It’s a role that fits her well- playing the drama queen at Shreveport City Council meetings. Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor makes it a habit of having long monologues that are self-promoting while at the same time very critical of the Arceneaux administration.
Yesterday (Thurs.) the Shreveport City Council had its last meeting of the year. It was a festive occasion until the last ten minutes of the meeting. By that time the large crowd had thinned out and most of those streaming the meeting had quit viewing the session.
The Council recognized Shreveport native Andrea "Mona" Bowman, a renowned TV/film hair stylist, for her many accomplishments. Ms. Bowman brought a large crowd of family and friends to enjoy the occasion.
The Council also recognized Roy Griggs, who has adopted Shreveport as his home. Griggs recently sold his 16 McDonald franchises after a long and accomplished career starting as a crew chief and ending with being a large franchise owner. Griggs is one of Shreveport's leading philanthropists. Although now retired from the hamburger business, his next project is the construction and opening of NW Louisiana’s first Ronald McDonald House. Griggs had a large contingent of family members and close friends at the meeting.
Retired LSUS chancellor Dr. Larry Clarke briefed the Council on the hard work the Shreveport Bond Committee in arriving at the proposed $256 million bond package. Clarke praised the efforts of the committee, and the Administration is preparing the package. Clarke noted that District A, Taylor's district, had the highest recommendations for bond projects.
After this, the Council zipped through its agenda in record time with pleasantries along the way. But at the end, Council members can make additional comments. And that is when Drama Queen called up city attorney Marcus Edwards and dressed him down for reasons not clearly articulated. This was after criticizing Mayor Tom for not declaring a state of emergency on the crime resolution sponsored by Taylor and passed by the Council unanimously. Taylor had issued a press release earlier in the day expressing her displeasure with the mayor.
Taylor's BFF is former city attorney Ron Lattier. Seemingly she has made it her mission to diss Edwards any chance she can get, often questioning his advice to the Council. To his credit, Edwards has always stood his ground and clearly articulated the reasons for his advice and his legal authority. Taylor's disdain for Edwards has been obvious since his confirmation.
Taylor was totally out of line with her criticism of Edwards. Other council members should have interceded by calling a point of order. Their silence was disappointing to say the least. If she has any aspirations to be Shreveport's next mayor, Taylor is doing an excellent job in scuttling her chances.
Maybe she will grow up some day, and soon.