Columns & Opinions

“It became necessary to destroy the town in order to save it.” – Peter Arnett, journalist, Vietnam 1968.

What Will Be Focus of Mayoral Campaigns During Last Three Weeks?

The Shreveport mayoral race is in the home stretch now, and every day is an important day for the candidates. The problem for a lot of voters is that there are too many candidates on the dais trying to answer questions that are important to them.

The City of Shreveport has a number of challenges that must be faced head-on if our city is to come out of its current position. No “one” person can solve all the problems of a city, nor should they be expected to. However, a leader is someone who sets a shared vision for everyone, and calls experienced and talented people together in a spirit of unity around a common goal: the betterment of Shreveport.

The Northwest Technical College in Shreveport is a key asset for the city and is vital to the creation of a diversified and well-trained workforce. Technical schools like this one are increasingly providing workers who provide a high level of skill and expertise.

Shreveport City Council Races Should Not Be Overlooked

Working on a video explaining the need for voters to pass the Shreveport water/sewage consent decreebond issue was one dirty job. We climbed down into the old sewage lift station near Querbes Golf-Course. You could see where all the toys, rings, cash and other items flushed down toilets are collected. We also toured one of two sewage treatment plants in Shreveport. We had to build a second treatment plant in southeast Shreveport when we sprawled too far to the south for the existing plant to be efficient. One fact I couldn’t believe is that Shreveport’s oldest neighborhoods had sewage pipes underground, made of cypress and still in use. No wonder EPA was getting involved in our water and sewage.

All three of the local sales taxes continue very strong. The city of Shreveport's $12,732,613 in September is 6.2% above '21. Its $118,046,329 is 8.2% more than last year for nine months. This sum is 93.7% of its $126,000,000 general fund appropriation. The October collections will surely push above budget with two months remaining. The monthly average is $13,116,259. Projecting this average for all 2022 yields $157,395,249, or $31,395,249 over budget. The sales and use tax rate in Shreveport is 2.75%.