Are a few elected officials in Shreveport trying to deny their constituents the right to vote? Columnist John Settle has a definite opinion on the issue and lays out what's at stake.
Yes, it’s a first for Shreveport. And not a positive one at that.
Elected officials voting to deny their constituents the right to decide on a bond issue.
Levette Fuller (district B), John Nickelson (district C), and Grayson Boucher (district D), voted last week against putting the proposed bond package on the Nov. ballot (collectively the "new 3").Fuller’s district has over 16 thousand voters. Nichelson’s district has almost 17 thousand voters. Boucher’s district has more than 22 thousand voters. All three of them wanted to deny their constituents a fundamental right.
Yes, they voted against letting their constituents make decisions on public safety, streets and drainage, parks and public buildings.
Presumably there are no crime problems in their districts. And they really don’t want police substations or a new central police station.
Evidently, they do not care that 2 fire stations in districts G and F are in terrible condition. Nickelson ignored the sad state of Station 11 across from Broadmoor Methodist Church, which was built in 1944.
Streets and drains are in districts B, C, and D are evidently in tiptop shape. And that no bond money is needed for improvements—maybe all these should be in the other 4 districts if the bond passes.
Both Nickelson and Fuller can walk to great city parks–Betty Virginia and Columbia Park. Boucher only has one park in his district. But he lives in a park-like area–Southern Trace.
Nickelson acknowledged the decrepit condition of the Anderson Island Park. But the new 3 did not want voters across the city the chance to vote on spending money for parks in the other 4 districts or Anderson Island.
The convention center is the city’s most expensive building, and its leaking roof problems are well documented. And the recently refurbished Municipal Auditorium is having a moisture issue.
The new 3 did not allow citizens to decide if these buildings should be repaired.
At least Nickelson and Boucher met with Mayor Adrian Perkins to review the bond package. Fuller was the only council member who declined this opportunity , which certainly speaks volumes about her attitude as a public official.
Yes, despite the votes of the new 3, all Shreveport voters will have the opportunity to vote on the bond package. That includes voters in districts B, C, and D. And that is good news–and how democracies should function.
