On April 29 Shreveport voters need to re-authorize an ad valorem tax renewal that expired under the Adrian Perkins administration.
This discovery was many of the "challenges" new Mayor Tom Arceneaux has been welcomed with along with the Blue Line photo speed camera contract, the three day free rent of Betty Virginia Park to a FOR-PROFIT venture, the Chinese security cameras that must be removed, for starters.
The list of hard government issues can be expanded easily--crime, unfunded pension liability, bond rating downgrade, continuing infrastructure issues, etc.
The tax renewal needs to be passed, plain and simple. It’s been on the books for quite some time and supports many government functions, primarily for public safety and SPAR.
SettleTalk, FOCUS SB and The Inquisitor has pledged its support to Mayor Tom.
This week's issue of FOCUS SB had coverage of the mayor's address to the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association on this topic.
The mayor has been promised coverage on this vote, and this invitation is extended to other local officials who want to endorse the millage, write op eds, etc.
FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor has a history of supporting both city and parish renewals and other meaningful local government programs.
FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor aggressively supported COVID vaccinations with listing so shot locations and with a $100 drawing to 10 local residents who provided proof of vaccinations.
FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor promoted Shreveport's Real Time Crime with numerous articles. Additionally, $100 checks were drawn to 20 local businesses that tied in their security cameras to the center.
Publisher/editor John Settle challenges the other Shreveport publications to support this millage reauthorization--The Shreveport Times, 318 Forum, SB Magazine and The Shreveport Sun. Similarly, those local businesses who advertise in those publications should ask about the community support of
Shreveport initiatives and this millage.
Paying the big bucks to generate business, for personal ego, and to maintain a high community profile should get advertisers more from their chosen publications. If Shreveport does not prosper, how do they think their businesses and organizations will grow?
And since THE ADVOCATE is meeting with locals about expanding into this market and actually kicking the can for support of a non-profit foundation to support their efforts, they can help as well.
I am certain that a committee will soon be formed, if not already, to support the millage vote. Even if not in this market, The Advocate can contribute to this effort.
This column WILL be sent to publisher of The Advocate and the publications listed above.
If readers of this column like to read and/or advertise in the other publications, then they also should push on them to join the civic team by supporting the millage re-authorization.
And yes, this IS a challenge from John Settle, SettleTalk, FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor. It’s time to hold local publications accountable for their ad and subscription revenues.