Shreveport and Caddo Parish are going through very trying times as elections approach. Word comes through talk radio that Ellerbe area residents are getting wrestles and beating the drums of secession again. There is talk of de-annexing and forming a new incorporated town outside of Shreveport. The governor’s appointment of a Democrat to the counsel replacing a Republican may have reignited their desire to control their own destiny.
A simple vote by the city council could make it happen, or Ellerbe folks can petition to get on the ballot this fall and if they get the votes they are on their own as I understand it. I recommend the former. A quick decisive vote of the city council would put the issue to rest and after some difficult negotiations relieve the City of Shreveport of a large part of the sprawl problem that is costing us more for city services than we are willing to tax ourselves to pay for. Police, Fire, water, sewer, and road maintenance.
For instance, after we annex and take possession of the newly built infrastructure, the city becomes responsible for the expensive upkeep on those streets and underground pipes which cost ten times what the streets cost. Then we must stretch police and fire coverage as well as garbage pickup. More wear and tear on vehicles, more potholes to keep up.
As Shreveport was sprawling into the southeast along the Red, we hit a point where we needed a second wastewater treatment plant. Lucas Wastewater was built along the Red River south of LSU-S. With the expansion came new lift stations that move the wastewater and a huge pump to keep water pressure strong along with more miles of pipes. Although we grew in land area to be bigger than Boston or Cincinnati, our population peaked and has since declined. Yet slow traffic at rush hour getting out of Ellerbe and into town led to calls for the Southern Loop to be built and maintained. Now we need a traffic light system at a busy intersection along there that will cost maybe a million dollars to prevent accidents and save lives. Sprawl is expensive. More to keep repaired with fewer people per square mile to pay for the upkeep leads to grumpy citizens, and that drives people to consider moving away.
Other cities that have traveled too far down this sprawling path have found that the best solution is de-annexation. Detroit, which is only around twenty square miles bigger than Shreveport but has around three times the residents to pay for upkeep is an example. The best thing for all current Shreveport citizens will probably be letting Ellerbe go their own way. If Shreveport City Council can negotiate a departure this year, the City of Shreveport would be in a much more manageable situation. Another decision that the City Council could make this year would be a moratorium on all new annexations. We can’t afford another one. Let me know what you think: PerkWrites@gmail.com