JON GLOVER CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
I walked into the Government Plaza with much expectation. Expectation that said the continuance of what had been would be no more. Work sesssion halted. But such would not be. Why?
Today, entering the chamber of Government Plaza, I wasn 't prepared. Oh, I knew I would be met with the precautionary measures that had been instituted to ensure the safety of all who attended meetings in the chamber, but what I wasn 't prepared for ... well , stay with me.
As I entered the room, I saw zip ties on chairs. Zip ties on chairs which would prevent them from usage. However, there were chairs-few, left available to and for the public.
Walking further into the chamber, Plexiglas. Plexiglas at each station on the horseshoe, social distancing. Plexiglas used to safeguard the members and the administration from any potential harm , all thanks to COVID-19. Quite an undertaking, if I might so say myself. Many thanks to those who made it possible.
Then the meeting began. The roll called. Taliaferro, present. Atkins, present. Lazarus, present. Chavez, present. Young, present. Hopkins, present. Six members of the Caddo Parish Commission showed up to perform the duties they were elected to do.
But six members of the Caddo Parish Commission did not - Cawthorne, Gage-Watts, Johnson, Jackson, Burrell and Epperson, not present.
I give no credence to party affiliation. Not even party lines. But what I do give credence to is that we have much work to be done. It will take each and every Commissioner working together to address the needs of this parish . No matter their party lines.
When the president of the Caddo Parish Commission announced, "no quorum," I only thought, "Let the games begin."
Sec. 3.07 - Commission meetings and rules: "Not less than a majority of the membership of the Commission shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but if a quorum is lost during a meeting, a smaller number may recess from time to time and compel the attendance of absent Commissioners in the manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by commission rules.
Is COVID-19 holding commissioners of the Caddo Parish Commission hostage with no quorum, no business conducted?
"For the remaining meetings of May, let's keep with our Zoom protocol, and we will meet in person in the chambers at Government Plaza starting June 2020." President Chavez wrote those words in a document dated May 13, 2020, sufficient time for every member of the Commission to air their opposition or support for future meetings.
COVID-19 surely has upset the applecart, so to speak, but it shouldn't to the extent that the business of the parish is not being performed.
So when will meetings of the Caddo Parish Commission resume in the chambers of Government Plaza?
Every precaution implemented and yet no quorum. When will our next meeting be in the chambers at Government Plaza?
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE June 5 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.