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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.

 

GAGE-WATTS FUNDRAISER AT MORNINGSTAR CHURCH RAISES IRS ISSUES

John Settle

Caddo Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts is a candidate for Shreveport Mayor in the upcoming November election.
 
She is a member of Morningstar Baptist Church which Theron Jackson pastors; he attended her mayoral election announcement party last November.
 
Gage-Watts held a fundraiser for her mayoral campaign yesterday (Sunday) at the Morningstar Baptist Church Life Center. (See announcement below).
 
Presumably Morningstar has an IRS Determination Letter verifying its tax-exempt status for non-profit grant applications, donor tax exemptions and state tax exemptions.
 
Morningstar received $250,000 from the Caddo Commission for its Community Lighthouse project. The Commission only funds non-profit organizations.
 
IRS regulations on tax-exempt organizations prohibit churches from political endorsements and hosting fundraisers for candidates.
 
Gage-Watts and Jackson were unavailable for comment on this event and its impact on the church’s presumed IRS non-profit status.

MPC AND DDA SPONSORSHIP OF PROVIDENCE HOUSE CAMPUS EXPANSION MEETING QUESTIOINED

As enrollment declines and staff grows, Louisiana public schools may soon face a reckoning