SettleTalk.com

Adrian Perkins will be sworn as Shreveport’s next mayor on Saturday, December 29. That leaves little time for a transition from Mayor Ollie Tyler’s administration.

 

Perkins is scheduled to meet Wednesday with Tyler. Here are some topics that they should address:

 

1. Former Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford has resigned and his office is empty.

Perkins should be offered the use of this office and the large conference room at City Hall.

 

2. Perkins should ask Tyler not to sign any long term contracts that bind the City before leaving office.

 

3. Tyler should invite Perkins to attend her Monday staff meeting with department heads, and all other meetings with city officials—in a listen but not talk position.

 

4.  Tyler should provide Perkins an accurate, confidential list of potential problems that she has knowledge of—but are not out in the public domain.

5.  Tyler should allow Perkins to interview all department heads and assistant department heads before December 29.

6.      Perkins should be allowed to have a limited number of his transition team members participate in the above and to have any other empty office space.

7.      Tyler and Perkins need to decide who will use the city suite for the Independence Bowl on Dec. 27 – current mayor, mayor-elect, or both.

 

8. Tyler should inform Perkins if any city department heads or assistant department heads have told her they will resign by the end of the year.

There is plenty of things that can be done to have a successful transition. Unfortunately there are not written procedures for a change of command at city hall.

(This article will be posted in The Shreveport Times on Wednesday, December 12, 2018)

 

 

The 2018 Shreveport mayor’s race broke new ground, probably ensuring that local politics will never be quite the same.
 
In a ‘yarner”, incumbent Mayor Ollie Tyler made a low key announcement in January that she would seek re-election.
 
The campaign season really kicked off by the announcements of Adrian Perkins and Lee O. Savage in April.
 
Perkins, a virtual unknown to any Joe on the street, spoke to a diverse crowd (age and race) at a west Shreveport hotel.
 
Savage, a maverick Republican, addressed a practically all white middle to upper age crowd at the AG building at the state fair.
 
And from that time on, the traditional playbook for a Shreveport mayor’s campaign became obsolete.
 
Eventually two other candidates who had been posturing for the race finally jumped in—Jim Taliaferro and Steven Jackson.
 
And thus the field , for all practical purposes was set: a 73 year old black female Democrat—the incumbent; two white male Republicans—both over 60; and two young, as in not even 35, black male Democrats.
 
In 2014 Tyler was the poster child for electing Shreveport’s first black female mayor.
 
This year the new on that sucker had long faded. The sex of the candidates was a non-issue.
 
The same was true on race.  Shreveport had lived with 11 plus years of a black mayor.
 
Savage served as the barking point dog for the group. He built his campaign on criticizing Tyler and her administration.
 
From day one Tyler’s political challenge was Shreveport crime (real and perceived) and the lack of jobs.
 
And try as hard as she could, she could never shed these campaign anchors.
 
But those were not only problems for the incumbent.
 
All four of the main challengers (there were also 3 minor candidates) were much more visible than Tyler.
 
All four were much more comfortable mingling with the common folk, both one-on-one and in a crowd.
 
True to her personality (and her 2014 race), Tyler preferred the Queen Bee role. She was generally surrounded by her entourage that determined who could address her, and when.
 
Two candidates—Perkins and Steven Jackson—energized a long sleeping political giant. The under 40 crowd gradually warmed up to the notion that “politics” was a necessary evil that deserved their participation.
 
Social media revolutionized communications in this race. All four of the challengers were much more effective than Tyler in utilizing this medium.
 
Change was the common theme in the challenger campaigns.
 
Change in the old way of doing things.
 
Change in the traditional Shreveport power bases.
 
Change in the attitudes toward race and economic parity.
 
Change in the sense of the ‘old” guard versus a “new” guard.
 
And change in the sense of less patience for governmental progress, however voters defined that concept.
 
The campaigns of Perkins and Jackson emphasized youth, energy, excitement and optimism.
 
This was a stark contrast to the “older but wiser” themes of the Tyler, Taliaferro and Savage campaigns.
 
Suffice it to say, political races in Shreveport will never be the same.

(This article was published in The Shreveport Times on Sunday, December 9, 2018)

Was he in hiding?

Was he ill?

Was he working at this “real job” 24/7?

Or was he just sulking?

Whatever the reason(s) , Caddo Commissioner Steven Jackson had been MIA—as in missing in action – – at Commission meeting for the last 2 months. These include work sessions and regular meetings.

As of Tuesday (December 4), Jackson has missed 11 of the 12 meetings of the Commission since September 6.

He last appeared at 500 Travis Street for a Commission gathering on October 4. He had missed 3 consecutive meetings before that. And since that date he is 0 for 7.

