COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

MAY 7, 2002

The Special Meeting of the Shreveport City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana, was call to order by Chairman John David Stewart at 3:20 p.m. in the Government Plaza Chambers, First Floor, 505 Travis Street.

Invocation was given by Councilwoman Spigener.

On Roll Call, the following members were present: Councilmen Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne, and Burrell. 7. Absent: None.

The meeting was called pursuant to the following Public Notice:

"PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Shreveport City Council will meet in Special Session on Tuesday, May 7, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. in the Government Chambers at Government Plaza (505 Travis Street).

The purpose of the meeting is to consider Ordinance No. 41 of 2002: "An ordinance amending Section 2-27 of the Code of Ordinance of the City of Shreveport to reapportion the several council districts of the City and otherwise provide with respect thereto."

No other business will be transacted.

John David Stewart

Chairman

May 6, 2002"

Chairman Stewart: Thank you for joining us at 3:20 and I appreciate you r patience with us starting late. This is a Special Meeting of the Shreveport City Council and our agenda is too discuss the redistricting today. This is a public hearing and following the public hearing we will have a consideration of Ordinance 41.

Redistricting Public Hearing

Mr. Larry English (5708 Stone Lake) to come forward and speak. Mr. English? Is Mr. English here? Mr. Shyne: He might have stepped outside.

Chairman Stewart: Mr. English is not here. Thank you. Next, we have a request from Mr. Joe Wills on Easy Street (1619 Easy Street, 71101, Shreveport, Louisiana: I serve as President of Stoner Hill Eastside Brotherhood/Sisterhood Association. As you know, we come to you at the beginning of this reapportionment debate asking that Stoner Hill, be put back solid like it used to be. We are again asking you tonight, this afternoon to be fair to not only the people in Stoner Hill, but thecitizens of Shreveport. I do believe that Stoner Hill has paid it's dues in the last ten years for being split the way we have been. It's other neighborhoods in this city, that I think if anybody else have to pay the price, I believe in all fairness, it should fall on somebody else. So we're asking you this afternoon to vote for Plan 18, the one that we have looked at, I think we can live with that and I believe it would be fair. And I would like to tell you all I think you all would be fair to the citizens of Shreveport if you vote for this plan, Plan 18. Sister Smith gonna come down.

Bessie D. Smith (1810 Vikings Drive): President of the Stoner Hill Neighborhood Action Group. The citizens in the Stoner Hill area have been split too long. Our voting strength has been deleted. The citizens of the Stoner Hill area have been split between two councilmen: Councilman Thomas Carmody and John David Stewart. Most of the citizens do not know where there boundaries are and who their councilman is for this area. The only time, yes, the only time the citizens really see them, is at election time. There is no accountability anywhere. We need a councilman that is concerned about the needs and the welfare of our community. It is almost election time again and we will now see all of you walking and begging for votes. Because we know that one vote makes a difference. And it is now time for a change. We have paid our debt. We want a councilman or a council lady that will have to answer to the citizens in our community and concerned about our needs and not coming out every three to four years asking for us to vote and we no longer see you. Not even get a phone call from you unless we call you. Please consider Plan 18. Thank you very much.

Herschel Brown (249 West 77^th Street, Shreveport, Louisiana): Good evening. Let me begin by saying that, I saw where I think on one of your request to speak, it's stated that some time would be allowed if you're representing a group rather than an individual and I am representing a group and I do represent the African-American Community but I may need some additional time.

Chairman Stewart: You have members of your group here with you?

Mr. Brown: Sure, I have Mr. Wells, Eastside Stoner Hill group. Let me begin by saying that I --let me go on record saying that, I do support Plan 18, I have looked at it. What you have before you is a different plan, but it has been modeled after 18. There have been some minor changes in it. This plan I have here, if you look at the stats on it, it is a plan that is composed of when we go to District B, it's composed of a plan of 58% and that's GP (that's General Population) and when you look at the white it's at 40%. What I am trying to illustrate here today is that I'm going to show that when the VAP (Voting Age Population). Now, be mindful that Justice nor no one else draws plans based upon VAP. They draw plans and create plans upon population, but however, I want to show what happens with the VAP.

