Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts is an announced candidate for Shreveport mayor.
Her campaign has stalled, and she recently suspended it due to the Cedar Grove tragedy.
Gage-Watts was on the list to go on the taxpayer-paid junket to Hawaii for two conferences.
After publication of the article below and the resulting publicity, Stormy announced she will not go to Maui. (Grace Ann Blake has now announced she will pay all her expenses for this trip).
This face-saving effort will be of no real avail to her campaign, which was handicapped from the beginning by her residence OUTSIDE the city limits.
Gage-Watts has now learned firsthand that she is no longer a media star since her Commission presidency ended In January.
Despite her backing by the shadow kingmaker Lynn Braggs, Gage-Watts should find a reason to continue the campaign suspension or just fold the tent now.
SIX CADDO COMMISSIONERS TO GO TO HAWAII ON TAXPAYER'S DIME
Hey—forget about police cars, the pickleball complex or even the proposed sports complex.
Why not go to sunny Maui for a week on public dole for conferences.
Mayoral candidate Stormy Gage-Watts who recently suspended her campaign, Grace Ann Blake who never misses a party, Roy Burrell who has been on the public dole forever, Mr. Everywhere Victor Thomas, Coach/Minister Steffon Jones, and Keithville’s finest Ed Lazarus will go next month for an educational (?) vacation.
There are two separate but overlapping conferences on tap.
The National Association of Counties (NACO) has a May 5-8 conference focusing on “pressing issues facing Western states.” How is this relevant to the Caddo Commission?
The National Organization of Black County Officials (NABCO) has an economic development summit May 7-11. With NELP, the Black Chamber of Commerce, the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and LED, one wonders what new economic development information will be useful for the Commission.
But why does that matter?
This taxpayer-funded junket coincides with the regular first week of May Commission meetings, which have been cancelled.
It’s a good thing that these Commissioners aren't facing re-election this year since the Hawaii vacation primes public safety issues like police cars, additional SPD equipment and similar matters.
In the meantime, the Commission has a misinformed/misguided $5,000-month lobbyist in Baton Rouge during their trip.
So why worry?