JOHN E. SETTLE JR. EDITOR/PUBLISHER
The Shreveport City Council's last meeting on Tuesday, July 28, was its first "live" meeting since Gov. John Bel Edward's emergency executive order in March.
The meeting was "live" in the chambers at Government Plaza.
The council continued its COVID-era practice of having combined work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Council Chair James Flurry has been successfully battling cancer since May. He is actively performing his council duties from home. However, he is in strict isolation.
Prior to the July 28 meeting, Flurry had participated in the Zoom council meetings.
Due to his weakened immune system from aggressive chemotherapy, Flurry was advised by his doctors to stay isolated. He was explicitly advised not to attend the council meetings for the foreseeable future.
The good news is that a federal court ruling in Alexandria sets a legal precedence that allows Flurry to participate by Zoom in the "live" council meeting.
The judge ruled that a 98-year-old Alexandria councilman could attend the "live" meetings virtually by Zoom.
The councilman's doctors advised that due to his age and medical condition (he had also broken an elbow in earlier this year), he should isolate during the pandemic.
The ruling is limited to the time frame(s) covered by Gov. Edwards’ emergency pandemic orders only.
Shreveport City Attorney Mekisha Creal determined that Flurry qualified for the Zoom exception determined by the Alexandria court.
Thus, Flurry was able to participate and vote at the council meetings by Zoom. The other council members attended in person the meeting at Government Plaza.
Allowing Flurry to participate by Zoom is a win-win for Flurry, the other council members and the citizens of Shreveport.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE August 14 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.