Now, when you go to the third page their, when you look at the VAP, when you look District B, you see that the VAP drops from 58% to 51% . That is what they mean by Voting Age Population, those who can vote. So now that when we talk about Plan 18, Plan 18 I do believe is 42% of White and 53% Black, but that is based upon the general population. When the VAP kicks in, or when it comes into play, that plan we are talking about 18 or any other plans that have been drawn here today, those numbers are going to drop from 52-53 to around 46-47 in the Black community. So, that is why I have been requesting that we need a plan that would be greater than 52 or 53%. If we would get a plan or fashion a plan that would come to 54-55% but however, like I say again, the reapportionment process plan creation is not based upon the VAP, so I wanted to illustrate that today. I will take any of your questions that you have here. But also let me say this before I go to question. If you look at you look at the Voting Age Population of the City of Shreveport, you will also notice that the population is 200,145. I think we are 101,679 and the White community is 93,394. But when you look at the Voting Age Population, you see where there has been asomewhat of reversal and that the White voting age population becomes 74,163 which represents 51% and the Black population becomes 67,138 representing 46%.

My interpretation and my request is that we need to -- in order to be fair and equitable in drawing these lines, and if the community at large wants to be fair and equitable, we need to try to fashion a district that would be somewhat 54-55% Black, 42-43% White and when the VAP kicks, in we end up with a parity somewhere in the neighborhood 49 or 50% Black and White.

Chairman Stewart: Mr. English would wait for the vote to make sure you're as popular as you always have been.

Mr. English: It won't matter this time, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Shyne: When you needed the popularity, you didn't get it.

Mr. English: I didn't get it. Thank you Mr. Shyne.

Larry English (401 Edwards Street, Suite 826, Shreveport, LA, 71101 and I'm at 5708 Stonebridge, 71109): Mr. Chairman, first of all, very rarely do we as citizens and individuals in our life time have the opportunity to do something historic and today, this Council will have that opportunity. And every time this City in the past has had the opportunity to reach out and solidify this dream and proposition and hope of inclusion, we haven't always lived up to the intent in our heart because we allow human things and man and woman and politics to come into it. This City and this City Council now is faced with the opportunity to solidify and to show that this City truly is a progressive new southern city. There are 23 plans in front of you.

Mr. Joiner has done a lot of work and I know that you have done a lot of work, but after reviewing those plans, I'm asking you to support Plan 18. I think it gives this City the best opportunity to insure that everybody is included into this process and as I've heard and more importantly than any other district, I think that we have to look at the Stoner Hill area and as Mr. Joe Wills and Bessie Smith have all said so eloquently, something is wrong when you're an inner city African-American neighborhood and all of your elected representatives are Republican and White. Now I unlike Mr. Shyne, I have no doubt believing that Republican and White has nothing to do with whether or not your level of representation, but this whole process is about giving and we have to be honest, it's about giving everybody in this city the opportunity to elect someone out of their community. Stoner Hill ought to have that opportunity like Broadmoor, Cooper Road, Hollywood and everyone else to elect someone out of their community. Plan 18, gives them the best opportunity to do that and I strongly, in your consideration and wisdom, hope that you would choose Plan 18 as the best opportunity to truly lead this City into a millennium. Thank you.

Craig B. Lee (3500 Milam Street, Shreveport, District G): I am representing the Committee for Equity In Gaming and Tourism, but I think I can sum all of this up. I was interested in listening to Councilwoman Spigener's comments in the prayer. Three words jumped out. The word fair, the word right and the word grow. So now we're posed with some questions. What is fair? What is right? And what is growth? My synopsis of that and since I've been here in the City of Shreveport since 1994, even though I'm a native, got back from probably the most culturally diversified city in the entire United States and a role model for all cities in the entire world, and that's Atlanta, Georgia. The answer to all three of those questions can be found in two words, Cultural diversity. Cultural diversity.

Now, that brings us to another question and that question is: In a majority rules constitutionor republic, can a minority group of a population in the City, Parish or County, State or Country rule or govern the majority group of that same City, Parish or County, State or Country? And the answer is yes. This can happen and the concept is called, apartheid. Now the question is: Does the City Council want to embrace the concept of apartheid or does this City Council want to embrace the concept of cultural diversity? Cultural diversity answers the question of what is fair, what is right and what is growth. The aspect of apartheid answers the question of whether or not a minority population can rule the majority of the population. It is going to be up to this particular body.

