The REAL Future of Bossier High School

Bossier Press Tribune reporter Hal Braswell needs an education.  I don’t mean a formal education – he received his formal education in Illinois and in Mississippi.  Mr. Braswell, who lives in Minden and has worked for the Bossier Press Tribune since 2007, needs to come to Bossier High School and see what we do every day. 

Mr. Braswell published an article in the Bossier Press that has ignited a firestorm on Facebook this weekend.  His article, “The Future of Bossier High,” reports on an upcoming demographic report about projected enrollment numbers for Bossier High School.

I’d link to the article, but as of this writing, the Bossier Tribune’s site is still down – it crashed sometime yesterday. Karma?

The article says:

“A demographer’s report being finalized for the Bossier Parish School Board will project student enrollment from 2014 to 2014 and could provide a glimpse into the future.”

Mr. Braswell goes on to report what we all know:  Bossier City is growing outward, north, south, and east.  New schools have been approved and built in those areas; Legacy and Parkway are both shiny, new schools that help accommodate those populations.  Mr. Braswell also reports that Bossier Parish’s two largest high schools, Airline and Parkway, are both scheduled for big money enhancements that the voters approved in 2012:

“Airline High School, already the largest in Bossier Parish, is scheduled for a $22.65 million enhancement that will bump its capacity to 2,000 students. Parkway High School, only a few years removed from locating to an entirely new campus in south Bossier, is slated for a 12-classroom addition in Phase Two of the $210 million bond issue approved by voters in April 2012.”

This is all true and I have no objection with what Mr. Braswell reported up to this point.  It is in the next paragraph of his article that things start to get fuzzy: 

“At a time that millions of dollars are earmarked for expansion and other improvements at Airline High School and Parkway High School, figures provided by the school district show Bossier High School is sitting half empty.”

Mr. Braswell reports that the school has the capacity for 1,361 students.  Now, let’s pause there for a moment.  The school might have been built with that many classrooms in 1938 (the date the current campus was designed), but today some of those classrooms have been turned into computer labs to accommodate modern day
technology requirements and instruction.  We have at least four wired computer labs in the two main buildings as well as several mobile laptop labs, and the library has two computer labs.  There is also a mini-lab in the counselor's office area.  In all, we have about ten computer labs on campus.

Note also that last summer Bossier High received a major electrical upgrade from bond money approved by voters.  The school also has a $150,000 auditorium upgrade coming.  The auditorium at Bossier High is used for many parish functions including the annual parish musical, Lions Club functions, Bossier Council on Aging functions, and parish wide food service training annually to name a few.

Mr. Braswell’s statement that “Bossier High School is sitting half empty” is very misleading.  Tell that Geometry teacher with thirty-three kids in her classroom that her class is “half-empty” and see what happens.  There are no empty classrooms in Bossier High School, and I invite Mr. Braswell to come see what goes on in those classrooms.  I also invite any alumni, especially those on Facebook who are suggesting we lock the doors in 2017 and have a huge alumni party, (imagine!) to come see what we do at Bossier High School every single day.  Come embrace and support our hard work rather than give up on us.

I wonder if Mr. Braswell was at the Senior Awards Assembly last week.  Bossier High School students received thousands of dollars in scholarships to schools all over the country.  We also recognized students who are planning to go into the military after graduation.  The Bossier High School Alumni Association, in fact, gave several very generous scholarships at that assembly.  Our students are achieving great things which should be supported and celebrated.

We just completed Senior Project last week; our seniors (both semesters) have done incredible work with their projects and achieved things they never thought they could.  And I don’t mean just the physical project that each student did; many of these kids did these projects under incredible hardships that I can’t even begin to share. 

Part of Mr. Braswell’s thesis is that Bossier High School’s population is an inner-city, declining, poverty ridden population.  That is demographically true but it doesn’t take into account the personal aspect of our population.  These kids aren’t numbers.  They’re people.  They’re students, and they’re kids with heart, drive and pride.

