By: Bill Wilson • Contributing Columnist

Do not forget to go vote on Nov. 18 to select the most qualified candidatefor this election. Voting is one of our most precious rights in the Constitution. Before you vote, research each candidate’s history and current background. From my personal observation and knowledge. I will not Vote for Henry Whitehorn. I will further explain my reasoning with documentation and firsthand personal knowledge as evidence.

The city of Shreveport (COS) has three pension plan systems. The police, fire and classified employes each have a separate elected board to administer their plan and funds. After 30 years in law enforcement, I retired from Shreveport Police. During my career, I was elected as a trustee for the Policemen’s Pension Fund to administer the system and funds. We swore an oath to obey all laws and had a fiduciary duty.

The Louisiana Legislature passed state laws for the Police and Fire local pension boards. Under La. Revised Statues-R.S.11:3711- 3730 is designated for our police plan. Shreveport Policemen’s Pension Fund (SPPF) has nine members elected to the board. Currently, there are six members that are retirees or surviving spouse/widows. Under R.S.11:3712, the state law was adapted to “appropriate funds” for annual revenues to pay the member’s retirement benefits.

In January 2022, SPPF held its quarterly meeting. Region’s bank reported that the Income statement had “no” deposits from city of Shreveport (COS) from the previous year. After some investigation, we were shocked to discover that no deposits or funding came from COS since 2015! During 2022, we kept inquiring at regular meetings. Whitehorn could not answer the questions.

During the April meeting, Whitehorn per the minutes stated, “We are not contributing into this fund anymore.” He asked the City Attorney's Office to research the issue. Our belief was that the state law which the city had followed since the 1970s would convince Whitehorn. We were wrong. Before Henry Whitehorn left COS, he reported to the city council his decision.

Henry was not man enough to tell us in person. Mr. Whitehorn stated the city attorney rendered an opinion that R.S.11:3712 our appropriation funds law was still a ”good law” ;however, it is not applicable to COS because it is “closed.” Wow! Am I not breathing? I never heard such ridiculous logic. The COS attorney did not even explain any reasoning or laws to justify their answer. Whitehorn wanted to get out of the pension business to balance the budget might be his reason. There are less than 200 retirees and widows who depend on this benefit.

Please do not worry: our plan has a few million saved to pay the widows. Now, you understand why Whitehorn has betrayed and forgotten the officers who served this city. I believe the heavy workload and stress caused his bad decision. I believe these facts are enough not to support Henry. I wish him well in his retirement.

All police have a motto -To Serve and Protect. Henry forgot his sworn oath and fiduciary duties. This is the major decision why I plan to vote for the other candidate John Nickelson. John never took money from retirees and widows. Go vote!