SettleTalk.com

Sure you can.

However, they do provide insight into each candidate’s campaign.

A recent mayoral forum featured the remaining eight candidates—Anna Marie Arpino, Termecius Dixon, Steven Jackson, Adrian Perkins, Jeron Rogers, Lee O. Savage, Jim Taliaferro and Ollie Tyler.

All of them were passing out push cards—except for Jeron Rogers and Anna Arpino.  Rogers had an 8-by-11-inch flyer.  Arpino had nothing. (She said she is well  known and printing is  a waste of money.)

So how did they stack up?

Dixon’s card asked, “What can we do for the future?” He listed jobs, crime, and infrastructure as issues to be addressed. His card says that he has numerous successful business ventures in real estate, logging, and agriculture.

Jackson’s card includes an “Opportunity Agenda” that includes economic opportunity, crime and safety, and increase in higher education & healthcare opportunities.   He also lists bullet points under headings of “Smart & Experienced” and “Progressive Leadership.” Jackson wants a dental and a law school established in Shreveport.

“Veteran. Son of Shreveport. Leadership for our Future” headlines Perkin’s card. He lists his military experience and his education at Captain Shreve High School, West Point and Harvard Law School.  Perkins pushes a safe, thriving and smart Shreveport as his campaign planks.

“Leadership for a Better Shreveport” headlines the card for Savage. Savage lists crime, roads, and jobs as key issues for his campaign.  Savage’s also has community and family information.

Talaferro’s card pushes “Service-Safety Shreveport .” He wants to rebuild, rebrand and revitalize Shreveport. The back of his card emphasizes faith and family, notes that he is a veteran, public servant, entrepreneur, and plans for crime and jobs as qualification bullet points. 

Tyler’s push card emphasizes the obvious—that she is the mayor and she is running for re-election.   She touts proven experience, leadership, and integrity as key credentials. In a “Know the Facts Before You Vote” heading,  she has bullets points on public safety, quality of life, economic development, and tax reductions.

“Engineering a Brighter Future” is the tagline on Roger’s handout. Rogers wants to reclaim and rebuild neighborhoods with entrepreneurial opportunities. Rogers has a civil engineering degree and a Master’s in Business Administration.

As always in political races, the $64 question is how a push card can sell a candidate to voters.

Tyler is, of course, a known quantity.  She has served as mayor for  3 years and 7 months—supervised 2800 employees as her card reads.   Thus she claims credit for everything “good” that has happened during her term.  

The other candidates have an uphill slog running against an incumbent. For better or worse, some started their campaigns with more public recognition than others. Collectively, they all probably have less than Tyler.

The initial goal for each of the challengers is for the pushcard to educate voters as to who they are.  Then they need to position the candidate as the pick of the non cumbent litter.

Most of the campaign themes are the same.  They start with public safety and end with economic development.  And all the push cards have smiley faces and “feel good” messages. 

Most politicos say push cards are better for book marks than deciding votes.

(This article was/will be published in The Shreveport Times on Sunday, August 12, 2018.)

Maybe they drink the same Kool-Aid.

Maybe it’s those spiffy Caddo Commission buttons they wear on their coat lapels.

Whatever it is, the bromance between Jackson and Linn has really blossomed since Jackson declared for mayor. And it has one disturbing commonality—Jackson and Linn ignore their legal responsibilities as private citizens. 

For several months last year and until May of this year, Jackson drove a white 2010 Chevrolet Impala that had an expired Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) of August 2016. Finally, Jackson had the car inspected, and as a necessary part of the process obtained (at least for that day) car liability insurance.

Jackson was ticketed twice in 2017 for having switched plates, no car insurance, and for failure to register the same car – an old Shreveport police cruiser.

Sources say that Jackson did not have the minimum liability insurance on his vehicle. If correct, the Commission and/or his employer David Raines Community Center could have been held liable for any accident he was involved in if he was conducting Commission or David Raines business while driving this car. 

