The Bossier Vote: What's on the December 7 election ballot
Plus — Bossier City Thanksgiving trash collection schedule.
Bossier City weather — Today: Mostly sunny. Much cooler, with highs in the lower 60s. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly cloudy. Windy and not as cool, with highs in the upper 70s.
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The Bossier Vote: What's on the December 7 election ballot
Two Bossier Parish runoff elections and four constitutional amendments are on the ballot for the December 7 election.
On the ballot (depending on your precinct):
Mayor Town of Plain Dealing (1 to be elected)
James Cook, #22, Independent
Shelia Player, #24, Democrat
Alderman District 2, Town of Benton (1 to be elected)
Tiffany L. Manning, #31, Independent
Demetrie Turks, #33, Democrat
Constitutional Amendment No. 1 (ACT No. 405, 2024 - SB 177)
“Do you support an amendment to allow the supreme court to sanction a judge upon an investigation by the judiciary commission, and provide that the recommended sanction shall be instituted by the judiciary commission or by a majority of the supreme court, and to provide for the appointment of five members of the judiciary commission?”
ARGUMENT FOR: The Judiciary Commission moves too slowly to consider allegations of judicial misconduct, taking years in some instances to review complaints. The commission is too protective of judges because it is packed with their own colleagues and the lawyers who appear before judges in court. The potential to add more non-lawyers to the commission could bring a fresh perspective and make the panel more aggressive in holding judges accountable. The Louisiana Supreme Court should have more authority over judicial ethics and discipline because the court’s justices oversee the judicial system.
ARGUMENT AGAINST: Increasing the commission size doesn’t make anything more transparent or efficient and could slow the overall process. Complaints take a long time to investigate properly, so providing the commission with more staff and resources to do the work is the way to speed up disciplinary action. Adding appointees of legislative leaders and the governor to the commission could insert improper political influence into the judicial ethics and discipline process. Giving the Louisiana Supreme Court more authority to initiate investigations raises due process concerns since the court could decide discipline after an investigation
Constitutional Amendment No. 2 (ACT No. 406, 2024 - HB 48)
“Do you support an amendment to require that the legislature wait for at least forty-eight hours prior to concurring in a conference committee report or amendments to a bill appropriating money?”
ARGUMENT FOR: Requiring more time before lawmakers can take a final vote on bills appropriating money ensures that legislative leaders can’t quickly jam bills through the process before rank-and-file lawmakers can review them and assess their impact. The bills finance billions of dollars in state agencies and programs, and more care and attention should be given to their final passage. A required waiting period gives lawmakers and the public more transparency about which projects and programs receive financing.
ARGUMENT AGAINST: Requiring a delay before lawmakers can take a final vote on bills appropriating money creates unnecessary roadblocks to the passage of critical legislation that finances state agencies and programs. Lawmakers should be flexible in deciding how quickly they can pass appropriations bills, just as they can with other bills awaiting final votes. Adding such restrictions on legislative voting behavior should be left to House and Senate rules rather than placed in the Louisiana Constitution.
Constitutional Amendment No. 3 (ACT No. 407, 2024 - HB 49)
“Do you support an amendment to allow the legislature to extend a regular session in increments of two days up to a maximum of six days if necessary to pass a bill appropriating money?”
ARGUMENT FOR: Offering lawmakers more time in a regular legislative session to ensure they understand what is contained in an appropriations bill is a wise use of state time and resources. Allowing a short, maximum six-day extension is a better option than requiring lawmakers to restart the budget debate process in a special session. The cost associated with an extension is minor in a multibillion-dollar budget and likely cheaper than a special session.
ARGUMENT AGAINST: Lawmakers should have more than enough time to handle their work during the regular legislative session without needing extensions. The House and Senate should prioritize the financing of state government operations to ensure they can complete the task in the time allotted, as they have done in most years across recent decades. Adding extra days to the session is an unnecessary expense in a state with many needs.
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 (ACT No. 409, 2024 - SB 119)
“Do you support an amendment to eliminate mandatory tax sales for nonpayment of property taxes and require the legislature to provide for such procedures by law; to limit the amount of penalty and interest on delinquent property taxes; and to provide for the postponement of property tax payments under certain circumstances?”
ARGUMENT FOR: Louisiana’s current system for handling delinquent property taxes has led to years of litigation to ensure taxpayer rights aren’t being violated, and the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling jeopardizes the entire process. The current tax sale system was enacted when Louisiana was more agricultural and hasn’t smoothly transitioned to today's subdivisions. Shifting to the tax lien auction system will better protect people who own the property and give them more options to address their debts rather than see their property sold. Supporters of the amendment say if property is sold to satisfy a lien, the process involved is more attractive for investors. Removing the details of the procedure from the constitution and placing them in law will make it easier for legislators to respond to future court rulings and litigation.
ARGUMENT AGAINST: Rewriting the entire process for handling property tax debts is unnecessary since years of lawsuits and court rulings have clarified many areas of the law. Protecting owner equity does not require this amendment. Louisiana has not been judged in violation of the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, so it’s too soon to shift to a new system in response. Opponents of the amendment say the tax lien auction system and its longer timelines could discourage some property investors from wanting to participate and, therefore, could make it tougher for the government to collect delinquent taxes. The amendment continues to place too much detail in the Louisiana Constitution, which is better left to state law. The constitution shouldn’t require a specific system for handling property tax debts, and that level of detail could result in new litigation.
