The moral of the story is not to rely on research or reporting by other media outlets, especially the Shreveport Times and Ian Robinson.
The copy below, based on Ian’s Times article, says Brooks missed one meeting between August 2025 and August 2026.
Councilman Brooks advises that he has had perfect attendance at council meetings, both work sessions and regular meetings, from January 2023 through August 2026.
He has missed only one meeting during his entire term, which was on September 8 of this year.
And now Brooks and I know not to rely on Ian’s reporting. A lesson learned by yours truly.
WHAT WAS ATTENDANCE RECORD OF SHREVEPORT COUNCIL MEMBERS
Well, bless their little hearts.
The Shreveport Times actually posted some “breaking news”, other than health citations for local restaurants, the deadliest snakes in the state, and the best restaurants in Louisiana cities, --with the notable exception of icon sports writer Jimmy Watson.
Yesterday’s paper featured a column by Ian Robinson on Shreveport City Council members attendance between August 2025 and August 2026. His copy did not indicate the dates--was it 12 months or 13?
Here are his findings on attendance at council meetings and work sessions/administrative conferences:
Grayson Boucher missed five administrative conferences and one regular meeting, totaling six absences.
Jim Taliaferro missed three administrative conferences and one council meeting, totaling four no-shows.
Alan Jackson, Ursula Bowman, and Tabatha Taylor each missed one administrative conference and one regular meeting. That's two absences for each.
Gary Brooks had only one absence, that being one administrative conference.
James Green was reported to have perfect attendance at administrative conferences and regular meetings.
Unfortunately Robinson did NOT report on attendance at council committee meetings.