Some suggest that we just blend these kids into Parkway (already with a population of about 1,200) and Airline (population about 1,700).  One of the comments I saw this weekend in the discussion about closing Bossier High School is that it’s a numbers and demographics issue, not an emotional one.  Well of course it’s an emotional issue.  I’m here to tell you that as a teacher at Bossier High School since 2001, I have personally seen kids who have had that “grass is greener” mentality; they’ll transfer to one of the bigger schools and then come right back.  They get swallowed up at those big schools.  It should also be noted that when the kids at Barksdale were given permission to leave Bossier High and attend another school in the parish if they wanted, almost all of them chose to remain at Bossier.  We continue to have a large population of Barksdale kids.

Many of our neighborhood students come from homes where they receive very little academic support.  In that respect, if we have “under capacity” classrooms, what that means is that in an English class of 25 students, many of whom need one on one assistance, it is possible to mentor and help those kids.  

Our school has a population that is 72% free/reduced lunch.  (Airline is 38% and Parkway 32%).  Who picks up that slack for these kids and functions as a family or mentor?  The teachers and administrators at Bossier High do; we love and mentor our students on a scale that other schools can’t fathom.  I have known faculty members that will pick kids up and take them to church if they want to go.  When a student is stressing out and crying because she doesn’t have $1.00 to buy page protectors for her senior project portfolio who do you think reached into her pocket and helped her?  When a student is sleeping through class because he’s had to work at night to keep the electricity on at the house (because both parents have left), who helps that student?  I could go on and on.

What I’m telling you is that there are great things that go on at Bossier High School; it is so much more than demographic numbers and projections.  You might say that education is a business and best use of taxpayer dollars must be adhered to, and that may be true.  But our mission statement at Bossier High School says it best: 

“The mission of Bossier High School, in partnership with parents and community, is to foster the development of an environment that will facilitate learning for all students, promote self-esteem and respect for others, and launch learners on a quest for high standards, all of which will lead them to be self-sufficient adults.”

It’s that part about “self-sufficient adults” that you taxpayers that want to close the doors need to pay attention to. 

One last note as we wait for the demographer’s report.  Rusheon Middle School, the main feeder for Bossier High, has its largest eighth grade class in recent years, leaving in May.  The majority of those kids will come to Bossier High School which will certainly boost enrollment there.  The numbers at Rusheon are big in the seventh grade as well which should also predict a large ninth grade population for Bossier in the next year.  In addition, there will be a big news conference this week where great news for Bossier High will be announced.  Watch for it. 

Mr. Braswell seems to have written our obituary at Bossier High and paid the undertaker, but it’s not over at 777 Bearkat Drive.  Not even close.  The best is yet to come!  Come embrace and celebrate what we are doing rather than giving up on us.  Locking the doors in 2017?  Are you KIDDING?!

A Bossier City Landmark Is For Sale

A Bossier City landmark is up for sale:  Beam's Restaurant has a "For Sale" sign out front.

The restaurant is still open for business as the full parking lot at noon today would attest.  I stopped in to visit with Mike and his mom over chicken fried steak.

Beam's has been in business since 1960 and has been a Bossier City institution ever since.  It's one of the best places in Shreveport-Bossier to get a hot plate lunch with your choice of two or three vegetables and a dessert of the day for less than $10.  The okra and tomatoes can't be beat!

It's what I call a "hometown place" because you almost always see someone you know when you go in.  There's the regular coffee and breakfast group every morning as well as the lunch regulars.  Mike Beam and his mom are there every time I go in and Mike always comes over to my table to visit.

The restaurant is heavy on LSU memorabilia and Mike is always glad to speculate on LSU's prospects in any given sport.  Today we talked about the College World Series (Mike thinks LSU can go all the way!).

