Columns & Opinions

The 47th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is less than two weeks away, and the first Power Five matchup in seven years is set, as the California Golden Bears from the Pac-12 Conference will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders out of the Big 12 Conference.

Declaring a state of emergency in Shreveport is not going to do anything to bring down random acts of violence and homicides in Shreveport. This administration has been in office less than a year and should not be seen as giving up, which declaring a state of emergency signals.

On Dec. 5, the Bossier City Council adopted an ordinance to begin a charter commission and consider changes to its 1976 charter wherein Bossier City calls its organization a strong mayorcouncil form of government. Strong mayor-council forms of government normally designate the administrative functions of management under the mayor, and the city council functions as the legislative and policy organization, including appropriating funds for the city's priorities. This is the form of government for about half of the medium-large city governments in the U.S.

Four of the six major sales tax jurisdictions in northwest Louisiana reflect lower November receipts than 2022, and two rose slightly. The city of Shreveport has a 2.75% sales and use tax. $13,330,048 was collected in November, up 3.9% from a year prior. Year-to-date the city has received a 4.5% gain over 2022 with a sum of $150,881,594 deposited. This is the most ever tallied through November. It will easily exceed 2022's $156,746,763 once December is added. The city budgeted a 3.25% increase for 2024. The Caddo Parish School Board levies a 1.5% rate. Its fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. Its November sum of $8.810,696 is 1.8% down from 2022. Since its fiscal year began, it has collected $45,884,622, a small $137,733 hike over last year, and just a 0.3% increase. The Law Enforcement District of Caddo, the sheriff, has a 0.35% rate. It garnered $2,052,766 this November, a 1.7% decrease from a year back. Year-to-date its sum of $23,697,117 is 4.6% higher than last year's receipts. Like Shreveport, it employs a calendar year fiscal year.

The year 2023 saw downtown businesses and buildings continuing to deal with occupancy and foot traffic that is not yet at pre-pandemic levels. The pandemic created significant uncertainty, and downtown businesses faced the same problems as others throughout the city trying to maintain employees, source products and attract customers. Business model changes in the banking sector, as well as supply chain issues, rising inflationary pressures and higher interest rates also negatively impacted businesses and property owners.

The month of November brought pleasant weather, great food, the State Fair, good football from a number of area teams who made the playoffs, the Calvary Cavaliers marching toward another state title and historically great football from local favorites Haughton’s Dak Prescott and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. It also brought Caddo Parish a new judge, and we welcome our new Caddo Parish Juvenile Court Judge Justin Courtney and look forward to working with him on combating juvenile crime. The district attorneys of our state met in Natchitoches last week to discuss issues of concern as we enter into 2024. The meeting was productive, and I thank our host, my friend Billy Joe Harrington of Natchitoches Parish. One important issue facing all district attorneys is the rise of juvenile crimes of violence, especially with guns. Ironically, I just saw a Dec. 1 editorial from the editors of the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate that addressed this issue that I want to share, in part, with you, especially in light of Caddo voters’ recent rejection of the increase of funding for our juvenile court system and programs they need.

A dazzling display of piano virtuosity was brought to Shreveport by the International Wideman Competition.

Shreveport opened 2023 with newly elected Mayor Tom Arceneaux taking the reins after 24 years of Democratic rule. The stakes could not have been higher with looming inflation, crime still on the rise and a city that looked to be surrendering to failure.