By: Jon Glover • Contributing Columnist
What was the purpose of the Planning and Infrastructure/GIS Committee meeting held on Friday, February 16, 2024? I thought the purpose of the committee meeting was to discuss the issuance of bonds for infrastructure needs.
If the meeting was reviewing the current status of the city’s infrastructure, why the delving into a previous administration’s acts and actions by committee chair councilman James Green?
Shreveport Chamber president Dr. Timothy Magner commended members of the Shreveport City Council and administration for meeting with members of the Chamber. Magner said the Chamber will support the proposed bond proposal.
Chairman Green asked Mr. Magner why did the Chamber not support the Perkins administration’s 2021 bond proposal? Mr. Magner’s response to Chairman Green was simple.
The previous administration failed to apply for federal and state funding available to address much of the ask of the 2021 bond proposal. Had the previous administration utilized resources readily available by applying for funding, the Chamber would have supported the bond.
Then Chairman Green asked Mr. Magner why support the current bond proposal? Mr. Magner’s answer was simple - - it’s time.
It was clear to me that Green’s questions were not about the bond proposal. The focus by Green was on the current administration, the previous administration, and race.
The members of the Shreveport Chamber came together, met with members of the Shreveport City Council and the administration. They shared what they believed required immediate attention for our city.
Editor's Note: Mayor Arceneaux wants prompt approval by the Shreveport City Council of the proposed package. He wants to have the package on the April special election ballot. Council members have several choices: approve the package as presented, modify the bond package, continue to delay the package, or vote to not have a bond proposal. The mayor has acknowledged the need to have project managers on certain funding projects in the proposed package.