The waitstaff is friendly and personable; today we had a laugh over a celebrity sighting by one of

the waitresses and whether or not it was legit; one of the customers chimed in that Drew Brees was in the restroom while Mike insisted he had just seen Elvis out in the parking lot. You probably had to be there, but it was funny.  The beleaguered waitress stuck with her celeb sighting story.

Mrs. Beam told me that she is 80 years old and ready to retire.  "When you make it to eighty, you've done pretty good," she said.  She wants to travel some and Mike has an Alaskan cruise in mind for them.  One can hardly blame them; the restaurant business is a tough road.  You have to be there all the time and it's hard to take a real vacation or time off.  It's been a labor of love for them both.

I asked Mrs. Beam if the For Sale sign had sparked any interest.  "A little," she told me.  "We've had a few people interested."  But so far nothing is "a done deal."

With its prime location it won't take long before somebody makes a serious offer and Mike and his mom will be on that vacation highway.

After over 50 years in the business I'd say it's time Mrs. Beam gets her cruise!

Be sure you take time to stop in for another hot plate lunch (or two, or three) before this Bossier City institution fades away.  Have a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet tea and talk some LSU baseball with Mike.  It's a nice way to spend a morning, or an afternoon.

Free Chicken Saturday With Concealed Carry Permit

As the 2013 Louisiana legislature prepared to take up several gun regulation proposals, a local fast food fried chicken place has weighed into the debate by offered a free meal to concealed carry holders.

Chicken Express owner Randal Neel says it was the busiest Saturday he's ever had.  Via KSLA:

But it's not just about business. Neel says it's his way of taking a stand as a gun rights advocate, and making a statement as the Louisiana legislature considers more than a dozen bills that have been filed dealing with gun regulations. "It feels really good to be able to stand up for what you believe in."  

Here is the proposed legislation the Louisiana legislature will be considering this session.  Most are geared toward protecting gun rights but a couple are not.  One bill would allow off-duty law enforcement to carry firearms in schools, another in bars; one concerns mental illness regulations, another covers the protection of concealed carry information.  Barbara Norton's bill would make it against the law to have an unsecured weapon in your home.  It always makes me nervous when they want to regulate what I do in my home.

KSLA has video of the free chicken day here.

Of course, a more paranoid person might wonder if DHS is lurking in the parking lot taking pictures of everyone...

Probably not.

(Photo credit:  John Jeter)

Report from the 2012 Freedom Rally in Bossier City

The takeaway message from tonight's Freedom Rally at the Bossier Civic Center was all about restoring freedom and prosperity in America.

The event kicked off about 5:30 inside the Bossier Civic Center and the crowd quickly filled two huge meeting rooms.  As host Royal Alexander began his opening remarks, event staff was busy bringing in more chairs to accommodate the crowd which was spilling out into the hallway.

Mr. Alexander quoted Thomas Jefferson in his opening remarks, reminding us all that "A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything that you have."

I was sitting next to Sharon McCullar who is a veteran, a small business owner, and a mother of two Marines; she was one of tonight's speakers.  She estimated the average age of the crowd at about 60, but I think it dropped a bit lower as people filtered in from work.  Steve estimated the crowd to be about 300 but I had it a little higher.  The enthusiasm was infectious.

One of the first speakers was U.S. Senator David Vitter who spoke about the need for a pro-growth tax rate in America to encourage business development.  He stressed the need for Republicans to take back not just the White House but also the Senate so that we can put in targeted health care reform and repeal ObamaCare.  This was met with thunderous applause.

Addressing national security and military budget cuts, Senator Vitter called for an end to "the apology tours" and quoted Reagan who said, "Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because America was too strong."  Senator Vitter says that "peace through strength" is the only way.

Another popular theme, especially here in oil rich, and Haynesville Shale country, Louisiana was Vitter's derision of "speculative green energy companies," many of which go down the tubes; we need to develop our energy resources here at home.