In September 2017 Linn backed his personal vehicle into a column on the exterior of Government Plaza causing significant damage. Linn had previously run into and broken the wooden gate to the parking lot on the west side of Government Plaza where the column is located.

 Linn advised parish officials that he would pay personally for the damage. He requested that no claim be filed against his auto insurance.

The marble on the column was finally repaired in late May of this year.

On July 2 Parish Administrator Dr. Woodrow Wilson presented a $4100 invoice for the repair to Linn with a transmittal letter requesting reimbursement to the Parish. Wilson also provided to Linn a Caddo Sheriff Activity Report documenting the damage by Linn, which was also recorded on camera.

As of August 8, Linn had not reimbursed the Parish for the column damage.

Since he is a Commissioner, and in effect one of the twelve “bosses” of Wilson, Linn’s actions are troubling, to say the least. Seemingly Linn is using his status as a commissioner to avoid reimbursement for this damage.

Linn is a big, big cheerleader of Jackson – constantly sending out emails and texts touting him. Word on the street is that Linn hopes to get a spot in the mayor’s office if Jackson wins. Linn attended the mayoral forum Monday at Southwood High School wearing a Jackson tee shirt. 

Hopefully, Jackson and Linn do not think being an elected official gives them the right to ignore their legal responsibilities. But as they say, “actions speak louder than words”.

Neither Jackson nor Linn can deny these facts. And because they are paid elected officials, they should not carp about this report. They elected to run for this office and public review of their actions/inactions goes along with the monthly paycheck. (Caddo Commissioners are the highest paid part-time elected officials in the state).

(This article was published in The Inquisitor on Friday, August 10, 2018.)

Jerry Bowman is the only sure bet. He is unopposed and will represent District G for a second term.

And for sure three will be sitting at home come January. Jeff Everson (District B), Oliver Jenkins (District C), and Mike Corbin(District D) are “termed out.” They are finishing their second consecutive term and can not seek re-election this year.

Three incumbents have filed for re-election: Willie Bradford (District A), James Flurry (District E) and Stephanie Lynch (District F). All three have opposition.

In his race, Bradford has three opponents: Lloyd Anderson, Cortez M. Collins Sr, and Rose Wilson McCulloch. Bradford defeated McCulloch, who was the incumbent, in a 2014 runoff. Collins registered as an Independent. The other candidates are Democrats. Collins is the only candidate who is not a homeowner. All candidates are black.

This race will probably be decided in a runoff on the December 8 (the general election).

Five candidates are seeking the open District B seat. They are James G. Carstensen, LeVette Fuller, Craig B. Lee, Laura McLemore, and Wendy Vance. Carstersen registered as a Libertarian and Lee registered as Independent. Fuller and McLemore are Democrats. Vance is a Republican. Fuller and Lee are black. Carstensen and Fuller are not homeowners. 

District B will definitely have a runoff on December 8.

District C has three candidates: Joseph H. Carstensen, Patrick Kirton, and John Nickelson. Carstensen registered as No Party. Kirton and Nickelson are Republicans. All three candidates are white. Carstensen is not a homeowner. (Joseph and James, the District B candidate, are first cousins). 

This race will probably be won on November 6 (the primary election).

District D has five candidates: Grayson Boucher, Dana Cawthon, Versa. “V.O.” Clark, Keith Hanson, and Joey Hester. All the candidates are white with the exception of Clark. Boucher, Cawthon, and Hester are Republicans. Clark is a Democrat and Hanson registered as No Party. Cawthon is the only female in the race.

A runoff election is predicted in this race.

Incumbent Flurry has one opponent: Quinton Aught. Flurry is a white Republican. Aught is a black Democrat. Aught lives with his parents. 

District F is a repeat of 2014 when Lynch defeated James E. Green. Lynch and Green are black Democrats. Green has served on the Council under former two mayors.

As incumbents, Bradford, Flurry, and Lynch have definite advantages in their races. 