I am in favor of Plan 18. It is time for this city to transition and the beautiful thing about this is, there is a role model for what happens in the transitional city when they adopt the concept of cultural diversity, and it is Atlanta, Ga. Over forty Fortune 500 Corporations are headquartered out of that city and it is a Cultural Mecca not only Black people, but Caucasians and Latinos and everyone. But it starts with the essence of equity, political representation. And with that, I say again, I am in favor, Committee for Equity and Gaming is in favor, the entire Black community is in favor of Plan 18. Thank you.

James Pannell (3835 Eileen Lane, Shreveport, Louisiana): I'll do you all a big favor today, I'm going to make it shorter than that. We've reviewed all of the plans. NAACP does not want to get into a legal battle with this situation. Plan 18 comes closest to putting us into that position of not doing that.

Mr. Shyne: Butch, that was mighty short. You must be sick today.

Calvin Lester (401 Market Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71101): I think a philosopher said the most powerful thing is an idea whose time has come. We are in a scenario, ladies and gentlemen of the Council, where the time has come for us to do something different. The time has come for us to share power one with the other in an effort to move our city forward. You've heard some people from the Stoner Hill community. They're asking you not to split communities, not to split families. You've heard others speakers asking you to do what `s fair. I'm not asking you to do what's fair, because what's fair to you is different from what's fair to me. We're asking you to do what is just. Justice is the highest value of any society, we're asking you to do what is just. The Greek philosopher Solon said, when it talks about what is a great city, that is a city that values everyone's contributions, the rich and poor, plebes and patricians. This is a scenario that we're asking you to do today. Don't mistake the fact that these Chambers are not filled to capacity to think that there is not complete interest in both the African-American community, completely wide.

We're asking you to support Plan 18 for a number of reasons, but the bottom line is Plan 18 is going to insure that all voices are heard, all voices are represented. We're talking about a new Shreveport, but that Shreveport is going to be -- only take place, if you ladies and gentlemen, have the courage and the bravery to do what is right. I carry a poem with me, I better have it in here, that kind of guides some of the things that I do. The name of that poem and I'd like to read it to you is called Live Your Creed.. It goes something like this:

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day,

I'd rather one should walk with me than just show the way;

The eyes are better people and more willing than the ear;

Advice may be misleading, but examples are always clear.

And the very best teachers are the ones who live their creeds,

For to see good put into action is what everyone needs.

I can soon learn to do it, if you let me see it done

I can watch your hand in motion, but your tongue too fast may run

And the lectures you deliver may be very fine and true

But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do

For I may misunderstand you and the fine advice that you give,

But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live."

And so I would say to the Council Members, we've heard a lot about the new Shreveport, about coming together. Well, now it's time for you to put those words into action. We want to see you live your creed. I'm watching, the African-American Chamber of Commerce is watching, the Black community is watching. The ball is in your court.

Mr. Shyne: Mr. Lester, I would appreciate it if you'd leave that poem, I'd like to get a copy of it and give it to Mr. Thompson and to Attorney Larry English. I think it's something that they could live by. If you don't mind. I think both of them would benefit from it. Could you make us about eight copies of that?

Billy Doyle, (7322 Montclaire Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana): I'm President of the University Terrace Neighborhood Association representing over 600 single family dwellings.

Our Board of Directors has discussed the reapportionment plan and we request that University Terrace remain in District D. The reason for that is we've worked successfully with the City, found the City to be extremely cooperative in the development along, especially, Youree Drive and some along Bert Kouns. We feel like we can assist the City in other development in this area by remaining in "D." Therefore, we would request that you all seriously consider not voting for Plans 10 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 as they move University Terrace out of District D.

Michael Williams ( 2101 Carver Place, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71103) Being Black and Baptist and a politician . . . ex-politician it will be hard to do but I'll try. Councilman Huckaby, to the city-wide councilman, Councilman Joe Shyne, to all that are assembled.

I have been following this redistricting plan since you have been having the public hearings throughout the last several months and having drawn it down on the Internet and I feel that from my research and working with Mr. Joiner and the other distinguished gentleman sitting in the audience that, I feel Plan B will move us into the new millennium and into the 21^st Century in regards to being a community of inclusion. I think we need to embrace the importance of and when we run for office and we talk the talk but often time we don't walk the walk in regards to ---let's learn to work together and move Shreveport, Louisiana into a new direction and that direction is to try to allow people in the community at large both black and white to understand political process is for them, for the people and not for the politicians.

