RJ Johnson  is the Director of Council Affairs for the Shreveport City Council.  The services he renders to the council in that capacity are basically unknown to the public, and probably to several council members as well.

One task that Johnson has assumed in recent months is sending out press releases to the media. Three recent releases are inaccurate and misleading. These were NOT unauthorized  nor approved by ALL the council members BEFORE being sent out to the media.

The most recent release was dated Feb. 4. The headline is "Shreveport City Council Mourns the Loss of Former Councilman Joe Shyne."

The first line of the release reads "The Shreveport City Council joins the community in mourning the loss of former Councilman Joe Shyne, a dedicated public servant who devoted 23 years to the city."

The last paragraph  reads "The Shreveport City Council extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of former Councilman Joe Shyne. This dedication and service to the city will forever be remembered."

The press release includes quotes from council members Tabatha Taylor and James Green.
The subject press release on Shyne was NOT authorized nor approved  by ALL the council members before being emailed to the media.

The headline "Shreveport City Council Mourns ..." implies all seven council members--not two. A more accurate headline, and body of the release, should read "Two Shreveport City Council Members Mourn..."

Johnson sent out a press release dated Jan. 23, 2025, captioned "Shreveport Council Addresses Shooting Incident at Walgreens on Line Avenue."

The first line reads "The Shreveport City Council expresses its concerns and support following the recent shooting incident at Walgreens on Line Avenue in District B." The last line reads "The Shreveport City Council stands in solidarity with the residents of District B and the entire community reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens."

This release has quotes from District B councilman Gary Brooks and council chair Taylor.
This press release was NOT authorized nor approved by ALL the other council members before it was emailed to the media.

On Nov. 25, 2024, Johnson sent out another press release with an inaccurate headline--"The Shreveport City Council Mourns the Loss of Lynn Nelson-Stevens, Tireless Advocate for the Disability Community."

The first line--The Shreveport City Council joins the community..."--is again inaccurate and misleading. The release was NOT authorized nor approved by ALL of the council members prior to its release.

Johnson has recently been awarded a PhD degree. Seemingly he should realize that he has sent out  faulty press releases. Despite the sentiment of the releases, the releases are not correct.

Johnson and the Council should take steps to ensure press releases in the future are correct, appropriately approved and not misleading. Additionally, Johnson should be instructed to not delete this writer from his email list because of disagreement with the context of this blog.

NOTE: These  observations and conclusions are not meant in any fashion to denigrate Joe Shyne and his services to the City. Nor to diminish the Walgreen's shooting/murder tragedy or the value of the services rendered by Lynn Stevens to the community.