 

(This article was published in The Shreveport Times on Sunday, August 5, 2018.)

One definition of stupidity is “behavior that shows a lack of good sense or judgment”. (English Oxford Living Dictionary.)

This definition probably fits any future expenditure of public dollars to repair Riverview Park from recent floods of the Red River. 

This area has flooded twice this year—in February and March. 

Every time the Red River flows over its banks the park, which is across from Riverview Theatre and behind the old Barnwell Center now Aquarium, is impacted. Its flooded three times in the past three years.

When the waters flood into the park, electrical damage is incurred. Additionally, there is damage to the irrigation system and the water spray ground area along Clyde Fant Parkway. The receding waters leave plenty of sand, mud, and debris that also must be addressed.

Over $120 grand has been expended this year to get the park back into pre-flood condition. This includes work on the water fountain, resodding of grass, landscaping, and irrigation system. Sand removal alone was $30 thousand dollars. 

The spray ground cannot be repaired. The Shreveport Parks and Recreation (SPAR) budget has funds for repairs and maintenance of the more than 60 SPAR parks, but not for capital improvements. Thus funding of the spray ground replacement must be included in the yet to be adopted 2019 budget.

Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness director Steve Prator has stated unequivocally that it’s not “if” but “when” the Red River will flood again, and again and again. Prator’s comments were based on a study by Texas A & M Public Service & Administration masters candidates. ( See “Red River to Flood Again” at Settletalk.com).

The study cites two critical factors as the reasons for flooding as well as the frequency of flooding of the Red River. 

The first is urbanization. Many of the river’s floodplains have been developed. Thus there is less area for flood waters to flow into, and less available ground to absorb rain. Thus more runoff into the river channel which causes overflowing of its banks.

The other major contributor to flooding is the locks and dams on the Red River. These slow down the current of the river, which results in substantial silting of the river’s bed. The A & M report indicated that the locks and dams also adversely affect the river channel.

Together, urbanization and channelization of the river mean more water flows into the river channel, which has less capacity to handle the water volume. Thus flooding.

The real question is how much more money should be poured into Riverview Park by the City?

The park is in district B. Each of the four district B candidates were asked for there ‘take’ on this issue.

Wendy Vance voiced support for repair of the spray ground but said that the City
should “invest in a system that will not need to be replaced over and over after each flood.” 

Craig Lee opined that “fiscal prudence and in-depth analysis is required before investing any additional funds into repairing the water sprays.”

Candidates LeVette Fuller and Laura McLemore failed to respond.

So, what’s the opinion of Shreveport taxpayers who have, unfortunately, carried the freight on major cleanup with more that will be needed in the future?

(This article will be/was published in The Inquisitor on Friday, August 3, 2018.)

In 2011, the City of Shreveport, Northwest Louisiana Council of Governors (NLCOG), and the Housing Authority of the City of Shreveport (HACS) embarked on a multi-year planning effort to revitalize the historic Allendale, Ledbetter Heights, and West Edge neighborhoods. 

Working with action-oriented strategy, community partners, and a community advisory group supported by a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant of $250,000.00, a detailed “roadmap” called the Transformation Plan was developed. 

This plan focused on HUD’s three main Choice Neighborhood components: housing, neighborhood, and people. 

Subsequently, the City and HACS have been “Planning While Doing” – implementing portions of the plan while crafting and retooling it to meet evolving circumstances. 

In 2016, the City and HACS submitted an application for a Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grant. HUD then awarded $1 million to implement portions of the neighborhood strategy. 

In 2017, the City and HACS submitted an additional grant application for a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant. In July the city was awarded $24.2 million.

The project area is bounded by Hearne, 1/20, McNeil Street, and stops where Cross Bayou begins. It encompasses all of Allendale and Ledbetter Heights.