Jackson finally attended a commission budget meeting on Tuesday (Dec 4) at 3:30 p.m. He was late by about 20 minutes.

The Commission had its regular meeting on Thursday December 6. This was after the deadline for this column. Thus whether or not Jackson made this meeting can not be reported.

And yes, Virginia he was still drawing his monthly paycheck of $1600 plus bucks a month even though he was MIA.

As they say, not a bad gig if you can get it. Be paid while skipping work.

Jackson was on the mayoral ballot on November 6.

He finished a dismal fifth. He only garnered 11% of the vote.

Maybe that’s the reason for his disappearing act—both before and after the election.

Jackson’s mayoral campaign never really gained any traction. It was obvious that his ship was sinking by mid September.

Seemingly he could put on his big boy pants and come back to work as a highly paid Commissioner.

If he needs a role model he need look no further than to Shreveport council member Stephanie Lynch, — as far as statesmanship and coming to a meeting after losing a political race.

Lynch lost to James Green in her effort to serve a second term on November 6.

She attended the next Council meeting on November 13 and congratulated Green. She also had him address the Council.

She also acknowledged Green’s presence at the next Council meeting on November 27. She again encouraged him to actively represent the district.

Stephanie had a habit of missing most council work sessions and often council meetings. Her absence from meetings in 2018 was far outpaced by Jackson.

Jackson has always been critical of fellow Commission members who did not vote with him.

He also was an autocrat as Commission president during the second half of his 2017 presidential term, removing members from committees.

Jackson has also been hyper critical of any media coverage not to his liking.

His petulant childish attitude on this elected body has earned him, and rightly so, the disrespect of an overwhelming number of fellow commissioners.

The Commission does not lose with Jackson’s absence. In fact the meetings are shorter without his long standing practice of attempting to have more “talk time” than any other commissioner, and often more than all the commissioners combined.

Now as far as his council district having an absentee representative, that is a totally different issue.

But most politicos are not surprised.

Jackson’s three years on the Commission have always appeared to be more about him than “them”—those that elected him.

Ollie Tyler has Shreveport Police Department escorts when she is conducting city business—both night and day. Seven days a week.

Shreveport tax payers pick up this cost.

Corporeal Michael Dunn is assigned to Tyler during the day shift.

Dunn is relieved by other community liaison officers and/or community resource unit officers at nights and on weekends.

These SPD members are on duty, adjusted duty assignment , or overtime.

Former mayor Cedric Glover purchased a suburban for city use. This vehicle is still utilized by Tyler with SPD drivers.

If Adrian Perkins is elected mayor, whether or not he will use SPD escorts is an open question.

Since Perkins served 3 combat tours, seemingly he will feel “safe” going to city events not at city hall.

By 10 p.m. on Saturday 8 December the suspense will be over. Shreveport’s next mayor will be known, be that Adrian Perkins or Ollie Tyler.

But what will not be known is that person’s priorities for the first 180 days in the term. Think 1 January thru the end of June next year.

Of course in politics, “sayin” is not necessarily “doing”. And the reality of effectuating change is much more difficult than just listing goals.

By default or as some say by bureaucratic bungling, who will be the next full time active Shreveport Police Chief is an open question. The more pressing question is when a new chief can be named.

Alan Crump is still the chief, although he is on medical leave. Shreveport has a substitute SPD chief, and this will continue until Crump either retires or is fired. His medical leave could be extended up to a year. And in the meantime the Shreveport Police Department budget gets to fund 2 top salaries for Police chief.

How much crime fighting “success” substitute chief Ben Raymond can effectuate while in supervisory limbo is an unknown. No doubt his interim status will effectively limit his leadership options.

Shreveport’s water billing fiasco is old news. However Tyler’s plans to purchase a new water and sewer billing system at the cost of a cool $1 million dollars—yes $1,000,000—has not been fully explained to Shreveport voters.

The Shreveport city council could pass an ordinance as soon as December 11—3 days after the general election—to approve this transaction. If Perkins comes out on top, it is likely that this decision will be postponed until his administration can evaluate the proposal.

Needless to say, implementation of an accurate billing system is long overdue. Additionally, the next mayor must resolve all claims for refunds and also should wrap up the long pending water billing litigation.

What can be done to jump start the Shreveport economy during the first half of 2019 is an open question. Most small businesses in Shreveport say Tyler has not done much to take them off life support, much less to expand.

Tyler has been quick to claim credit for national chains opening restaurants and for Bossier businesses opening a second location in Shreveport. Very few citizens believe that there is been any real growth in good paying jobs during the Tyler years. What priority Perkins or Tyler will place on changing this reality—much less effectuating it—is a story yet to be told.