Senator Vitter closed his remarks by stressing that this election is "razor thin."  He said, "I DO believe the polls," rather than the conspiracy theorists who suggest that the polls are misrepresenting the actual numbers.  "Every vote counts," he said, reminding everyone of Florida.

Sharon McCullar has been a popular speaker at these events and she was warmly received.  She spoke of the socialist, entitlement mindset of this administration and encouraged everyone to engage their children in this debate because it is, after all, their future.  McCullar said we are "on the verge of a nuclear holocaust between Israel and Iran...our world in possession of 20,000 nuclear weapons!  We hope and pray humanity will have the restraint not to detonate."

She spoke of the huge debt, the Arab Spring, the Muslim Brotherhood, and of course, Benghazi.  McCullar says "these days, we are living in?  These are the days God ordered for us," because "he knew we would be willing to stand with courage."

She said that God "is not neutral in the affairs of humankind."

McCullar's remarks were filled with humor and optimism as she reached out to everyone there and of every religious persuasion, to believe and to pray for the future of our country.

Here's a segment of her speech on Benghazi and Obama's national security policy which she says, "he's gonna get us all killed!"  And, I apologize for the angle.  Sharon isn't very tall so mostly what you see is the podium.  It's the words, really, that you need to hear.  And the thumbnail is sideways but it doesn't play sideways.  Anyway, just watch it.



One of the highlights of the night was Karen Watson, author of Being Black and Republican in the Age of Obama which you can order here. What a spitfire she is!



When she finished speaking there was a dash to the back of the room to pick up her booklet.  (I got one.)

Royal Alexander said, "She tells it like it is!"  and he's right.

She said, "Do not assume when you see a black person that they are a Democrat because they are not.  Do not assume when you see a Hispanic that they are Democrat.  They are not.  Do not assume when you see a woman that she is pro-abortion because she is not."  I mean, they may be all that, but it was a gentle reminder that maybe the opposition is larger than we know.

In addition to the rousing speakers, there was also great musical entertainment.  Johnny Rowland entertained the crowd between speakers and at one point did a take-off on "Midnight Special" which got these two patriots up on their feet.  It's a blurry picture because they were dancing up a storm in the aisle:

 They were having a great time!

The evening closed with "God Bless America" and a promise of a brighter future for America.

Now is the time.

Make Plans to Attend the Freedom Rally This Thursday

The Red River Tea Party is holding a long overdue Freedom Rally this week, Thursday, October 25 at the Bossier Civic Center from 5:30 - 7:30.

We've had several Tea Party rallies in Shreveport/Bossier since the first one in 2009 and each one gets better and better.  There will be live music, as always, and in the past there have been booths with groups distributing information (Fair Tax, etc.) or selling concessions.

I can't think of a better thing to do on a beautiful fall day right before the most important national election in recent history.

Scheduled speakers are conservative radio talk show host Moon Griffon, who appeared at the 2010 God and Country Rally.

Also speaking will be veteran Sharon McCullar.  Sharon is also the proud mother of two Marines and is a small business owner.  I've heard her speak at several of these rallies and she is always a highlight.  She's brought me to tears before with her moving and powerful stories.  Her speech at the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party was epic.

Also speaking will be U. S. Senator David Vitter and almost certainly the highlight of the day will be  C. L. Bryant's speech.

I've often told this story, but C. L. showed up at the first Bossier/Shreveport Tea Party in 2009 as just a spectator.  He had his little church in DeSoto Parish and his conservative views, and he came to see the Tea Party.  Organizer Royal Alexander started talking to him in the crowd and pulled him up on stage to speak;  his spontaneous speech that day launched him onto a nationwide platform that has culminated most recently into his acclaimed documentary Runaway Slave.  That documentary is now available in a number of digital download options.



Add this event to your list of things to do this week!  The weather is supposed to be grand, so come on out!