The grant application was for $30 million dollars. Since the funding is almost $6 million less, city officials are reworking the parameters of the development. All modifications proposed by the city must be approved by HUD, and then the HUD  contract will be signed.

All of the work must be completed in 6 years. This means that current mayor Ollie Tyler will most likely not be in office at the completion date assuming she is re-elected. 

Seventy percent of the grant must be used for housing. The city already owns all of the lots where housing will be constructed. The Housing Authority of Shreveport will manage public housing constructed under the grant.

The majority of the housing and neighborhood activities will be located in Ledbetter Heights, which is behind First Methodist Church. There will be some housing developed in the West Edge along Texas Avenue. Allendale will also have some housing development and a neighborhood park will be expanded. 

None of the housing projects or construction will be located in any of the proposed I-49 corridors through Allendale. 

The housing developed under the Transformation Plan should provide a renewed sense of identity and excitement for these neighborhoods. It will also provide desirable amenities and convenient locations adjacent to downtown. Each of the housing developments will include units for a mix of incomes and family types.  

Until the grant is finalized, specific details on all the projects including involvement of community partners cannot be released. 

Nonetheless, this combined public-private project holds great promise for the directed areas. Additionally, it would serve as a model for future projects in blighted neighborhoods.

Ten candidates qualified in Shreveport’s mayor race last week — Anna Marie Arpino, Temecius Dixon, Steven Jackson, Kenneth Krefft, Adrian Perkins, Jeron Rogers, Lee O. Savage, Jim Taliaferro, Ollie Tyler and John-Paul Young.

If voters want a wide variety of choices, this slate certainly provides just that.

Five candidates are white — Arpino, Krefft, Savage, Taliaferro, and Young. 

Five candidates registered as Democrats — Dixon, Jackson, Perkins, Rogers, and Tyler.

Two candidates registered as Republicans — Savage and Taliaferro.

Two candidates registered as “no party” — Krefft and Young.

One candidate registered as Independent — Arpino. 

Two are elected officials — Jackson and Tyler. Three have been unsuccessful candidates— Arpino, Krefft, and Taliaferro.

And one already has said he will withdraw — Krefft — so that he can pursue a federal government job. He said he’s already filed paperwork to withdraw.

Two candidates listed a post office box as their address — Aprino and Jackson. The qualification form allows this choice versus a home address. 

Four candidates do not own the residence where they live — Dixon, Jackson, Perkins, and Taliaferro. (Four candidates for the city council also do not own the residence where they live — Quinton Aught, Joseph Carstensen, Cortez Collins and Levette Fuller.)

Two candidates are 32 years old (Jackson and Perkins). Young is 35, Dixon is 47, Arpino is 60, Rogers and Savage are 64, Taliaferro is 65, Kreft is 70, and Tyler is 73.

Yes, there are plenty of objective differences between the candidates. Some observers view this year’s mayors race as the “old guard” versus the “new wave”.

Other see it as a race between contenders and pretenders. 

The chances of success for Arpino, Dixon, Rogers, and Young are between slim and none. (Young withdrew on Sunday, July 29).

Most politicos seriously doubt that a white mayoral candidate can ever be elected in Shreveport and especially this year.

Before Taliaferro entered the race, Savage had a decent chance of making the runoff.

Now it’s an open question if either of the Republicans can survive the November primary election.

Playing with house money as the incumbent, Tyler will most likely be in the December runoff.

The only real unknown at this time is who will be her opponent.

One of the rituals of going into the Caddo Courthouse on the 500 block of Texas is getting to enter through metal detectors—and to take off your belt.
                                         
Caddo Sheriff deputies man metal detectors at the three entrances to the courthouse and one at the Frances Bickham building on the corner of Marshall and Milam.

They also have metal detectors at the Caddo juvenile court and juvenile annex buildings. 

Unfortunately, those deputies hear many complaints about the process.

In the first six months of this year, an average of 16,300 people was scanned at these three facilities, which they are only open 5 days a week.