A continual loss of population during the Tyler administration should be a major concern for Shreveport’s next mayor. This challenge of one of many dimensions, especially since the overall population of the Shreveport- Bossier MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) has leveled out. The MSA includes Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Desoto Parishes.

Completion of the upgrades of Shreveport’s water and sewage systems will continue to have a high priority, if for no other reason than the EPA consent decree. What emphasis will be placed on other pressing infrastructure needs is a matter of concern to most citizens.

The Tyler administration has acknowledged that the SPD headquarters building is in deplorable condition. Black mold and excessive heat conditions were widely reported earlier this year.

A major question is whether to permanently relocate the headquarters or to demolish and rebuild on the same site. A bond issue will be needed to finance either of these options, as well as for major street repairs and resurfacing.

The City’s bond rating was downgraded in 2017, and thus bond financing will be more expensive for the city. Additionally, there could be citizen push back on any additional debt, especially if Tyler is re-elected.

Shreveport’s next mayor should make a concerted effort to meet with, and hopefully unite, the local delegation of state representatives and senators as far as city matters that should be funded in Baton Rouge. State funding of projects in the local area has always lagged behind, as in way behind, the area south of I-10.

This will not be an easy task due to political parties and ideologies of these elected officals. Tyler has done very little lobbying for local projects from the legislature, and this political apathy needs to change.

Although an intangible, the person in the mayors office on New Year’s day should tackle head on the negative perception of Shreveport. Restoring civic pride and enthusiasm is not a magic bullet but it certainly is an important component of a mayor’s success no matter what gauges are used to measure the same.

For far too long Shreveport citizens have watched Bossier blossom, basically at the expense of Shreveport. Too many perception is, for all practical purposes, “reality”. Unfortunately, there are many good reasons for this perceived belief.

Is he in hiding?

Is he ill?

Is he working at this “real job” 24/7?

Or is he just sulking?

Whatever the reason(s), Caddo Commissioner Steven Jackson has been MIA—as in missing in action-at Commission meeting for the last 2 months. These include work sessions and regular meetings.

Since the September 6 regular Commission meeting, Jackson has missed 10 of the 11 meetings.

He last appeared at 500 Travis Street for a Commission gathering on October 4. He had missed 3 consecutive meetings before that. And since that date, he is 0 for 7.

Who knows if he will show for a special meeting today on the Commission budget. Or on Thursday for the regular meeting.

And yes, Virginia he is still drawing his monthly paycheck of $1600 plus bucks a month.

As they say, not a bad gig if you can get it. Be paid while skipping work.

Jackson was on the mayoral ballot on November 6.

He finished a dismal fifth. He only garnered 11% of the vote.

Maybe that’s the reason for his disappearing act—both before and after the election.

Jackson’s mayoral campaign never really gained any traction. It was obvious that his ship was sinking by mid September.

Seemingly he could put on his big boy pants and come back to work as a highly paid Commissioner.

If he needs a role model he need look no further than to Shreveport council member Stephanie Lynch.

Lynch lost to James Green in her effort to serve a second term on November 6.

She attended the next Council meeting on November 13 and congratulated Green. She also had him address the Council.

She also acknowledged Green’s presence at the next Council meeting on November 27. She again encouraged him to actively represent the district.

Jackson has always been critical of fellow Commission members who did not vote with him.

He also was an autocrat as Commission president during the second half of his 2017 presidential term, removing members from committees.

Jackson has also been hyper critical of any media coverage not to his liking.

His petulant childish attitude on this elected body has earned him, and rightly so, the disrespect of an overwhelming number of fellow commissioners.

The Commission does not lose with Jackson’s absence. In fact, the meetings are shorter without his long standing practice of attempting to have more “talk time” than any other commissioner, and often more than all the commissioners combined.

Now as far as his council district having an absentee representative, that is a totally different issue.

But most politicos are not surprised.

Jackson’s three years on the Commission have always appeared to be more about him than “them”—those that elected him.

Who really knows?

The December 8 general election has a small ballot.

All Shreveport voters can pull a lever for Shreveport mayor and for Louisiana Secretary of State.

Voters in council districts A, B, C, and D also have separate council elections.

And that’s it.

No federal election for U.S. House of Representatives.

No parish tax renewal.

No national media coverage over mid term elections and potential shifts in power in Washington, D.C.

And for good, bad or indifferent, it’s a Saturday versus a Tuesday election date.

Predicting how many Shreveporter’s go to the polls is sorta like predicting if the groundhog will see his shadow on Groundhog Day.

It’s a toss-up. Or as some would say a “crap shoot.”

