Both are veteran members of the Shreveport City Council.

James Green served previously on the Council, and he is now in his second year of another second term.

Tabatha Taylor was appointed as an interim council member in May 2020 and has served since then.

As they say, it’s not the first rodeo for the Green Taylor duo who are virtually connected at the hip. As council members they  walk, talk, and vote as if they are twins.

At Tuesday's council meeting, a resolution by Taylor to allow open outside drinking in a four block area of downtown  during the Humor & Harmony Festival failed on a 5-2 vote.

Here are just some of the mistakes Taylor made:

1. The resolution affected only District B, which is represented by Gary Brooks. The Council has an unwritten rule that legislation affecting only one district is to be sponsored by the appropriate council member. Taylor did not consult with Brooks either before or after she introduced the resolution.

2. Other than Green (assumably), Taylor did not discuss the resolution with any of the other council members--either before or after she introduced it.

3. Taylor did not discuss the ordinance with SPD Chief Wayne Smith either before or after introducing the resolution.

4. Taylor did not have the owners of the bars/restaurants in the Red River District and on Commerce Street who would be affected by the proposal appear to voice approval of the proposition.

5. Taylor did not have answers to very practical questions that should have been addressed in her comments:
a. who was to enforce drinking age in the outside areas of the four block area
b. could patrons buy a drink at one bar and take it into another bar in the area
c. what would prevent persons bringing their own bottles of booze into the area and drinking without patronizing a bar/restaurant
d. who would be responsible for street and sidewalk cleanup after the four day event in this area
e. would portable toilets be installed in the area

And the list goes on.

6. As is her personality, Taylor lashed out when asked council members asked pertinent questions with the implication being that they had no right to question her resolution.

7. Taylor attempted to justify her resolution by making references to prior waivers of the open drinking prohibition with examples that were totally irrelevant.

8. As his practice Green sermonized his support of Taylor in very long-winded statements that would precede his slanted questions.

9. Green refused to abide by the council rule of only speaking twice on one issue and had to be called out of order by failing to stop talking.

10. Green tried to trip up Chief Smith on comments made by Smith at the work session that Green implied were inconsistent, which Smith quickly and effectively rebutted.

11. Green refused to abide by the council rule of only speaking twice on one issue and had to be called out of order by failing to stop talking.

The council's overwhelming vote to reject the resolution reflected good judgment. It also reflected the arrogance, immaturity and lack of respect that Taylor and Green are known to display as council members.