I would like for you members that can't run to leave a legacy here that you set the stage, that you left with the City of Shreveport, you left a city of inclusion, of working together. For those that can't run again, that you are going to leave your legacy, your mark in history, in Shreveport, Louisiana when this time come to vote, that you would leave your legacy here for Plan No. 18, because how would you like to be in a position where you had taxation without representation. And people in this community, for so long, have had that over the years. And we had the rules in the past when we voted on redistricting, reapportionment plans, there were rules made in the past. The rules have been changed, the numbers have changed and the game is still the same. So I hope that you would reach down in your heart, I know you pray before every City Council meeting, you know what, you also say the Pledge of Allegiance and at the end of that pledge itsays justice for all. Now, we want justice for all in regards to a plan that's going to be for everyone. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize this. We don't have to spend anymore money or have any more back room meetings or meet with Mr. Joiner anymore. I think we have spent enough money, we have had enough public hearing meetings and you know you guys are very intelligent and competent to make an intelligent decision about the future of Shreveport. And many have served our City very well and served with excellence and with dignity and I hope you would leave that mark here in our city and hope that you will support Plan 18 and that we will move our city forward and that you would also embrace the quality-of-life for everyone in our community to be all for one and one for all and justice for all. God bless you and God bless America, God bless Plan 18. Thank you.

Chairman Stewart: Mr. Walford, we are happy to have you with us. Mr. Walford is an appointee to the Metropolitan Planning Commission Board. Is that correct?

Mr. Walford: Zoning Board of Appeals.

Chairman Stewart: Mr. Walford, we welcome you both personally and in that perspective.

Mr. Monty Walford (960 McCormick, 71104): I'll be very brief. I want to compete with Mr. Pannell, see if I can be that fast. I appreciate the opportunity at the previous public hearings to speak and have you consider the comments I've made. This is my first involvement with this process. I think it's really interesting. I like seeing people involved and telling you what they want. And I just like to just take this opportunity - I have spoken to almost everyone of you (sorry Mr. Serio, we didn't connect) but I appreciate your patience and several of you have been more than helpful in explaining the process and keeping me up to date on what was going on and I really thank your staff because when I couldn't watch my little monitor anymore, I would go up to the Council offices and use the large maps and they were extremely helpful. So, today I would just like to thank you and I have complete confidence that you'll make the right decision for the next ten years for the city of Shreveport. Thank you.

Rudolph Glass (1431 Clay Street, Shreveport, Louisiana): I'm coming here today as a concerned citizen. I started attending City Council Meetings about four years ago. After coming to the Council meetings, I have noticed how most of the voting goes, it is usually split down racial lines. And when I first heard the city of Shreveport had the award for the All American City, I kind of wondered how did we get it with this type of thing going on.

I live in the Allendale area and things there have not been very pleasant. You call the police they don't show up and other things. And I have four kids and I want my kids to have a future. And I understand that people are going to try and satisfy their own but when you have people that don't have the opportunity to satisfy their own, that's when the problem comes in.

I'm hoping that you will vote for 18. I want to see the City be what it should be. I use to hear people talk about Shreveport becoming the next Atlanta but when I heard that, me knowing Shreveport like I do, I knew something was going to get in the way and I don't think because minorities or blacks have a majority does not mean it's not going to be fair. Because we as a people, are very forgiving and I don't think that we would do things intentionally to hurt anybody and I think I speak for all black people; so, I"m hoping you vote for 18.

Barbara Norton (3821 Morrow Street, in the city of Shreveport in District F): Good evening. I'm also here representing the concerned citizens of Shreveport as president and also as a citizenof this city. I'm standing here today because of the fact that we live in a city where we live from one door to other door together. We live in a city to where we go to church together. We live in a city where we work together and we live in a city where our children play hand in hand, one in one. And we also live in a city where many, many times that our city, right here, is on national news where many, many bad things that goes on here in our city and things that are not positive .

We have an opportunity here today to make the right decision. I know that there has been twenty-three plans which has been submitted to this body. I'm asking you all to look at each and every one of those plans and when you look at those plans, look at our city because whatever decision that is made with these plans will set precedence for the next ten years. It will set a precedent and we as African Americans and Caucasians will be working together. It will set a precedent if we as African Americans and Caucasians and any other race of people, will be divided.