Turnout for the November 6 primary in Caddo Parish was 48%. This was higher than many had predicted.

Most observers expect on the higher end a 30% turnout. And on the low end, 25% turnout.

But this mayoral election has been different from the get-go.

In Shreveport’s history of the mayor-council form of government an incumbent mayor has never been challenged by more than one serious opponent. Ollie Tyler had four.

Only one incumbent finished second—and that was by a 14 point margin. Tyler trailed Adrian Perkins by 5 points.

However, the news from city hall since the primary has not been good.

There have been 3 high profile murders. One of a pizza delivery man and the other of a good samaritan couple.

Tyler’s hand-picked police cheif announced his retirement. And then he took medical leave.

Tyler has introduced a budget for 2019 that anticipates spending over 50% of the city’s estimated year end reserves.

And to top it off, Perkins has out raised Tyler in total campaign funds. This despite the fact that she started the year with over $33 thousand dollars in her campaign treasury.

Social media and cell phone communications has taken over the traditional campaign marketing. The combined impact has changed the traditional playbook for candidates seeking votes.

Many factors will be in play next Saturday when the polls open.

Voter interest is always the key. The strong turnout in the primary was fueled in large part by higher participation of younger voters….like 36 and under.

How many disappointed Republicans will turn out, and who they will vote for, is a big question. There is a Republican in the Secretary of State race and in three of the four council runoffs.

Saturdays are always busy days, and especially for those with young children, which can directly impact this energized group. Think sports and birthday parties.

Other distractions include the various hunting seasons and the few remaining college football games.

For those that are counting Christmas shopping days, there will only be 16 left after the Saturday election.

So visits to see Santa and rushing around to buy that one of a kind must have gift can distract well intended citizens from getting to the polls.

Socialites may be so busy getting ready for the always over the top event to be seen at— Christmas in the Sky — that voting becomes a low priority. Shreveporters do like to be on the social pages.

Lastly, what will the weather gods send to Shreveport on that day? In this time of the year, change is the only constant in Shreveport weather.

Election day could be sunny, dry and 65 degrees. It could be cold, rainy and almost freezing, as in 32 degrees. Or anywhere in between.

The key to this election will probably be the millenials. Do they skip the polls or try to make a difference?

(This article was published in The Shreveport Times on Sunday, December 2, 2018)

It’s not unusual for ministers in the black community to endorse political candidates.

But having a political fundraiser for a political candidate at a church is a new development in Shreveport politics.

The Mount Canaan Baptist Church is hosting an “Ollie Tyler Prayer Breakfast” on Tuesday, December 4.

The event is posted on the Tyler campaign website.

It is touted as an invitation to “join us as we support our Mayor Ollie Tyler and come together as business, political, faith, and youth leaders to pray for our city.”

The minimum contribution is $25.

For those that want to give big bucks, the max contribution is $2500,–which is the legal limit in this run-off election per donor.

This political contribution prayer breakfast raises many questions.

The first is does this jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the church?

Another is will those who want to attend be barred if they do not contribute?

Or if they wear an Adrian Perkins for Mayor tee shirt?

And who knows, it may be prohibited by the Louisiana campaign finance laws.

Hmmmm…does this remind anyone of the parable of the money changers outside the temple?

In political races, money and momentum go hand in hand.

And if you don’t believe that, the last campaign finance reports filed by Shreveport mayor Ollie Tyler and Adrian Perkins certainly tell the tale.

As of November 21, Perkins had almost three times more money that Tyler in his campaign account.

Perkin’s campaign treasury had over $163,000 on that day.

Compare that to Tyler’s $58,000 plus.

If numbers are your passion, then here are more that are just as relevant.

Since starting his campaign in March of this year, Perkins has raised twice as much money as Tyler, who started fundraising on January 1.

In less than less 10 months Perkin’s campaign donations exceed $345 grand. Compare that to Tyler’s donations of $168 thousand (and change) since the beginning of the year.

Tyler started 2018 with a little more than $33 grand in her campaign account.

Perkins out polled Tyler in the primary by 5 points.

It’s obvious that the smart political money picked their candidate after that November 6 vote. Since then Perkins garnered $135 grand more than Tyler.

Of course money does not vote.

But money is a key indicator of campaign momentum.

And money certainly fuels campaign advertising, canvassing and get out the vote campaigns in the last 10 days of the campaign.

Even the most ardent Tyler supporters—plus those groups who oppose Perkins—can not deny the reality that Tyler’s re-election effort is in serious trouble.

The campaign finance reports will no doubt continue to fuel the Perkins’s campaign. And most likely further dampen the Tyler camp.