The proposal by Caddo Commissioner John-Paul Young to fund the City of Shreveport $2.8 million for Shreveport Police vehicles died at the Commission’s Monday work session.
Computer warriors have vilified Caddo Commissioner Grace Ann Blake for making the resolution to deny the request.
This crowd overlooks the fact that five other commissioners who voted with Grace Ann—Democrats Stormy Gage-Watts, Greg Young, and Ron Cothran along with Republicans Ed Lazarus and Chris Kracman.
More importantly the naysayers ignore the reality that John-Paul did not broach his idea with SPD Chief Wayne Smith, Mayor Tom Areceneaux, or even Caddo Administrator Erica Bryant.
And to top it off, Mayor Arceneaux stated on the Mike and McCarty KEEL radio show this am that he was not sure if the $2.8 million could not have been better designated than the purchase of 70 police cars. Mayor Tom says that he would have expected a conversation with Bryant before the proposal was made by John-Paul.
On the same radio program Grace Ann advised that she would have first discussed a funding proposal with Bryant first, and then the Commission president Greg Young for assignment to the appropriate Commission committee.
This proposal could have been made last year or the year before by mayoral candidate John-Paul. In the alternative, he could have taken the time to review this idea with Bryant, Mayor Tom and Chief Wayne. But so much for following an educated procedure in an election year.
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.