ABetterShreveport.org BLOG

Caddo Magnet High geography students hiking Coates Bluff Nature Trail,Shreveport, photographed by the Times

2012-01-27T18:39:00.001-06:00

Magnet High geography students, Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Times photographer Henrietta Wildsmith shot Magnet students trekking Coates Bluff Nature Trail on Fri, Jan 27, says their teacher, Robert Trudeau.

TRANSPORTATION FAILINGS A LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE

2012-01-26T20:39:00.004-06:00

In attendance: Elizabeth Rosselli, Cynthia Keith, Kathryn Brandl, Robert Trudeau, Carolyn Manning, Loren Demerath, Ken Hawkins, Susan Keith, Steph Pedro, Maurice Loridans, Feico Kempff

DEATH IN OUR EXTENDED FAMILY OF LOUISIANA BICYCLISTS

Everyone at the meeting was very sorry to hear Maurice’s very sad news: his son-in-law’s 30 year-old brother, Nathan Crowson, was killed while riding a bicycle in Baton Rouge over the weekend. Nathan was riding on an arterial road at night, but in that area there is no

alternative. Nathan did not own a car and depended on bicycling for transportation. There will be a “ghost bike” placed at the position by BRASS in remembrance of the tragedy.

The group began to talk of frustrations with the city in its lack of planning and design for alternative transportation. To this day there is not a single bike lane in the entire city, even on newly built roads. Normally all that would be required would be painting the lines of the streets differently.

In discussing possible causes of this shortcoming it was noted that the Metropolitan Planning Commission apparently does not talk to the Community Development Office, contrary to what one would expect. The MPC seems to have a background in facilitating private development and does not attend to how general quality of life can be enhanced by using best practices. It was noted that the head of the MPC is a developer and the planner has come from engineering. It was speculated that the city may have underfunded the continuing professional development of the people in those positions. Paying for their attendance at conferences or workshops, for example, would have informed planning commissioners, planners, and engineers of the standard best practices for accommodating walking and bicycling. Indeed, when visitors to our city see no bike lanes, no bike paths, no dog park, little success in downtown revitalization and containing sprawl, etc., and when such things are standard in other cities, they’ll have to wonder about the quality of city administration.

The group decided to make a web page linked to ABS that shows not only what new roads look like, but how they could look using best practices, and, perhaps, to ask what is accountable for the discrepancy and how that can be changed. The title of the pages could be “Contrary to the Plan” considering that the Master Plan includes frequent mention of the need to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.

It was noted that other cities manage to carve out space for bike paths and bike lanes. In Orlando, Florida, Carolyn noted she could almost not find a street without bike lanes. She even got out of her car and measured street widths there and here, and discovered our streets are the same size.

It was noted that if the excuse shouldn’t be money; Portland, Oregon received federal money to put bike lanes on most of the streets in the city. Shreveport would have access to that money too, we just need to ask for it.

The bicyclist killed in Baton Rouge, Nathan Crowson, was a thirty year-old father of a five year-old. (I feel compelled to express what’s been said at ABS meetings often before: it is unnecessarily dangerous for people who choose to bicycle for transportation in cities such as Shreveport. Those people often chose to bike not for economy, or even for the clearner environment, but because it’s better exercise and more fun than riding in a car. Cities that take that seriously will rise to the top in quality of life and will grow. Cities that don’t, won’t, and that describes Shreveport to this point. If our city is going change, our city officials need to change, at least by learning what the best practices are in urban planning.)

DOWNTOWN MULTILEVEL PARKING GARAGE

Speaking of best practices, the group then discussed how certain best practices in parking have been used for downtown development. Ken noted that Lafayette has transformed its downtown with a parking garage that’s multilevel and free. Steph noted that the West Village of Dallas has one. Loren noted that Northampton, Massachusetts does too. Robert suggested there may be a sister organization in Lafayette that could send us a video snippet of Johnston St. in Lafayette to illustrate it. Lafayette is half our size, and Northampton is half of that (though Loren noted how those communities have more sizable proportions of a “creative class” connected with higher education than does Shreveport; Sociologist Richard Florida’s research shows that low-income college students and graduate students are often willing to live [and bicycle] as other members of the middle class are not). It was noted that Liz Swaine is having trouble with property owners in getting a parking garage. Maurice pointed out that the owners of the private lots will be enemies of any free downtown parking. The master plan talks about garages on the perimeter, or just behind the buildings along the main street.

PAYPAL TO COME

Cynthia mentioned that Paypal would help the dog park fundraising as well as projects ABS might want to raise funds for in the future. It was noted that doesn’t cost anything to set it up, but they take a small percentage of each contribution. It was agreed that we would do it; Carolyn knows how and will do it for us.

SPECIFICITY TO POSSIBLE PROJECTS NEEDED

It was noted that ABS has so many different projects and ideas to pursue, more members would help, and that we could do more to draw people into the group, and to specific projects. Centenary’s Office of Global Engagement has been one ally, pointing some students to our projects; Trevor Stine and his transportation mapping project for ABS is an example of that. Elizabeth Roselli, a Centenary Sociology Major who is doing an internship with ABS, is another example of the benefits of the Centenary connection the group has had.

Elizabeth noted that the blog and/or homepage could be more focused and describe more specifically what potential projects could be. Ken noted that a top ten list of projects might be good, and/or a list of achievements as well. Steph noted that we post an annual report with that kind of information, but they’re not ordered and numbered; it was agreed that such things could be more prominently featured. Steph suggested that we might try to create a “Prezi” presentation to present our top ten list of working ideas, to show who are, and what we’ve accomplished.

One project would be show through prezi presentation what all the different non-profit quality of life organizations are in Shreveport, to have faces of people display who work there with contact information, and to show how they overlap with each other in various ways. Another project is to post archived radio shows, and Loren promised to remind Michael Laffey about that.

GPS MAPPING OF TOMBSTONES AND THE COATES BLUFF TRAIL SATURDAY

On Saturday morning, Maurice and Steph will assist state archeologist Dr. Jeff Girrard along with one or two more volunteers to do a GPS of the tombstones and the Coates Bluff trail.

ABS LANO BOUND

The group decided to join LANO (Louisiana Association of Non-profit Organizations). There is a monthly fee to pay, but we’ll get a professional trained treasurer out of it, as well as a variety of other resources. [Later in the week Loren ran into Leia Lewis at the run-throughs of the TedX Talks and she said she can present to ABS the system of resources she’s been developing for LANO. Loren promised the group would set aside a week to hear about it practice using it.

TOTAL RAISED BY DOG PARK WINE AND BEER TASTING TO COME

The group was happy to hear the total is likely to be around $10,000! Official tabulation to come!

TUESDAY TEDX ATTENDANCE AT COHABITAT TO REPLACE REGULAR MEETING

Without any prodding by Robert or Loren (really!) the group decided to not meet next Monday night, but instead attend the local TedX talks at Cohabitat (where Loren and Robert are both presenting). Cohabitat is at 610 Commerce St., one block west from the Barnwell Center. Admission is free. Loren will be presenting on how the dynamics of ABS help us understand how organizations provide energy, while Robert will be presenting on celebrating Mardi Gras DIY style. (The Asiana Festival and Leia Lewis' Sankofa will also be presented that night.)

DESIRE TO CONNECT EXPRESSED AT MLK MEETING

2012-01-26T20:38:00.002-06:00

ROUGH NOTES ON MLK MEETING

Technical difficulties getting started prohibited Loren’s taking attendance, but he believes the meeting included David Young, Brian Salvatore, Steph Pedro, Kathryn Brandl, Garrett Young, Elizabeth Roselli, Maurice Loridans, and others. Rough notes are as follows:

Garrett reported on the bike coop; will be in May when they need everyone's help; Maurice and Garrett and Ian webb met recently about it.

A coop could help with education and safety training as well as serving as a used bike and parts depository. Steph went to a bicycle clinic recently for young people and found that 60% of the bikes had training wheels on them because so many don't know how to ride; and that's for all income groups.

In terms of location the highland center was discussed because of recent changes; Rutherford House is
another possibility as well as places downtown; the YMCA is also a possibility, especially if they get an additional new space; Caroline Eckel is working with them.

Cora Allen Day is coming up; this is in honor of a Shreveport, African-American lady who built the Corinthian Temple in the 30's. Robert's doing the illustrations for the children's coloring book for third graders, and there will be an essay contest for eighth graders. There will be a ladies breakfast as well. Also, on March 7th school kids will be at the Municipal Auditorium watching the video about Cora Allen and they'll be filmed for their reactions. Cora Allen may have been the first black woman in Shreveport to buy her own car and as well as to go to Europe.

As it was Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, the group watched the slide show from thecolorofchange.org.

It was noted that King blossomed out of civil rights. It was asked who has carried it forward? Maybe not an individual, but organizations have, like colorofchange and moveon.org.

It was noted we have two separate communities in Shreveport and there's a lot of separation by race. Other communities are trying to resolve that by having dinners with purposefully mixed race.

Blanc et noir had a dinner at Brothers and it was sadly homogeneously black.

Tutu Baker was a black-white commission formed after Cedar Grove.

It was noted ABS members could go to the Tuesday morning breakfast club; once a month a gathering of black community leaders; head of the local NAACP chapter is head of it.

Best to meet with an already established group, otherwise can be uncomfortable.

There’s also a musicians group that meets (over breakfast?) at the McDonalds at Jewella and Greenwood.

It was suggested that ABS take a month talking to every neighborhood association and asking what concerns them. Can talk to churches as well. We need to go to them and find out what they need and are interested in.

The group discussed how I-49 divides the city, and then how it may not be facilitating growth to have the extension go through the city. Truck stops and distribution warehouses such as in Dallas would
destroy the neighborhood. We need to specify what economic development.

With the bike-ped plan funding from the community foundation Steph and Carolyn are starting counts. Pledge cards for amount of biking; education outreach is in the cards too. Not enough funding to actually draw up a plan though.

As to people who get on facebook and say we should work on XYZ, they need to persuade us and contribute their own leadership to it. We may need to reiterate there again the grand plan of ABS; come in and champion a plan and the group will help, but we're not an army waiting for orders from anyone. We're a “thinkubator”; thinking about ideas to get them going. If you have an idea, put it into discussion and see how far it goes. Putting in a request isn't enough. You have to persuade others to join you.

BTW, Elerbee Road residents thought they were getting a bike lane...

TABS, Mon, Jan 30, at 5 pm: a Sustainability Learning Community at Centenary College with profs Jeanne Hamming and Troy Messina

2012-01-26T20:03:00.001-06:00

Jeanne Hamming, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"GreenHouse, Centenary's Sustainability Living Learning Community, allows students who share an interest in environmental and sustainability issues to live and study together in a designated residence hall. Students who participate in the GreenHouse will enjoy access to team-taught learning-labs, special events and programs, service-learning and internship opportunities, and close contact with faculty outside of the classroom," says the college web site.

Dr Hamming and Dr Messina are the faculty moderators for the program.

Stream at KSCL.FM
Questions: 869 5297

And you are encouraged to attend the A Better Shreveport meeting, 6 to 7 pm, in the Wright Bldg, Centenary.

Baton Rouge Cycling Death

2012-01-24T22:36:00.001-06:00

It didn't have to happen

http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/local-news/cycling-advocates-speak-out

Time for A Better Shreveport, KSCL, Mon, Jan 23, 5 pm: Cole Brand and April Dahm

2012-01-23T11:04:00.001-06:00

TEDxRedRiver planning: John Miralles, John Grindley, Cole Brand, Paula Hickman, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Cole Brand will update listeners on the region's first evening of TEDx (technology/entertainment/design/independent) talks. TEDx RedRiver will be presented on Tues, Jan 31, 6 to 8 pm at CoHabitat, 610 Commerce St.

April Dahm will talk about Texas Ave Comm Assoc upcoming events, including the day honoring Cora M Allen, builder of the Calanthean Temple.

The program, 5 pm on Mondays, is Time for A Better Shreveport. Hosts will be Robert Trudeau and Carolyn Manning.

Stream the program at KSCL.fm.
Questions, comments: 869 5297

Public Meeting for the LA 3132 Inner Loop Stage 0 study Tues, Jan 24, 6 to 8 PM LSU-S University Center Ballroom

2012-01-20T09:13:00.001-06:00

louisiana highways, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG) in conjunction with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) will hold a Public Meeting for the LA 3132 Inner Loop Stage 0 study at the following time and place:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
LSU-S University Center Ballroom
One University Place
Shreveport, LA
The purpose of this Public Meeting is to provide information on the status of the proposed project and obtain input from the public regarding possible alternatives. Representatives of LADOTD, the Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG), and the project team will be present to receive comments and answer questions related to the proposed project. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend.

Link to Eric Brock a look back article series...MLK Made an Important Speech in Shreveport

2012-01-16T17:21:00.002-06:00

MLK Made Important Speech in City--a look back Aug 6%2C 2003

This was the first ever recording of Dr. King in 1958 when he was just 29 years old. He spoke to a crowd of more than 500 at Galilee Baptist Church. Dr. Simpkins made the recording.

This article was published in the Forum on August 6, 2003.

MLK Day Celebration Meeting --Linking the Civil Rights Movement with today’s movements

2012-01-13T09:53:00.004-06:00

Monday, January 16, from 6:00 to 7:00, ABetterShreveporters will gather, reflect, and commit to rebuilding the American Dream and Dr. King’s dream in 2012. We will honor Dr. King by ensuring the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement stays alive and vibrant in today's struggles for an economy that works for all. We will be at our regular meeting place, room 106 in the Wright Math Building on Woodlawn Ave., one block up from the Gold Dome.

We will watch a 4-minute video and then have a discussion following.

Of all the movements that came after the Civil Rights Movement, which ones have you participated in? What draws you to them?

In recent years, MLK Day has become a day where people provide short-term community service to under-served communities. While these services are well intentioned, they don’t necessarily address systemic causes of poverty and exclusion. What are some meaningful ways we can learn about and address systemic causes of poverty?

History of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King, and Resurrection City

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929 to a family deeply rooted in the African American
Baptist Church. Both his father and his maternal grandfather were Baptist ministers, and also
leaders in the local NAACP chapter in Atlanta, GA. Dr. King was exposed to social and economic
justice work very early on through his family, and while he first resisted his family heritage
rooted in Christianity, he came to accept his religious calling at Morehouse College.

After he became a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954, Dr. King joined other religious
leaders to protest the arrest of Rosa Parks by organizing a year-long bus boycott. The boycott
eventually led to the Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional. In 1957,
he co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and coordinated civil rights
activities, and in 1963, organized the Birmingham Campaign to protest for civil rights. In the
same year, he gave his legendary “I Have A Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs
and Freedom to a crowd of over 200,000 people, calling for equality for people of all races and
religions.

Massive protests formed a movement that fought for desegregation, economic and political
equality. The protests led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Voting Rights Act of 1965, the
first bills that protected the rights of people of color. Dr. King also spoke out against the
Vietnam War, and in 1967, he formed the Poor People’s Campaign to fight for economic justice
for all, with the goal to strengthen the federal government’s anti-poverty policies. While Dr.
King mobilized the African American Christian base, he also formed alliances with domestic
labor groups and international anti-colonial struggles.

After Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, other SCLC leaders carried on the Poor People’s
campaign. They secured 15 acres of land in Washington, DC, and over 2,800 people camped out
in Resurrection City, managed by Reverend Jesse Jackson. On June 19, 1968, over 50,000
marched to the Lincoln Memorial, where the March on Washington had taken place, to demand
a living wage for every employable citizen. Resurrection City was eventually disbanded by the
police, but it seems it returned in a new form in 2011!

The Civil Rights Movement was a truly extraordinary time that involved thousands of leaders
and millions of everyday people. Decades after the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting
Rights Act, communities of color, LGBT, immigrants, and many other organizers continue to
fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Sources:
1. “King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1929-1968)” King Online Encyclopedia. The Martin Luther King, Jr.
Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. http://mlkkpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_martin_luther_king_jr_biography/
2. Kelly, John. “Before Occupy DC, there was Resurrection City.” The Washington Post. December 2,
2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/before-occupy-dc-there-was-resurrectioncity/2011/12/01/gIQAoNqcPO_story.html

Advocate for the abused and neglected children of your community; participate in Volunteers for Youth Justice

2012-01-11T17:08:00.001-06:00

Woman & grandchildren, Texas St, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Volunteering to serve as an advocate for the abused and neglected children of your community is an opportunity provided by Volunteers for Youth Justice.

By giving your time this year to a child in need you won't only feel good about the work you are doing, but you will help someone else in the process. That someone is a child, that without you might not have anyone on their side, writes Melody Hermes.

Volunteers for Youth Justice is a local non-profit serving the needs of abused and neglected children for 30 years. One of the programs we provide to the communities of Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Jackson, and Webster Parishes is that of CASA.

Court Appointed Special Advocates - Specially trained volunteers serve as officers of the court and "friends" to children in need. These volunteer advocates are assigned by judges to speak on behalf of children who have been placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect. Their primary objective is to ensure that each child is placed in a safe, permanent home. Children with a CASA will spend a third less time in foster care.

Please join us for CASA Training:
January 21st and February 4th
8:30am to 4:30pm (breakfast & lunch provided)
820 Jordan Street, Suite 360,
Shreveport, LA 71101
***Seating is limited so please call, or email for reservations***
For more details you can contact: vickie.ricord@vyjla.org, or call 318-425-4413 and ask for Vickie.

2012-01-10T14:37:00.004-06:00

WHAT: Wine & Beer Tasting-with a BITE!
WHO: Shreveport Dog Park Alliance-fund raiser
WHEN: Saturday, January 14, 2012 7-10pm
WHERE: Barnwell Garden & Art Center, 601 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport
COST: $35 donation -Attendees will enjoy wine and beer tastings from bottles that have animals on the label, that’s the BITE!
Also included are heavy hors d’oeuvres, Lion coffee, Raising Cane's sweet tea, soft drinks, silent auction, live music, and funniest animal photo contest.
WHY:Proceeds will go toward building a regional dog park to be located in
Hamel’s Memorial Park on the riverfront
DRESS: Dress in the colors of your pet or animal prints
MORE INFO: Cynthia Keith 469-1325

Shreveport Dog Park Alliance facebook page

Monday's Meeting Postponed for Championship Game

2012-01-08T21:23:00.002-06:00

After all, championships with Shreveport connections, must help make a better Shreveport, right? At least a little bit! Seaux, geaux Tigers!

"Shreveport's Got A Hold On Me": interviews with Chris Brown and Dan Garner on Mon, Jan 9, 5 pm, KSCL fm 91.3

2012-01-08T17:57:00.001-06:00

Chris Brown, "Shreveport Got A Hold On Me", a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Historian Chris Brown has completed his seventh collection of recordings associated with Shrevetown. This edition is called "Shreveport's Got A Hold On Me."

"You’ll hear songs by Shreveporters, songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, and songs released on Shreveport record labels. Featured artists include Clarence Williams' Blue Five, Paul Howard And His Arkansas Cotton Pickers, Tommy Cassel, Floyd Cramer, The Sensational Jones Singers Of Shrev. La., The Family Tree, Tommie Young, and more," writes Brown at his musical history blog, Shreveport Songs.

He'll discuss his work and play samples Mon at 5 pm, on Time for A Better Shreveport, KSCL, 91.3 fm. His seventh annual all-Shreveport radio show on his own weekly show, Romp and Stomp, is scheduled for Tues from 8-9pm.

Stream at Kscl.fm.

Also on Time for A Better Shreveport on Mon: musician-producer Dan Garner.

Magnet High geography class treks Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport

2012-01-05T16:33:00.001-06:00

Magnet High Class of 2015, Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The first of Caddo Magnet High teacher Robert Trudeau's classes to enjoy Coates Bluff Nature Trail hit the path on Wed, Jan 4.