*Date corrected - Thanks Lee Ann!*

Take a Trip to the 8th Air Force Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base

Steve and I took a trip to the Barksdale museum today; technically it is the 8th Air Force Museum.  I highly recommend a visit; you don't have to have base access to go.  Just enter through the North Gate and they'll get you there.  Their collection is rich in artifacts and history and is a great place to take the kids on these hot summer days.

The museum is one of only twelve Air Force field museums.  Inside, there are displays, dioramas, sculpture, paintings, video exhibits, even parts of airplanes.  Outside, the air park holds some 28 planes and peripheral non-airplane items such as an airplane tug and a firetruck.  There is also a walkway lined with memorial bricks which are quite interesting to read.  As a side note, Steve and I got married out there in front of the B47 plane (which is where his memorial brick is placed.)

We've been inside the museum before but it's been several years.  It was time for a return visit.  As it happens, there was an article in The Shreveport Times today outlining the changes that are headed the museum's way.   The photo above is what it looks like now; this is what the new design looks like:

According to The Times article, the Air Force says "several of the museum's airplanes, including its rare B-24, B-17 and B-29, might be sent to museums where they could be indoors."  Thus, the considered renovations.

When you walk in, the gift shop is to your right:

To your left would be a replica of a WWII era Quonset hut set up like a briefing room.  A thirty minute video of the history of Barksdale Air Force base runs on a constant loop.

Right outside the door is an old British telephone booth:

To see the exhibits you proceed down this hallway (this photo is the only one that isn't mine; it's taken from the museum website):

Here's a bust of General Omar Bradley:

Barksale AFB was the recipient of the Omar Bradley Spirit of Independence Award in 1991.

Here is the Lt. Eugene Hoy Barksdale Room; it's still under some construction so we couldn't go in:

This exhibit also has a video loop with Lt. Barksdale's biography:

And the board at the entrance of the room requesting volunteers:

One exhibit that always gives me pause is the 9/11 exhibit.   You'll remember that President George W. Bush stopped at Barksdale AFB to speak to the nation that morning after leaving Florida.

 

You can click on the picture and zoom in; there's a timeline of events throughout the day.  You can see, too, the screen at the far right which loops his speech that day.

Another angle:

 

And the clock, frozen in time:

Always remember.  In that display they've preserved the podium from which he spoke and the telephone he used.

This display commemorates Dedication Day for the base with front pages of the newspapers and a lady in fashionable dress:

I love these bomb-shaped salt and pepper shakers!

This display is from the WWII room and is intended to replicate "the home front":

Another angle:

I've chopped his head off with my photo but that's a picture of FDR on the wall.  Again, click and zoom to get all the details!

This is supposed to be a "typical" 8th Air Force soldier in England in WWII:

He reminded Steve of Radar O'Reilly.  His reading material:

And the accompanying plaque:

Gas mask: Flight suits and oxygen mask:

The POW/MIA display:

 

The sketch is CMSgt Charlie Poole whose remains were actually found.  He went missing in 1972 and his remains were identified and interred in Arlington National Cemetery in 2003.

The concrete marker to the far left was all that marked the grave of Lt.Col. Keith Heggen in North Vietnam.  It was returned with his body in 1974.  There is a binder there with all of the correspondence between his family and the government regarding his status.

The marker:

Here is an old bomb sight - maybe from a B52?  Not sure.

This was cool:  it's a portion of a brick wall discovered by the British Wall Art Conservation Society from the Red Cross Club at the 8th Air Force Base in Bottisham where the 361 fighter group flew Yellow Nose P51 Mustangs.  The wall was presented to the 8th Air Force in 1987.

I'm not sure where this lady was but she's neat, too:

This one was sad:  a memorial to the Raider 21 crew who crashed in 2008.  All six were lost.

They were based out of BAFB.

Some of the paintings in the museum:

The different types of wings:

When we finished up we went in the gift shop; Steve got a t-shirt and I bought a book.  The museum depends heavily on donations and this will be especially important as they try to grow, expand, and hang onto the aircraft on display outside.  If you're interested in making a donation to preserve history, send a check to:

8th Air Force Museum Association
P.O. Box 75
Barksdale AFB, LA 71110-0075 

They also accept historical artifacts.  See the website for details.

