance of Water & Sewer bonds and the proposed $30 million dollar bond "line of credit" for potential budget shortfall.

LOOKING BACK AT THE TIE VOTE ON $35M BOND

By JOHN E. SETTLE JREditor / Publisher It wasn't pretty to say the least.The Shreveport City Council voted on a proposed $35 million bond package at its Tuesday, Sept. 8, meeting.The  vote was 3-3. Council members Levette Fuller, John Nickleson and Grayson Boucher opposed the bond package.

A TV SPORTS BONANZA ON LABOR DAY

By John E. Settle Jr.Editor / Publisher OK, it WAS a totally different Labor Day.Goodness, the pandemic has sure put a damper on many traditions. But it did bring a couch potato feast of TV sports to watch.Where to start?How about a continuation of no-fans-in-the-seats baseball games?

YES SHE IS MY DAUGHTER--AND I AM PROUD OF HER

Many readers have asked if Emily Merckle is my daughter.Yes, she is!And yes, she is running for Judge - -  Shreveport City Court.And yes, dad is proud! Actually very very proud!As my friends say (and I admit) Emily's good looks, brains and sweet personality are from her mom.