"The carpet of leaves on the trail meant not having to worry about mud on our shoes," said Trudeau. "We hiked the entire trail and were back in the 90-minute period. I was delighted to see that we have to squitch under another tree trunk this year."

Above, the student group hikes past Valencia Community Garden on their way to the trail entrance.

Michael Hughes, Hughes Recycling, and Hal Struckman, Eco-Mulch, Shreveport, on Time for A Better Shreveport Mon, Jan 16, 5 pm

2012-01-03T17:49:00.001-06:00

Michael Hughes, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Xmas tree recycling in Shreveport is easy at Eco-Mulch, says Hal Struckman, owner. The discarded tree will be mulched that day, he says.

Struckman will join Michael Hughes, Hughes Recycling owner, in an on-air chat at KSCL on Mon, Jan 16, says Robert Trudeau.

Chris Brown, music historian, will be the guest Mon, Jan 9, says Trudeau. Brown will spin a selection of blues, country and soul tunes from a Shreveport compilation he recently completed. His latest collection is called "Shreveport Got A Hold on Me." Check his new blog, Shreveport Songs.

Attorney Sam Jenkins, City Councilman, District G, and Gary Joiner, historian-cartographer, on Time for A Better Shreveport on Mon, Jan 2, 5 pm

2012-01-01T20:16:00.001-06:00

Attorney Sam Jenkins, City Councilman, District G, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Time for A Better Shreveport, the weekly radio show from the grass roots civic organization A Better Shreveport, takes a look at city issues with attorney Sam Jenkins on Mon, Jan 2, 5 pm.

Jenkins represents District G, West Shreveport, and will discuss the common ground between the priorities of East and West Shreveport.

Also in the Centenary College studio to talk about Shreveport history is cartographer-historian-author Gary Joiner.

Joiner is excited about software, Lidar, that is enabling digital explorers to comb the Louisiana terrain in more detailed way than ever. Joiner has a new CD being released to the public in which he tells the history of the city on the Red River.

Stream at kscl. fm.
Questions, remarks: 869 5297.

Hosts are Robert Trudeau, Carolyn Manning and Loren Demerath.

A Better Shreveport meets at 6 pm Mons in the Wright Bldg, Centenary College. Business is done by 7 pm.

Shreveport Dog Park Alliance fund raiser, 'Wine and Beer Tasting with a BITE!' Sat, Jan 14, 7-10 pm, Barnwell Art Center

2011-12-31T12:38:00.001-06:00

Shreveport Dog Park Alliance , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

We are having a fund raiser, Wine and Beer Tasting with a BITE! Sat-Jan 14, 7-10pm, Barnwell Art Center, says Cynthia Keith.

The BITE? Wines and beers have animals on the labels!

For a $35 donation enjoy the silent auction, live music, funniest animal photo contest, heavy hors d' oeuvres, Lion coffee, Raising Cane's sweet tea and soft drinks.

See Shreveport Dog Park Alliance facebook page (event page: Wine and Beer Tasting with a Bite) for info/funny animal photo entries.

Dress in the colors of your pet or animal prints, but please leave pets at home for this one.

Please respond if you are attending, for more info call me at 469-1325.

Cynthia Keith -Top Dog, Shreveport Dog Park Alliance

A Better Shreveport-sponsored Holiday Bike Ride in Broadmoor postponed to Tues, Dec 27, begins at Johnny's Pizza at 5:30 pm

2011-12-25T15:36:00.001-06:00

A Better Shreveport Candidates Bike Ride, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Our Holiday Bike Ride starts at Johnny's Pizza on Preston at 5:30, Tuesday, December 27, writes Stephanie Pedro.

Hope to see you there! I will have some hot cider for us to sip on before we set off, then beer and pizza at Johnny's afterwards!

Route for Holiday Lights Tour Decided at Last Meeting, More Tours to Be Made at the Next

2011-12-17T07:47:00.004-06:00

In attendance: Robert Trudeau, Kathryn Brandl, Elizabeth Roselli, Brian Salvatore, Ryan Tew, Maurice Loridans, Feico Kempff, Susan Keith, Ian Webb, Cynthia Keith, Steph Pedro.

SELF-GUIDED BICYCLE TOURS

Ian talked about the maps he’s been developing of self-guided tours to take via bicycle. Adding to those tours has been our theme of the month. Loren has been in communication with Centenary archivist and local music historian Chris Brown about making a musical tour, and the group is set to have a second annual holiday lights tour this year on the day after Christmas.

(Although the idea is to see the lights via bicycle, not so much decorate one's bike, who knows what folks might chose to do? Some of us won't soon forget how Maurice Loridans decorated his helmet for mardi gras cyclovia!)

The group first discussed the future of such tours. Robert has suggested a podcast that would be done while you ride, or walk. Loren mentioned the interactive musical soundtrack that’s been created as an app to use for walks in Central Park, as described in the New York Times recently. The app uses the walker’s GPS activates different audio sounds. Ian mentioned the possibilities of musical and historical tours.

Regardless of future possibilities, though, the current format Ian is using is a .pdf file that people can print out as a map and take with them. Ian doesn’t want to post all the tours until he has a good amount of them. He’s found a site for storing all the pdf’s. Robert talked about his favorite ride down Texas Avenue and seeing the old Blue Goose site, so that could be integrated into a tour. Ian said he’ll be able to rank them by which rides are most often downloaded. Ian said people can send links from google maps or whatever and his team can put them into .pdf form.

The group then discussed various routes for the Christmas light ride. After considering various areas to bike through, as South Highlands, but group settled on Broadmoor, like last year, partly because of the easily hill-less riding it provides, as well as a fairly spectacular set of lights we can go by which Susan Keith mentioned.

The group spent most of the rest of the meeting deciding on the route and drawing it on google maps. Stay tuned to this blog for details of when the ride will start. But it will likely start and end at the Johnny’s Pizza parking lot, and after the tour people can eat pizza there at Johnny’s, if they like.

MISCELLANEOUS

Loren announced that the IRS has formally approved our filing as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. We will scan and post the letter and put in our google docs for our reference

Loren also noted the success of the last two meetings. The last one was a social gathering over drinks at the Lake Street Dance Hall downtown, and the other was an advocacy meeting where we did such things as writing letters to city officials, enter survey data, and draw maps. (Loren apologized for not posting summaries; he explained the deadlines of a publisher for a manuscript and Centenary's Registrar for grading finals conspired against it.)

Steph announced that 90% of our radio shows at KSCL have been saved on their server. They will be made available as podcasts by a Centenary student volunteering at the radio station starting January 10th. It was mentioned that the easiest way to access them would be as MP3’s; it was noted that one of us could make those transformations ourselves.

Maurice met a person who lives near the Coates Bluff trail on the Bossier Parrish side. He is a retired architect, and it was noted that perhaps he might be able to help us design the pier.

Robert reported that he’s learned a photography teacher at Magnet, Terrance Flores, has taken students on the trail; another example of students using the trail as part of their education.

Steph asked if we’re still on board with our improvements for capacity building. The group decided we will make strategic planning our theme for January.

The group discussed connecting with other communities. Rotating meeting locations may not be as effective as making a video showing what we do. A student leison could go to different communities and show the video and talk to people about how to do what we or how to connect with us. Steph mentioned she could shape up what one gets out of ABS and make a flier.

Feico noted U.L.Coleman’s development near Coates Bluff.

Brian noted the city losing two professional sports teams, the Mudbugs and the Pilots; he said it seems they’re leaving because of the lack of educated, upper-income people here, and that improving our education and income levels should be among our primary metrics for what constitutes a better city.

Robert noted that Craig Durrett mentioned that bike paths should be incorporated into the widening of 3132. The group was glad about that. It was noted that as editor of the editorial page of the Shreveport Times, Craig is an important contributor to the public discourse about what would improve the city.

The next meeting on December 19th will center on the theme of tours for the city, trying to create more, but the one after that on the 26th will be on bicycle, in the form of the Christmas light bicycle tour! Stay tuned to the blog for details!

I-49 chat on KSCL at 5 pm, Mon, Dec 19: Fuller Center's Lee Jeter, and State Rep Roy Burrell

2011-12-16T17:37:00.001-06:00

Recycling trees: Adriana Poland, Shanace Robinson & Lee Jeter, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Completing I-49 will not be easy. Several routes for the highway are currently being discussed - with no easy or clear choice.

Lee Jeter, of the Fuller Center, and State representative Roy Burrell are among the well-spoken and well-educated voices discussing the issues.

Interviewers Robert Trudeau and Stephanie Pedro.

Stream at kscl.fm
Questions and remarks: 318 869 5297.

Angie White, Slow Food North La, and Martha Marak, Food Bank of NW La, guests on radio Mon, Dec 12, 5 pm

2011-12-10T12:58:00.001-06:00

Highland Blues & Jazz: Angie White, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Guests for Time for A Better Shreveport, Mon, Dec 12, are Angie White, who will
talk about the Slow Food movement - http://www.slowfoodnla.com/ - as
well as her econ dev work.

And Martha Marak, director of Food Bank
NWLa. - http://www.foodbanknla.org/index.cfm - who will talk about an
institution that is one of the city's proudest points of light.

Co-hosts will be Stephanie Pedro and Maurice Loridans, tentatively.

Stream at kscl.fm
Questions straight to the interview booth: 869 5297.

2011-12-07T11:35:00.002-06:00

ABS member, Cynthia Keith and Baxter the dog park dog, enjoying the view from the future home of our first regional dog park inside of the city park, Hamel Memorial Park. Read the article from the Shreveport Times for more info http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111202/NEWS01/112020312/Parkin-Dogs?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp Join us on our Facebook page for Shreveport Dog Park Alliance.

First Ever ABS Social Meeting Tonight!

2011-12-05T12:36:00.003-06:00

Our new monthly format includes a social meeting on the first Monday of every month. Last month we used it for a slide show on the Occupy Movement, but this month, we're not letting our social meeting get occupied by anything!

Join us tonight for a beverage and chat. 6:00-7:00 at the Lake Street Dance Hall (pictured above). Hopefully we'll come away with ideas for self-guided bike/ped city tours -- the theme of this month!

Time for A Better Shreveport: Philadelphia Center's Deborah Allen andthe TEDx Red River series organizer, Cole Brand

2011-12-04T18:06:00.001-06:00

Maker's Fair: Sheva Sims and family, Deborah Allen, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Join us at 91.3 fm, KSCL, from 5 to 5:30 pm every Monday for interview with community activists.

Remarks: 869 5297.

Streaming: http://kscl.fm

ABS meeting this week is the social mixer. The site is Lake St Dance Hall. That's right, the projector & overhead screen, maps and laptops will be replaced by curvilinear beverages and freely overlapping discussions.

Upcoming Meetings on I-49 Corridor a Chance to Shape What Happens?

2011-12-03T07:47:00.004-06:00

Here's three chances to influence the future of our city in two ways: to influence public opinion on I-49, and to influence the capacity of public opinion to shape our city for the good of public interests.

To quote from the flier: "These three community-wide input meetings are being scheduled as the project moves into the environmental assessment phase. They will provide opportunities for you to learn more, voice your opinion and give the planning team specific ideas about design alternatives for this interstate
connector."

Tuesday, December 13th 6:00 pm
LA Technical College
2010 N. Market Street

Wednesday, December 14th noon
Shreve Memorial Library
424 Texas Street
Bring your lunch!

Thursday, December 15th 6:00 pm
J.S. Clark Middle School
351 Hearne Avenue

There's a dark side and a bright side to these meetings. The dark side is that they might be just for show. The bright side is regardless of that, that the more the public meets and communicates, the stronger its voice gets. But for that to happen, we have to go to the meetings, and we have to talk about them. ABS was founded to strengthen the public's voice by facilitating that talk, and here's something that deserves talk.
And we may have to express ourselves, because not every meeting has decision makers that are listening; not every urban planner is well-trained in soliciting community input; not every metropolitan planning organization even uses planners!
So, the folks in charge could be holding these meeting just for appearances; to look like their listening to public opinion. It's possible their minds are made up already. And there's plenty of people who've been trying to influence them; wealthy, politically connected property owners, for example, who would make money by the interstate taking a certain form. Sadly, we know their interests can dominate the discussion and in the end decisions are made in their favor. Read any textbook in urban sociology and you'll see studies showing it happens.
But there are also studies showing private interests don't always win. Sometimes the public does.
Obviously, individual interests can and should matter. But the costs and benefits to a community can and should outweigh individual interests. The dark side is that money and power influences the negotiations over any decision.
But on the bright side, the public is a player in those negotiations, and with potentially dominant power. There is always a court of public opinion that can rule loudly and with real consequences if enough people care to speak up.
Moreover, that court gets more powerful and useful the more its used. In participating in the dialogue that shapes public opinion, we get stronger as a community. We get practice in articulating our views, in sharing them and communicating them. We get to know different leaders and organizations from different neighborhoods, schools, and community organizations. And we figure out how to pool our resources to make the rulings we make matter. As people connect with each other, a web of diverse social networks eventually spreads across the city. As those networks are connected and then used to voice a single point of view, it gets heard loud and clear.
This makes all of us players in the negotiations over I-49. And the real bright side is that just trying to be heard on this issue makes us a more powerful court for future decisions. Let's make our court of public opinion one that private interests have to worry about. Let's go to the meetings and talk, there and afterwards, and push the public interest to the forefront!

KTAL Story on ABS Trail-Making Project

2011-11-28T16:16:00.005-06:00

Thanks to KTAL's Morgan Thomas for a great story on our trail-making yesterday. (Though my role was overstated; here's to Jon, Maurice, and Jordan!) It was especially nice that she mentioned that ABS now has an advocacy project every month.

We should try to publicize our projects more in advance and hope some folks join us for some work!

Speaking of which, we meet tonight to do advocacy work on various projects on laptops. So yesterday we were earthy, today we're digital. We'll be at the Wright Math Building on Centenary's campus on Woodlawn (2 blocks north of the new laundromat on Kings) from 6 to 7. Come one, come all!

City of Shreveport 2012 Capital and Operating Budgets

2011-11-28T15:31:00.000-06:00

Dear Citizens,

Please pick an item of interest to you by clicking the budget links below, and seek out information on what the cost includes. See if your item of interest ties in with the Master Plan. It's your duty as a citizen to help our Mayor and City Council make the best decision with how we spend our money. This is your money, Shreveport!

2012 Operating Budget
2012 Capital Improvements Budget

Another review of Shreveports latest and greatest attraction: Coates Bluff Nature Trail

2011-11-25T19:58:00.001-06:00

Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Great trail. Party of 10, plus 5 dogs, loved it," reported Chris Brown on Friday as he introduced his family to the Coates Bluff Nature Trail.

When you're ready to walk the half-mile path, you can park at Caddo Magnet High / Valencia Park or at Montessori School for Shreveport.

The path runs parallel to the mostly-dry Bayou Pierre river bed.

Sycamores, hackberry trees, native pecan, rattan and switch cane are typical of the growth on the trail. There are 2 tree trunks to crawl over and one fallen tree to crawl under. There's a beaver lodge on the watery section.

Find photos and maps here.

Advocacy Events Sunday and Monday

2011-11-25T09:13:00.003-06:00

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1 - 4 pm, volunteers are encouraged to come and help complete work on the access trail for the Stoner Hill Elementary School to the Coates Bluff trail. Bring work gloves. Should be fun and fulfilling time in the woods. We'll meet at Montessori School teachers parking lot on Sevier St. If you arrive late, just head down the trail and you'll find us!

Monday, Nov. 28, 6 - 7 pm, ABS members will be drafting letters and crafting web pages on various projects (and any project YOU have in mind!). We'll meet at the Wright Math Building on Woodlawn, two blocks north of the new laundromat and right across from the Centenary library.

Sharrow Backlash - Are They Working? | Planetizen

2011-11-22T13:03:00.001-06:00

Sharrow Backlash - Are They Working? | Planetizen

Architect-artist Mike McSwain on KSCL, Mon, Nov 21, 5 pm

2011-11-20T12:49:00.001-06:00

Alan Dyson, Larsson McSwain, Mike McSwain, Robert Currie, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Architect and artist Mike McSwain will discuss architecture (Robinson Film Center, the Cyber Innovation Center and BPCC campus are among his works), his travel sketches - based on recent visits to China - and SciPort, where McSwain is board chief.

Stream the on-air chat at http://kscl.fm/

Trail Access for Stoner Hill Elementary This Month's Advocacy Event

2011-11-18T17:44:00.003-06:00

In attendance: Ken Hawkins, John Gililand, Joel Hooper, Jon Soul, Maurice Loridans, Kathryn Brandl, Loren Demerath, Elizabeth Roselli, Cynthia Keith

Being the second Monday of the month, this was the month's themed meeting. This month's focus: nature trails.

Saturday was the official opening of the Coates Bluff trail for the season. The trail had been freshly cleared of the summer's growth, signs were posted along the trail about various features and trail development notes, and promotional fliers led to a good turnout throughout the morning.

The group discussed how it could host trail tour day in the future with an eye towards a bigger crowd; we could issue press releases in advance, which we didn't do this time. It could be part of a “Best Walks in Shreveport” series.

Jon noted that he was shown the practice of roving interpretation by Rachel from the Caddo Parrish park system.

One of the goal's of the meeting was to decide the advocacy event that would follow in two weeks.

The group talked about possibly making a trail along the “Red River Link” drawn on google maps; it’s a utility easement for (Enterprise Products) EPCO; it was mentioned they may see it as a public relations positive to help make a trail along it. It was noted we could have a conversation with about that possibility. Susan happens to have their contact information having had to deal with them on an issue in the past. (And Loren happily noted that's the kind of resource sharing that makes groups like ABS productive! Here's to connectivity!)

The feature of the trail that would be a most welcome addition involves access to the Stoner Hill Lab Elementary School. The group decided that in two weeks, on Sunday afternoon at 1:00, we will meet at the Montessori School back parking lot and then work to create a trail loop from Stoner Hill Elementary's back gate. It will involve some cleanup and clearing, and all are welcome of any ability.

A secondary task that we might take up if there are enough people is to clear a path on the east side of the bayou to become a bike path heading north. Once that section reaches the “Red River Link” at the level of the back gate to Valencia Park, the trail would turn east towards the river and run along the property line between Riverscape and Coleman's property. It was noted that the easement would mean that the path could likely remain on a meridian even if a road were eventually built along the property line; though it was also hoped one wouldn't be, since it would hurt the natural forest and wildlife habitat which the area currently features.

Jon, Maurice, and Lorne agreed to go out on Friday afternoon and scout the route for the bike path. (Which they did--the forest was beautiful and the terrain for the trail looks promising.)

Next Monday, being the 3^rd of the month, will be the monthly ABS board meeting, though non-board members are more than welcome to attend with ideas for ABS, as always!

Louisiana Highway Department Will Not Give Crash Data To College Student for Service Learning Project

2011-11-17T10:09:00.002-06:00

Centenary College Student, Trevor Stine, is using U.S. Census Bureau's On the Map to tell Shreveport's story of how Caddo Parish, Louisiana residents are relocating their homes in the City's core for bigger sprawled out homes on the outskirts of town due to perceived crime, and low quality education in Shreveport. In addition, the state highway department has helped fuel the exodus out of Shreveport's core thanks to good arterials to get them to work in under 20 minutes.

Trevor is working with the citizen advocacy group, ABetterShreveport.org, as part of Centenary College's service learning program required by all students. ABetterShreveport.org's mission is to improve the quality of life in Shreveport using proven best management practices in transportation, economic development, education, permaculture, and urban planning in general. Each student gets to select the nonprofit organization of their choice, and Trevor wanted to work with ABetterShreveport.org to help them get maps of the City and Parish's demographics and economic stats on maps for citizens to learn about our stark situation regarding quality of life. No other entity (public or private) in Shreveport has maps of the area's demographics online as of 2011.

