At a recent meeting of the Caddo Commission, Commissioner Steven Jackson criticized Chase Bank for what he said was a pending sale of the now closed 70th street branch.
Jackson said that Chase had refused to sell the property to a credit union that would have serviced that neighborhood. He further stated that Chase was negotiating with a pawn shop or payday loan for the location.
Jackson communicated this misinformation to Shreveport council member Levette Fuller. She then stated on the record at a city council meeting that Chase intended to sell to a payday loan or pawnshop.
A high ranking Chase bank officer advises that the bank has prohibitions against the use of former branch locations. These include pawnshops or any business offering check cashing, title loans or pay day loan. The prohibitions apply to a purchaser or any future buyer, owner, grantee, mortgagee or lessee of the property.
Its very irresponsible for an elected official to make false statements concerning any business. Obviously Jackson and Fuller did not do their homework by contacting a Chase official and/or confirming any information passed on to them.
Shreveport needs to support its existing businesses and encourage new businesses to start up or relocate here. Statements like those of Jackson and Fuller , in their elected capacity at Commission/Council meeting, certainly send the wrong message to businesses, their constituents and the general public.
An apology by both, on the record at the next Commission/Council meeting, should be made. Elected officials should be held accountable for what they do and say in their elected capacities.