Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 60:
Line 60: − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − − − + − + −
→Legislative record
In 1996, Brun was elected to the first of his six-year terms as a state district judge. He was reelected in 2002 and 2008. He resigned his legislative seat in 1997. He was succeeded by a fellow Republican, Leo Wayne Waddell, who won a general election contest over another Republican, Judy Gayle Dawson Boykin (born 1952), a member of the Caddo Parish School Board and a visible figure in the [[Religious Right]] in Shreveport, outspoken in support of [[school prayer]], traditional values, and opposition to [[abortion]], [[evolution]], and [[homosexual]] preferences.
In 1996, Brun was elected to the first of his six-year terms as a state district judge. He was reelected in 2002 and 2008. He resigned his legislative seat in 1997. He was succeeded by a fellow Republican, Leo Wayne Waddell, who won a general election contest over another Republican, Judy Gayle Dawson Boykin (born 1952), a member of the Caddo Parish School Board and a visible figure in the [[Religious Right]] in Shreveport, outspoken in support of [[school prayer]], traditional values, and opposition to [[abortion]], [[evolution]], and [[homosexual]] preferences.
==Judge Brun and the truck stop==
==Judge Brun and the truck stop==
Brun decided in the spring of 2005 that the Caddo Parish Commission, the governing body of the parish, had no grounds to block a permit for the construction of a five-acre truck stop bar and [[casino]] on Louisiana Highway 1 South of Shreveport adjacent to the Port of Shreveport-Bossier. When citizen-opponents to the project mobilized, Brun allowed the group to appeal his ruling against them.<ref name=stimes>''The Shreveport Times,'' April 28, 2005.</ref>
Brun decided in the spring of 2005 that the Caddo Parish Commission, the governing body of the parish, had no grounds to block a permit for the construction of a five-acre truck stop bar and [[casino]] on Louisiana Highway 1 South of Shreveport adjacent to the Port of Shreveport-Bossier. When citizen-opponents to the project mobilized, Brun allowed the group to appeal his ruling against them.<ref name=stimes>''The Shreveport Times,'' April 28, 2005.</ref>
The Caddo commission denied a zoning variance for construction of the truck stop after the residents objected. Brun overturned the commission’s decision in a lawsuit quietly filed by the owner of the land at the proposed site. Judge Brun declared that the commission decision was "arbitrary and capricious." <ref name=stimes/>
The Caddo commission denied a zoning variance for construction of the truck stop after the residents objected. Brun overturned the commission’s decision in a lawsuit quietly filed by the owner of the land at the proposed site. Judge Brun declared that the commission decision was "arbitrary and capricious." <ref name=stimes/>
Mike Johnson, the attorney for the citizens objecting to the truck stop, said, "The commission’s finding was legitimate and based directly upon the testimony and evidence presented by the citizens. The commission understood that the proposed operation would be a detriment to the surrounding area and place the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of this community at risk."<ref name=stimes/> Area residents gathered nearly 1,300 signatures to express their concerns about the truck stop. The zoning board of appeals board had approved the project by means of a special use zoning exception for the developer, Bob Horn. The commission then voted 7-5 to deny the zoning exception.<ref name=stimes/>
Mike Johnson, the attorney for the citizens objecting to the truck stop, said, "The commission’s finding was legitimate and based directly upon the testimony and evidence presented by the citizens. The commission understood that the proposed operation would be a detriment to the surrounding area and place the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of this community at risk."<ref name=stimes/> Area residents gathered nearly 1,300 signatures to express their concerns about the truck stop. The zoning board of appeals board had approved the project by means of a special use zoning exception for the developer, Bob Horn. The commission then voted 7-5 to deny the zoning exception.<ref name=stimes/>
Unbeknown to the residents, a lawsuit was filed thereafter to challenge the commission’s decision. The residents first became aware of the lawsuit after Judge Brun ruled in the case on April 15, 2005. The commission voted not to appeal the ruling.<ref name=stimes/> Opponents contended that a truck stop and casino would imperil nearby neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and schools by decreasing property values, increasing noise levels, and placing at risk young drivers and schoolchildren who stand at bus stops and ride bicycles along south Youree Drive.<ref name=stimes/>
Unbeknown to the residents, a lawsuit was filed thereafter to challenge the commission’s decision. The residents first became aware of the lawsuit after Judge Brun ruled in the case on April 15, 2005. The commission voted not to appeal the ruling.<ref name=stimes/> Opponents contended that a truck stop and [[casino]] would imperil nearby neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and schools by decreasing property values, increasing noise levels, and placing at risk young drivers and schoolchildren who stand at bus stops and ride bicycles along south Youree Drive.<ref name=stimes/>
In 2006, the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that the Caddo Parish Commission was within its legal rights to override the zoning board decision that would have allowed the truck stop.
In 2006, the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that the Caddo Parish Commission was within its legal rights to override the zoning board decision that would have allowed the truck stop.
Attorney Mike Johnson said that "When lawmakers have to choose between protecting a casino and bar or protecting our children and the community, the latter should be given the priority."
Attorney Mike Johnson said that "When lawmakers have to choose between protecting a casino and bar or protecting our children and the community, the latter should be given the priority." The circuit court hence delivered a stinging rebuke to Judge Brun, who perceived the matter as one of a legitimate business developing property.
The circuit court hence delivered a stinging rebuke to Judge Brun, who perceived the matter as one of a legitimate business developing property.
Approximately a year later, the zoning request for the truck stop was again brought before the Caddo Parish Commission. This time, the commissioners approved the request. The truck stop services vehicles in the Shreveport port area and sells some 300,000 gallons of fuel annually.
Approximately a year later, the zoning request for the truck stop was again brought before the Caddo Parish Commission. This time, the commissioners approved the request. The truck stop services vehicles in the Shreveport port area and sells some 300,000 gallons of fuel annually.
==Southern Trace Country Club discrimination lawsuit==
==Southern Trace Country Club discrimination suit==
In 2003, two women challenged the existence of an all-male grill in the popular Southern Trace Country Club of Shreveport. They argued that the grill is a "public" facility under the law, and therefore subject to Louisiana statutes barring discrimination based upon sex. The club raised privacy concerns to justify its exlusionary policy. Judge Brun ruled that the all-male policy in the club's Men's Grille did not violate the state constitution because it did not constitute “arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable discrimination based on sex.”
In 2003, two women challenged the existence of an all-male grill in the popular Southern Trace Country Club of Shreveport. They argued that the grill is a "public" facility under the law, and therefore subject to Louisiana statutes barring discrimination based upon sex. The club raised privacy concerns to justify its exlusionary policy. Judge Brun ruled that the all-male policy in the club's Men's Grille did not violate the state constitution because it did not constitute “arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable discrimination based on sex.”