Under the direction of Strategic Director, Stephanie Pedro, Trevor requested crash data from the Louisiana Highway Department, LA-DOTD, and he received this response:

Good Morning Mr. Stine,

I have spoken to our local traffic engineer and the crash report data that you requested is protected by 23 USC 409 and is not given out to the public. 23 USC 409 is the designation of a legal statute established by federal law. I apologize that I cannot assist you further with you questions but please feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for contacting the DOTD.

Have a great day,
Susan Stafford
Public Information Officer
Department of Transportation and Developmentwww.dotd.louisiana.gov
318-549-8402 Office
318-230-8985 Cellsusan.stafford@la.gov

If no other entity, including our own DOTD, is mapping out important data that could lead to better decision-making, then why is this information not being shared with college students who are offering to dissect this data for free? Hopefully Streetsblog and Secretary LaHood will pick this article up and share with us how other communities are dealing with 23 USC 409.

In addition, it appears that LA-DOTD is already having problems with their code:
From Louisiana Injury Lawyer Blog: In Quinn v. State of Louisiana, DOTD, 2009-0085 (La.App. 1 Cir. 12/23/09), writ denied, 2010-358 (La.4/23/10), the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal, in an opinion not designated for publication, held that once the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) chooses to exercise the privilege set forth in 23 U.S.C. §409, that protects from discovery any reports, surveys, schedules, lists or data compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating or planning the safety enhancement of potential accident sites and hazardous roadway conditions, and which prevents the plaintiff from discovering any evidence of prior accidents at a location involving an alleged highway defect, that it follows that DOTD is then precluded from offering any evidence establishing an absence of other accidents at the same location at trial. In other words, "DOTD cannot have its cake and eat it too. If plaintiffs cannot discover and use the evidence of prior accidents, then DOTD should not be able to use evidence of the lack of prior accidents to prove no defect, all the while preventing plaintiffs from verifying the accuracy of DOTD's representation that no accidents occurred."

ABetterShreveport Meeting Monday, November 14, 2011 @ Wright Math Building, 6-7pm

2011-11-14T16:00:00.001-06:00

Tonight, ABetterShreveport will hold our themed meeting: City Nature Trails. Perhaps we can review the MOU for Coates Bluff, and review the grants that Michael Renfrow told us about at a previous meeting, and review the grant that Angie informed us of over the weekend.

We are always open to new ideas that go along with tonight's theme.

6pm-7pm, Wright Math Building, which is down the street from Centenary Square at the corner of E. Columbia.

How to find and build the next Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport

2011-11-13T12:32:00.002-06:00

Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Creating a follow-up nature path in Shreveport to the beautiful Coates Bluff Trail is an important quest for many members of ABS.

And there's help available: Angie White sent us a flag on a grant possibility via the National Trails Fund.

The meeting Mon, Nov 14, 6 pm, is dedicated to explorations of those possibilities. We'll meet at our new meeting place Centenary's Wright Math Building, which is down the street from Centenary Square at the corner of E. Columbia, and right across from Magale Library.

Re-opening of the Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport

2011-11-12T15:26:00.001-06:00

Coates Bluff Nature Trail, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Jon Soul drew together people from Montessori School for Shreveport, Caddo Magnet High, Stoner neighborhood and A Better Shreveport to celebrate a new season of hiking on the Coates Bluff Nature and Historic Trail.

Lydia Jackson v Greg Tarver? Population decline? Glover and a city audit? : political and demographic analyst Elliott Stonecipher chats at 5 pm Mon, Nov 14, KSCL

2011-11-11T17:05:00.001-06:00

Lydia Jackson Reception, a photo by moonbotstudios on Flickr.

Elliott Stonecipher is a native and resident of Shreveport, Louisiana, says his bio. He received his B. A. Degree from Louisiana Tech University and his Master's Degree from LSU. He is President and owner of Evets Management Services, Inc.

Mr. Stonecipher began his career in public education, and began work in the Department of Education at age 25. Three years later he left government to begin work in public opinion polling and campaign consulting. His firm later shifted to a concentration of work in various forms of geo-demographic analyses for clients in the financial services industry, as featured in such publications as The American Banker.

For over 20 years, Mr. Stonecipher and his company have also provided opinion research in change-of-venue studies in criminal court cases, particularly those involving capital murder charges.

In 2002, Elliott Stonecipher was a consultant for, and co-authored the final report of, a post- 9/11 U. S. Government study into possible bio-terrorism attacks in the U. S., under the sponsorship of the U. S. military and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The study results were published in the CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases magazine.

Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Elliott Stonecipher has committed to pro bono work on a range of local, state and national issues, including reform of governmental and political ethics, and reform of national policies governing the U. S. Census Bureau.

Mr. Stonecipher frequently serves as guest lecturer in colleges and other public venues, and has taught Demographics on the part-time faculty at Centenary College. His work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, and he has appeared on CNN and Fox News Channel.

Stream the Time for A Better Shreveport interview at http://kscl.fm. Remarks: 869 5297. - Robert Trudeau

2011-11-10T18:22:00.001-06:00

Highland Area Partnership needs volunteers to work a 2-hour shift. This is a great time to enjoy the company of friends, family, and neighbors, and be a neighborhood steward!

Nature Trails to be Focus of Monday's Meeting; Opening of Coates Bluff Trail Saturday

2011-11-10T16:32:00.003-06:00

This Monday night from 6:00 to 7:00, ABS will have a themed meeting on nature trails in Shreveport. On the heels of Saturday's opening of the Coates Bluff trail (8:30-11:30), the group will discuss the possibility of additional trails, both in that area, and others around the city.

This past Monday ABS hosted a discussion of the powerpoint and "teach-in" by moveon.org on the Occupy Wall St. movement and the "99%". In attendance were Loren Demerath, Steph Pedro, Cynthia Keith, Susan Keith, Adrienne Critcher, Brain Salvatore, Keith Hardwick, Kimberly Powell, David Young, Maurice Loridans, Alan Dyson, Carolyn Manning, Katherine Brandl, Robert Trudeau, and Elizabeth Roselli. The meeting was not a typical one for ABS; the group watched the powerpoint slide show, listened to Loren and Steph reading the narration for it, with discussion interspersed throughout. It was a stimulating meeting!

Because that was the first Monday of the month, that meeting was to be our monthly social meeting, to take place at some alternative forum. It has since been agreed that this month's social meeting will now take Monday the 21st, 6 to 7, at the Lake Street Dance Hall at the corner of Marshall and Lake St., downtown.

The fourth Monday of every month is to be an advocacy event. This month, depending on what the group decides at the next meeting, that event might occur on Sunday instead, if the event happens to be an outdoor project, such as trail making.

To summarize:
Monday the 14th: themed meeting on city nature trails
Monday the 21st: social meeting at Lake St. Dance Hall
Sunday or Monday the 27th or 28th: advocacy event

Poll watchers: $125 for a long day on Nov 19, says Melissa Flournoy

2011-11-08T20:03:00.001-06:00

Guerin Tai Chi Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Says Louisiana Progress director Melissa Flournoy, "I need help identifying some college students or others that might want to be poll watchers on Nov. 19th from 10 to 8 pm. They will be paid $125 for the day.

I need to track down some poll watchers by tomorrow morning."

Apply to m1flournoy@gmail.com.

Coates Bluff Nature Trail re-opening get-together Sat, Nov 12, 8:30 -11:30 am, Montessori School for Shreveport

2011-11-07T21:25:00.002-06:00

Sat, Nov. 12, is the official trail opening.

8:30 - 11:30AM -- parking, bathrooms, and info tables available at Montessori School for Shreveport (MSS).

Meet trail-loving people from
- MSS
- Stoner Hill Elementary
- Valencia Rec Center
- Stoner Hill Neighborhood Association
- Caddo Magnet High
- Centenary College
- A Better Shreveport
- Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park

Info: jonksoul@gmail.com

Magnet Shreveport: geography class Coates Bluff Trail hike , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Maintenance has been completed on the Coates Bluff Nature Trail, says Jon Soul.

Cyclist Fatality in West Shreveport

2011-11-07T14:10:00.003-06:00

Last Friday, 11/4/11, a cyclist was killed by a pick up truck driver on Wesport Av. West of Pines Road in Shreveport. The victim was Eastbound and was struck by an Eastbound Pick up estimated to be traveling at 50 MPH.

The accident happened in pre-dawn dark and the rider was wearing dark clothing and had been traveling on the wrong (Westbound) side of the road. According to the driver of the pick up, the cyclist swerved into the Eastbound lane just prior to the collision and he tried, unsuccessfully to swerve to avoid the rider.

The rider was on his way to work at a Waffle House Restaurant and his wife was following on another bike but was lagging a half mile back due to leg pain. She arrived at the tragic scene and lay beside the decedent begging him not to leave her.

The police were able to corroborate the driver's account that the cyclist made a practice of traveling in the wrong lane and moving right when oncoming traffic approached by the wife's statement. Another witness backed the driver's story that he swerved to avoid something and then saw the cyclist "flying off the bike."

As a bicycling advocate and safety guy, I was concerned that the driver could have just made up the "suicide swerve" account which has been widely used to clear drivers nationwide who may really have just hit a legally riding cyclist from behind due to being inattentive. Here, however, I am satisfied that the very poor and illegal practices of the cyclist in traveling in the wrong lane, failing to check over his shoulder before merging right, and not having required lighting were the main reason for this tragic accident.

Unfortunately, I believe riders in this victim's situation are just trying to get to work to make a living and do not have the time or interest or resources to learn how to be safe with bicycle transportation. I wish they would at least learn that the rules are essentially the same as for drivers of cars. My heart goes out to those he leaves behind. He was a veteran and was well regarded by those who served in his unit.

My information is based on news accounts and the accident report.

How the 1% Crashed the Economy Teach-in

2011-11-06T12:39:00.002-06:00

Wright Math Building, Centenary College, Rm 103
07 Nov , 06:00 PM

Our teach-in will tell the story of how the 1% changed the rules, crashed the economy and what we can do to take the country back. It gives everyone a chance to share their own experiences, talk about problems and solutions together, and learn from one other.

Sign Up Here!

On-air chat with Michael Butterman and new Shreveport Symphony Orchestra manager Lois Robinson on KSCL Mon, 5 pm

2011-11-06T11:41:00.003-06:00

Cirque de la Symphonie, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

With the Cirque de la Symphonie concert being performed on Sat, Nov 12, 7:30 pm, and Sun, Nov 13, 2:30 pm, an interview with the directors of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra is apropos.

On-air chat from 5 to 5:30 pm on KSCL, fm 91.3.

Stream at http://kscl.fm. Questions and remarks, 869 5297.

ABetterShreveport.org will then meet at 6 pm at the Wright Math Building, across from Magale Library on Woodlawn Ave., room 103.

2011-10-31T09:22:00.003-05:00

C'mon on down to Texas Avenue this Saturday for the Texas Avenue Makers Fair. Over 100 "Makers" of original and handmade goods such as clothing, jewelry, prints, pottery, hats, furniture, Gumbo, Jambalaya, cake balls, coffee, and much, much, more! Street performers and many added surprises! Admission is free-plenty of free parking

When: Sat, November 5, 10am – 5pm
Where: Corner of Texas Avenue and Common Street-Downtown Shreveport

Monthly Themes and New Meeting Place Decided at Last Meeting!

2011-10-27T18:35:00.003-05:00

In attendance: Robert Trudeau, Brian Salvatore, Garrett Johnson, Susan Fontaine, Jon Soul, David Young, Maurice Loridans, Ken Hawkins, Katherine Brandle, Cynthia Keith, Pam McPherson, Megan McPherson, Loren Demerath

UPCOMING EVENTS

A celebration of “El Dia de los Muertos” (The Day of the Dead) held by the local Latina group, Voces Castellanas, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 29^th at Columbia Park, and will feature arts and craft displays and activities, as well live music and dance performances.

The 3^rd Makers Fair of the Texas Avenue Community Association will be on November 5^th from 10 to 5 at Texas Avenue and Common St., featuring home-made arts, crafts, food, and music.

The Dog Park wine and beer tasting fundraiser originally scheduled for November 5^th will be postponed until January 14^th at the Barnwell Center. (The LSU-Alabama game has been moved to the evening and would overlap. Note: there's an elephant buried at the site of the future dog park. Good omen, huh?)

BICYCLE COOP PROGRESS

Maurice reported on some progress in creating a bicycle depot and cooperative. In conversations with people about a possible location at the Calanthean Temple it may not be as suitable as another possible site that has emerged on Texas Street. Maurice envisions three stages to the depot:

1 – a site to use tools held by the cooperative and get guidance in repair and bicycle use.

2 – a site to store used donated bikes which people can use for parts to build bikes which they can then keep.

3 – a site to provide the parking and shelter of bikes (some people own bikes of high quality and would not be willing to park them on the street), and to provide shower and changing facilities for commuters.

MONTHLY PLANNING

The majority of the meeting, though, was used to focus on the primary item on the agenda: to plan the themes for the months of November and December.

To reiterate the decision made at the last meeting, ABS' new format of each month is as follows:

First Monday: a social meeting at a bar, cafe, or resaurant
Second Monday: a themed meeting focusing on some particular issue or project (at the Wright Math Building, room 103 [see below])
Third Monday: a board meeting on general ABS issues
Fourth Monday: an advocacy event, such as letter/email writing, website construction, research, etc. (It was noted that events such as trail cleaning or bayou cleanups that require more time and light, the event could take place on the preceding Sunday or Saturday.)

In light of the new format, possible topics for the themed meetings and advocacy events of November and December were discussed (though December an advocacy event, depending on how people want to treat the holiday period).

It was noted that there are two bayou cleanups that will be occurring in November: Daniel Gehrig's on the 5^th (meeting at 8:30 a.m., parking at the library on Riley Lane; for info see the facebook group “The Duck Pond Cleanup and Restoration Project”) and the Centenary living-learning community focusing on sustainability will be helping Jon Soul with a cleanup of Anderson Bayou on the 6^th (meeting at 1:00 p.m., parking available at Sevier St. parking lot of the Montessori School). All are welcome to help in both cleanups.

Jon also announced that the Coates Bluff trail will be opening “officially” on November 12^th, with clean up and trail clearing before that. Jon and Loren are also eager to make the trail on the east side of the bayou that we hope will become a bike path, and will connect to the bike path currently going under Clyde Fant to the existing riverside bike path. With poison ivy on the wane, but the colder temperatures not here yet, it was noted that now is the best time for trail clearing.

With all that in mind, the group decided that Forest and Bayou Paths would be the theme for the month of November. The exact nature of the advocacy event will decided as the month progresses.

As for December, Maurice noted that Ian Webb of River City Cycling would like to collect as many bicycling tours as possible, presumably with maps and appropriate accompanying materials. Those could be digital with links of information. For example, on online map accessible via cell phone could route a bicyclist through a tour of notable city architecture, musical sites, historical sites, public art, even notable holiday light displays. At notable stops, riders could pause to access information, even music, via phone. Last year, ABS sponsored a social bike ride tour of holiday lights, with stops at ABS members' houses for mulled cider (at Carolyn Manning's), cookies (at Kari Brownholland's) and gumbo (at Loren Demerath's). Several families participated as well as regular ABS'ers. It was cold, but we didn't feel it, warmed by food, drink, and good company!

In light of those memories of the past, and hopes for collecting new tours for the future, the group decided December's theme would be City Tours.

NEW MEETING SITE: WRIGHT MATH BUILDING, ROOM 103

Because ABS meetings have consistently been filling room 206 in Centenary Square, we decided to move the meeting to a roomier locale. Katherine Brandle, a Centenary math professor who works in the Wright Math Building, said room 103 would be a good fit. There is a parking lot in back and in front, and the table in the room can be arranged easily to suit us. Also suitable is the projection equipment there, since we often look at maps and online materials during meetings. So the Wright Building it is! Thanks Centenary Math Department!

NEXT MEETING: MORE PLANNING AND T.B.A. ISSUES

The next meeting will consist of more planning, such as specific advocacy events and themes for other months. Other issues may be raised as well, so stay tuned. As a new practice, we'll post the agenda for the meeting on the blog Monday morning.

Sankofa Fall Get2gethers

2011-10-27T16:55:00.001-05:00

Letter to Times from David W Young on the Mayor's Forum and ABS

2011-10-24T20:26:00.001-05:00

Mayor's Forum, Mun Aud, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

I attended the Shreveport mayor's community briefing Oct. 10.

I applaud the mayor and City Council on their ambitious efforts to revitalize the historic communities of Allendale and Ledbetter Heights through Shreveport
Commons and Choice Neighborhoods.

I received many calls about my picture in The Times holding a sign reading, "We Want A Better Shreveport."

A few mentioned the sign and had interesting thoughts on its intended message.

To clear the air, I'd like to introduce A Better Shreveport to those that don't know about it.

A Better Shreveport is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life in Shreveport. Since moving back home, this is the most interesting and inspirational group I have been introduced to.

Through a small core group, this organization provides a voice for advocates of forward-thinking community projects such as a dog park at Hamel's Memorial Park, Coates Bluff Greenway, a bike-pedestrian master plan and the Velo Dendro bicycle tour Saturday.

This isn't an easy process as their advocacy and passion can sometimes cause discomfort, but it is a necessary effort in a community with so much opportunity.

I encourage you to get involved in groups like this that can make a real difference in shaping our community's

future. You can find out more at abettershreveport.org, abettershreveport.blogspot.com, on Facebook and at 5 p.m. Mondays on KSCL-FM.

- David W. Young

Post-ride remarks from Hallie Dozier, leader of Shreveport's Velo Dendro 2011

2011-10-24T13:13:00.001-05:00

Velo Dendro 11 / A Better Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"I really enjoyed it. You did a great job pulling it together," says Hallie Dozier, forester and leader of Shreveport's Velo Dendro.

Along the way, Hallie saw several tree-based priority items -

- The trees in Oakland Cemetery: "Need help in contacting whoever would be in charge of the Oakland Cemetery so I can try to set up an arborist service day there next spring and get some of the trees in better shape."

- The champion sycamore at AC Steere park: "Need to contact whomever is the correct person to see about doing another possible arborist service day on the sycamore at Steere. If nothing else, it needs to be mulched."

- Additional rides to be considered: "If ABS decides to add any kind of other rides (history, architecture, recording studios, great food, etc.) please make sure you let me know so I can join! And please feel free to pick my brain for any nuggets of wisdom that might be stuck there."

She also passed along a helmet encouragement via an untimely death notice:

A Bossier City teenager died Sunday afternoon after falling off his bicycle, police there report.
According to a release, 13-year old Marcus Griffin was riding his bike on the road in the 2400 block of Hoyer Street at around 2:30 p.m. when the chain on his bike apparently locked up, causing him to tumble over the handlebars. The youth's head struck the pavement, witnesses told fire personnel, the release said.
Griffin was taken to LSU Hospital in Shreveport where he was pronounced dead, police said.

2011-10-24T09:12:00.004-05:00

Learning from Velo Dendro 2011: the number of riders drops to about 50

2011-10-23T13:11:00.001-05:00

Velo Dendro 11 / A Better Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

First, it was a smooth ride. Everyone seemed happy with the experience. And the crowd was of an effective size, said Hallie Dozier.

Yet where were those additional 25 to 30 riders that we expected?

Looking forward to analyzing the lower turn-out in the meeting on Monday.

Please see slideshow of snaps at flickr.com/photos/robert_trudeau.

New Monthly Meeting Format and Other ABS Improvements Decided at Last Meeting!

