Thank you [Lou Burnett] for your opinion columns in The Forum and for your willingness to express your enlightened, researched and conscientious opinions! There have been several times I’ve intended writing you to express my appreciation for the light you bring to what often seems to be an ever-increasing wilderness in Louisiana.

I’ve tried for almost 30 years to make this area where I’ve been planted to be better to live for everyone, but frankly, I’m close to giving up. It has become too burdensome to try to work for change in the face of special interests and what seems to be the mean-spirited natures of those in power. It is impressive that you haven’t lost the zeal to try to help people wake up, and I am grateful for your bravery and constructive approaches.

Since I seem to have lost those qualities, it’s better for me to remain anonymous, so I won’t sign this email. Again, thank you and my appreciation to Jay and Hugh, as well.

– Name Withheld by Request

I agree with what [Lou] said in your Aug. 6 Forum article about the lack of local media coverage of the various elements of local government.

Back in the “old days” when our family owned the old Shreveport Journal and KSLA-TV things were a lot different. Owners and editors made sure that the reporters were making good contact with all the different government elements.

There are a lot of differences between the staffing today and the staffing of bygone years.

Editorial staffs are smaller and there is more “movement” of staffers transferring from one job to another. The lack of continuity makes a big difference and I am convinced that many staffers have very little relationship with any of the people and offices that they could/should be covering. The advent of electronic communication (email, chat, etc) has created substitutes for face-to-face contact and the development of “understanding” by the reporters. There are many other factors that could be discussed.

As you point out, all of this has left big holes in the understanding that citizens have about their government.

This, in turn, actually creates problems for the governments.

People are getting the government they deserve because there is so little participation. The news media is part of the problem and is actually somewhat of a reflection of the lack of involvement and interest by the general public.

– Wes Attaway

Excellent article Lou that was published in The Forum 08.06.14 publication! I only have ONE suggestion, cut it out and mail a copy to all the local affiliates so that they consider reporting something other than the multiple crimes including but not limited to shots fired, wounded by gunfire, murders, drive-by(s), fatalities, death, depression and constant “…rehash of national news…” Perhaps the reason The Forum disappears at distribution sites, is due to the fact it provides great material and is newsworthy!

– Mary Ellen

My name is Jimmy Dunkley, and I am with the Capital Area Beekeepers Association (CABA) in the Baton Rouge area. I saw your article on local businesses written by Mandy Byrd for “The Forum” for the July 14, 2014 publication. The portion of the article on Hummer and Son Honey Company would be of interest to beekeepers in the Baton Rouge area as many of us know Billy Hummer through membership in the Louisiana Beekeepers Association, and his participation in beekeeping educational presentations at the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport and USDA Honey Bee Research Lab in Baton Rouge.

I enjoyed the article Ms. Byrd provided and would like to use part of her story in our August CABA newsletter.

The CABA is a nonprofit organization and I hope you will grant permission to allow us to use the information on Hummer and Son Honey Company.

– Jimmy Dunkley

Thank you for the “Made in Shreveport” article. I hope it will be a continuing subject. Now for the “but” … While the opening paragraph does say “sample,” if you chose to do only one brewery on purpose, I wish it had been Red River. They are truly small business and great guys; they did not have the big money to back them up like Great Raft. They are starting their business while still holding fulltime jobs and supporting families. I think both were well worth the story, but again, if you only chose to do one, I don’t understand why it was not Red River.

– Marvin Crane

I just read [Lou’s] article “All Shook Up” in The Forum magazine today. I find your take on the mayoral race for Shreveport very interesting. I noticed all too well that you were so quick to point out that candidate Victoria Provenza is the first white candidate running for mayor. You mentioned the race just became very interesting. Is it interesting to you because now white people are entering the race? What does race have to do with anything? Can I just read an article about the candidate without mentioning they are black/white etc.

This type of thinking is what limits Shreveport. The race of a candidate should not matter. I’m looking for a candidate who is committed to growth of my hometown that I love.

You are free to write whatever you choose in your articles because it is your opinion, however, in this article you make it sound like a worthy candidate has entered the mayoral race because she’s white, not because she’s an independent whom is not tied to any political party,or any of her other qualities. In the future let’s refrain from race and focus on the candidate qualities. My opinion.

– Tiffany

[Lou’s] “All Shook Up” article is magnificent! Thanks for helping Victoria make this a fun race that is based on facts and on what is best for our community as a whole.

– Matthew Linn

Lou! Great article! Thank you... thank you...thank you. But, I would still like to reform Mary L.

– Chris Chandler

Enjoyed...MEDIA IN THE MIRROR... was right on.

– H. Clifton Hair

Letters to the Editor:

Letters to the editor may be sent to: The Forum Attn: Editorial Dept. 1158 Texas Ave., Shreveport, La. 71101 Or email: [email protected]