If you're looking for an educational afternoon activity for the kids, consider the BAFB museum.  There's lots to see, inside and out!


 

The Burr Banner Gets National Headlines (UPDATED)

Scroll for updates.

Last spring I reported on the dispute between the Homeowner's Association at The Gardens of Southgate and marine parents Tim and Jodi Burr.

You'll recall that the Burrs have  a sign of support for their son, Corey, who is fighting in Afghanistan.  The Homeowner's Association has demanded that they take the sign down.

My previous posts are here.

And now it's on Drudge.  The Drudge Report links to this article in NOLA:

A south Bossier City homeowners association has sued to force a family to remove a front yard sign supporting their son's military service because it violated subdivision covenants.

The Times reports that the Gardens of Southgate filed the suit this month against Timothy and Jodi Burr, who have lived in the subdivision since 2006. The Burrs placed a large multicolored banner with a picture of their 20-year-old son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Corey Burr, and the phrase "Our son defends our freedom" in January after Corey Burr was deployed to Afghanistan.

Jodi Burr says her family will fight the suit and do not intend to remove the sign.  An attorney representing the association, declined to comment.

The Burrs contend signs supporting a school or team are visible throughout the neighborhood.

When I last spoke to Jodi Burr she explained that they had tried to contact the HOA for clarification on the rules before they put up their sign and were ignored (twice).   As the NOLA piece, and my previous posts, indicate, the Burrs position is that there are other flags, signs, and banners of various sizes in the neighborhood so why are they being singled out?

How far do those rules go?  Jodi used the example of a fence sign.  A neighbor might have a cyclone fence that has a "Hercules Fence" sign on it.  Does that violate the covenant?  Or what about a banner in someone's flower bed with a big initial on it?  What about school pride signs?  Why HER banner?

At any rate, it seems the case is finally getting national attention.

SIGIS will keep you posted.

Update:  Here is the link to the Shreveport Times article cited by NOLA.  They write:

Jodi Burr said she and her family plan to fight the suit and do not intend to remove the sign."I hate that it's coming to this," she said. "I had hoped with the former ugliness that we were done, but unfortunately, we're not, and we're going to continue to push on."

The position of the Burrs is explained as well:

This week, the Burrs filed an official response to the suit, citing two main points. The first is that the HOA has abandoned the covenant restrictions on signs by not fully enforcing them. The covenants of the subdivision specify only real estate or builder signs are allowed in public view.



However, other types of signs, such as those supporting a school or team, are visible throughout the neighborhood.


The second point asserts that forcing the Burrs to remove their sign is a direct violation of the freedom of expression granted in the state and U.S. constitutions.

And this:

Burr said she understands the issue is likely with the size of the sign, which is what most would consider a banner, and she would be happy to modify it, if that was indeed the problem. However, the HOA has not enabled her to discuss the issue with them.

The HOA has continuously refused to meet with the Burrs on this or discuss the matter with them.  They made contact one time by sending a member of the HOA, an active duty armed forces member, to meet with them (as explained in my original post.)  He was not interested in their position but only asked them to take the sign down.  The Burrs request for a meeting with the board was never acknowledged.

Update 2:  The story just hit the front page of Fox News.

Previously:

Homeowner's Association Demands Removal of Sign of Support for Marine
Attorney for HOA Responds in Banner Dispute

UPDATE: Attorney for HOA Responds in Banner Dispute

Last week I wrote about the Burrs who have angered their Homeowner's Association in The Gardens of Southgate by placing a banner of support for their son in the front yard.  Their son is a Marine currently engaged in Afghanistan. 

