CAN COMMISSIONER JACKSON GET HIS PANDEMIC COMMITTEE BACK?

At the Caddo Commission's last meeting on Thursday, May 21, Commission President Lyndon Johnson (LBJ) announced that he was dissolving the ad hoc Pandemic Committee that he had established earlier this year.

Caddo commissioner Steven Jackson (Jack) vehemently objected to Johnson's actions, both on the record and afterwards in a heated discussion that has become viral on Facebook. Jack was the chairman of the committee.

Jack advised he would seek re-instatement of his committee by legislative action at the next commission meeting.

The commission's next work session is Tuesday, June 1, at 3:30 p.m. Any agenda item must be posted on the agenda which must be released at least 24 hours before the meeting.

The commission's next regular meeting is Thursday, June 3, at 3:30 p.m.

Jack will need seven votes to be successful in his effort. That means six of the remaining 11 commissioners must support his effort.

This will be a major uphill challenge, and his odds are not good.

Jack has not ingratiated himself with most commissioners for many reasons, including his abrasive, argumentative style, his penchant for talking incessantly at meetings, and his attitude of being the most knowledgeable member of the group.

LBJ will serve as commission president until the first meeting in January of next year. Until then, he will have many discretionary responsibilities that can affect all the commissioners.

Rarely has the commission president been hijacked by the other commissioners, and it is highly unlikely that this will happen with a vote to restore the Pandemic Committee.

Jack holds himself as an authority on many issues. Hopefully, he understands how to count to seven.