After a 30-minute rant at the Caddo Commission work session yesterday (Tues.), Caddo Commissioner John-Paul Young announced on the Mike and McCarty 710 KEEL radio show this morning that he will run for Shreveport mayor this fall.
The problem with abandoned housing and vagrants throughout the city, not just Highlands, is one that has many legal challenges. John-Paul is not the only elected official concerned over this issue.
Despite his law degree John-Paul apparently has little to no understanding of the Shreveport Property Standards Code, the Shreveport Environmental Court, tax sale adjudicated properties and due process of law that protects property owners.
Funding of police salaries has been a challenge for past city administrations. The entire city council has grappled with police salaries and funding for many years.
Throwing out a number for a police salary increase without mentioning a source of funding speaks for itself. The city’s budget cannot support large police raises without cutting existing programs unless a new funding source is identified.
John-Paul is a well-educated and involved citizen who has served well on the Caddo Commission. However he has not sponsored/supported any legislation to help fund Shreveport police salaries while he has voted for the pickleball complex and led the effort to plant trees in Highland Park.
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.