LET’S GET PAST SAGGING PANTS AND RESTORE ORDER TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

The unfortunate death of Anthony Childs has had a major impact on recent city council meetings. And most of it not good.The sagging pants ordinance has been a significant source of citizen concern. Hopefully the council will repeal this ordinance on Tuesday.

SHREVEPORT RETIREMENT PLAN TAKES MAJOR HIT IN 2018

There’s an old saying among investors. The stock market giveth. And the stock market taketh.Guess what the market did to the city of Shreveport’s employee retirement system? In 2017 it was kind. Last year it was brutal. The bottom line is discouraging at best.

ENVIRONMENTAL COURT WILL HELP SHREVEPORT ADDRESS PROPERTY STANDARDS VIOLATIONS

Monroe has one. It works well for enforcement of Monroe’s property standards ordinances. Shreveport needs one.The Shreveport-Caddo 2030 Master Plan recommends that an administrative court be established to deal with code enforcement and quality of life issues.

OPPORTUNITY ZONES ARE A BIG DEAL

If you just landed here from Mars, it may be your first hearing of an Opportunity Zone.But if you have driven down Ellerbe Road in the Spring Lake area (and south), you should have noticed an expansion of commercial construction. All this is in an Opportunity Zone.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO DECORUM AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS?

Unfortunately recent Shreveport city council meetings have resembled the wild, wild west in terms of the comments and behavior of citizens addressing the Council.Speakers have repeatedly exceeded the time limits for comments. The standing rule is 3 minutes.

DOES SHREVEPORT NEED AN ENVIRONMENTAL COURT?

The short answer is yes.Monroe has one. It works well for enforcement of it’s property standards ordinances. It is a division of the Monroe city court.Property standards codes are designed to protect the safety and welfare of individual citizens and the community at large.

GOREE/SCHOOL BOARD PLAY OSTRICH AND LOSE OUT

Maybe the exhilaration of the recent ad valorem tax renewal is the reason.Perhaps it was an attitude of “who are you” to ask for help. Or maybe it was plain stupidity.Whatever the reason(s), Caddo School Superintendent Dr.

SHREVEPORT DOES HAVE A POLICE REVIEW BOARD

At the last Shreveport City Council meeting numerous speakers addressed the Council concerning the unfortunate death of Anthony Childs. Childs was fleeing from the Shreveport Police Department when he died from a gunshot wound. Caddo Coroner Dr. Todd Thomas ruled that the gunshot was self-inflicted.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT OPPORTUNITY ZONES?

If you just landed here from Mars, it may be your first hearing of an Opportunity Zone.But if you have driven down Ellerbe Road in the Spring Lake area (and south), you should have noticed an expansion of commercial construction. All this is in an Opportunity Zone.

WHY ARE SHREVEPORT’S OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE FEES DECREASING?

There are two realities that can not be denied. The city of Shreveport needs more revenues. And the city needs to cut expenses.On the revenue side, legislative action has been taken.In January, Mayor Perkins introduced a Clean City User Fee of $18 per month.

CADDO COMMISSION HAS FOUR OPEN SLOTS FOR FALL ELECTION

The twelve member Caddo Commission will have at least four new members next year.Three of the current members are termed out: Doug Dominick, Matthew Linn, and Jim Smith.Mike Middleton, who is finishing his first term, has declared he will not seek re-election.

FLOODING AN ISSUE FOR CROSS BAYOU DEVELOPMENT

Add this to the list of issues critical to any development of Cross Bayou.Every time the Red River gets near flood stage, Cross Bayou floods.Its simple.When the Red get “full”, water backs up into Cross Bayou.Add to this increased water flow into Cross Bayou from 12 Mile Bayou.

WHEN IS 3 MINUTES NOT 3 MINUTES?

The Shreveport City Council rules limit speaker comments to three minutes. It’s the same with the Caddo Commission.The reason for these rules is quite simple. Time considerations for all in attendance.At yesterday’s Council meeting there were over 15 citizens who addressed the Council.

MESSAGE TO LOUISIANA GAMING BOARD—LEAVE OUR CASINOS ALONE!

Just what Shreveport-Bossier does not need—another publicly funded report that throws cold water on the local economy.Does it really require a 250 page (plus) to make a point that is old news, like almost ancient news? The Indian tride casinos in Oklahoma are hurting Shreveport-Bossier gaming. Daa..

CADDO SCHOOL BOARD HAS FUNDS FOR CROSSING GUARDS

Last Saturday Caddo citizens approved a tax renewal for the Caddo School Board. This will result in revenues in excess of $88 million dollars. One of the three stated purposes for the renewal is to increase safety at the schools.