Giving credit where it's due

Remember about a week ago when I pointed out some potential issues with Shreveport City Hall not offering information they should? Your local government came through this week.

I got a list of 337 individuals or couples who reserve Mardi Gras parade spots by the Duck Pond. Most are Shreveporters, but there are some from Greenwood, Blanchard, Frierson, the Dallas area, and several towns between here and there. At least one city councilman (Bryan Wooley) is included. The group is complete with addresses (for most – not Wooley, though). Not sure we'll post all of that information, but you'll likely get a look at some of it.

So I want to give props for the mayor's office – via SPAR Director Shelly Ragle – for doing the right thing. Look for more off-season Carnival coverage soon.

A little public information push for Shreveport City Hall

Some days just get interesting when you start asking a few questions of City Hall staffers.

As you soon will read, Shreveport's City Council public safety committee wants the full panel to decide whether to raise the price of rented Mardi Gras parade spots from $10 or $20 to $75. Naturally, I want to know how those yearly renters feel about that.

So what do I do? Ask for the list. What's the answer? They're not sure they can give me that.

Well, I think they can and should. State and federal public records laws exempt some personal information – and the city attorney now is trying to decide whether this is – but I really don’t see how at least the names of people doing business with the city are private. Unlisted phone numbers maybe (even though telemarketing companies still seem to get them). We'll see what they decide.

Then I hear Mayor Cedric Glover's airport task force plans to meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. I request a copy of that new board's membership and of the letter sent to them about the meeting. No public notice was given. Glover's staff's initial response is this is not a public body per se, though anyone can attend their meeting. (It's in the mayor's large conference room at Government Plaza, by the way.) I'm still awaiting a city attorney opinion on that, too.

Just a little more insight for you into how we operate around here. I'll keep you posted.

Glover and others welcome direct flights to Branson, Mo. last November.