As most readers know, I am not a boomer.

And I have reluctantly became a Zoomer. I am referring to watching public meetings, press conferences, and other  "live" events by modern technology.

I miss going to Government Plaza for 4 council meetings a month plus committee meetings, 4 commission meetings a month plus committee meetings, and  MPC meetings once a month. Meetings of the Port and the Caddo school board often interfere with other public meetings.

And its certainly a lot harder to go visit various officials and public employees at city hall. Limitations on visitors and split work schedules are needed and I support these pandemic measures.

And although I have officed in Bossier City since 1994, I need a clone to attend their meetings, which are very important. Bossier public meeting usually have less drama and more gets done in shorter meetings. (A statement of fact)

But back to Zoom meetings. 

I like being able to sit at my desk and work while listening to parts of meetings that are not relevant to me.

Like  hearing the same email citizens comments that follow a template--like 6 times. (The case with the one year non-smoking moratorium for casinos and now the pending Shreveport council proposed moratorium for bars.)

Or citizen comments that are regulars that say the same thing over and over, as they break their arms patting their backs. Add to that speakers who comment from a point of ignorance of the facts, city ordinances, state and federal laws.

You get my drift.

Also I can listen/watch the meetings at home, in a restaurant with my mask off if I am eating, on my way home etc. With council and commission meetings becoming interminably long--which is part due to Zoom--it’s hard to devote 3 hours or more trying to keep up with important government meetings.

Additionally I recognize that department heads and members of the Shreveport Police Department and Shreveport Fire Department can "attend" and participate while sitting at their desks and not "wasting" time. Yes, it is a waste of tax payer dollars for those people to sit through long meeting and only needed to answer questions for less than 15 minutes. 

So there are positives about Zoom public meetings. But ugh, there are negatives, and plenty of them.

Initially, it is disheartening when elected officials participate in Zoom while they are driving their cars, shopping and doing other mundane activities that can be heard during the meetings. Like I want a burger, fries and a shake while going through a fast feed drive through.

Additionally the public should not be forced to view the backgrounds that some officials put up on the Zoom with their faces in front. Using the backgrounds to push their personal political agenda, which may or may not be the business of the government entity, is going over the top.

Or how about watching an elected official eat snacks while talking to the word during a Zoom meeting? And not he did not offer to share!

Additionally Zoom meeting seem to encourage more long-winded, time-wasting comments by some elected officials. Sitting at home in an easy chair with feet propped up versus being downtown and thinking about the drive home is an open invite for more unneeded gab.

But, lets get back to the real issue. 

Yesterday (Tues.) the Shreveport city council met in person--versus Zoom. The first such meeting since Gov. John Bel Edwards' emergency order in March. 

The last extension of the emergency order did  NOT contain the paragraph about Zoom meetings for public bodies. Whether this was intentional or an administrative mistake is unknown. To date, the Shreveport city council is the first public body in NW Louisiana to have an "in person" meeting--maybe the entire state.

Some observers believe that the action of the state legislation continues the Zoom edict.

The Caddo Parish School Board met at the same time as the council--by Zoom. Its an open question at this time if the Caddo Commission will meet in person Mon. for the work session and/or the Thurs. regular meeting is an open question at this time.

The COVID pandemic is real. I have suddenly accepted that fact with an employee in quarantine. Practically everyone knows someone who has been affected --personally, a family member, a friend, a business etc.

The guidelines on masks, hand washing, limited crowds and social distancing need to be followed. How can anyone deny this?

We are all suffering from COVID fatigue. Nonetheless civic leaders, including all elected officials, should be setting the standard--actually setting a high bar to encourage others.

THE BOSSIER CITY COUNCIL HAS ALWAYS HAD “LIVE” MEETINGS.  THE BOSSIER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD RESUMED “LIVE” MEETINGS THIS MONTH.  THE SHREVEPORT CADDO MpC WILL HAVE A “LIVE” MEETING ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5.
        
Saying that, I want ALL public bodies in Caddo Parish to continue ZOOM --at least through Labor Day. And I believe that the Shreveport city council can take action to go back to Zoom meeting. 

I IMPLORE THE SHREVEPORT CITY COUNCIL TO GO BACK TO ZOOM.  AND THE MPC TO CONSIDER THIS AS WELL.