OP ED: CADDO COMMISSIONER JACKSON: OPEN MOUTH INSERT FOOT, AGAIN

John E. Settle, Jr.

Focus SB

At the last meeting of the Caddo Commission on Thurs. Jan.20, Caddo commissioner Steven Jackson talked a lot, like almost incessantly on almost every agenda topic. 

As is his practice, he often mistates facts and misinterpetes legislation. Jackson likes to hold out false promises, like the possibility of the parish adopting Ford Street which is a state highway within the city limits. 

Jackson along with Commissioner Ken Epperson were the only "NO" votes on the approval of a cooperative endeavor agreement for the proposed tollway bridge project in southeast Shreveport.  No meaningful explanation was tendered by either of the dissenters. 

Jackson certainly one upped himself with his remark that Caddo Parish should pull out of the Red River Waterway District. That statement not only overlooks the benefits the parish receives from the waterway, but also state law. 

Thankfully  his remark was  ignored by the other commissioners, including commission vice president Roy Burrell who has served on the waterway commission. However his comment quickly spread southward to the port and to the waterway commission. 

The waterway commission comment is only one of many statements and positions that Jackson has taken that may come back to haunt him in future elections.  His constant practice of putting his foot in his mouth is almost comical, if one likes political suicide.