We have an opportunity not to divide this city. We have an opportunity to bring this City together and then look at this City of being the city that is on the grow that has been on the grow and that will continue to be on the grow, not just for one of us but for our children, for us, and for anyone who may come in our city. I'm asking you all today, don't think about what one person or another person may want to do, think about what all of you all can do collectively together as a whole that will make this city be the city that we can all be proud of and we can be proud to raise our children in this city and that will be a city standing under the umbrella of the United States Flag, working together, coming together, and showing love for one another.

Mr. Shyne: Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry, I missed it, did she have a plan?

Chairman Stewart: There was no comment about that.

Chairman Stewart: We are happy to have you and I hope that I was close on your last name.

Mr. Ajanaku: Yes, Ajanaku.

Chairman Stewart: Ajanaku. Thank you. I had great assistance from Mrs. Huckaby over here on Baruti. Did I get that one right? Close uh.

Mr. Ajanaku: Yes, run away slave.

Baruti Danku Ajanaku. Ajanaku means fighter for the liberation of African people until death or victory, no compromise. And I come to say from the words of my latest book entitled, As the Ghetto Turn and I'm a native of Shreveport, I have watched our community turn and haven't nothing been coming our way but only to the preachers and our politicians. And I would like to say on behalf of the poor, the hard working black people, the babies that we are going lose this summer in the streets of this city for a lack of opportunity, for a lack of jobs, making them more available to the drug pushers while our leadership rides around in competitive cars and gated communities; while our pastors advertise that God wants you to have an airplane. You ain't on God side if you ain't prospering. This is a sell out. And I would like to read from my latest book, As the Ghetto Turns, a poem entitled, "Good Servants":

"We have been more than good servants to America for over 400 years but all we have gotten in return is heartaches and tears. We have even been understandingabout our people being killed and raped but we are still being sent through the white tape. On American money it says in "God We Trust," but for 400 years American has kept us living in the dust with the aid of our so called doctors and lawyers that represents our community. If the mail man don't come, food, most of our black children won't get none. But from the services we've given America, which has been many, we should have plenty. And I'm calling for reparations, now, cause ya'll owe us."

Eighteen (18) is the only way.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, I have a faxed message for Mr. Ken Kreft, (2920 Knight Street, 71105) President of the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association. It's one paragraph and he asked that it be read into the record.

Chairman Stewart: Please do so.

Mr. Thompson: The paragraph reads, "Please note that the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association endorses City Council Plan No. 26 insofar as redistricting plans go. There are many choices but this last one is our first choice.

Mr. Stewart: Thank you very much. Would you repeat for the record this gentleman's name please.

Mr. Thompson: Kenneth Kreft.

Jeff Hogan (9917 East Chase Circle, Shreveport, 71118): Thank you for the motion Mr. Shyne, I appreciate it. And by the way Mr. Shyne, not related to this subject but thank you for making the motion the other day at the City Council meeting for allowing the people to speak against the strip club. I didn't tell you but I appreciate you doing that.

I'll be very brief today. To be honest with you I have not had a chance to examine every single plan as I probably should have and I wanted to. What I understand about Plan 18 is -- and by the way where I live is District E. And upon looking at the maps I believe that the proper lines for District E should include an area east of Kingston Road, which I grew up in that area, it's the Southern Hills area and up until now it has been in your district Mr. Serio and upon speaking with Mrs. Spigener also she agree that area should be included. On the west side, I was thinking that the New Castle area should be in that area, in the District E area, and Plan 18 is included is included in that, those areas are included. And so I'm not sure exactly what else it entails for District B, the Plan 18, but if I had to make a choice today, I would ask for Plan 18, just for the record.

Chairman Stewart: All right, ladies and gentlemen just for the record some information from the clerk, our total population from the 2000 Census is 200,145. The 18+ population, voting age, 146,277 and the Registrar of Voters states today that the number of registered voters in the city of Shreveport is 119, 294.

Consideration of Ordinance No. 41 of 2002

We have today a consideration of Ordinance 41 of 2002 which in quotations I read: "An ordinance amending Section 2-27 of the Code of Ordinance of the City of Shreveport to reapportion the several council districts of the City and otherwise provide with respect thereto,"that is our purpose today. And we will consider motions to address this issue. We turn first to District A. Mrs. Huckaby would you have a motion to consider this day.

Motion by Councilman Huckaby to offer Plan 18, seconded by Councilman Shyne.