2011-10-21T13:56:00.001-05:00

In attendance: Garrett Johnson, Susan Fontaine, Carolyn Manning, Katherine Brandle, Steph Pedro, Jennette Ginsburg, William Hartman, Loren Demerath

DUCK POND CLEANUP

The group discussed Daniel Gehrig's planned upcoming cleanup of the duck pond on November 5^th.

It was mentioned there might be conflicts of interest with fracking, and the brief discussion around that it was noted the more we're in need of funds for our projects, the more vulnerable we are be getting comprimised in what is in the interests of the city, the environment, etc.

VELO DENDRO

Garrett reported that all bases are covered with Velo Dendro, and that Robert has noted a need to get “corkers” assigned when we begin that day.

MAYOR'S MEETING ON DOWNTOWN

Letters to the Shreveport Times on the meeting have been written by ABS members Jennette Ginsburg, Robert Trudeau, and David Young; they'll also be shared via the blog (see Robert's below), whether or not they are published in the newspaper. There had been questions from some at the meeting about who ABetterShreveport is and whether we were there to protest (we were not). Jennette's letter was about public prayer. It was noted that there is seems to be a lack of awareness sometimes here of how public prayer makes freedom of religion difficult. Robert's letter noted, among other things, that the Mayor didn't recognize any of the community groups in attendance at the meeting.

DOG PARK

The wine and beer tasting fundraiser is coming up on the 5^th of November. There'll be a silent auction, and we're still accepting donations for that. We can now take credit cards under ABS with an app we now have. Over 50 people have bought tickets already, and we're hoping for 200.

CAPACITY BUILDING ACTION PLAN

The rest of the meeting focused on an action plan for building ABS capacity.

Job Descriptions: It was agreed that people would come to the next meeting with their own ideas of descriptions of board and officer and committee chair positions. It was noted that people may notice that they may already do what board members are supposed to do, or that they don't and are board members. We wear hats as committee chairs in addition to being a board member or a member. The board structure and duties of the Philiadelphia Center board members was discussed as an example (Garrett is on the board there as well). In sum: members are to draft a standard job description for each officer position, standard board member position, and committee chair person position that they hold, or if they desire one. The deadline is 10/31 when we'll discuss it.

Board manual: it can come out of the position descriptions. Susan, Steph, Susan and Loren will be on the board manual committee (page 8-9 in the report has ideas; a lot of the content exists already; we can borrow from elsewhere; due in mid January).

Adoption of professional ettiquite procedures: we can adopt the ones we want to give us more structure. If we want to build our capacity, we may have to make decisions. We can invite David Beiler in November or December to speak on Roberts Rules, and answer questions such as how might be able to minimize what we use.

Accessibility: this was discussed in terms of meeting purposes and schedule. The Lake Street Dance Hall could be the site of our social meeting {though we later discovered that is closed on Monday and so Robert and Loren decided Columbia would be site}. It was noted social meetings could also be a bike ride or a walk. It was decided the social meeting will always be the first meeting of every month. The programmed meeting will be the second; the board meeting the third; and the advocacy event the fourth (e.g., write letters, painting sharrows, attending other events/meetings at other times). Timeline: beginning of the month at Columbia. It was also noted that we need a point person for maintaining a calendar. Every month Steph will do that and throw it to Robert for the newsletter. The meeting minutes can continue to be sent out just to the board and posted on the blog, but with an announcement of what's next and highlights from the last meeting via mailchimp to the larger list used by the newsletter.

Archive radio show: use archive.org says Sara Hebert; we'll wait for Robert to take that up. 2 months for the timeline.

Database: Susan and Garrett will be the team for creating and maintaining the database of members and info such as dues being paid, contact info, day job, fields of expertise, skills, what they can bring, etc.; A membership benefit package was also mentioned as a possibility by Susan. An annual membership drive could follow from that. Benefits of dues could be discounts to fundraisers; Loren noted that a transparent budget is also what should justify our dues. Timeline: 2 or 3 months. (Loren also approved paying a monthly $10 fee budgeting software as suggested by Steph and Susan in the course of this discussion.) We'll have quaterly statements as well. Organizational fundraising would be a seperate committee. Velo Dendro could be the same thing as the paddles for the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society.

Newsletter: this is Robert's domain; hopefully he can get one out announcing our social hour and new format soon {and he did!}.

Media release template: done.

The media contact list: structured but needs to be updated; Carolyn (with Robert as Co-Chair) will take that task and finish in six weeks.

NEXT WEEK:

Next week we'll have a meeting planning session for November and December; what should our themed meetings and advocacy sessions be about? Come with ideas!

Robert Trudeau: One person's response to the recent forum presented by Shreveport MayorCedric Glover

2011-10-19T17:17:00.001-05:00

Cedric Glover, Mayor of Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shreveport's abominable streets were addressed in some detail by Mayor
Cedric Glover in the recent forum held in the Municipal Auditorium.
That was the meaty part of his presentation. Otherwise, the Mayor used
his powerful voice to rehash downtown development stories at
considerable length.

The forum was overdue. It was somewhat helpful.
Alas, the presentation was distinctly old school.

Following a video celebrating the Mayor and SRAC's successful
Shreveport Common grant app,a long and detailed lecture was read by
the Mayor. Meanwhile the city department heads were imprisoned in the
front rows of the auditorium as though they were members of the king's
court.

Allow me to make suggestions for future forums.

a) On that giant screen you might project factoids and illustrations -
use a perceptive photographer for your images - that highlight and
summarize the
text of the speech.

b) Add an additional screen to the presentation and allow participants to post
questions for the Mayor via Twitters (edited) projected on the screen
(we were told that you enjoy Twitting).

c) Position the city department heads at labeled tables around the room so they
are available to public questions from the start of the forum.

d) Respond analytically to the audience. You recognized the ministers
- why not note the presence of 2 rows of people associated with A
Better Shreveport?

e) Use public appearances to offer some level of transparency in
government. Example: "This meeting cost $3000 and the funds came from
the __ budget. We expect to use photos from this event in applying for
the next downtown rehab grant," etc etc.

Recommendations for Improving ABS Discussed at Last Meeting; an Action Plan on the Agenda for the 17th

2011-10-14T02:34:00.006-05:00

In attendance: Jennette Ginsburg, Steph Pedro, Carolyn Manning, Garrett Johnson, Robert Trudeau, David Young, Brian Salvatore, Loren Demerath, Katherine Brandle, Cynthia Keith, Maurice Loridans, Feico Kempff, Susan Fontaine, Jon Soul

The meeting’s focus was to review Jennette Ginsburg’s report (posted on this blog) made about how ABS might improve its capacity for accomplishing its mission. Jennette reviewed the basics of her report, where she describes the results of a survey of organization members she administered, and recommendations she made based on those results.

Among the recommendations are to clarify job descriptions, and to use action plans--including tasks, time frame, and who’s responsible.

The group expressed its gratefulness to Jennette for her hard work on the report.

The group discussed the recommendations and general issues raised by the report.

One such issue is the idea of seeking to have a unified message representing the group, particularly in controversial discussions, though it was also noted that expressing diversity of opinion within the group is consistent with its initial mission of externalizing conversations about a better Shreveport.

On job descriptions, it was noted that we can start by writing our own, then have a discussion from there.

As to communication with the larger membership of some-time attendees to meetings, it was noted that we no longer send emails to that larger group. Our intention has been to use the newsletter instead. It was noted that people can feel like they’re part of the group if they get regular stuff, such as a monthly newsletter, and weekly minutes report. We probably need to reiterate in every newsletter, that to comment on issues go to facebook, to read up on the group’s structure and projects go to abettershreveport.org (though it’s out of date), to see latest posts, go to the blogspot; and ideally, they should be centralized. There should at least be facebook links in the newletters and minutes reports. Garrett said that facebook is where the dialog happens; we could link to every blog entry in facebook. A goal could be to match the blog viewers to the facebook viewers.

The group decided to go over the action plan for implementing recommendations on the 17th. It was suggested that people bring back the action plan (which can be found in the report) with notes on it to the meeting on the 17th.

Downtown Development Authority Events: Lunch on the Lawn and nationally-known Visual Merchandising Expert visiting Cohabitat to consult our community!

2011-10-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

The Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Shreveport Unlimited have partnered to bring Susan Shaddox to downtown Shreveport October 13-14. Shaddox is a nationally-known Visual Merchandising Expert who has worked with businesses around the country to provide high impact-low cost ways to increase interest and sales. Shaddox not only works with businesses on their window displays but also façade appeal and other aspects that may turn potential customers away.

Shaddox will be meeting with downtown businesses, building owners and entrepreneurs on Thursday, October 13 from 5:30-7:00 pm at CoHabitat, 610 Commerce Street. That evening, Shaddox will focus on visual displays that promise big bang for little bucks. Free wine and beer will be served!

ABetterShreveport members will sit together at the Mayor's meeting tonight

2011-10-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

Please try to get there before 6pm to sit in our ABetterShreveport section. We will have messages on dowels for those who wish to hold them.

Velo Dendro Shreveport: Sat, Oct 22, 8:30 am, at Columbia Cafe

2011-10-10T08:55:00.001-05:00

Velo Dendro Shreveport, Oct 22: Garrett Johnson, Susan Fontaine , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Velo Dendro is a bicycle tour of Shreveport's trees sponsored by A Better Shreveport. A relaxed ride, it has drawn 80 to 100 riders per event in its first 2 years.

Please register at 8:30 am at Columbia Cafe. Registration is $10 and includes T-shirt, snack and lunch.

The tour is led by LSU forester Dr Hallie Dozier, a former Shreveporter. Matthew Linn, proprietor of Columbia cafe, is tour co-producer. Robert Trudeau and Garrett Johnson are the coordinators for 2011.

Those taking the entire tour will return to Columbia Cafe for lunch, which is included in the $10 registration fee.

The tour visits Betty Virginia Park before winding through old Broadmoor, taking a break at Centenary College and going via Olive St to the Stoner Boat Launch (water & fruit). There the group spins down the Fant bikeway to downtown. Group photos at Riverview Fountains. Thence we return to Columbia Cafe.

This year A Better Shreveport will be overall sponsor of the event. Joining as sponsors are Pratt Industries, Columbia cafe, the Bike Pedaler and River City Cycling.

If you'd like to help with planning or an event task, please email Robert Trudeau, coordinator, at trudeau11@gmail.com.

2011-10-08T16:28:00.003-05:00

Please join our Facebook page! Although we have three times as many viewers of this blog as Facebook, some members have voiced that they prefer commenting on Facebook rather than our blog.

You can also post on this blog and then send the comment to FB by clicking the Facebook icon at the bottom of the post.

Happy Blogging...because our news matters too.

Mayor Glove to share information on downtown development

2011-10-06T23:09:00.001-05:00

An informative event approaches that should be interesting:
Mayor Cedric Glover will share important information regarding initiatives that will directly affect downtown, the Texas Avenue Community, and the City of Shreveport.

The Mayor will focus on the following community initiatives:

The Shreveport Common Plan
Choice Neighborhoods/Ledbetter Heights Initiative
Capital Projects
Demolition of the Annex Building/Greyhound Relocation
Status of I-49 Inner City Connector Project
Adjudicated Property
Update on Ledbetter Heights Community Center (1996Geo-BondPropositionNo.2)

Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Municipal Auditorium 705 Elvis Presley Boulevard Shreveport, Louisiana

A proposal to rejuvinate the duck pond!

2011-10-06T22:54:00.002-05:00

Daniel Gehrig recently was a guest on the radio show and later filled us in on the details of a potentially beneficial project for our city. Here's his post:

Recent news stories have describe the extent to which the ecological condition of the duck pond has degraded. Although these pieces highlight the current condition of the duck pond, further assessment reveals an even more troubling picture. The duck pond’s water level is not only low, but it seems that we are in the middle of an increasingly severe drought. Whether the severity of the current situation is due to anthropogenic forces or natural cycles, the latest drought illustrates how drastically some vulnerable ecosystems can change. Moreover, the duck pond also suffers from an increasingly dominant cluster of invasive flora and fauna. The City of Shreveport is aware of these problems and is working with Louisiana Environmental Solutions, a subsidiary of Phillips Energy Partners, to develop a plan that will restore the duck pond to a healthier, more natural state.

The “duck pond” is a very vague term, but it is generally thought of as the body of water located to the east of East Kings Highway between Shreveport Barksdale Highway and East 70^th Street.

The duck pond and other such bodies of water in the area were formed by hundreds of years of erosion and weathering during which natural forces gradually shaped the area. Once a filled flood plain, this area’s potential was unlocked when Captain Henry Miller Shreve cleared the Great Raft of deadwood from the Red River. Using his personally designed steamboat named the Heliopolis, Captain Shreve cleared the 150 mile logjam that caused the river to flood this area, draining what is now eastern Shreveport. Because of Cpt. Shreve’s actions, many bodies of water, like the ones on the map, were disconnected from the river. Since 1839 when Cpt. Shreve’s completed his work, the only way the water in these basins have been able to be recharged is through precipitation; the effects of a lack of precipitation can be seen today.

In addition to the extremely low water level, another significant issue the duck pond is facing is the relentless encroachment of invasive flora and fauna. Among the most damaging are the nutria (Myocastor coypus), Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebifera), and mimosa (Albizia julibrissin). Invasive species of plants and animals are harmful to native ecosystems because they disrupt the natural balance needed to promote biodiversity. Invasive species can also have a significantly negative economic impact. As an example, the nutria, which is native to South America, has very few predators in Shreveport. It is well adapted to eat the vegetation that grows here and has even been seen eating bread. These rodents not only fill a niche otherwise occupied by native animals, but they also exhibit destructive feeding and burrowing habits. Overall, many would agree that their existence in our area is more harmful than beneficial.

The last significant problem we will try to address is one of litter. The Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society will provide a number of volunteers to help with the project; they clean the Duck Pond quarterly so should be able to offer a good amount of experience.

Their quarterly cleanup focuses on removing as much litter as possible. Litter impacts water quality, harms wildlife habitat, and wastes resources. In addition to the aesthetic problems that litter causes, there is the more serious issue of the effects on wildlife. In this case, the animals most adversely affected by the litter are the ducks that live in the area. Litter comes in many forms, ranging from small cigarette butts to large shopping carts and abandoned crawfish traps. Plastic bags, glass, metal, Styrofoam, tires, and derelict fishing gear are all examples of trash that often ends up in our rivers, lakes and in our duck pond. Sharp glass, strangling plastic, and cigarettes that animals mistake for food harm the local wildlife.

Compounding the problem, studies show that approximately 1 in 5 people are intentional litterers. They feel no sense of responsibility and expect that someone else will pick up after them, an “it’s someone else’s job” attitude that is typically not the case. Also, liter begets liter. Once an environment is littered, people are more likely to continue the behavior. Hopefully this project will raise people’s awareness of the harmful effects of littering; litter abatement and educational projects are crucial to the upkeep of our natural areas and the reputation of our city.

The City of Shreveport understands these problems that face this popular park and is determined to solve them. Because of the large area that the park covers, Louisiana Environmental Solutions will focus on the main portion located between East Preston Avenue and Shreveport Barksdale Highway. The plan being developed will have three main stages to address the three main problems we have identified:

1. Remove all of the trash from in the pond and the surrounding area.

2. Eliminate as many invasive species of plants and animals as possible and reintroduce native plant and animal species. We will also develop a long-term plan to keep the ecosystem healthy.

3. Refill the Duck Pond to the normal water level.

If other details can be worked out, we might also remove a significant portion of sediment that has settled at the bottom of the Duck Pond, make a few minor architectural changes, and install an aeration fountain. In addition to the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society, we are closely working with The US Fish and Wildlife Service to identify what plants and animals should be removed and the correct plants and animals to reintroduce.

We know that this is a big project and will take much effort, that’s why we are reaching out to a host of organizations. Although we have a strong team, we need to have as much community support as possible. The volunteer portion of the project will start November 5^th at 8:30 am. There is much work to do. The work is also labor intensive so come ready to get dirty. If you have ever enjoyed the Duck Pond, are concerned about the environmental quality of our city, or are simply looking for a way to give back we would appreciate any help.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at Daniel.Gehrig@H2Operation.com. Thanks you for your help and hopefully we can work together to make Shreveport a better Shreveport!

Thank you Daniel! Sounds like a great idea!

Hot Off the Press! Organizational Capacity Building and Recommendations for A Better Shreveport!

2011-10-05T09:39:00.000-05:00

Leadership, Accessibility, and Communications..click here for the read!

Shreveport's beloved Duck Park needs a rehab, says environmentalist Daniel Gehrig; on-air chat on KSCL, 91.3 fm, 5 pm, on Mon, Oct 3

2011-10-02T19:08:00.001-05:00

Daniel Gehrig, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shreveport's beloved Duck Park needs a rehab, says environmentalist Daniel Gehrig. Tune in Mon at 5 pm, kscl, for an on-air chat with Gehrig, an employee of Louisiana Environmental Solutions and a consensus builder.

Also, Centenary College prof Annie Blazer offers background on filmmaker Naimah Fuller. Her movie about the migration of Black Americans, entitled "Home," airs at RFC in Shreveport, Wed, 10-5-11, 7:30 pm.

Stream the show at http://kscl.fm/.
Questions or remarks during the show: 869 5297.

The program is Time for A Better Shreveport; hosts are Robert Trudeau, Carolyn Manning & Loren Demerath.

Visit the ABS open meeting at 6 pm every Mon at Centenary Square, across King's Hwy from George's Grill.

http://abettershreveport.blogspot.com/

Duck Pond Rehabilitation, Bicycle Tree Tour, City Infrastructure and More Discussed at Last Meeting

2011-09-29T18:15:00.004-05:00

In attendance: Brian Salvatore, Robert Trudeau, Katherine Brandl, Steph Pedro, Maurice Loridans, Cynthia Keith, Daniel Gehrig, Garrett Johnson, Susan Fontaine, Loren Demerath (Loren actually forgot to take attendance; if I missed someone, please comment!)

ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES DISCUSSED

Susan Fontaine, our Chief Administrative Officer, updated us on several fronts:

Susan has set up four separate categories for tracking funds: dues, donations to ABS, funds raised for the dog park, and funds raised for the Coates Bluff nature and history trail.

Susan asked about how to approve expenditures. It was agreed that any expenditures under $200 should be at the discretion of the executive director. Otherwise, it should be a vote of approval by the board members present at the meeting when either an individual expenditure or a budget is proposed. Alternatively, if a proposal is more pressing, it can be approved as soon as there is a majority total board members that have voted approval via email. It was noted that we should post those procedures and vote them into the by-laws.

Steph noted that we should have a working session one meeting for sugarsynch and mailchimp, and we also need to have Jennette's workshop on capacity building. She's turned it in and just needs to add some edits. {Since the meeting Jennette has sent her report to Loren, who forwarded it to all board members. Monday's meeting will focus on the report and its recommendations. Anyone's welcome, as always.}

“VELO DENDRO” CITY TREE TOUR: ROUTE PREVIEW, DONATIONS

Thursday afternoon at 6:00 will be a trial ride with Hallie Dozier, starting at Columbia Restaurant.

Organizational notes:

Volunteers for corkers will be solicited from bike shops.
Donna Curtis will be on board perhaps for supplying us with something we can plant. (It's been a tough year for trees because of the drought. Downtown it's been hard on trees, though it appears they don't mulch them with anything but rocks. We'll ask Hallie about that when she's in town.)
Marion Marks of Marks Forensics has pledged to donate 100 posters.
Matthew Linn has pledged to donate snacks, and a sag wagon for the ride, and even a light lunch after the ride.

CITY INTRASTRUCTURE NEEDS NOTED

It was noted that there appear to be water mains that need repair, and those costs weren't included in the bond. At the Woodlawn dead end south of Kings water pours into the drainage ditch from what seems to be a water main.

