If a citizen plans on watching a Caddo Commission zoom meeting, they may be in for a surprise.
On the other hand it they like political theatre, they will be in for a treat.
It is suggested they make a bathroom trip right before the meetings start and after that settle into a comfy recliner with popcorn and a coke.
And why not--many of the commissioners have all the comforts of home while "legislating" during a meeting. Viewers can often hear phone calls and background TV news, view political signage and watch the consumption of food/beverages by their elected officials during a meeting.
Three commissioners generally compete for air time--the goal being to talk more than the others. Unfortunately most of their "air time" is on non-commission matters.
If one wants the latest COVID stats, military history or maybe a reading of the Gettysburg Address, then Commissioner Ken Epperson's lengthy monologues may excite them. Epperson's mantra that "I have served a gazella terms and thus I know better than you" is wearing thin on his compatriots and viewers alike.
For those that want to hear the personal history of service on the city council and the state legislature, then Commissioner Roy Burrell provides a continuing commentary on his prior service. Seemingly Burrell believes he is more qualified than his counterparts despite his constant requests for '"clarification" that weigh down every meeting.
Commissioner Steven Jackson generally tutors the Commission on matters not related to the Commissions business, holding himself out as an expert on state and federal law .Jackson often uses this forum to call out other elected officials and private citizens who do not agree with him.
Commission meetings begin at 3:30 p.m. Unfortunately its generally 75 minutes or more before any real business is conducted because these commissioners consider "zoom time" from their homes to be their open mike sessions.
If the goal is to bore citizens into tuning the meetings out--both literally and figuratively--then mission accomplished! A change in the agenda to place this grandstanding at the end of the agenda would certainly be in the interest of good government.
Additionally many Commissioners believe their status as a parish elected official gives them special prominence in expressing their personal political opinions to other elected officials and bodies in the form of Commission resolutions.
Most observers do not think the Caddo Commission should be directing resolutions to the Louisiana legislature or the United States Congress. Much time is wasted debating these matters that generally are more reflective of personal politics versus elected responsibilities.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.