Low Turnout for Speak Outs
By: Jenna Zibton
Updated: September 16, 2009
Empty seats were seen at Woodlawn High School cafeteria where people gathered to speak out about their vision for Shreveport and the five miles outside city limits.
Tessa Allen attended the Master Plan neighborhood meetings. "I basically wanted find out what was going on, how I could be a part of improving the community." She is one of about 200 people attending similar meetings since Monday.
"For this area, I think it [the turnout] is a little low. I'm sure a lot of people didn't get the information and know we were having a meeting tonight. It's a little sparse" says former Shreveport Fire Chief Jim Roberts. He attended a meeting at Northwood High School.
"We're not going to complain about the numbers, we're just going to continue to take it to the people and invite them to give us their input. Numbers certainly are good but the quality of the ideas that we're getting. I'm mean, we're not disappointed at all" says Citizens Advocacy Group Co-Chair David Aubrey.
There are many reasons why people didn't attend. Some people told us they did not know about the meetings or they were more worried about 2012 than 2030.
Willie Byrd has lived in Shreveport for five years. He says "We all need to come out and participate in the community things like this and have our say say because if something goes down, we can't say were weren't there to participate."
The Thursday, September 17th Speak Outs are from 6-8:30 p.m at Green Oaks High School, Byrd High School and Fair Park High School.
After this week's neighborhood meetings, the community advisory group will host specialized caucuses about revitalizing downtown, infrastructure, quality of life and the arts.
For more information visit www.shreveportcaddomasterplan.com
Tessa Allen attended the Master Plan neighborhood meetings. "I basically wanted find out what was going on, how I could be a part of improving the community." She is one of about 200 people attending similar meetings since Monday.
"For this area, I think it [the turnout] is a little low. I'm sure a lot of people didn't get the information and know we were having a meeting tonight. It's a little sparse" says former Shreveport Fire Chief Jim Roberts. He attended a meeting at Northwood High School.
"We're not going to complain about the numbers, we're just going to continue to take it to the people and invite them to give us their input. Numbers certainly are good but the quality of the ideas that we're getting. I'm mean, we're not disappointed at all" says Citizens Advocacy Group Co-Chair David Aubrey.
There are many reasons why people didn't attend. Some people told us they did not know about the meetings or they were more worried about 2012 than 2030.
Willie Byrd has lived in Shreveport for five years. He says "We all need to come out and participate in the community things like this and have our say say because if something goes down, we can't say were weren't there to participate."
The Thursday, September 17th Speak Outs are from 6-8:30 p.m at Green Oaks High School, Byrd High School and Fair Park High School.
After this week's neighborhood meetings, the community advisory group will host specialized caucuses about revitalizing downtown, infrastructure, quality of life and the arts.
For more information visit www.shreveportcaddomasterplan.com