Early voting for the December 7 election continues this week through Nov. 30, but will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29.
Christmas Food Drive receives a big donation from the Bossier Parish School System
On Friday, November 22, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office Food Pantry was grateful to receive a generous donation of canned and packaged food items from the Bossier Parish Evaluation Center.
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Dr. Vicki Younger, the Director of the Evaluation Center for the Bossier Parish School System, spearheaded a friendly competition to make a meaningful impact this holiday season. Dr. Younger organized a food drive challenge between her facility, the Bossier Educational Service Center (BESC), and the Central Office.
The goal was simple: collecting as many canned goods as possible for local needy families.
The competition, which saw enthusiastic participation from all three facilities, was a tremendous success. Together, the groups gathered over 1,000 cans of food — far exceeding the initial expectations. This outpouring of generosity will directly benefit two important charitable causes: the Spirit of Christmas food drive and the Sheriff’s Operation Blessing food pantry, both of which provide essential food assistance to families throughout the Bossier Parish area.
The friendly rivalry added an extra layer of fun to the event, with the winning team receiving a sweet reward — an ice cream bar provided by the other participants. After a spirited effort from all sides, Dr. Younger’s team emerged victorious, collecting an impressive 700 cans of food, the most among the three groups.
Operation Blessing, a non-profit food bank program operated by the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, provides a vital service to the citizens of Bossier Parish. The program accepts non-perishable food donations year-round. The dedicated volunteers from the Bossier Sheriff’s Posse and Ladies Auxiliary work tirelessly to serve approximately 125 families a month across Bossier Parish with non-perishable food. These donations help elderly residents on fixed incomes and others in Bossier Parish who find themselves without access to food.
Sheriff Julian Whittington expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the employees of Bossier Educational Service Center, acknowledging their exceptional efforts in making this donation possible.
"We all are so blessed for your heartfelt donation. Thanks to your generous contribution, families across Bossier Parish will be able to gather together around the table in love and thanksgiving this holiday season,” the Sheriff said.
The food collected will go a long way toward providing much-needed assistance to those facing food insecurity this holiday season. The Spirit of Christmas food drive and the Sheriff’s Operation Blessing food pantry are two important initiatives that rely on community donations to ensure families in need have access to nourishing meals.
If you would like to contribute to the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, which will take place on December 10th, please contact the Viking Substation at (318) 747-8600 or drop off your donations at 2510 Viking Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111. Your support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Bossier City Thanksgiving trash collection schedule
The Thanksgiving week trash collection schedule in Bossier City:
On Thursday, Nov. 28th, there will be NO Pickup
Thursday pickup will be moved to Friday, November 29th.
Friday’s pickup will be moved to Saturday, November 30th.
The drop-off station at 3223 Old Shed Rd. will be closed on Thursday and Friday and reopen on Saturday, November 30th.
The Recycle Center at 3301 Old Shed Rd. will be closed on Thursday and Friday and reopen on Saturday, with regular business hours.
Bossier man found guilty in South Bossier murder
On Friday, after less than three hours of deliberation, a Bossier Parish jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict of Second-Degree Murder against Otis Ray Smith Jr., 24, in the killing of Adrian Carradine, 20.
The victim was shot inside a home on Alison Ave in South Bossier.
On the night of February 10, 2020, Carradine was at home along with five other people when two individuals fired shots through the exterior walls of the home. The two shooters were determined to be Raymond Henry and Otis Ray Smith Jr.
Mr. Carradine was struck in the chest by a bullet and ultimately died from his gunshot wound.
Jurors heard testimony from Bossier City Police Department officers detailing the high-speed chase that entailed after the shots were fired. Dashcam video showed that the chase ultimately ended on Clyde Fant Parkway, where Henry and Smith Jr. attempted to flee on foot.
The 15-year-old driver was detained immediately, and Henry was apprehended after a brief foot chase. Smith Jr. was able to get away the night of the shooting.
Jurors also heard from BCPD Crime Scene Detectives who recovered both firearms used in the shooting, including one thrown out of the getaway car by Smith Jr. during the chase.
Following the recovery of the firearms, Crime Scene Detectives cataloged over 25 shell casings at the scene that a Firearms Identification expert from the North Louisiana Crime Lab, Phillip Stout, matched to the two recovered firearms.
Crime Scene Detectives laid out the approximate shell casings’ location using BCPD’s 3D scanner software, showing the jury two distinct firing paths. Further, Smith Jr.‘s DNA and fingerprints were found in the car, and he was identified as being the third person in the car and the second shooter by the 15-year-old driver and Henry.
“The Bossier City Police Department should be commended for a job well done. They delivered a solid case to our office containing video, DNA, recovered firearms, crime scene scans, and fingerprints. Phillip Stout and Katie Traweek of The North Louisiana Crime Lab did an outstanding job on this case as well. The analysts there always do an excellent job both in the lab and in court. I’m proud of everyone involve on this one.” said Bossier Webster District Attorney Schuyler Marvin.
The case was prosecuted by Chance Nerren of the Bossier Parish District Attorney’s office and was defended by Kenneth Beck.
Smith faces mandatory life in prison for Second Degree Murder and will be sentenced by Judge Doug Stinson on April 14, 2025.
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