By now most readers have received a “Inclusive State of the Art Complex” postcard on the sports complex and viewed “Vote Yes Parishwide Proposition Caddo Sports Complex” ads.
Both have caused some confusion among Settle Talk readers.
The postcard was paid for by Caddo Parish with taxpayer dollars as an EDUCATIONAL mailing at the cost of taxpayers.
This is legal; it is NOT legal for the Parish to send out a mailer that ADVOCATES for the passage of the proposed bond proposition.
The Friends of Caddo Parish, represented by former Caddo administrator Woody Wilson, is heading up this group which is not listed as a business organization on the Louisiana Secretary of State website.
This the funding is with private dollars and the donors are not publicly known or accessible.
The Caddo postcard has raised questions with the statement of “10 basketball AND (emphasis added) 20 volleyball, convertible for a variety of sports.”
The complex will have one floor that can be converted into 10 basketball OR 20 volleyball courts—but not 10 basketball AND volleyball courts at the same time.
Additionally the post card has the statement “Outdoor Fields. Multipurpose Fields and Cross Country Loop.”
The bond proposition is for 12 plus acres for the sports complex building.
The bond proposition is NOT for land to accommodate multipurpose fields and a cross-country loop which may be added if the Parish buys an additional 150-200 acres of land adjacent to the planned sports complex building.
The “Vote Yes” ads do not mention the sports that can be played within the complex or any spots amenities outside the complex.
The ads promote the complex as bringing in visitors, driving economic growth, supporting youth & families and building a stronger community.
The ads encourage voters to “Help Build the Future of Caddo.”
Together the postcard and the ads represent an expensive and widespread effort to pass the $60 million bond proposition for the proposed $70 million sports complex.