Steph noted that engineers at Louisiana Tech recently presented on a new technology they've developed where you can spray the inside of a pipe and it seals up like PVC. They're trying it out in Singapore and other faraway places but not Shreveport. Perhaps our city needs to ask them to try it here—we seem to be in a desperate state.

Robert mentioned that there a number of sink holes that have appeared. Brian noted one on Kings by Lex Nursery, and Susan noted on Line. Steph said there's a way you can note a pot hole that needs to be fixed on “click fix” which has been sponsored by Mayor Glover.

DUCK POND REHABILITATION NEEDED AND POSSIBLE

Daniel Gehrig talked about the potential of the company he works for (Louisiana Environmental Solutions [LES]) to help improve the duck pond along East Kings Highway. The pond is now four feet down and in that state one can see a need for an environmental rehabilitation. Such rehabilitation would take place particularly between Preston and Shreveport-Barksdale where there's more public land than further south. A task would be the removal of invasive plant and animal species and introduction of more native species. He's already communicated a bit with the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society and the Red River Wildlife Refuge. He's also communicated with Dr. Ed Leuck about perhaps using students as part of a service-learning project. {Daniel is a Centenary and Magnet allumn, and former student of both Loren and Robert; they beamed with pride as Danial spoke.}

Artificial fertilizers cause problems at such sites. Steph mentioned there are fines against people using chemicals on their lawns that cause problems for adjacent wetlands, but it's difficult to enforce.

The city wants it taken care of, and, coincidentally, LES has wanted to start an environmental consulting division, and this could serve both interests. A good plan for it should lead to funding, and they can eventually do some of the things necessary, perhaps even dredging. Steph noted they periodically dredge the lakes at LSU Baton Rouge. They did the last on in 04 or 06; she noted it could be a good source for research.

Robert noted there should be support for it since the city is so attached to the duck pond. Loren said he's walked with his kids from Shreveport-Barksdale to the library and was struck by how beautiful it is, but that there was no path; few people have probably had the pleasure of that walk, and yet it's right in the heart of the city, and with a range of desirable destinations on either end. It would seem to be a small task to create a gravel path.

BICYCLE COOPERATIVE UPDATE

Garrett has talked to Jason Brown (TACA member and local prosecuting attorney) about a bike coop, or, what might be at minimum a used bikes and bike parts depository. Jason has a shed next to his place that is lockable and he's open to using it as such. There was concern about security; it was noted junkies will still old bikes just for the scrap metal. We want to be able to store lots of bikes—50 or more—from people who'd donate them and which we'd use as a resource pool.

DOG WASH BENEFIT FOR THE DOG PARK A SUCCESS

Dog Park benefit raised $832 from the dog wash. It was about 60 to 70 dogs that they washed. Dogs get frisky after they get bathed, so there were a lot of dogs playing afterwards; really it was a great example of how a happy dog park functions.

They're still looking for silent auction donations (e.g., lessons for this or that, house concerts, etc.) to pair with the beer- and wine-tasting fund raiser.

MISCELANEOUS:

PRAIRE HOME COMPANION HOPES

Brian noted that we'll hear this week from Prairie Home Companion and weather they'll be coming next year—Garrison Keilor's last before retiring; Kermit Poling is handling the negotiations. If we get it, it was hoped assumed there'd be some of Leadbelly's music, and it was noted that some Saturday in October is Ledbetter's birthday when there's annually a jam at his grave site.

CENTENARY WORK STUDY TO YIELD MAPS

Steph announced that Trevor Stine will be working with us to make demographic maps, industry and commuting patterns; and it will be yet another example of service-learning project done with ABS. Steph even told Trevor that if he does well we'd write a grant to hire him as our demographic GIS mapper on staff. It was noted that there are opportunities to create an information-based culture here and that would create a need for data collectors, analysts and communicators.

TALK TO BIRD GROUP IMPETUS FOR CREATING TEMPLATE

Loren updated the group about his coming talk to the Shreveport birding group, and how he hopes to develop a talk that will describe how the Coates Bluff trail provides a model for how other trails can be developed in the city. Such trails would increase access to beautiful pieces of natural wildlife habitat scattered throughout the city. Loren will be using notes from the blog found on the Coates Bluff tab, the slide show with pictures we've developed, and, hopefully, add an abstract step by step guide, along with information on legal concerns.

EDUCATING PARISH COMMISSIONERS ON CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

Steph talked to Caddo Parish Commissioner Matthew Linn about the grant we've applied for fund the costs with setting up a conservation easement. Matthew mentioned that he wasn't familiar with conservation easements and it's likely most of the other commissioners aren't either; they could read the blog entry that Steph wrote explaining what they are; alternatively, Steph would gladly speak at a commission meeting to the same effect. {Later in the week, Loren obtained some easement templates from a contact of his at the D.C. office of Rails-to-Trails, Lindsay Martin, who happens to have family in Shreveport.}

MEETING MONDAY ON ABS CAPACITY BUILDING

As noted above, Monday's meeting on the 3^rd will feature a discussion of Jennette Ginsburg's analysis of ABS needs and recommendations for capacity building. As always, all are welcome!

Velo Dendro 2011 Poster Out, Route Preview Ride Thursday at 6:00

2011-09-28T10:07:00.003-05:00

Thanks to great design work and the donation of labor and materials by ABS member Marion Marks here's this year's poster for the tree tour, which happens to feature ABS member Garrett Johnson and Susan Fontaine.

Anyone who'd like to preview the route on bicycle is welcome to tag along with our annual tree expert and ride leader, Shreveport native and LSU-Baton Rouge Professor, Hallie Dozzier, and organizers Robert Trudeau and Garrett Johnson. They'll be meeting at Columbia Cafe, Thursday, September 29th (tomorrow!) at 6:00.

KTBS on Coates Bluff, Demerath to speak on Coates Bluff as a model for increasing urban nature appreciation, Pedro and Lewis put ABS on LANO's map

2011-09-23T19:01:00.006-05:00

Some developments over the week:

Robert Trudeau was interviewed by KTAL television news on the Coates Bluff trail (pictured below) and how it's grown and become a tool for teachers as well as a recreational resource for city residents.

Loren Demerath has been invited to speak to the local Bird Study Group headed by retired professor Mac Hardy at LSUS on how Coates Bluff has developed, and how ABS hopes it will serve as a template for developing other such trails in other parts of the city. (And Loren will be inviting other members to join him, if not in speaking [people can be shy or busy], in crafting the talking points.)

Steph Pedro, with the help of formative ABS member and Director of Sankofa, Leia Lewis, has put ABS on the Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations (LANO) map of social service providers. As our mission is to provide a public forum for discussing ideas for improving the quality of life in our city, we belong on that map!

Dog Park Fundraising, Adjudicated Properties and Property Standards Discussed at Last Meeting

2011-09-23T18:58:00.001-05:00

In attendance: Kathryn Brandle, Susan Fontaine, Garrett Johnson, Carolyn Manning, Cynthia Keith, John Gilliland, Maurice Loridans, Steph Pedro, Bryan Michael, Susan Keith, Ken Hawkins, Loren Demerath

The group welcomed newcomers John Gilliland is a Lieutenant Colonel at Barksdale, and is interested in a walkable-bikeable Shreveport and planning. Bryan Michael is a paddler and has met others of the group before, and has worked with Cynthia on the police force. Kathryn Brandle knows Loren from being on the faculty at Centenary (Math), but has also met some of the dogpark committee members previously, and is a dog owner.

PAYPAL FOR DUES AND DONATIONS
Susan reported that she would establish the ability to pay dues and donate online with paypal soon. (And she did! Format and use to be discussed at next meeting.)

DOGPARK DOG WASH SATURDAY
The group discussed the dog park and the need to meet. They’ll be approaching some potential donors and talked about how the checks should made out and the categories the CFO Fontaine has for that fund.

The next fundraiser approaches: the dog wash is this Saturday 11-2 at 1845 Line Avenue. The fundraiser is still in need of towels for people to donate or have lended to them. We have one hundred and fifty and estimate we need one hundred more. A dollar store was noted as a resource.

November 5th is the beer and wine tasting fundraiser and Carolyn is looking for volunteers to help cook for it (at her house over wine!). One distributor has donated some cases and they are talking to others.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTY, PROPERTY STANDARDS, TITLE CLEARANCE DISCUSSED
The group discussed the issue of state law dealing with clearing adjudicated property titles as described by Councilperson Jeff Everson on the radio show a few moments earlier. (“Time for ABetterShreveport” on KSCL at 5:00). The Napoleanic law issue has to do with the length of time it takes to clear title. Waiting years for a clear title is a problem here.

On another topic, the issue of environmental courts being used to maintain standards has been advocated in ABS before, but Maurice pointed out that a number of environmental web sites have objected to how community gardeners can be hassled over those issues. Other folks, who may not open their mail promptly, or have certain difficulties. It was noted that we don’t want to be dispossessing elderly people or people who are somehow weren’t getting notice. There can be advantages to living in area that has lax property standards, particularly compared to some highly regulated developments.

However, downtown, Loren noted, is a more public, communal resource that awaits development which would help the city as a whole. Such buildings as the temple can be neglected by out-of-town owners. We have standards but we don’t enforce them. It was mentioned that there are ways of reaching those people, via facebook, etc. Carolyn gets more questions on adjudicated property than anything else in her job as a downtown realtor. If you’re buying rights to an adjudicated property you can work on it. But it’s more likely to be low-end rental properties because they can afford to wait longer. There were a set of very low rent houses here in Shreveport that were built by a family that eventually moved to New Orleans.

The process of gaining access to adjudicated properties is not user friendly for lay people now, but with change of law it could make more so.

VELO DENDRO TREE TOUR PLANNING PROGRESSES
Robert Trudeau had reported that Pratt Industries had not been responsive but he would approach them again. (And later, success! They donated a substantial amount that would allow us to provide t-shirts with registration! Thanks Pratt, and thanks Robert!) Garrett reported that the posters are done and he’ll be working on finalizing t-shirt designs. The marketing will be posters, facebook, and email lists. John mentioned that an ad in the Barksdale base newspaper might be useful. The person who has the list from the original ride two years ago is Mike somebody (Leflett?) and is a friend of Carolyn Mills. (Any info from blog readers would be much appreciated!)

There’ll have a pre-ride sware the night before at Columbia Cafe among urban cyclists.

MISCELLANEOUS
It was noted that we need to check on board member and officer term limits in the by-laws and folks can consider if they’d like to continue and/or nominate others.

Anderson Bayou Cleanup

2011-09-15T15:35:00.003-05:00

Anderson Bayou Cleanup

Friday, September 16, 1 - 3pm. We will meet at The Montessori's School for Shreveport -- come around to the parking lot adjacent to the bayou. We will take advantage of the water level being well below normal and get the remaining trash. Play clothes that can get muddy are recommended.

Coates Bluff Nature Trail moving forward; soon you will see hardy benches along the path

2011-09-13T11:10:00.003-05:00

Lisa Shook, Mike Renfro, Jon Soul, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Coates Bluff Nature Trail development is being aided by an alliance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service represented by Lisa Shook and Mike Renfro in recent meetings.

Renfro is funding the materials for trail-side benches. Volunteers will be needed for assembly.

Please see Jon Soul or Stephanie Pedro for more info.

Evidence that bicycle riding is peaking in both NYC and Shreveport

2011-09-05T19:02:00.002-05:00

A Better Shreveport Candidates Bike Ride, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Bike riding is reaching a new peak in frequency and in style in NYC, notes NYTimes columnist Bill Cunningham. Here's a link to the video version of the article.

See evidence of Shreveport's riding corps on Sat, Oct 22, the day of the tour known as Velo Dendro.

Join us on Mondays at Centenary Square from 6 to 7:15 pm

2011-08-30T19:18:00.001-05:00

ABS: Jennette Ginsburg and the usual subjects, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Send your email to ldemerath@gmail.com if you'd like to tune in to local issues and find out how to influence local policy.

A message from a person who'd like to bike in this City! please respond to her!

2011-08-28T15:26:00.003-05:00

Hi! My name is Caryn Jenkins and I found your contact information on League for American Bicyclists. I am a local cyclist concerned about bike safety in the Shreveport area. I am searching for a way to educate our community on bicycle safety on the roads in our area. The community in general is one of the least bike friendly cities in the US. I would love to be part of that changing. Do you know of any resources or avenues that we can access to educate our community about sharing the roads and who would we contact to get more Share the Road signs out there? Thanks for your help!

Caryn Jenkins

What you may want to know about conservation easements...

2011-08-26T17:47:00.002-05:00

Source: http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/easements

Conservation Easements
A conservation easement, a type of express easement, is created by a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and another party, usually the government, which restricts the development of a piece of land. Under certain specific conditions, conservation easements are recognized by the U. S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If IRS requirements are met, the landowner may qualify for certain tax incentives. The requirements for a conservation easement approved by the IRS are as follows:

The easement must have a valid conservation purpose; that is, the easement holder must be satisfied that protection of the land or resources is justified for conservation reasons. Different land trusts and government entities have different requirements that must be satisfied. Generally, the IRS requires purposes such as the following:

Outdoor recreation by, or the education of, the general public
Protection of a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants
Preservation of open space
Preservation of historically important land area or buildings

The agreement must be completely voluntary: no one can force a landowner to enter into a conservation easement agreement. A conservation easement may be either donated or sold by a landowner to an easement holder.

The agreement must be legally binding. It is recorded as a Deed of Conservation Easement. The agreement is binding on both present and future owners of the property. Both the landowner and the qualified easement holder must be in a position to enforce the terms of the agreement. This requirement recognizes the easement holder's responsibility for periodic inspection of the property with the landowner.

The agreement must be permanent and irrevocable. A conservation easement must be permanent in order to qualify for the income and estate tax benefits provided by the IRS. If a conservation easement is valid for a set period of time only, for instance, ten years, the landowner may be eligible for certain property tax benefits but is not eligible for federal and state income and estate tax benefits.

The easement must be held by a qualified easement holder, i.e., a government entity or a land trust. While any government entity can hold an easement, those most likely to hold conservation easements include city and county governments and certain federal agencies, such as the U. S. Forest Service and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A land trust is a private, nonprofit corporation.

The easement must restrict development of the land. Ownership of land includes a number of legally recognized rights, including the rights to subdivide, sell, farm, cut timber, and build. The goal of devising a conservation easement is the landowner's voluntary agreement to give up one or more of these rights in order to protect certain natural resources. Prohibitions could include such matters as limitations on roads, structures, drilling, or excavating. The landowner could retain certain rights as long as those rights did not interfere with the conservation goals of the easement. For example, the landowner could retain the right to use the land, to restrict public access, and even to construct additional structures on certain sites.

When a landowner donates a permanent conservation easement to a land trust, the landowner may deduct the value of the easement from federal and state income taxes. The value of an easement is the difference between the FAIR MARKET VALUE of the land without the restriction and the fair MARKET VALUE after the restriction. If the value of the parcel exceeds $5000.00, the value of the conservation easement must be computed by a certified APPRAISER. The landowner can deduct up to 30 percent of the ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME over a period of six years until the value of the easement is exhausted, if the property has been held for investment purposes for more than twelve months.

The organization that holds the easement has the right to enter and inspect the property and is legally obligated to assure that the property is in compliance with the terms of the easement.

Preservation Easements
Similar to conservation easements, preservation easements protect against undesirable development or indirect deterioration. Preservation easements may provide the most effective legal tool for the protection of privately owned historic properties. Such easements are usually expressly created and incorporated into formal preservation easement deeds. Preservation easements can prohibit such actions as alteration of the structure's significant features, changes in the usage of the building and land, or subdivision and topographic changes to the property. The property continues on the tax rolls at its current use designation rather than its value if developed, thereby giving the property owner a certain tax benefits.

The same standards are used as in conservation easements to determine the qualified tax DEDUCTION. The DONOR is entitled to a charitable contribution deduction in the amount of the fair market value of the donated interest. However, an easement to preserve a historic structure must protect a structure or area listed in the National Register or located in a National Register district and certified by the Secretary of the Interior as being of historic significance to the district. The donation of an easement over an historically important land area includes land that is either independently significant and meets National Register criteria for evaluation or is adjacent to a property listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places in a case where the physical or environmental features of the land area contribute to the historic or cultural integrity of the property.

The definition of a historically important land area includes structures or land area within a registered historic district, except buildings that cannot reasonably be considered as contributing to the significance of the district. To qualify as a preservation easement the donation must be protected in perpetuity. Because of this point, rights of mortgagers must be carefully set out in the easement to avoid loss of the easement in the event of FORECLOSURE.

Uses of Easements
Once an easement is created, the owner of the easement has the right and the duty to maintain the easement for its purpose unless otherwise agreed between the owner of the easement and the owner of the underlying property. The owner of the easement can make repairs and improvements to the easement, provided that those repairs or improvements do not interfere in the use and enjoyment of the easement by the owner of the property through which the easement exists.

Transfer of Easements
Easement Appurtenant
When the title is transferred, the easement typically remains with the property. This case is known as an easement appurtenant. This type of easement ldquo;runs with the landrdquo; which means that if the property is bought or sold, it is bought or sold with the easement in place. The easement essentially becomes part of the legal description.

If a parcel of property with an easement across it is sub-divided into smaller lots and sold to different people, and the geography is such that each of the smaller lots can benefit from the easement, then each will usually be permitted to use the easement.

Easement in Gross
Traditionally, easements in gross were easements that could not be transferred and were not tied to a particular piece of land. A person could grant an easement across a residence to a neighbor, but this type of easement would not continue with the new neighbor if the neighbor holding the easement sold the property. Today, courts typically refer to these types of easements as ldquo;personalrdquo; easements. Nevertheless, an easement that began as personal may be transferable, particularly if it is a commercial easement, such as a utility easement.

Termination of Easements
Unlike other types of interests in land, easements may be terminated by ABANDONMENT under certain circumstances. Simply stating a desire to abandon the easement is not be enough. Words alone are legally insufficient to constitute abandonment. However, if the easement holder intends to abandon an easement and also takes actions which manifest that intent, that is sufficient to show abandonment of the easement, and it can be terminated. One action that qualifies as manifesting intent is non-use of the easement for an extended period of time, despite the holder of the easement's having had an extended period of access to the easement.

ABetterShreveport Meeting CANCELLED Monday, August 22 , 2011 @ Centenary Square

2011-08-22T15:55:00.000-05:00

Many folks cannot attend the meeting tonight, so we are taking a break and will see you next Monday, August 29!

Nancy Larned on keeping alive energy audit and related jobs and programs

2011-08-19T23:09:00.001-05:00

Nancy Larned, Karen Wissing, Loren Demerath, KSCL, Time for A Better Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Writes Nancy Larned of Blue Green Sustainability: We really need your help. The State’s HERO program is prematurely expiring at the end of this month if minor process changes aren’t made. North Louisiana has just gotten up to speed and is at a pivotal tipping point in our efforts. New Orleans just kicked off their program this past month. There is approximately $8 million in ARRA funds that Louisiana is returning due to early unnecessary end, as well as a halt in the momentum in reducing our energy usage in this area.

