Columns & Opinions

Do not forget to go vote on Nov. 18 to select the most qualified candidatefor this election. Voting is one of our most precious rights in the Constitution. Before you vote, research each candidate’s history and current background. From my personal observation and knowledge. I will not Vote for Henry Whitehorn. I will further explain my reasoning with documentation and firsthand personal knowledge as evidence.

On October 23, consensus was reached by a broad group of community stakeholders engaged in developing a community-based crisis mental health response that ensures public safety, delivers effective treatment and provides an alternative to arrest or hospitalization when appropriate.

In a surprising turn of events, Mayor Tom Arceneaux of Shreveport has recently displayed a newfound sense of determination and strength by coming up with an agreement with the powerful Mardi Gras krewes that have long held sway in the city.

Yes, there is activity at Shreveport City Hall, and most of it makes for positive news. Here is a brief recap of recent happenings:

Several years ago I read the entire vision statement from the Great Expectations Master Plan at a city council meeting. Then as now, I was concerned with why the city would spend good taxpayer money to gather all this information and create the vision and then let it sit on the shelf.

In the upcoming Caddo Parish sheriff election runoff, the choice between two candidates couldn't be starker: John Nickelson, who is someone I know and like, finished first in the recent primary election, ahead of a candidate that most people believed would at least get the most votes because of his extensive experience as a law enforcement professional.

At the Oct. 17 meeting of the city's Citizens' Committee on General Obligation Bond Issue projects, it became apparent that this list is very large. Its grand total of $388,500,000 includes $303,500,000 in specific projects, and it is. Public safety is $34 million; water, $20 million; sewer, $140 million; parks, $17.2 million; public buildings, $22.5 million; streets, $154.5 million; drainage, $9.5 million; and a downtown parking garage, $10.8 million.

Budgets are about priorities. They are about choices. And, once you’ve dealt with those two, only then are they about numbers.