All council members have friends and associates. And certainly, all of them get pressure from them, as well as campaign donors and members of the public. Nonetheless, Good government requires decisions in the best interest of the majority of citizens, not just a few.
No one can question the very negative affect loud music from the rooftop of HAZE had adversely affected downtown Shreveport. How much more street dancing, fighting, shootings, property destruction, noise disturbances to downtown residents, SPD mace spraying etc. must be tolerated until council members take appropriate action by adopting a new noise ordinance?
In case anyone is really interested, the proposed ordinance increases the allowed decibel levels while providing effective enforcement measures. Logic cannot argue against the proposals, even though council members Tabatha Taylor and Alan Jackson are attempting to raise every possible "what if" in any effort to stall if not kill council action on this ordinance.
It’s not a surprise by either Taylor or Jackson. Taylor is a close personal friend of the HAZE owner and Jackson sponsored a council action to spend $5 grand to move a bus stop in front to the club that at the owner’s request. Taylor has a history of playing the race game to favor African Americans and Jackson is not far behind her in this respect.
Reportedly, another council member is favoring a stall or no action because of a personal relationship with the club owner. One can only wonder when the good of the entire city will be the deciding factor.
Will it take a murder on the streets, an armed robbery, a kidnapping or what other heinous act to spur appropriate action?
And let’s focus on the club owner herself. At a council meeting she said the crowds were not her problem but that of SPD. Geez. How does she explain no downtown crowds when no music was played? And why does she resist placing of her speakers to keep the sound on the rooftop versus cascading down on the street? So much for good citizenry by this so-called esteemed owner.
No Rome is not burning, yet. But definitive action on the noise ordinance is needed now.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.