Key points:

La DNR’s Empower Louisiana HERO program provides cash incentives of $2,000 to $5,000 to residents and small commercial owners who make specific improvements to their buildings and achieve at least a minimum level of energy use reduction.
The process requires an initial energy audit, conducted by a certified energy rater, followed by the retrofits and improvements. A final energy audit measures the energy-savings impact of the work and triggers the rebate.
Due to factors beyond our control, the North Louisiana efforts were late to start and the minimal marketing initially done in this area did not reach the potential HERO customers due to the lack of efforts/programs in place to promote and support the HERO program.
When the Empower Louisiana HERO program initiated in May of 2010, the cutoff date for the initial audit was December 31, 2011 with a Program Completion Date of April 30, 2012.
In January, 2011 it was revised based on the ability for home and business owners to get the work completed and for the State to process the paperwork. Project Eligibility End Date for Preliminary Submittals was changed to August 31, 2011, allowing a 6 full months for work to get completed.
Recently launched: SEED Shreveport’s Energy Efficiency Division adds benefits to the HERO program.
$100 total audit cost (vs. $475+ for outside of municipal Shreveport)
Bank partnerships – offering lower rates and special terms for Energy Efficiency Loans
A concentrated education and outreach program to promote HERO in Northwest Louisiana.
Our Energy Raters in just the Shreveport/Bossier area are modestly estimating an average of 60+ residential and 100+ commercial audits per month based on the contracts and conversations they are currently involved in.
80% of the audits in our area have a 2 to 3 week turnaround time between initial and final audit, not six months.
The City of New Orleans would also benefit from this statewide extension as their energy program has now developed to the appropriate level as well.

There is a large group of energy efficiency conscious professionals and residents in our state and we have all been working hard to make the transition into a more environmentally focused community. We are successfully creating awareness, creating green jobs and cutting our greenhouse gas emissions.

Ending the HERO program prematurely could have a negative impact on jobs and economic development statewide.

Your support in our efforts would help us make a huge difference in our community. We have requested that LDNR give us a 60 day maximum window versus the 6 months they have allocated. This would restore program eligibility back to the end of December.

We don't want to lose the momentum that we all have worked so hard to create. We have so far to go and we need this program to be successful as the catalyst for our energy efficiency future.

With sincerest thanks and kindest regards,

Nancy

Nancy J. Larned
Energy Efficiency and Environment Consultant
BlueGreen Sustainability
www.facebook.com/BlueGreenSustainability
bluegreen.la@gmail.com
678-978-4809

Coate Bluff Trail Planning Gets Strategic at Last ABS Meeting!

2011-08-17T20:37:00.001-05:00

In attendance: Marion Marks, William Hartman, Nadine Charity, William Hartman, Wes Wyche, Cynthia Keith, Susan Keith, Jon Soul, Mike Renfroe, Lisa Shook, Maurice Loridans, Loren Demerath

COATES BLUFF TRAIL UPDATES AND STRATEGIC PLANNING!

Jon gave an update on the trail. The bayou is two to two and a half feet down below normal. Not all the grocery carts are out apparently. More trash needs to be taken out. Maurice and Jon have worked on the part of trail giving access from one area. The trail should be ready for use again after pruning back the poison ivy and dead fall in late October or early November. That said, Maurice was surprised at how easily he rode up the trail on a mountain bike from Montessori all the way to the point until where the big tree lies across the tail.

Maurice also rode from the Cat Hospital in the concrete culvert all the way to Alexander, only having to go up out of the culvert behind just before the bridge because of leaking pipes. He also noted he was able to ride up and out of the culvert by going diagonally up the slope, and that the mountain bike tires were likely critical for that maneuver.

Jon noted the 200 yards north of Sevier St. is where the trash box is and that’s where the outdoor classroom will be for up to 45 students. Lisa and Jon have drawn it up and priced it out. There will be an area for small groups and an amphitheater area for larger groups. The materials would be wooden boards with nuts and bolts.

Steph summarized how this is the 4th Coates Bluff meeting of the summer and the strategic plan posted on the blog summarizes where we want to go, what we’ve done, and how we can measure our success. So far we’ve put in at $20,000-$30,000 of work in kind so far. Steph and Maurice and Loren have all talked to different organizations about how to tackle liability and ownership issues. Steph has talked with the Trust for Public Land, who suggested a memorandum of understanding with the land owners. That will be at the beginning of the current strategic plan. There’s a conservation easement handbook that Feico already has and they’ve used those techniques already for Bickham Dickson. We also want to replenish with human activity there with educational and recreational activities. Steph went over the other aspects of the trail. The plan also calls for a physical plan, a survey of the easement, and then a plan of the details of where the path will be, entrances, signage, etc.

Maurice and Wes discussed with the group the M.O.U., as suggested by the Trust for Public Land.

It was noted that the ultimate goal is for the trail to go all the way to Stoner, and perhaps with a trail going down to where the bike path crosses underneath the parkway by the apartments.

Marion mentioned that Charlie Coyle with Coyle Engineering might be good to do some of the work and he can get a quote from him. Other designers could participate to. It was also noted that the firm formally MHSM has already contributed a lot to the project.

Steph went over the history of the trail and and how incorporating some of the details of the past into the strategic plan will be done, e.g., the 14 tons of trash that have been taken out total over the past six years. We have a verbal M.O.U. via Mike Strong and Wes is now our city contact. We also have a partnership with the Red River Wildlife Refuge to build the outdoor classroom and clear out tallow trees, an invasive species. We’ve also made an institutional partner with the President of Centenary, our fourth institutional partner. With this strategic plan we can now apply for grants.

The future tasks we’ve identified are partnering with the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Mike Renfroe said he’ll contact them. The cemetery is being eroded with the stormwater runoff and NRCS might be able to help us. The state wildlife and fisheries will also be a contact and Mike will contact them too. Signage is another task; either with Bill Day or resources from Ed Leuck whom Loren talked to that day about costs (about $150 for about 100 signs)

Feico has talked to the Calhoun family who is paying taxes on the cemetery and would like to sell it. We need a legal entity that has legal standing. It was noted that the M.O.U. is a good half step because we get all the signatures on a single document. We’ll also be getting wood duck boxes, and Mike will get those; Maurice and Mike both knew of a man in Minden who builds them, Bob Kimble. Michael will also contact the wild turkey federation. Marion mentioned the Nature Conservancy as well. Feico has talked to them and they say one needs a war trust and a full time staff for contacts. Paul Dickson is a good person to work on this Marion noted.

A project manager to be the foreman and contact person on this is needed. Loren will try to find a Centenary College student for that role. Robert Trudeau and Marion’s wife have agreed to be the liaisons for Magnet High.

Mike mentioned that the State Historic Preservation Office could assist. Jeff Girrard has already had it designated as a state archaeological site, so it’s registered with the state. The Preservation Office may then feel obliged to help prevent the erosion from further damaging the cemetery.

Steph talked about the success metrics, including the water quality, the increased wildlife species, the increased human use, etc.

Feico said he’s always had the vision of Valencia Park being the base for the trail because of the parking there and the potential to have an interpretive center there. SPAR has talked about expanding their recreation center there. It would be natural to incorporate the visitors center in that.

Mike mentioned that those are huge figures of hours of time and tons of trash that we’d mentioned. The people looking at the grants are going to want to know the time and dates that its been done. Susan mentioned that she’d done work on it back beginning in 1986.

Mike said he probably wouldn’t have trouble making the lookout pier and that’s a considerable amount of money, so thinking about people who volunteer time to help build it would help. Where it will be built is not actually city property so we’ll have to have some insurance for it, though it probably wouldn’t be a problem getting money for the pier, if we have the insurance. It would be better to have an M.O.U. for it before we build it. Susan mentioned the State Trails Grant has been mentioned to her several time. Feico wondered how the Cypress Black Bayou Recreational Area was handled.

For fundraising, Marion said this project screams for a kickstarter project, an internet driven community fundraising approach. The band, “Dirtfoot,” for example, raised a lot of money for an album in a short period simply be using kickstarter.

Mike asked who would sign it for the city, and Wes said it would go to the City Council. How would liability be handled? There are strong immunity statutes in place, said Maurice, and if the land is for recreational use you’re immune from being sued. It has to be something that was constructed with willful negligence, like a trap, intentionally trying to hurt someone. Building a pier doesn’t constitute that. If Community Renewal lets us build a pier on their property going into the bayou, then we don’t need liability, because they already have insurance.

Maurice and Feico will try to go ahead and draft the M.O.U. Hopefully they can use something already in place like the Bickham Dickson agreement.

For the Calhoun heirs, it was noted that if they’re looking for a tax break then a conservation easement would be the best way to go.

Jon mentioned that we’ve had strong support from people that live along the bayou. But if we’re building a pier, we should have something in place that allows community participation in that decision and design. After we have something to show in the form of illustrations of the pier and amphitheater we can meet again.

No comments on the minutes from last meeting.

Monday, September 12th will be the next Coates Bluff meeting. We’ll have the MOU drafted for approval at this meeting. Can post it on our blog, people can review it, ideally we could meet with neighbors, and as soon as we’re the city can review it.

William complemented Steph on the blog revisions (and others concurred!)

The group adjourned at 7:28.

It looks like next week’s meeting will be focus on Dog Park Fundraising, fundraising in general, and transportation improvements.

Coates Bluff Presentation at Tonight's Meeting

2011-08-15T09:28:00.005-05:00

Below is the proposal that will be presented by Stephanie, Jon, Maurice, and Loren at today's meeting:

COATES BLUFF PROTECTION/CONSERVATION/REPLENISHMENT STRATEGY

Project Description

The Coates Bluff Nature Trail’s mission is aimed at full preservation of existing species, conservation through easement, and replenishment of nature and human recreation activity. This trail provides public access to a unique natural resource inside the city of Shreveport, Louisiana. As an undeveloped 1.5 mile stretch of land in a historic neighborhood, the area along the proposed Coates Bluff Nature Trail currently provides valuable habitat in the midst of an urban environment, and it includes a neglected waterway flowing into the Red River. This trail has potential to connect multiple educational institutions, historical sites, and environmental treasures. ABetterShreveport.org would like to pursue 1) a conservation easement, 2) a schematic design, 3) a land survey of the future walking path and bicycle path, and 4) a development design for the Coates Bluff Nature Trail.

Conservation Easement

The conservation easement will bring together the property owners and a land and a strategy for long-term governance/maintenance of the surrounding land. The group will work with a land conservation nonprofit, such as The Trust for Public Land (TPL), to conserve the land for people to indefinitely use Coates Bluff as a nature walking trail, and bike path, while protecting the indigenous species that exist. The Trust for Public Land will provide help with structuring, negotiating, and completing land transactions that will forever protect Coates Bluff. TPL also provides expertise in tax benefits, appraisals, title issues, property surveys, and public agency procedures.

Schematic Design

Work to date includes a conceptual map of the walking trail and multi-use path, and illustrates its relationship to the Red River Trail, the future Riverscape Mixed Use Development, the existing three schools, the Hopewell Cemetery, Centenary College, and the adjacent historic neighborhood, Stoner Hills. The Coates Bluff stakeholders have discussed in detail these elements in a series of three public meetings. Illustrations are still needed to help visualize the conceptual map on the ground, and arrive at a clearly defined, feasible concept.

Land Survey

Development Design

The development design will develop more detailed drawings that will utilize the measurements from the survey to show the correct path length and width, materials, and path elements such as signage, etc.

Accomplishments To Date [in-kind ($20,000 (estimate))]

Fall 2005 – Jon Soul’s children began attending The Montessori School for Shreveport (MSS); Jon took notice of Anderson Bayou and lots of dumping.

Fall 2008 – Jon Soul began teaching in the MSS middle school; began exploring bayou & adjacent sewer easement/maintenance road with students.

Spring 2009 -- Organized a large community cleanup of the bayou.

Fall 2009 -- Started Outdoor Education Program at MSS; began using 1/2 mile "nature loop" with all ages at MSS.

Winter 2009 -- Met with Mike Strong to receive permission to continue using trail -- verbal permission and support granted.

Winter 2009 -- Established foot trail with ABetterShreveport (ABS) extending trail to Magnet High School.

Spring 2010 -- SPAR installed gate in southeast corner of Valencia Park for Magnet and Valencia Rec Center students.

Spring 2010 -- 2nd community cleanup of trail from MSS to Valencia Park.

Fall 2010 -- Invited the manager at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge to come give advice on invasive species control along the trail (specifically Chinese Tallow); he brought Mike Renfro, a private land biologist with the FWS; both were very impressed.

Spring 2011 -- Magnet students began using the trail with teacher Robert Trudeau; Valencia Rec Center began using trail during "Winter Camp."

Spring 2011 -- 3rd annual cleanup: "Hopewell Cemetery Cleanup & Watershed Protection."

Spring 2011 -- EB Williams Stoner Hill Elementary installed gate on fence line in order to access trail; 5th graders used trail for first time.

Spring 2011 -- ABS assumed role of strategic planner for Coates Bluff development; Centenary College hosted 1st Coates Bluff community meeting - David Rowe, Centenary's president presides; working groups formed (ex. education).

Summer 2011 -- 2nd & 3rd Coates Bluff community meeting(s): mapping and conceptual design alternatives for the trail to help stakeholders come to consensus on values, programming, and use of the space. Outlined a clear set of values, brainstormed programmatic needs, and built a volunteer base. Discussed activities, fundraising, and governance/maintenance options.

July 28, 2011 -- ABS met with FWS; FWS is ready to secure funding for the trail and provide guidance in best management practices.

Aug 15, 2011 -- 4th ABS Coates Bluff meeting: Present concept design and proposal to stakeholders for review.

Work Groups

1. Education and Curriculum Development. Jeanne, Robert, Deborah and Jon
2. Transportation Connectivity Loren, Maurice, Donna, Tim and Stephen
3. History Archeology− (Need to recruit working group leaders)
4. Nature−John Davenport, Jon Soul
5. Physical Planning/Governance/Maintenance −Mary Anne, Fieco, Stephanie, Caroline, Murray and Kim
6. Outreach/Marketing−Nadine, Kelly and Michael (Bring artists to interpretive event)
7. Funding-Marion Marks

Vision

Through a series of clean-ups and hikes, the community has discovered a neglected urban open space with great potential for supporting wildlife and providing outdoor education. However, these activities have also uncovered debris and erosion concerns where stormwater runoff is being channeled through the site toward the Red River. Trash dumping and neglect pose threats to this undeveloped space, and fragmented land ownership leaves the area vulnerable, as development closes in. Therefore, the objectives for the Coates Bluff Nature Trail are to increase community and educational access to nature, protect the land and its habitats from encroaching development, restructure stormwater management, and increase community understanding of the value of the property, in order to eliminate erosion, mitigate pollution, and prevent further dumping on the site.

Conservation goals for Coates Bluff Nature Trail include improved water quality, habitat protection, and habitat restoration. The site for the project is a bottomland hardwood swamp, and it is part of the proposed Red River Important Bird Area. Wildlife identified in the area include the Great Blue Heron, White Egret, Cormorant, Mallard, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Marbled Salamander, Fowler’s Toad, Pickerel Frog, Green Treefrog, Three-toed Box Turtle, Red-eared Slider, Green Anole, Five-lined Skink, Eastern Ribbon Snake, Western Cottonmouth, Red and Gray Fox, Armadillo, Northern Raccoon, Fox and Gray Squirrel, Striped Skunk, Nutria, American Beaver, Virginia Opossum, Swamp Rabbit, Mourning Dove, American Kestrel, Kingfisher, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Mississippi Kite.

This project will also yield new environmental curricula, developed by a collaborative partnership of institutions who would like to use the trail for outdoor education. Through the Coates Bluff Nature Trail, diverse groups of students and community members will have opportunities to connect to nature in new ways, and will work together to clean, cultivate, and enhance our local environment.

Future Tasks Identified

1. Partner with NRCS for watershed work for erosion control near Hopewell Cemetery. 2. Partner with State Wildlife and Fisheries in Minden for acquatic education and training. 3. Partner with Bill Bay and Boy Scouts for interpretive signage project. 4. Fund and Build Lookout Pier 5. Fund and Elevate Trail near Magnet 6. Install bluebird boxes (F&WS) 7. Have a conference call with TPL and Michael (F&WS) 8. Contact National Wild Turkey Federation 9. Contact Fish America Foundation 10. Find Project Manager from Centenary 11. Build 30-seat benches (F&WS) 12. Tallow Control (F&WS) 13. Stencil stormdrains through National Geographic Grant

14. Hold outdoor art exhibit in October on Trail

Success Metrics

Indicators of success for this planning effort include the following:

- clear consensus on the values, programming, and use of the proposed trail, as described in a conceptual design plan

- a total number of acres protected through the governance and maintenance strategy

- a reduced amount of trash collected during regular maintenance

- improved water quality evaluated through standard testing procedures

- increased number of wildlife species sighted

- increased student/public use of trail for educational purposes.

Call for Support of Dog Park Location and Fundraising Strategic Plan at Last Meeting

2011-08-10T15:35:00.003-05:00

In attendance: Andrew Gaiennie, Marissa Gaiennie, Cynthia Kieth, Loren Demerath, Carolyn Manning, Steph Pedro, Amy O'Pry, David Young, Ken Hawkins, Susan Browder

LOW-COST CONVERSIONS OF DRAINAGE DITCHES TO PATHS AND TRAILS
The group reviewed the minutes from last week, and discussed the low-water bridge idea, as well as the idea of inexpensively turning the drainage ditches in the city to bike paths. It was noted that perhaps one of the civil engineer members of ABS—Patrick Furlong or Roger Barnes--could review the low-water bridge, and grate ideas.
There are issues of vegetation accumulating (though they deal with that as it is now somehow) and of how get in and out of the ditch easily.
There's a bridge at Veteran's Park going to the disc golf course. Cynthia will take a picture of and upload it.
Boulder City Nevada has done something like this that Ian Webb once saw and described to the group.
Ken asked about people's perceptions of trails increasing passersby behind houses and if it's politically feasabile because of fears of crime and property values. Carolyn noted that many neighborhoods that have overcome those fears successsfully, and the positive changes to the neighborhoods along the Katy Trail in Dallas are evidence of it relatively nearby. Loren mentioned how research seems to consistently show that crime goes down when trails are introduced, apparently because they increase “watchful eyes” and make criminals less likely to use those spaces as means of breaking into homes. (Loren was once told by a friend who used to live near a ditch [Deborah Slaughter] that our drainage ditch areas are used by burglers often just as they are now, so its not hard to imagine that any change would be an improvement.) Marissa noted that lighting can be an issue that can help safety, but it was also noted that there may be an expectation that if they're not lit to not expect the same degree of safety and that is part of the nature of any trail. Amy asked if it had been done in other areas. Loren recalled how he had presented on the idea at the Tulane School of Public Health and how faculty pointed outside the window to Canal Street as an example of capping a drainage canal; the area in the middle of the street where the trolleys run used to be a drainage ditch just like the many we have. Loren also mentioned the example in Shreveport in Columbia Park where a capped ditch makes a pedestrian boulevard. Amy noted that we're not reinventing the wheel then.

DOG PARK
Amy said she's done a lot of fundraising and can probably help us, and that she's excited about the possibilities for a dog park.
Steph summarized the dog park effort, and she noted other successes in public-private partnerships in the city, such as The Right to Play organization raising money for the playground at A.C.Steere park, and Greenwood Cemetary raising $200,000 in just ten days.
Steph described the difference between “barn building,” where you hire a builder to build it for you, and “barn raising,” where the community that will use the barn builds it together. “Barn building,” then, is where you decide what you want ahead of time and hire a fundraiser to raise the funds. “Barn raising” on the other hand is where community planning is integrated into the fundraising process such that public conversations and a sense of ownership come out of the fundraising. This also involves getting money from the people that would use what's being built, and in the process of donating funds and contributing in kind they can influence the design of the “barn” that's being raised.

TIME TO VOICE APPROVAL FOR PROPOSED SITE AT HAMMELL'S MEMORIAL PARK
Cynthia reported that she had handed in the forms the city wanted on August 1st, but the city is saying we turned it in on August 4th, and that pushes the date back of the vote on the location. Steph and Cynthia are on the Dog Park Committee but are not voting members. It doesn't appear there are any non-government officials on the committee (among the members are the Parish attorney Charles Grubb, SPAR Planner Tim Wachtel, and SPAR Director and Assistant Shelly Raigle and Catherine Kennedy). But, the public has a chance to comment on the location of the park. After 30 days of being posted on the web site and being made available for public comment the committee will vote on it.
It was noted that the most immediate and pressing task before us is asking people to call SPAR at 673-SPAR and tell them that they support Hamel Park as Shreveport's first dog park location.

