Wes Merriott (SOBO Wes) has been correctly classified as a Bossier watchdog who regularly attends Bossier Council meetings. SOBO Wes frequently calls out the Chandler Administration and many of the Bossier Council members for both their inaction, and action, on important Bossier issues.
Recently, the Caddo Juvenile Court has come under scrutiny by the State Supreme Court. The Court said it received allegations of judicial absenteeism, disputes among staff, judges starting and ending court late, and concerns about the delegation of duties to hearing officers. When I retired from the Court three years ago, I too have heard reports of some of these problems at the Court.
Caddo Parish School Board (CPSB) member Don Little has served five years as the District 4 representative.
During the Jan. 6 Bossier City Council meeting, Councilman Jeffrey Darby did not accept city attorney Richard Ray’s interpretation that the city cannot compete the $10.2 million-dollar contract with Manchac Engineering, and he wanted to know why Mayor Tommy Chandler appeared to accept a 33% increase in the contract for the next four years without negotiation.
Caddo Registrar of Voters Has Access to Felony Convictions, Interdictions, and Deaths!
Should Gov. Landry appoint Ernie Roberson to Caddo Elections Board of Supervisors?
This has been a year of change in Shreveport, but it has been a slow change, which I think people are willing to deal with if it improves the quality of their lives. This has been a feeling-out year for all parties, and now it is time to stop the feeling-out and do the people’s business, which is the challenge for Mayor Arceneaux and the city council.
The good news first! On Jan. 16, Bossier City Charter Commission selected Preston Friedley as chairman, Shane Cheatham as vice chairman and Sandra Morehart as secretary during its first meeting after the city council. Lee A. Jeter Sr., David Johnson, Julianna Parks, Panderina Soumas, Vicky Whitman and Lisa Wilhite are the additional commissioners.
Greg Tarver just finished up his last term in the Louisiana Senate after serving from 1984-2002 and then from 2012-24. Governors in office during his tenure included Edwin Edwards, Buddy Roemer and John Bel Edwards. He is one of the area's most colorful local politicians, and he is regularly consulted by local leaders on political issues. He says he does not miss the drives to and from Baton Rouge; however, his interest in bettering Shreveport and Caddo Parish has not abated. Tarver's family has been in Shreveport for 150 years. He is the trustee for the family funeral home, and he has an office supply company. Whether or not it's really true, he says he still occasionally sleeps in a casket at work! Politics has been in Tarver's blood for many years. He served on the Caddo Police Jury (now the Caddo Commission) and the Shreveport City Council. He was a pioneer for racial equality on both bodies and developed a wellearned reputation for working with all parties to achieve results. As he says, 'You don't have to like someone to work with them' in the political arena. Tarver has been a constant advocate for the LSU medical school and worked continually in the Senate to ensure funding for the school. He also obtained money for advanced programs at SUSLA and Grambling, along with the medical school. He also was successful in achieving funding for the Biomedical Research Foundation, now BRF. Tarver has been a mentor for Sam Jenkins, who was elected to fill his Senate District 39 seat after he was termed out. Tarver still has many contacts throughout the state and especially in Baton Rouge. One can expect he will keep the phone lines busy, not only keeping up with matters but also sharing his wisdom and experience.
1915 Citizens Bank Drive
Bossier City, LA. 71111
(318) 929-5152
