Political gamesmanship hits a new high in Bossier City
Plus — SWEPCO reacts to home solar scam. Barksdale completes historic deployment.
Bossier City weather — Heat advisory. Today: Mostly sunny. Hot with highs in the mid 90s. Heat index values up to 108. Tonight: Mostly clear. Humid with lows in the mid 70s. Heat index values up to 106 early in the evening. Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Hot with highs in the mid 90s. Heat index values up to 106.
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Bossier Charter Commission: What was really going on behind the scenes
Political gamesmanship hit a new high in Bossier City last night. What seemed to be a curiously active civic response was likely an orchestrated effort to derail political opposition.
First, the scorecard.
The dysfunctional Bossier City Charter Commission, formed to review the City's home-rule governing document, met again in a lengthy meeting Monday night. While lasting over three and a half hours, here's a summary of what happened:
Vice Chairman Shane Cheatham and member David Johnson walked out of the meeting.
Lee Jeter, Sr., was voted as Chairman Pro Tem.
The commission voted to accept the resignations of Preston Friedley and Panderina Soumas.
The commission determined that the nomination of commissioner replacements to fill open positions should be submitted by August 5. The next meeting is scheduled for August 12 at 6 p.m.
Several citizens spoke before the commission to debate agenda items, approval of the last official meeting's minutes, public meeting laws, YouTube video privacy settings, ethics, legal oversight of the committee, and — wait for it — Roberts Rules. It was a surprising night of citizen involvement.
A case could be made that something else was going on.
BossierNow analysis:
The meeting had an unusual level of citizen involvement, with a rotating panel of speakers from the audience — including teens — repeatedly returning to the podium with lengthy prepared comments on whatever matter the commission was addressing. Several members of the Bossier Term Limits Coalition were among the speakers. The comments of each individual were strikingly similar to each other in content and included recurring themes and verbiage.
It appeared to be a delaying tactic coordinated by the Coalition.
There has been speculation that members of the Charter Commission who opposed the strict term limits proposal of the Coalition petition would put a watered-down version, perhaps without being retroactive to current officeholders — or no term limits at all — in the Charter revision.
The aim would be to put the Charter vote on the same December ballot as the Coalition term limits measure, confusing voters. Whichever garnered the most votes would be adopted.
By delaying Commission action, the Coalition may be attempting to keep the Charter revision from appearing on the December ballot with its petition initiative.
The Coalition has submitted a new certified term limits petition to the Bossier City Council, which will be introduced at today's meeting. It will be up for a final vote by the council in two weeks.
SWEPCO reacts to solar install scam in Bossier area
Recent reports of a home solar panel install scam across the Bossier Parish area have triggered a response from SWEPCO.
While residents are being contacted by companies trying to sell them rooftop solar for their homes while claiming to be a SWEPCO partner, the power company says it does not sell solar panels and is not partnered with any companies that do.
"We believe that before a consumer makes any investment, they should take time to research the product, the costs, the solar company, and any long-term commitments, to have the facts necessary to make the choice that’s best for you and your family," the company said in a statement.
While SWEPCO says that installing solar panels can reduce environmental impact and potentially lower electricity costs, there are several factors to consider, including:
The cost of the solar system.
Weather conditions.
Your home’s energy efficiency.
Electrical rates.
Compensation changes for electricity placed back on the grid.
SWEPCO offers a solar calculator that reveals a "home’s solar potential" to help you decide if solar is the right decision for your household. To use the calculator, you will need your usage data from the last 12 months as well as your monthly electric bill.
The Louisiana Attorney General's Office encourages anyone who believes they purchased a product based on fraud or deception to call the AG's hotline at 1-800-351-4889 or to file a consumer complaint online.
Inside Barksdale AFB: Airmen reflect on historic Bomber Task Force 24-4 deployment to Romania
Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft recently completed a first-ever deployment to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania.
During the deployment of Bomber Task Force Europe 24-4, the B-52s conducted operations in conjunction with aircraft from the air forces of Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Romania. The missions marked the first time that U.S. B-52s landed in Romania.
“Our historic deployment underscores the strength and resilience of the U.S.-Romania alliance and our shared commitment to regional security and NATO’s collective defense,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jared Patterson, a B-52 pilot and commander of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
During the deployment, U.S. Airmen and aircraft integrated with NATO Allies to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. The BTF highlighted the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Romania and their shared commitment to maintaining freedom of movement and freedom of navigation across the region.
“We are showing the proof of interoperability and that together, we are stronger,” said Romanian Air Force Commander Cosmin Macsim, deputy commander of Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, which is known locally as “MK.”
BTF 24-4 is a part of Large-Scale Global Exercise 2024, an umbrella term that incorporates dozens of separate exercises and military activities under multiple combatant commands. This enables the U.S. joint force to train with Allies and partners and improve shared understanding, trust, and interoperability on security challenges across the globe.
“This latest BTF further demonstrates that the U.S. Air Force is ready, postured, and well prepared to integrate with our Romanian allies, as well as our Allies and partners across the NATO alliance, to deter threats and respond to any threat at any time,” said Col. Keith Derbenwick, U.S. defense attaché to Romania.
– U.S. Air Force Video by Senior Airman Seth Watson
Help 'pack the bus' for Bossier Schools
The Bossier Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual 'Pack the Bus' school supply drive this week, which benefits Bossier Schools.
You can help out and join it with this annual event. Come by the Walmart Supercenter on Thursday, August 1, from 11:30 to 1:30 and drop off much-needed supplies to help Bossier teachers fill the gaps in their classrooms.
Bossier Schools Military Family Back to School Night tonight
Bossier Schools will present Military Back to School Night at the Bossier Civic Center tonight, July 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Parents will be able to visit with representatives from all of Bossier Parish schools and various departments, hear from Superintendent Jason Rowland, and more.
Portion of Shed Rd. to close — also ART walking trail
A portion of Shed Road will be closed for a couple of days this week. The City of Bossier City says the 5000 block near I-220 will shut down for a railroad crossing rehab. The closure will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31 and is scheduled to reopen on Friday, August 2, at 4:00 p.m.
Crosstown, the Arthur Ray Teague Walking Trail just north of the Jimmie Davis Bridge is closed through Wednesday. The purpose of this closure is for the contractor to construct a trestle bridge to construct the new Jimmie Davis Bridge.
City pools set to close for the season
Bossier City Parks and Recreation announces that city pools will close on August 3 to end the swimming season. BPAR director Clay Bohannon said he was "glad that we have had a fun and safe summer, and I appreciate all of the citizens who support Bossier Parks and Recreation."
The pool will close as students prepare for the return to school.
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