FUNDRAISING
The less immediate but far more demanding task will be fundraising. By July of 2012 we need to have made significant progress toward our goal of $250,000, and the park itself needs to have been begun in construction, otherwise, we will lose any money we've raised and it will go to some other fund benefiting dogs and pets.
As part of training ourselves in how to ask for contributions, Steph and Cynthia played the roles of ABS members asking for help from business executives who might see value in having the name of their business displayed as a contributer to the park, and Loren and Carolyn played the roles of executives.
After the role play, Amy asked if about our budget and if we had set amounts yet for different name placements. The budget is $250,000 and a black powder chain link fence has been priced at $35,000. We also discussed various prices for displays, such as $1,000 for a brick to be displayed around a fountain. Amy said she was imagining a map that would be created on the website with various possible placements of company names. We would then recruit each company for particular advertizements and give them the different areas as options, numbered on the map. Amy noted that fundraisers have to be enthusiastic about the value of the company contributing and their involvement in the park, “Wev'e got to have you. It's a given.” Amy noted that the web site can be a conduit for donating. If we get the foundation down with the team, the tiers of possible contributors, etc., we'll be able to move ahead with a time-line that will schedule what we're going to do and who's going to do it. Carolyn noted that when she was fundraising for bringing trolleys to Dallas (which are now there!) a budget helped. Amy noted that a lot of places can afford to give $50,000 if it gets their name out there. But naming the park can be negative too, such as for people who might not like a particular company for whatever reason. We now have $1,700 and that's from two small fundraisers. A large event, in addition to approaching companies, will be help substantially. Amy suggested that we have a silent auction where people get dressed up and have fun and get people to buy into something that will improve the health of our community. Amy noted that the people that have big money aren't going to go to small events; it's see and be seen. We would need to make it important and have people care. Ask companies like Reeves Marine and others to give gifts, trips, etc.
Our Facebook stats indicate success so far and a lot of community buy-in: 111,000 views on our dog park page, and 667 users. A lot of our users are young women. Steph noted that most of the men are between 24 and 30; one person said they've heard young men saying they'd look forward to the dog park because of the single women that would be there. We can also advertize for sponsorships.
Amy's family has the Dogtired Ranch and raised money for that. Maybe there could be ties with this. Steph mentioned there could be workshops at the park as well.

ACTION ITEMS
On the action item of asking people to support the location of the dog park, Marissa said can get the word out at LSU Med School and Susan's husband is in graphic design and perhaps could help with a flyer. Health benefits for the person would be imporant for the flyer. We need a tag line. Something very brief and catchy and positive. Can talk about spay and neuter.
Another action item is needing to make a calendar that will reflect our overall strategic plan. That strategic action plan would include who's in charge of what and what we're going to do. But we need our army collected and identified. People that care will help. We can have 1 or 2 people from each place that would likely care and put them in charge some task and make them accountable.
Steph noted that when we get a fence donor (we have the labor donated already) we'll start building the fence as soon as the location is approved. Amy noted that we could maybe get a “founding member” who'd donate the fence. Steph noted that it's a lot about following up, and Amy said enthusiasm must seal the deal. “These guys are in, you need to be in. There's only a few spots left...” etc. Don't put the people out in front who aren't enthusiastic.
Loren noted that a handful of people with lots of money would give us what we need, more than a hundred of people who don't have much. Steph noted that although that's more barn building than raising, she's flexible and practical and would go along with that approach too.
NEXT WEEK: COATES BLUFF
Next week's meeting will focus on Coates Bluff. Jon, Steph and Loren met with Mike Renfroe last week, Loren has talked with a Shreveport connection who works at Rails-to-Trails in D.C. for help, and there'll be lots more to discuss!

2011-08-09T23:39:00.000-05:00

Inexpensive Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge, Newsletter, and Fundraising Training Discussed at Last Meeting

2011-08-03T17:57:00.004-05:00

In attendance: Andrew Gaiennie, Kathy Gregorio, Cynthia Kieth, Maurice Loridans, Loren Demerath, Susan Keith, Feico Kempff, Carolyn Manning

LOW WATER BRIDGES DISCUSSED AS INEXPENSIVE MEANS OF INCREASING CITY WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY

Maurice said he'd been up sleepless nights thinking about the bridge, and what alternative we might have if they don't give it to us (and he noted they might not because of ship to shore utilities in the present bridge, which might make them say it's not worth the bother of moving them).

Andrew Gaiennie surveyed the area at issue at the base of Woodlawn St. Andrew displayed three dimensional representation of the space he had constructed. It was very impressive and we're glad to have a person of Andrew's skills working with us!

Maurice said all we really need is called a low water bridge. A low water bridge is one that's built to be flooded and only used when the water is low. It's likely much less costly than a regular bridge. When the water is low Maurice remarked that he can almost ride through it as is.

Taking advantage of the low water most of the time has also been the basis for Loren's idea of possibly making a trough down the middle of the current drainage ditches to catch the low water, then put a grate over it, and you've got a pedestrian-bicycle way. The idea is to do something very low cost.

We'd been told that the bridge needed to be above the flood plain, but Maurice pointed out the obstruction of a permanent pipe that runs across the ditch just next to the Alexander bridge, and others remember another by Querbes and Fern.

Maurice had been thinking about inexpensive bridge possibilities, and one is to use two telephone poles with decking across them and to secure it with with big iron stakes and loggers' chain.

It was asked if that should be “Plan B” if we don't get the donated bridge? Loren noted it might could be “Plan A” since this could be easily replicated in other places around the city.

It was noted that telephone poles aren't easily moved; we'd need someone with a backhoe or something like that. Another idea would be a bridge arched with all timber, but it'd probably more fragile and much more expensive.

On Hassett Ave. and Hardy St. is an existing pedestrian bridge over a ditch near Atkins Park a block south of Judson School, built by the city, apparently.

The group also discussed using box culverts as a means of rising over the water in places such as under the bridge going under Kings Highway.

NEWSLETTER CORRECTED

The group discussed the newsletter and it was noted that Robert's phrasing in it of “No one in the city administration was capable of fast-tracking the dog park” didn't communicate the group's sentiment. We're going by the rules and we're very happy with the way things are going.

It also looks like Steph wrote it, when it was actually Robert, so we need to send out another one without the phrase, and noting the correction. Steph also noted that we should never use the words bureaucrats, politicians, or activists; instead government staffers, elected officials, advocates are more polite terms.

DOG PARK FUNDRAISING TRAINING MEETING NEXT WEEK

Next week we'll have a dog park meeting and train some of our fundraisers through role play how to sit down with someone and solicit a donation. Loren will play the role of the donor and already preparing for his role--he's got a theater background and is excited.

FUNDRAISING MOVING AHEAD FOR COATES BLUFF

Steph, Loren, and Jon met with Mike Renfroe, who is a private wildlife management specialist for the Red River Wildlife Refuge. They discussed how the RRWR can help in improving the trail.

Feico sent a letter to one donor asking him/her to consider donating $5-10K for Coates Bluff.

BIKE RIDE SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY THE 13^th

Carolyn and Steph said we'd do the bike ride on Satuday the 13^th.

DRAGON BOAT?

Cynthia said she wanted to get a dragon boat for the group, and Carolyn was also enthusiastic. Maurice said the Ozark Society had one last year. It takes 21 paddlers plus a drummer. Steph said we could partner with TACA. It gives some mild publicity and would be fun and is a great way to use the Riverfront but Maurice, Robert, and Loren had their doubts (old codgers, not much fun, etc.). Maurice noted that it's a commitment and if your team doesn't materialize you're out the money.

NEXT WEEK: FUNDRAISING TRAINING

Don't miss next week's meeting if you're up for a little role playing training for how to solicit donations for good community projects like a dog park!

Government Problems and Library Prospects Discussed at Last Meeting!

2011-07-27T23:05:00.003-05:00

In attendance: Andrew Gaiennie, William Hartman, Kathy Gregorio, Ron Heezem, Cynthia Kieth, Maurice Loridans, Loren Demerath

BLOG REPLACING EMAIL AS FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF TOPICS

The group first discussed how the blog is supposed to be used as a forum since the email list has now been deleted (and moved to “mailchimp.com”) in the interests of not cluttering people's inboxes. We had a lively discussion about funding bike-ped transportation and we had put it on the blog, Loren commented, and then Maurice made a separate thread, but would it work with the same success as email?

We thought becoming a “follower” of the blog would give us email updates, but Steph reports it will only fit 10 people. Andrew said google apps has a google reader, and it could function as a way of working around that limit. Mike Mayo is working on our web presence and may have solution for that by the time he's done.

501-c3 UPDATE

Loren updated the group that with the assistance of Accounting Professor Barbara Davis of the Centenary College Frost School of Business, they have completed the paper work and sent in the application to the IRS for non-profiting filing. However, they misread the filing fee amount and will need to send an additional $100.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE UPDATE

Progress is being made on the pedestrian bridge. We now have the engineer's report on the bridge. What we need now is to measure accurately the width of the drainage ditch we'll be crossing; it needs to be less than 60 feet in order to used the bridge we plan on asking for from the Sheriff's Department (they're not using it and we think they might be willing to donate it). Andrew Gaiennie said he happens to be a surveyor and has the equipment to make the measurement. (Thank you Andrew!)

An issue is whether it would interfere with flood water. A safe standard already established would seem to be the Betty Virginia park bridge. Making it that high could be a standard to shoot for. The height of King's and Alexander presumably would also be safe standards. Thus, there could be ramps constructed that would go up to the bridge that would be at the height of those streets.

It was noted that the city's elected officials on projects such as this have always been helpful; ABS has done lots of outreach work with officials, holding events, collecting signatures, etc., and documenting support for various city improvements. The same helpfulness hasn't been experienced, however, from certain staffers. What seems to happen is that the elected officials have to defer to the subject matter expert on the city staff. It was speculated that the expert can make up standards on the spot, and set them at an unattainable level. Such a tactic would serve the staffer's purpose of discouraging a city improvement that would otherwise mean more work for them, more strain on their budget, etc. An example of this was recently being told that the dog park had to be an expensive wrought iron fence, when a chain link fence is used throughout that area and in dog parks throughout the country.

UPDATE ON RENNOVATION OF YOUREE AND KINGS INTERSECTION:

We've learned through back channels that the city council doesn't want to ask the attorney general for an opinion on the application of the law that requires bicycle and pedestrians to be accommodated at the Youree and Kings intersection because they're worried the city engineers will delay the work for at least two years if they do so.

Steph has looked at the plan and said it calls for all the current landscaping to be taken out and as much new concrete put in as possible. It also appears the manhole covers would be right in the tires' way. Usually manhole covers are inbetween the lanes so that cars don't have to swerve to avoid them. It was noted that only a transportation engineer or transportation planner would know about that. Steph (the latter) asked why it happened and Jeff Everson passed on that question, and the engineers said they decide on the placements in the field. That means they don't use a plan, or a planner to decide their placement. There are other examples of unplanned construction that, therefore, does not use the standard best practices. For example, Shreveport doesn't use the universal paint patterns of vertical stripes for pedestrian crosswalks. Instead, they use horizontal lines that waste paint as they become worn out and as tires run over them. William pointed to another example of unplanned construction at the pedestrian crossing in front of the Barnwell Center where there is a crosswalk with no curb cut or entry onto the sidewalk.

(Editor's note: it's an open question as to whether these problems are due to not having enough planners on the city staff, the negligence of the planners that are on the staff, or to the negligence of others that should be using city planners for projects but bypass them. If such a bypass is to keep costs down, it would be shortsighted. Poorly designed infrastructure costs the city in the long run, and the cost of planning is minimal. The Youree & Kings intersection is a 10 million dollar project, and the cost of planning would be in the neighborhood of one quarter of one percent of that total, and likely could be had for even less.)

THE IMPORTANCE AND FUTURE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

Ron Heezen, Executive Director of the Caddo Parrish Public Library Systemonas a guest on the radio show “Time For A Better Shreveport” on KSCL 91.3 at 5 p.m. that evening, and the group was happy to have him there at the meeting as well. He spoke about the library system and it's importance for the community and its future. He noted that Caddo Parrish has 21 branch libraries. When they were going through the applications for building them, they were told not go for Lead Certification. But Ron said he would like to make them Lead Certified, and, where possible, self-sustaining and geothermal. The rationale includes the fact that such design saves money for tax payers in the long run. In Lavista, Nebraska the total heating and colling bill is now less than half of what it was for the old building that was a fraction of the size of the current new building. He is also planning on doing this with grant money, not tax dollars. They're also renovating the old Western Electric building that became the Verizon call center building. In that renovation, too, they'll be trying to reduce the amount of tax dollars that goes for energy. Everything that now happens on the fourth floor of the main library will go to the new building; that will save money and time in loading. It should allow a more efficient and cost effective administration of the library system.

Steph asked what percentage of our millage goes towards libraries, and Ron answered it is 8.9% of our property taxes. Steph noted that is was striking that we've never had a private source of support for the libraries which means people can't donate to the library if they want to. The Friends of Shreve Memorial Library Group isn't a 501-c3. However, Ron has recently helped form the new Shreve Memorial Library Foundation Incorporated that will be a non-profit organization to which people can donate to support the libraries.

Ron also noted other changes, such “Overdrive,” the software that the library now uses to allow patrons to download electronic content; why pay for an ebook?

Ron said he thought ABS could be a partner in the process of applying for grants to fund green construction, and members of the group were enthusiastic about that possibility.

It was noted that another area for ABS supporting libraries is as bike-ped destinations. There could be something akin to “safe-routes-schools” for libraries that would work to establish bike-ped means of traveling to libraries. Loren noted that one of the nicest walks in the city is along the “duck pond” from Shreveport-Barksdale to the Broadmoor branch, but one has to do it on the grass; there is no sidewalk or trail, though there easily could be. William noted that at the Hamilton branch there's a nice sidewalk going along the forested area out to Baird Rd., but nowhere along the road itself to walk. Neither on that road nor Bert Koons is it really possible for pedestrians to walk comfortably. (Loren happened to be working there this morning and watched a pedestrian walk—unsafely, it seemed—along Baird Rd.; also saw a cute armadillo scampering around the forested area where the sidewalk is.)

The group was grateful for Ron's attendance and enthusiastic about partnering with the library system to improve the quality of life in our fair city!

Next week's meeting will again be at Centenary Square, 6 to 7 p.m., and anyone is welcome!

Please feel free to comment to this post on anything related to these minutes, or, for that matter, anything else related to improving our city!

ABetterShreveport Meeting Monday, July 18 , 2011 @ Centenary Square

2011-07-25T09:24:00.009-05:00

Agenda:

Dr. Gary Joiner discussion about the dog park partnership as it relates to the Civil War Bluff.
Bike facility public/private funding discussion continuation from our list serve
August membership ride planning at Stoner Park Trails
Coates Bluff recap & proposal discussion

In Attendance: Gary Joiner, Susan Keith, Cynthia Keith, David Young, William Hartman, Feico Kempff, Maurice Loridans, Steph Pedro

Gary Joiner:

The hill at Hamel Memorial Park is not a hill, it’s a berm in the middle of the floodplain. It was on the Bossier side of river, but the river jumped to the other side in 1860. The berm was the site of the Chalk Level Plantation (part of Foster plantation) from west of Clyde Fant Parkway to the other side of the Louisiana Downs Racetrack--totaling 26,000 acres. The property was then sold to Fulllove. Confederates came in and augmented the hill to be a fort in anticipation of troops coming up the Red River. The troops never came. Gary says the berm's name is now Fort Boggs. Gary reviewed a diary of a soldier's journals that marched 3 hours from downtown (McNeil) to guard armory at Fort Boggs. Gary has brought in 6 different military National Park Service experts which have identified that a bomb proof, ammo round depression, gun platforms, ramp for guns, and carriage park all exist at the site. It holds 20 guns, but had 4 based on what we know. If you look from above, it’s shaped like a bat wing. There are 4 platforms. There were rifle pits, but the Corps of Engineers destroyed them in 1988 while 'directing the flow' of the Red River. Boring samples were taken down to 16 feet underground. There is a buried elephant on the other berm at Hamel's Memorial Park.

Gary Joiner and ABS agreed to establish a partnership between SDPA and LSU Red River History Center, which he is the director of. Marker should go near the parking lot. The fence should go all the way to the river. There is a steep bluff at the river.

Is there a way to leverage the fence into the historic marker? We will need to go through the state to establish the significance of the site, and Gary can help us. The marker cost is between $1200-1500. Jameel Damlouji from the Northwest LA Archaeological Society, United Daughters of Confederacy, and the Sons of Confederacy will be able to fund the marker. Gary has assisted with 6 markers already. Gary is also president of the Battlefield of Mansfield, another organization to assist in the historic marker funding and civil war-related events and activities at Fort Boggs in the future.

Coates Bluff Recap
Steph Pedro is working on a proposal to Caddo Parish for surveying, design, and establishing a conservation easement for Coates Bluff.

1866 was when the railroad came through the VA/Coates Bluff area.

February 1838 was when the cut off of the Red River happened.

Feico asked if the property near the Hopewell Cemetery is state-owned. Clay Carter of state land office will know if they own the stream bed.

Bike Co-op Grant Progress

Maurice says that he wants to open the bike co-op the day that gas is $5.00/gallon. Stacye Palmer, National Park Service, is writing the bike co-op grant now. Garrett Johnson is assisting her.

August 13 Membership Ride Planning at Stoner Park Trails

Carolyn (event chair): Bike Tri Event consists of meeting at Carolyn's Pie Table at the farmer's market to eat what we choose, and then bike ride north on the Red River Trail to Stoner Park, then ride on the Stoner trails if you have a wide-wheel bike.

Where: 8:30 Farmer's Market Breakfast
9am Market-To-Stoner Ride
9:30-11am Stoner Trails Riding

Maurice met someone who just moved from Florida who could not enter the farmer's market with their bikes. Noma was notified and did not approve of this.

Member News

Susan Keith: Diane Cappo will get the trials grant for us to use on Coates Bluff.

Stephanie Pedro: Thanks to the Community Foundation, ABS partnered with ThinkFirst and received a $25,000 grant with the stipulation that the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and DOTD all contribute their share of funds to the plan! This is a true public-private partnership!

William Hartman: Should we write a response to the Times Editorial? It was decided to not write a response at this time.

Maurice: To continue the Bike facility public/private funding discussion from our list serve...bikes once ruled the roads along with horses and buggies. Then cars just widened them and used them as their own, becoming the dominant use of roads.

A Discussion on Public vs. Private Funding

2011-07-18T16:18:00.000-05:00

We've been meeting to move our online discussions from email to the blog. This will allow us to preserve them, perhaps for reference later, but also to reduce the email load for all of us.

So let's try that here. I've copied the text of the discussion below. If anyone wants to contribute, please make a comment. (I have!)

Dear “A Better Shreveport” Members,

Legislation to eliminate funding for federally funded biking and walking programs will be introduced in the House of Representatives shortly.

A link is provided in the attachment below that will direct a letter to our representatives. There is a prerecorded message but you are welcome to edit the message however you would like. You are encouraged to highlight how the programs apply or may apply directly to you in your community. The “Take Action!” link will direct you to another page.

I know many in the organization are strong proponents for enhanced connectivity and I thought I would pass along the message.

Best regards,

Will Loe, ASLA

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Are we really considering even going forward on this? With the current economic situation, shouldn't we also being doing our part to control federal spending? I know that this is a minute portion of the enormous federal deficit and with upcoming budget cuts looking at medicaid and medicare; I feel we should examine ways to offset those cuts so deserving seniors can get the quality care they need.