Over 1200 weapons were seized during this time frame—which is more than 200 a month.

These included one gun and over 240 large knives, 26 medium knives, 170 small knives, 170 pepper spray, and 400 other weapons. 

The category of “other weapons” is wide-ranging. 

Those detected included key and credit card knives, tasers, brass knuckles, scissors, utility blades, metal hair picks, razors, screwdrivers, forks, needle nose pliers, syringes, large nails, large safety pins, a window breaker, scissors, a sharpened bone, one-foot chain, food thermometer, wire cutters, an expandable baton, a pipe wrench, a flashlight, corkscrews, pliers, and metal rods.

The most common complaint of courthouse visitors is the requirement to take their belts off as they pass through the detector. This procedure was instituted in 2002 when a courthouse visitor bragged about hiding be Derringer behind his large cowboy belt.

The normal procedure when the deputies discover items considered to be weapons is to send the visitor back to his vehicle and leave the item there. 

Firearms are detained to determine if the person lawfully possessed the gun. Assuming the gun is not stolen or the person carrying it does not have an outstanding warrant, a deputy escorts that person out of the building so the gun can be secured.

It’s a reality of today’s world that weapons of all types are being used unlawfully. The precautions exercised by the Caddo Sheriff’s office are also followed at other courthouses throughout the state.

So on your next visit to the courthouse, be ready to pass through a metal detector, and maybe further screening. Don’t fuss—this requirement is for everyone’s protection.

Sooo … when is a political “discussion” not a political “event”?

Well, it depends on whom you talk to.

Steven Jackson had a gathering at Proud Mary’s 360 Grill on June 21. 

At the end of his speech about leadership opportunities, Jackson, a Caddo Parish commissioner, announced that he was running for Shreveport mayor.

This was not a surprise.

Emails had invited guests to Jackson’s mayoral announcement. The big type at the top of the announcement: “Steven Jackson, Mayor 2018. Official Campaign Announcement.” The announcement gave the location as Proud Mary’s.

A Facebook post touted the event as Jackson’s mayoral announcement.

Proud Mary’s is in the Red River District under the Texas Street Bridge. The City of Shreveport is the landlord of the businesses in that area, including Proud Mary’s.

The Proud Mary’s lease, like all the leases in this area, prohibits political activities.

From the lease: “The Leased Premises shall not be used by Tenant at any time for any partisan political purpose or to further the election or defeat of any candidate for political office.”

Lea Hall Properties manages the Red River District for the city. 

A week before Jackson’s confab, the Lea hall Properties property manager sent an email to all Red River District tenants:

“Red River District Tenants: We have been contacted about tenants holding political events in their spaces. Attached please find a copy of Article 50 of your lease that prevents political activity in your leased premises in the Red River District. Any partisan political activity is a violation of your lease and will be strictly enforced by the City of Shreveport.”

After the event, the three local TV stations touted Jackson’s announcement for mayor.

In a June 26 letter Lea Hall Properties advised Proud Mary’s that the hosting of Jackson’s event constituted a violation of its lease.

“The hosting of certain events related to the upcoming political campaigns is a clear breach of the (lease) agreement. We hereby request that you cease any activities in violation of the provision.

“This letter serves as first and final notice that continued violations of this lease will result in the termination of this agreement.”

Proud Mary’s 360 Grill is a registered trade name for Mabel’s Bistro LLC. The Louisiana Secretary of State lists Miles A. Lester as the agent and member of the limited liability company.

Michelle White, one of the owners of Proud Mary’s, advised that Jackson’s gathering was a “discussion,” not a “political event.”

Seemingly, the Jackson campaign announcement at Proud Mary’s was a blatant violation of the restaurant’s lease.

If Jackson pushes the limits on legal matters while a candidate, one can only wonder what actions he will take if elected mayor.

Between now and the primary election on November 6 voters in every district with a contested race will need to decide their vote. Only Councilman Bowman (District G) has no opposition.