Having passed first reading on April 9, 2002 was read by title and on motion ordered passed to third reading. Read the third time in full and as read motion by Councilman Burrell, seconded by Councilman Shyne for adoption. The Deputy Clerk read the following amendment:

By: Councilman Pearl Huckaby

Amend the ordinance as follows:

Amend Section 2-27(b) to read as follows:

(b) District map adopted. The map of the City of Shreveport showing the council districts and marked Plan 18, attached hereto and made a part hereof is hereby adopted as the official map of said districts.

Motion by Councilman Huckaby, seconded by Councilman Shyne to adopt Amendment No. 1.

Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, Plan 18 will be Amendment No. 1 to the ordinance. Chairman Stewart: For the record, Plan 18 is Amendment No. 1 for the ordinance. Mr. Thompson, are we ready? Mr. Thompson: We are ready for consideration of Plan 18. Mr. Thompson: Yes sir, we are ready for you to consider Plan 18. Chairman Stewart: And we have Plan 18 ladies and gentlemen from the audience, it is on your right side displayed behind the dias. Mrs. Huckaby as the make of the motion. I'm happy to refer to you first for your comments and any suggestions and recommendations for the Council.

Mrs. Huckaby: I would first like to ask the Council members to vote with me on this Plan. I have been approached several times by residence from Stoner Hill who have asked that their precincts would be - their neighborhood centers would be together. I feel that, all neighborhoods should be in the same precincts and districts; so, I feel that this is one of the best plans. I also feel that it has left my district in tact and I like that and I would encourage you, if you will.

Chairman Stewart: Mr. Shyne, you seconded the motion, I would be happy to pass for you to offer your thoughts to the audience, please sir.

Mr. Shyne: Mr. Chairman, I think it's due time to show some justice to the Stoner Hill neighborhoods.

I think for too long they have had to bare the burden of not being represented, that their vote was diluted because they were split. I'm more concerned about the entire city of Shreveport than I am about District F and I have said this time and time again, District F is not my district, it's the district that I have the pleasure of serving for the citizens in that area and I think it is time for us to look at what's best for the city of Shreveport.

Plan 18, after a lot of study and T. J., after a lot of prayer, it might seem like I don't pray very often because every now and then I might curse a little bit but that's not what my daddy taught me. I guess I picked up on that being around Larry English, but I think Plan 18 is the kind of progressive plan that we need in order for this city to grow. So, Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues to please vote with Councilwoman Huckaby andmyself for Plan 18. Thank you very much.

Mrs. Spigener: Looking at Plan 18 of course, I guess a little bit different from Mr. Shyne, I am very concerned about my district because the people there have elected me to serve them.

We have a portion as one of the speakers alluded to, Precinct 93, it's in Southern Hills, however, it's been represented by Mr. Serio who is from the east side of town and that's okay Mr. Serio, I think you have done a fine job. But what I find is the people are calling me thinking they are in my district much as you have alluded about Stoner Hill, sometimes people don't know who is representing them. And in this particular plan that will put that portion of Southern Hills in District E. And as far as District E is concerned, I think it would be something that I could live with at this point.

Mr. Burrell: Mr. Chairman, I will have a comment on this. Although I do have a problem with 18 from the standpoint that District G, since I have represented it over the last eight years, I found that in District G because of the fact that when it was reapportioned some ten years ago there appeared to be little or no support, in terms of trying to keep it somewhat compact like most of the other, not most of all the other districts that we had. And one of the things that I understand that the Justice Department looks at too, is the compactness of the district and that is the somewhat shape of the district, that it's not sprawled all over Shreveport. And it just so happened District G was the sacrificial lamb at that time to be use to be taken apart piece by piece by other districts during that time to get what portion of that district that they needed to compliment their districts and District G, to a certain extent was left over.

Although that was done I think in the last eight years I have come to represent those people in those areas and hopefully represent them well even though it has been difficult over the period to work with someone because of split neighborhoods. We talk about split neighborhoods, I think District G probably has more split neighborhoods than any other district that we have here. But even with that, I work with them to deal with their issues although within one neighborhood we had precincts splits, we had neighborhood splits but we still worked with it.

It was my hope for the next ten years for those people that are in District G would get a more compacted area where we could build some sort of consistency and continuity but Plan 18 does not do that for us. But being the giving person that I am, you know, I'm willing in many cases to sacrifice for the greater good and under this redistricting plan and looking at all of the others I could support it on that basis and still allow District G to be sprawled and hopefully the next person who represent District G will take the same attitude that I have in the last eight years that all the people in that area, regardless of where they are located are important; so, from that standpoint I can support this plan also.

