Columns & Opinions

Northwest Louisiana sales taxes remain strong based on September 2023 collections. This has been the case since Jan. 1. Following is a sales tax recap of a few major local governmental bodies.

As a lifelong resident of Caddo Parish and a resident and business owner of District 8, I want our city and parish to thrive. I care about this community. I grew up here, and I’ve raised my children to love Caddo Parish also!

The most fundamental purpose of government is public safety. Investigating and prosecuting past crimes, combined with patrolling and deterring current would be law breakers, are both essential elements of public safety. But a third, and just as essential aspect of public safety, is preventing future criminal behavior.

For those curious about why people downtown are asking for a sound ordinance, there are some things you should know about what's happening. Why are people so upset now and not before? Is it targeting specific types of people? Here's one person's perspective: Many of the businesses and tenants downtown and in this part of downtown definitely knew they were moving into a nightlife area or have been down here for years co-existing with clubs. For me, I've lived downtown over 10 years, worked down here 16 years, all within blocks of the clubs and four years living on the block with the clubs. There have always been loud nights here, crowds of people and the regular thump of clubs. That's not the issue.

Good afternoon, Liz Swaine has informed me of the proposed new noise ordinance.

• The number of voters not knowing the difference between city council and parish commissioners' job descriptions/duties.

Dear Editor: I write to address the proposed constitutional amendment #2, which pertains to defining the 'freedom to worship in a church or other place of worship' as a fundamental right that is 'worthy of the highest order of protection.' Furthermore, I question if this amendment is really necessary or if it adds anything at all to the existing 'free exercise of religion' guaranteed by both the state and federal constitutions.

The Shreveport City Council Rules of Procedure need an update on the number of speakers on the same topic. There have been too many instances where the council meetings have been turned into a media circus by a large number of speakers who virtually parrot each other in their comments.