Voters cast their ballots for various candidates for various reasons. 

Sometimes the motivation is to vote against a certain candidate as much as it is to vote for an individual.

If the candidate is an incumbent, the following are a good starting point: 
    
a.    How many council meetings have the incumbent missed since taking office in December 2014—both regular and special meetings? (Stephanie Lynch has missed more than all the others, combined – by a wide margin).
b.    How many work sessions/administrative conferences has the incumbent missed since taking office? (Stephanie Lynch has missed more than all the others, combined – by a wide margin).
c.    How responsive has the incumbent been to inquiries and concerns of constituents?
d.    On key votes, how has the incumbent voted?
e.    How effective has the incumbent been in the delivery of city services to the district?
    
    Questions that can be reviewed with all candidates include:

 
1.    How long has the candidate lived in the district? 
2.    Does the candidate own their residence, and if so for how long?
3.    How often has the candidate missed a public elections/bond proposal vote in the last 5 years?
4.    How many judgments and/or liens have been filed against the candidate in the last 10 years and are any still outstanding, i.e. not paid?
5.    What civic activities has the candidate participated in the last 5 years?
6.    What is the candidate’s formal education?
7.    What is the employment history of the candidate?
        
       
    Other factors often decide votes. Most political observers do not give much credibility to these, although many voters do:
    i. Political party affiliation, unless the candidate has switched parties in the last 5 years.
    ii. The religion of the candidate or the church that attends/affiliated with.
    iii. Endorsements by citizens—whether impressed with or disappointed by.
    iv. The candidate’s gender.
    
    There is plenty of time for voters to decide their choice for the council vote. Hopefully, objective, measurable criteria will go into decision-making processes. Far to often these choices are made on “beauty contest” feelings versus true qualifications.

Numbers can be interpreted in different ways.

Recent headlines have touted “good news” for the local and state economy.

The Southern Business and Development magazine ranked Louisiana number 2 for the strongest economic development results in 2107. This high ranking, right behind Kentucky, was based on the state’s share of leading capital investment and job creation projects.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) reported last month that the number of employed in the state was the second highest in history.

In all the details reported in June by the LWC one was very notable.  Shreveport lost 500 jobs in April 2018.

The Northwest Louisiana Economic Partnership(NLEP) reported this month that the local Cost of Living index is the second lowest in the state. Computed on a national average of 100 percent, Shreveport/Bossier is listed at 89.5 percent.

Monroe has the lowest rate at 88.6 percent.  Baton Rouge has the highest rate in the state (101.8 percent.). New Orleans is a close second at 100.4 percent.

But then, there is bad news.  One of the most defined measures of economic vitality is the unemployment rate.

Like any statistical measure, employment rates can be reported using different metrics and with various adjustments. And the fact that the reports are always a month or so dated also clouds evaluation. 

But after all the spin, the bottom line number is easy to review.  And for May it was an ugly number.  The highest in Louisiana.

The national unemployment rate in May was 3.6 percent. The lowest was Ames, Iowa at 1.5 percent.  The highest was Yuma, Arizona at 16 percent.

Here are the May rankings:
    Lake Charles 3.7 percent
    Baton Rouge 4.2 percent
    New Orleans 4.4 percent
    Houma/Thibodeaux 4.8 percent
    Lafayette 4.9 percent
    Shreveport Bossier 5.2 percent
    Monroe 5.5 percent
    Hammond 5.5 percent.

Many economic indicators can be reviewed to determine the strength of a local economy.  And of course, the numbers can be interpreted in different ways.  The unemployment rate is both the best known, the easiest to understand, and generally the most reported.

No matter how this rate is considered, the news is not good for Shreveport Bossier. This rate reflects what most members of the business community would confidentially report.  Local business is stagnant. 

As Shreveport heads into the council and mayoral elections in November, one can expect much drum beating on economic development.  How much noise will be made over the economy versus real promises for improvement is a question to be answered.