Today I received comment from the attorney representing the HOA, Geoffrey D. Westmoreland, who respectfully requested "in the interest of balanced journalism," that I print the following press release:

This press release is in regards to the current dispute and controversy involving the Gardens of Southgate Association, Inc. (the "Association"), and Timothy D. Burr and Jodi M. Burr, who are residents in the Gardens of Southgate Subdivision, which involves a sign in their front yard.

The Board of Directors for the Association and the On-Site Committee for the Association will not comment on the facts, details or legal issues in the above referenced dispute, as that matter is currently pending.

However, the following is for the public record, and should be considered by those concerned about this dispute:

The Board of Directors of the Association, the On-Site Committee of the Association (which is the committee that addresses covenant enforcement), and all the officers thereof, support and agree with the message contained in the sign that has been placed in the Burrs' front yard.  Geoffrey D. Wesmoreland, attorney for the Association, also personally supports and agrees with the message contained in the Burrs' sign.

The Board of Directors of the Association, the On-Site Committee of the Association, all of the officers thereof, and their attorney support and are extremely thankful for the service that the Burrs are providing to our country, and for the service that their son, Corey Burr, is providing for our country.  The above mentioned also support and are extremely thankful for the service that all of our men and women in the United States military, and their families, are providing for our country.

The message and content of the sign located in the Burrs front yard has nothing to do with the current legal dispute involving that sign.  The Board and the On-Site Committee of the Association again reiterate that they support and are in agreement with the message contained within the sign that has been erected by the Burrs.

The release is signed by Geoffrey D. Westmoreland.  As he requested, I'm printing his release in its entirety.

Mr. Westmoreland, in his email to me, explains that he and his client believe that the Burrs have "been inaccurate in their alleged facts involving the HOA's consistent enforcement of the covenants, and that the Burrs' legal position in this matter is very weak."

The Burrs may want to get their hands on that KTBS tape of their story because the cameraman shot video of several signs in the neighborhood for the story. 

In response to the press release, Mrs. Burr expressed appreciation for their support of the military but wondered "why they have not had a problem with the other signs" in her yard for the past four years.

There were lots of interesting comments in the original post including one from a resident in the subdivision, and one from Sharon McCullar who was quoted in the original piece.  It seems there is no consensus.

As of today, the sign still stands. 

Homeowners Association Demands Removal of Sign of Support for Marine (UPDATED)

Earlier this week local news station KTBS broadcast the story of Tim and Jodi Burr who have a son currently engaged in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.  The Burrs are currently engaged in a battle with their Homeowner's Association at The Gardens of Southgate about a banner of support on display in their front yard.

The covenant with the HOA forbids signage from residents.

The Burrs position is that they are being unfairly discriminated against.  In their neighborhood are signs of all kinds on display:  signs of support for various college athletic teams, birth announcement signs, alarm system signs, welcome flags, decorative flags, and holiday signs.  The Burrs, in fact, have had other signs on display in the past without incident:

For the each 5 years we have lived here we have had (as many others have had) a "sign in view of the public" in our yard. Specifically we have had "Welcome Y'all" , "The Burr's established 1990", and "Home of a Parkway Panther." signs. To our knowledge, none of these have been considered "infractions", as they have never been addressed until now that we have hung our banner for our Marine Corps son.  

So what's the difference?  Mrs. Burr writes:

We received a letter of request of removal from the HOA back in February. At this time, we respectfully sent a letter of response asking for a review of our covenants and to meet with the board to discuss the matter. Our letter was not received. We then mailed a certified copy of the letter to ensure it's delivery and placed a phone call to the HOA board to inform them that it had been sent. We were told by the HOA President that she would have the post office box checked the following day. Our certified letter was returned "unclaimed" two weeks later. In the mean time, the HOA board sent an Active Duty Air Force Officer to our home uninvited to make a personal visit to us to talk about the matter. During our conversation, this gentleman asked us what we would think if someone wanted to hang an anti-war sign in our neighborhood. Prior to his visit, we tried hard not to think the issue was the sign's content. However, after his question, unfortunately, it made it difficult to continue to think that way.