Chairman Stewart: Ladies and gentlemen, I will not vote for this particular number. I'm certain that you will fine fault in what I say because I have heard your comments.

I have spent my life in the military, in Philadelphia, in Dallas, Chicago, Tulsa, and here and I understand that the first thing that somebody will throw at me is race, and if you do you have made a serious mistake.

I've spent a significant amount of time dealing with the redistricting and delivered the plan to Washington D. C. the last time that we did it. I know the areas that we are talking about. I know Highland. I know Cedar Grove. I know the forty some-odd, forty-seven percent of the district that I represent is black and I have treated everybody, whether they were Black, they were Hispanic, they were White or they were rich or poor,the same. Perhaps those of you would care to disagree with me.

I'm not here to recite my background to impress you because it is not impressive but it does speak to the diversity of my experiences from Philadelphia to Chicago to Dallas and in between. I'm sorry if those would care to though stones at, I think that there are other plans that serve the exact same request in concerns that are here.

Motion to adopt Amendment No. 1 approved by the following votes: Ayes: Councilmen P. Huckaby, Spigener, Shyne, and Burrell. 4. Nays: Councilmen Stewart, Carmody, and Serio. 3.

Motion by Councilman Shyne, seconded by Councilman Huckaby for adoption of the ordinance as amended. Motion approved by the following votes: Ayes: Councilmen P. Huckaby, Spigener, Shyne, and Burrell. 4. Nays: Councilmen Stewart, Carmody, and Serio. 3.

The ordinance as amended follow:

ORDINANCE NO. 41 OF 2002

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-27 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT TO REAPPORTION THE SEVERAL COUNCIL DISTRICTS OF THE CITY AND TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERETO.

BY: COUNCILMAN

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4.05 of the City Charter, the Council is required to reapportion the several council districts of the City after the promulgation of the Regular Official Federal Census of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Section 4.05 further requires that each council district shall contain as nearly as possible the population factor obtained by dividing by seven (7) the population of the city as shown by the most recent official census of the city; that such districts shall be arranged in a logical geographic pattern; that all parts of each district shall be contiguous, and that such reapportionment shall, to the maximum extent possible, preserve the geographic pattern of districts which existed prior to revision; and

WHEREAS, the Council, by adoption of this ordinance, does find that this reapportionment of the several council districts of the City does, comply with the Charter of the City of Shreveport and other applicable law.

NOW, therefore, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, regular and legal session convened that Section 2-27 of the Code of Ordinance is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 2-27 City Council Districts.

(a) Pursuant to Section 4.05 of the City Charter, the districts for the election of council members are herein established and are comprised of the same election precincts numbered and described by the Caddo Parish Commission and adopted in Ordinance No. 3543 of 1998 of the Caddo Parish Commission and precleared by the U.S. Department of Justice on April 19, 1999. Certain of said precincts liepartially within and partially outside the corporate limits of the City of Shreveport. Certain other precincts were divided between two council districts to provide for equitable distribution of population for reapportionment purposes. The precincts or portions thereof which comprise the council districts are as shown on the map attached hereto and made a part hereof.

(b) (b) District map adopted. The map of the City of Shreveport showing the council districts and marked Plan 18, attached hereto and made a part hereof is hereby adopted as the official map of said districts.

(c) For the purposes of Section 3.02, 4.06 and 4.07 of the City Charter and other provisions of law relating to the qualifications and election of City Council members, the provisions of this section shall become effective on the earliest date set by the election laws of the State of Louisiana for qualifying for candidates for the City of Shreveport City Council members. For all other purposes, the effective date of this section shall be the first day of the term of City Council members elected in 2002, in accordance with Section 3.01 of the City Charter and the election laws of the State of Louisiana.

(d) Should the City annex additional area or areas prior to the effective date of this section, the current City Council shall assign each annexed area or areas to the appropriate council district herein created in the manner contemplated by section 4.05 of the City Charter.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not effect other provisions, items or applications or this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this and the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared severable.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all ordinances or resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby CONTINUED - ORDINANCE NO. 41 OF 2002

repealed.

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John David Stewart, Chairman

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Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council

Adjournment.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

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John David Stewart, Chairman

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Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council