Caddo Commission president Greg Young has released his 2026 Committee assignments.
He has appointed mayoral candidate Stormy Gage-Watts as chair of the Economic Development committee along with John-Paul Young, Grace Ann Blake, and Roy Burrell as members. As President, Greg Young is a member of all the commission committees.
The description for this committee is listed as:
“To this Committee shall be referred legislation relating to the following subjects: appropriation of funds for the parish’s video poker proceeds, Caddo Parish industrial inducement, economic development districts and special industrial taxing districts, industrial parks and enhancement avenues for new and existing businesses within the Parish of Caddo. This committee also features a sub-committee for Film & Entertainment.”
Gage-Watts missed the Commission meeting last Thursday, Feb. 5. If she seriously pursues her announced candidacy for Shreveport mayor, she will no doubt have schedule conflicts the rest of the year for commission meetings.
As a mayor candidate, all actions of Gage-Watts on the Commission, and especially as chair of ANY committee, will be viewed closely from the perspective of attention-getting and platform building versus sound government. Thus, any recommendations of this Committee to the full Commission may be viewed skeptically by the business community.
Gage-Watts attempted to call a meeting of the Economic Development Committee last week before the release of committee assignments. This reflects her obvious intent to get media attention that she no longer enjoys when serving as the commission president.
This appointment by President Greg Young is the first of many he will make in his position. One hopes he will be more deliberate in decision-making process.
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.