Caddo Commissioner vice president Victor Thomas touts himself as a civic VIP at the open mike session of each Caddo Commission meeting updating the commission and the limited number of attendees and streamers on all the civic activities he has participated in since the last meeting, reporting on local event happenings to educate listeners who do not have access to social or mainstream media, pushing the numerous recognition resolutions he sponsors, and adding his two cents on practically every agenda item.
But yesterday (Thursday June 17) at the commission meeting he was mysteriously quiet, as in no comment, on the very controversial pride month resolution he sponsored that was up for a vote before a large chamber audience that featured 15 minutes of opposition speakers, 15 minutes of proponent speakers before the vote and several more proponent speakers after the vote at the end of the meeting
Just a few weeks ago, Thomas appeared at the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting to oppose the approval of an expansion of The Providence House facilities, claiming he could broker a donation of more land in an adjacent area, without providing any details. Whether he appears at the upcoming city council meetings to express his opposition to an expanded facility for homeless kids and their mothers—the large majority of whom share his skin color--- is an open question.
The pride month resolution has caused more civic brouhaha than the resolution to retroactively approve the recognition resolution presented to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders before any action by the Commission.
The rancor this resolution caused, both inside and outside the Government Plaza chambers, was unprecedented and extremely divisive for the Commission, the meeting attendees, and most informed Shreveport citizens.
Thomas, much like Commission President Greg Young and commissioner minister Steffon Jones, constantly preaches unity of all Caddo citizens. However, all voted for the gay pride resolution along with mayoral candidate Stormy Gage-Watts, Roy Burrell, and John-Paul Young.
Commissioner Ron Cothran abstained from this vote and the vote on the family recognition resolution saying these were not matters for government.
Grace Ann Blake, John Atkins, and Ed Lazarus voted against the resolution. Blake also voted against the family recognition resolution.
Commissioner Ken Epperson was absent and the 6-4 vote failed because 7 votes are needed to pass resolutions.
Thomas, who apparently is gay, triggered divisiveness that he, and other commissioners constantly preach against.
One can only wonder what the majority of his commission district constituents, along with the many chamber and community organizations he constantly reminds the commission he is heavily involved with, truly feel about this issue, especially considering his role as lieutenant/water toter for Gage-Watts.
Thomas has risen on the commission leadership ladder from parliamentarian to vice president and if custom is followed will be elected president next year. However, there is precedent in not following this pattern; several years ago, his female BBF Stormy was not advanced to the presidency and Thomas could suffer the same fate next year.
Yesterday’s commission spectacle before the gay resolution vote puts a major black eye on the commission, the city of Shreveport and Caddo Parish and who knows, maybe the reelection chances of Thomas next year. In addition, the bad taste left in the mouths of many parish voters may still be around when the parish $60 million sports complex in on the November ballot.
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.