What in the world is this country coming to?  Of course a Homeowner's Association has the right to write their own rules and one agrees to those rules when they move in.  In the Burr's case, they did not receive a copy of those rules until after closing on their home, however, it probably wouldn't have made any difference. Who would ever imagine that anyone could object to a sign of support for one of our soldiers?

Does the Air Force officer who visited them intend to insinuate that someone in the neighborhood was offended by their sign?  In what capacity was this visit, anyway?

Mrs. Burr says she and her husband have received nothing but support from their neighbors and she does not want to cast her neighborhood in a negative light because of this controversy.  Their only conflict seems to be with the HOA.

An odd twist to the story is that the president of the HOA is T. K. Mastny, the president of the Republican Women of Bossier.  The RWB is very active in its support of our military.  My question is why couldn't this somehow have been resolved privately and peaceably?  It sounds like the  Burrs have tried - they requested a meeting with the board and were ignored. 

Sharon McCullar is a Vietnam veteran and has been a speaker at several of our Tea Party gatherings.  She left a post on the KTBS website that sums up the situation perfectly:

Yet again, America gets a glimpse of the incremental erosion of freedom! As a veteran of the Vietnam Era myself, and as a mother of two Marines who have already bled for this country, I am appauled that we have come to this point in our history. There is no greater sacrifice than military service. Any attempt to diminish it or those who serve to keep our country free is simply inexcusable. Both of my sons have faced death, lost friends to sniper bullets, and watched as their fellow brothers lay bleeding and limbless after IED explosions. So many have given all so that we could live, worship freely, and pursue the great American  dream. How dare any one person, neighborhood association, or lawmaker take away our right to honor these amazing heroes. I weep for my country because I hardly recognize her anymore. May God continue to keep his hands on my beloved homeland.

At this point, the Burrs are continuing to fight for their right to display their banner of support for their son Corey.  They are anticipating expensive legal fees in the process.  What they really want is an explanation as to why some signs are allowed and others are not. What, exactly, is it about their sign that singles them out?


If you want to weigh with verbal support, you can email the Homeowners Association through their attorney Geoff Westmoreland or you can leave a comment for the Burrs here.


Update:  Jodi Burr informs me that as a result of the KTBS story they received two offers of pro-bono representation from local attorneys.  As of now, their attorney has filed a TRO to keep things status quo until the case can be heard by the court. 


She continues to insist that they are not out to battle the HOA just for a battle; they attempted to contact the HOA in February when this issue first came up in an attempt to clarify the language of the covenant, however the HOA did not respond to their first letter or their certified follow-up letter.  All they really wanted from the outset was for the rules to be enforced consistently.  As it is now, it only appears that the Burrs are being singled out.


Regardless of the covenant with the HOA, it seems to me that this is a First Amendment issue. Would an agreement with the HOA override the First Amendment?  


Update 2:  Linked at Right Nation; thank you!  
Linked at The Evil Conservative - thanks!
Linked at My Bossier - thanks, Jim! 
Thanks to The Dead Pelican for the link. 
Thanks to Legal Insurrection for Blog of the Day status.

Hey Bossier! Vote Yes!

A reminder to all Bossier City residents for tomorrow:  Vote Yes!

Via My Bossier who reminds you that:

This is a renewal of a tax that was put into place 20 years ago, it is not a new tax. The City Council had rolled the 6 mill tax back to 4.86 mills, but rather than proposing a new tax, they just voted to renew the tax that is in place.

I fully understand anyone who wants to demand accountability from elected officials. The problem with voting this tax renewal down is that the people you will be punishing will the citizens of Bossier City and some very fine individuals who have sworn to serve.

Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

I second what Jim said, above, one hundred percent.  If this vote goes down as a "no," the results will be devastating and ripple throughout the city.  

Hey, Bossier....