After hosting a suite full of family and friends (including his special guest, Lynn Braggs) at the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26, Mayor Perkins has now returned to Shreveport from his London holiday, where he celebrated the New Year, and by all appearances, he seems rested and ready to begin his second year in office.

Many feel the recent City Internal Auditor’s report to the Shreveport City Council, regarding the switching of the city’s insurance policies by Shreveport Mayor Perkins earlier this year, merits much closer attention. For many others, however, they may say, “This is old news,” and urge us all to just “move along.

Politicians are usually expected to represent their constituents’ preferences. But some would say that a simple majority rule is an imperfect method of representing the people, insofar as individual constituents do not make for good decisions in complex questions.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says the “rumor mill” was responsible for generating the allegations that he ordered the City’s police and fire departments not to help Bossier City, or the Secret Service, with the visit last week by President Donald Trump.

Do you ever have a hunch or gut feeling? Where you are convinced, almost instantly, by feelings that you cannot always explain? Some folks call this intuition, which comes from the Latin word “intueri,” meaning “knowledge from within.

“When it comes to Shreveport’s success, division is a luxury we cannot afford,” Perkins said. “Everyone must have a seat at the table. Not because it is fashionable, but because each seat provides a unique perspective, a particular take on what it means to live, to love and to struggle in Shreveport.

And while others may demonize, belittle or smear us for what we believe, defending yourself can be exhausting – even being hated by people who have known you for years simply because you expressed a conservative position or supported a Republican politician.

You can also raise the minimum wage (even when the Congressional Budget Office says it will actually cause thousands in Louisiana to lose their jobs).