Sincerely,

Bobby R. Lister

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Bobby Lister,

I'd argue it doesn't save money cut spending on things that eventually earn or save us more money. Think about how a good transportation system--including a well planned pedestrian and bicycle component--attracts people to living and investing in a city. And think about how it would save on health care costs down the road. For example, seniors deserve a safe environment to walk in; if they had it, they'd walk more and need less health care. (You should see the situation my 75 year old mother is in! I can't get her out of the house for a walk!)

- Loren Demerath

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Mr. Lister,

I don’t disagree with your sentiment and agree that every federally funded program should be scrutinized.

Personally I believe the gesture is political and the amount allocated toward the Enhancements is a crumb of a crumb of a crumb. A great deal of effort went into getting that crumb however and in my opinion most of the projects that benefit from the provision create quality of life improvements that most would support and could not happen otherwise.

Obviously I am in favor of Transportation Enhancements but you are welcome to use the link to voice your opinion. You will want to erase the preprinted message and then you can type anything you like. Regardless it’s nice to have a say.

Best regards,

Will Loe, ASLA
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This is the challenge of cutting government budgets. We all believe our passion should be funded. I agree with Bobby, but it will be painful.

Take Minnesota. First things to go are fishing licenses and beer. It's the government's way of making a point.
I believe in biking and walking programs. I don't know if the inefficiencies of federal funding are the best way to make them happen.
- David Young
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Mr. Loe, I just have to wonder how many "crumbs" are out there across this country? I would rather see this funding go away than to keep this and cut the previously mentioned programs that our seniors, veterans and disabled citizens depend on for assistance. I don't mean to step on your toes, I realize this is near and dear to you. I can only reference what FDR had to face and the way the people pulled together and everybody sacrificed to get this country back on its feet. Sure wish we had that same spirit now! Just one man's opinion.....

Sincerely,

Bobby R. Lister
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Mr. Lister,

The FDR administration was responsible for the greatest parks and recreation building program this country has ever undertaken. Trail construction and park facilities across the country were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), employing thousands of out of work laborers. From 1933-1942 the CCC planted nearly 3 billion trees to help reforest America, constructed more than 800 parks nationwide and upgraded most state parks, updated forest fire fighting methods, and built a network of service buildings and public roadways in remote areas.

The CCC performed 300 possible types of work projects within ten approved general classifications:

• Structural Improvements: bridges, fire lookout towers, service buildings;
• Transportation: truck trails, minor roads, foot trails and airport landing fields;
• Erosion Control: check dams, terracing and vegetable covering;
• Flood Control: irrigation, drainage, dams, ditching, channel work, riprapping;
• Forest Culture: planting trees and shrubs, timber stand improvement, seed collection, nursery work;
• Forest Protection: fire prevention, fire pre-suppression, fire fighting, insect and disease control;
• Landscape and Recreation: public camp and picnic ground development, lake and pond site clearing and development;
• Range: stock driveways, elimination of predatory animals;
• Wildlife: stream improvement, fish stocking, food and cover planting;
• Miscellaneous: emergency work, surveys, mosquito control

The CCC was the most popular of all programs instituted during the New Deal. We still benefit today from this work program. Ever been to Caddo Lake State Park?

Sir, I am not sure that all those whom you feel might be entitled a priority during this current fiscal crisis would necessarily agree with your sentiments. That spirit of cooperation and shared sacrifice does exist, though it seems everywhere but Washington, DC. Thank you for expressing your opinion. Have a good day.

William Hartman
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Loren,

You make good points and I agree on the need for those results. However, we've got to stop turning to the Feds for all of our funding needs. More and more of these beneficial projects need to be undertaken by local and/or private investments. If Shreveport was seen as a city that recognizes these issues and addresses them ourselves, we'd enhance our quality of living here even more.

Dan
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Dan,

Our City (public and nonprofits) is beginning to walk down the path of recognizing issues and working to address them. SRAC just got a grant that will include employing local artists to create artsy bike racks, the DDA and ABS helped Sportran decide on bike rack locations for downtown, and the DDA has initiated a public/private committee to oversee the Edwards Streetscape project.

But the funding of bike paths requires a lot more funds than a $2500 bike rack. To put it into perspective, the Preston Extension trail cost was $180,000. Local funds DO match these investments from 5% to 50%, depending on the program.

Would you suggest that we raise the money privately to fund the paths? Perhaps a Bike Trust Fund?

Stephanie
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Stephanie,

Since you ask, yes. My personal perspective is that communities are healthiest (in all aspects) if they are promoted and supported from w/in. Having involvement by the people who benefit from the said project encourages a sense of ownership, pride, accomplishment and more. Which are additional social "good" not achieved by receiving funding from a detached uninvolved entity. I believe it would benefit our community more if the grants you speak of came from local entities and not from a federal government department. If ABS was able to solicit and encourage private entities to contribute these funds (matching or otherwise) we'd have even greater civic-pride and improved quality of life than we are already pursuing.

Dan
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Point well-made, Dan!

Stephanie
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Bobby, Dan, et al.,

First, what a great exchange!

I've got some semi-philosophical questions: what's the correct use of public vs. private wealth? When should something be publically vs. privately funded? Does it depend on one's philosophy, the needs of the moment, or something else? I'm generally pro-public funding; for example, I'm glad my taxes went to building a skate-board park, even though I don't skate board.

Another question: is government necessarily "inefficient," as Dan implies? Might not private funding properly be seen as just as inefficient, considering the profit that's taken? And can't there be good, efficient, accountable government? I'll Dan could provide examples from his air force career of both good and bad government administration, but that doesn't mean the bad has to be there, does it?

But my biggest question is about where we get the money. Isn't it up to our government officials to raise that money from us by making a good argument for it? And that's their job, not mine. That's how we get more "crumbs".

I agree with Bobby, though, that it seems like people were willing to sacrifice more in the FDR era. Too bad. We accomplish a lot if we donate a few crumbs for public goods. I would love to pay an increase in taxes, for example, that went to build systems of bike paths that could be used for transportation.

- Loren
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Loren,

Wow, those are some heady questions. I'll respond briefly since most of the questions were directed towards me.

1. Public wealth is private wealth redirected, whose use should be constrained to established essential functions of government operations independent of personal philosophy or moment. 2. Anything outside of the essential operations should be privately funded. 3. Yes, I'm generally pro-private funding for the reasons expressed earlier in the thread. 4. Private funding, by its nature, is generally more efficient because the profits that are being donated for public use were made by a private business taking a great risk and therefore are less apt to be spent frivolously. 5. The USAF has many times been the example of good "administration" (I think you meant efficient operation) and sometimes not. But it is always accountable to the direction of its civilian leadership. 6. Yes, money is the question (many times) and I believe ABS is a large part of the solution. Let's take "bike paths" as a generic topic. I believe the funds should first be solicited from the ones who'll most benefit from the solution. An incomplete list would include, bike dealers, sporting equipment retailers, bike clubs, athletic nutrition retailers, national-scale athletic goods & services manufacturers, heath-care providers, fitness promoters, etc. These are the entities that ABS should be reaching out to for funding. This is an area where ABS could really make its mark on the city and champion the promotion of private-funding for public good. 7. As expressed, it is not government officials' job to make arguments to raise and spend more of our money. It is to execute the required government functions in the most efficient manner possible - preferably on less (crumbs) tax revenue. 8. I believe the recently passed bond will give you an opportunity to contribute more of your private wealth for those worthy causes as well as provide opportunities for private investment in complimentary endeavors.

I hope I've provided some solutions beneficial to the discussion.
Dan
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Dan, your list in #6 shows the bias we have had in bike facilities in Shreveport. All recreation and fitness. That's why the trails didn't connect useful destinations. ABS wants bike ped facilities for transportation. The arguments you list would be great if you also believed in private funding for auto centric facilities. Do you?

Maurice
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And I'm posting my response as a comment to this post. For a while at least, we'll try using the blog for these discussions.

A Better Shreveport focused on the Coates Bluff map

2011-07-12T11:06:00.005-05:00

A Better Shreveport on Coates Bluff , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Hydrologist and LSUS faculty member Gary Hanson, director of Red River Watershed Management Institute (RRWMI) joined the meeting on Coates Bluff nature Trail held recently at Montessori School for Shreveport.

COATES BLUFF PLANNING MEETING III

July 12, 2011

In attendance: Garrett Johnson, Jennette Ginsberg, Robert Trudeau, Gary Hanson, Cynthia Keith, Sid Crump, Dan Goodman, Susan Keith, William Hartman, Will Loe, Jon Soul, Nadine Charity

We began with introductions and members who had tasks reported on their progress.

Robert has contacted Larry Raymond to further explore partnerships w/ land trust entities. The birding group is more interested in birding than administering the Audubon Society.

Sid asked the group about a trail along the river which is falling in and it was noted by a geologist that was probably the reason for the kids drowning last summer because Petrohawk was pumping sand and it has become a hazard along the river--literally quick sand.

Cynthia will bring the dog park committee to Coates Bluff, and introduce with dogs, and help install poop stands.

Robert called The Times and they will run a correction about the four-year old photo on the front page introducing the Dog Park, and they have made the correction on their website. Robert asked about the situation on the wrought iron fence. Oliver Jenkins will talk to Shelly Ragle about existing chain length fences on the riverfront, including the city-owned chain length fence at Stoner Boat Launch.

Sid has hiked the trail since he was 9 years old. Has a friend with the Caddo Commission that is interested in seeing a proposal for our protection plan, including a conceptual bike path.

Dan supports the safety and enhancement of the existing and future bike path along Clyde Fant Pkwy. He lives on Preston, and hates the zoning changes that have led to the degradation of the neighborhood , and is interested in keeping property values.

Susan has been studying Coates Bluff since 1989, and placed a historical marker at Olive & Youree in 1987. She works at the Red River History Center downtown. Dianne Kappos says there are grants that we can tap into since Coates Bluff is located in Bossier Parish.

Feico reported the Audubon Society has funds that are available, but we need a chapter, and would take 6 months to get it together. We would need 40 members, and 25 individual members. We can call the Audubon Society any name that we want. Tyler, TX is the closest society to Shreveport.

Nadine got in touch with art teachers and came up with ideas for painting sewer culverts with educational themes.
Feico noted the artists could also help with signage. The other item would be a tree show in the fall.

Jon reported a Stoner Hill clean up about one month ago that he visited and took a group through Hopewell Cemetary, and spoke with Jeff Everson about some tax dollars coming to town for historical purposes, and sent him the edmodo link, and Jeff was interested in an inventory of headstones. There is an access trail, and we need to put up a gate, and need a stairstep that could be accomplished by September. He needs 10 people for a Saturday clean up--Sid will help. Robert can get Magnet students in September as the students need to ‘buy in’. A manhole cover is busted on the trail and there are noticeable signs of discharge. Jon took a pic and sent to Shreveport Streets & Drainage and asked if any heavy machinery would be involved, but has not heard back from them. Jon spoke with Friends of Red River Wildlife and asked if Coates Bluff can be encompassed, but it can’t. But Red River Wildlife can do specific invitations. Jon spoke with Mary Anne Bowie about watershed protection as being a viable tool for education for Coates Bluff. This is a great model for teaching watershed studies. Jon looked at City DOS, and talked about a stormwater quality issue. A grate WOULD NOT be blocking the water, it would be blocking the trash flow. There are 4 stations that could be installed. Susan said check with the National Geographic as she did a storm drain in University Terrace, and they provided stenciling paint. There is a lot of light trash. Susan asked if there were federal laws that are eroding the cemetery graves that protect it? Archeaologic. There are military family located in the park.

William asked what the School Board intention is and they said tell them what you want and they will decide.

Red River Watershed Management Institute (RRWMI)
The Red River Management CEA is twenty years old. Gary Hanson plans to extend it as a park. Gary asked if there is a plan for Veterans Park. It has incredible topography and geological, boulders could be part of the outreach, and Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS) is doing a lot of boulders and moved a 22,000 pound sandstone/ironstone boulder from the I-49 corridor to the RRWMI. These are great exposures and need some signage with LGS to get involved. Steph asked if that model was applicable to Coates Bluff. Gary responded that he modeled the RRWMI after the Savannah, GA hydrology model of research. Gary wanted the oxbow lake to be a research park and brought the idea to Murray Lloyd. Murray did the politics, and Gary did the science. The Committee went to the national level including the National Wetlands Center, Corps of Engineers, Jim Holt, Port Authority, and LSU faculty. Lots of meetings took place, and Mayor Hightower approved the agreement between him and the Chancellor because the Mayor thought it would cut costs to the City, but it came with a full spectrum of disciplines and a built park was a way to pull together ideas and purchase 30 acres (Board of Regents), 10 on soccer field, 20 on other side of levee. The LSU President was involved, and LSUS applied for grants with EPA, Rep. McCrery for infrastructure, water wells, and infrared mapping. On the Educational Committee, three teachers came in and required others to be instructors. The building was funded by a McCrery earmark, and gas companies currently want to donate funds to study better methods of water management. The Committee consisted of 40 people, then a steering committee was formed to carry out the plan. It consisted of 2 city appointmees (mayor and Shelly, Wes Wyche), 2 university appointees, and one rotating public member appointee, and the LSU Chancellor. Bill Bebe is the public member, The process began in 1998 the RRWMI formed in 2000.

Water Resources Committee was born out of RRWMI, a committee with oil/gas operators. The Water Energy Working Group is another initiative which has national attention because it has been a leader of being proactive and getting gas operators off ground water. 70% of water used for fracing is now surface water. Before the Water Energy Working Group formed, 100% ground water was used for fracing. Other successes of the RRWMI include an Adaptive Management Water Act passed, and Gary got to write the application. This act deals with water ownership. The City owns all flow rights now.

Right To Play, Inc: Dr Karen Gordon created the Leaps and Bounds playground in AC Steere Park, Shreveport

2011-07-12T11:02:00.001-05:00

Carolyn Manning, Robert Trudeau, Dr Karen Gordon, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Right to Play, Inc was established when it was determined that children with disabilities in the Shreveport, Louisiana area were denied an aspect of life that other children and their parents take for granted: access to a playground that would provide rigorous and challenging fun for children of all abilities." That's from the history of the non-profit group at righttoplay.org.

"RTP was founded in 1999 by Karen Gordon, a Shreveport veterinarian, who was moved by a magazine story about a barrier-free playground project in Connecticut. She identified six other community members willing to devote volunteer energy to ensure all children in the Shreveport - Bossier City community would have equal access to play."

The city of Shreveport happily accepted the donation of the park to AC Steere park.

Upkeep of the Leaps and Bounds facility remains an ongoing concern.

During the recent interview on KSCL Dr Gordon said that being independent of the city afforded the organization the ability to avoid the lowest bid process and find the best-possible designers and manufacturers.

Inspired by the Coates Bluff Trail, Libby Patterson, caterer, offers tohelp ABS with event planning and food prep

2011-07-06T23:17:00.001-05:00

Coates Bluff Nature Trail: Libby Patterson, Pam Raintree, Randall Ross, Will Smith, Susan Keith, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Erik, Ava and I again enjoyed the Coates Bluff Nature Loop a couple of weekends ago (actually it was Erik's first time and he loved it!). We met a gentleman who was fishing and had great things to say about the trail and also told us about some trails by the river," writes food maven Libby Patterson.

"I wanted to express that Erik and I want to support that project and extension, and all that A Better Shreveport is doing. We're not able to come to meetings yet (opposite schedules and Ava), but we can help with maintenance/presence and trail usage...
In the meantime, I also wanted to offer help in something I do have a little experience in: food and event planning. I'm not sure who to speak to about this, but please volunteer my services for the next time you have a gathering you need help with...I've done it pro bono for minicine for years...hot dogs or hummus, I'm there :)"

ABS must be on a righteous path, seems to me, to win such an offer of support.

Libby's blog is called Gogreenly.com.

- Robert Trudeau

Complete Streets: It’s About More Than Bike Lanes

2011-07-06T17:59:00.000-05:00

Complete Streets: It’s About More Than Bike Lanes

Shreveport, we have the opportunity to soon see Kings/Youree -- Youree/E. Washington -- Shreveport-Barksdale/E. Kings as depicted in this fabulous video.

Lets not design to make it more unsafe to bicycles and pedestrians than it already is. If we created a safe environment, then we would all use it!

June 27 ABetterShreveport.org Meeting Minutes

2011-06-30T17:30:00.000-05:00

In attendance: Mike Mayo, Jennette Ginsburg, William Hartman, Feico Kempff, Carolyn Manning, Susan Keith, Cynthia Keith, Robert Trudeau, Garrett Johnson, Jack Waterman

Capacity Building

Jennette explained change.org. Any future issue that ABS has can be enhanced through change.org. Please tell your friends and colleagues to sign our petition demanding crosswalks at three intersections currently in design mode: Youree/Kings; Youree/E.Washington; E. Kings/Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy. http://www.change.org/petitions/shreveport-deserves-crosswalks-at-three-major-intersections-undergoing-design

Jennette has been looking at Google Group emails and splitting up our communication channels with the general membership using MailChimp monthly or bi-monthly newsletter with special editions. Mike mentioned that some stuff can be automated.

Jennette suggests a point person for our communications and massaging our minutes. It’s important that this stay brief, and Robert will lead the effort. Jennette will send an email to abs and inform them of the changes this week.

There will be a separate board-only google group. A separate committee group, like Coates Bluff, should have a google group. The Dog Park Alliance has a Facebook(FB) site as their media. Brian Salvatore’s group Education group should have a google group. The radio show group needs to post on the Abettershreveport Facebook page. A Facebook site could be the radio show group. We will use keywords to link back to the blog.

Jack is going to get a site for us to upload to a plug-in. Stephanie will send a webapp.

Jennette asked if there are any other groups that need to be added. We should have a link to TACA, HRA, Community Foundation, and Minicine on the website and blog.

Coates Bluff

Robert got in touch with Larry Raymond, and Larry thinks it is too much for his group.

Garrett will ask Montessorri if we can hold the meeting there.

Member Updates/Remarks

Garrett thought bicycle caps with ABS logo is a good sale item for Velo Dendro.

Stephanie ordered chalk for the Velo Dendro.

Jack said that there are drawings of naked women and profanity when the 'I Wish I Were' stickers were posted on abandoned buildings. It would be good for an event to be shortly posted on the buildings. Another one that Candy Chang did was a mural that says 'Before I Die I Want To...'.

James Scott, Stoner Trails FB page is wanting to do a path from the VA to the Veterans Park. Carolyn has been following him on FB and has invited him to invite ABS to volunteer. Carolyn will coordinate beginning two weeks from now. Jennette thinks it would be a great introduction to cross interests and memorialize veterans. ABS is in need of a member ride, so expect one in late July/early August!

Tuesday, the ordinance for off-leash laws was read. It was offered if we need support.

No meeting on Mon, July 4, nor a KSCL broadcast

2011-06-29T11:07:00.001-05:00

What's the greenest building in the region? probably the Port of Shreveport Regional Commerce Center

2011-06-29T10:27:00.001-05:00

Port of Shreveport Regional Commerce center, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Members of A Better Shreveport recently took advantage of a LEED-focused tour of Port of Shreveport HQ building.

It is designed at attract business to the port, both by its progressive image and by being available to companies as a temp HQ.

On a site off Youree Dr / Hwy 1 some 5 miles south of LSUS, it's so hip there's a bike rack on the ground floor.

ABS member Will Loe was landscape architect for the project.

Pratt Industries, Shreveport's recycling center, is the star tenant at the Port of Shreveport. I was told off the record by Nancy Larned that Pratt will soon announce that they have found a way to recycle glass products.