Miss Bossier City, Erica Durr

We are so blessed to meet anyone who is a good role model for our youth, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a fantastic person in my personal life, although this is my professional blog. She is amazing, and a representation of what a great young person should be. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to re-visit the Monroe Civic Center, where 13 years ago, I graced that very stage competing for the coveted title of Miss Louisiana. Our own Miss Bossier City, Erica Durr was competing this weekend in the annual Miss Louisiana pageant, a preliminary to Miss America. Erica is not only representing my hometown, but she is one of my dear friends. What an honor it was to be a part of her entourage for three nights!

On Thursday evening, Erica dazzled the judges with her rendition of Puccini’s La Canzona di Doretta. Erica wore a stunning royal blue gown, fit for a diva. She also answered onstage question later in the evening with intelligence and poise. On Friday evening, Erica wowed the crowd in a very unique red swimsuit in the swimsuit and physical fitness competition and graced the stage with elegance later in evening gown. Erica made Bossier City proud by being announced as a top ten semi-finalist on Saturday evening. I think Erica will one day be our next Miss America. As a Bossier City girl, I can say that we could not be more honored than to have a better person to represent this town. Congratulations Erica and Best of Luck to You in Your Future Endeavors! (did I mention, she will be entering law school in August?)

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing all the dad's out there a wonderful Father's Day! A special Father's Day wish to my dad, Mike McAllister, owner of Mike's McAllister Plumbing Company.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers worldwide, and especially to my mother, who is my office manager, best friend and super mom.

Remember Moms, make sure your attorney requests that you have visitation of your child and/or children on Mother's Day each and every year (regardless if you have physical custody that day or not) when you go to court.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all my readers! Have a blessed holiday.

Samantha

Good Job Mom!

My mom ran an excellent, clean race and I am proud of her showing as a newcomer in the city council election tonight!

I took this picture of her and thought she looked superb!

Time For A Change

As you may know, my mother, Marsha McAllister, is running for Bossier City Councilwoman At Large. I knew for some time that my mother was considering running for city council. In the beginning, I was hesitant to see her run as I know that recent elections in Bossier Parish became ugly, with mudslinging that I certainly did not want our family to endure. However, I knew she had been approached by many citizens to throw her hat in the race and it was something she really wanted, so I stood behind her decision.

As this is my blog for my law office, I have refrained from "over" promoting my mother for some time, but I feel like I should let those of you who read this blog know a little about what I think of this election on April 4th.

My mother does not have an endless supply of campaign funds at her disposal. She is running a grass roots campaign. You will most likely not see signs/billboards/and television ads with her name. You will not be receiving hundreds of poll calls from her camp when you sit down for supper and family time after work. You will not open your mail to find flyers with our family photos. While I have nothing against any candidate that can afford all of this, in this critical time in our nation's history, what is wrong with someone winning a campaign on a small budget?

President Obama inherited a nation on the brink of bankruptcy. No matter how much/how little he spends or how he spends, he will be criticized. We are all faced with a poor economy and a lack of jobs. Fiscal responsibility should be at the forefront of any campaign; gone are the days of elitism. There is no time like the present to spend money wisely, whether it is in a campaign, or on a city budget.

Bossier City is a wonderful place to raise a family, but could that be because of the citizens who live in this city? It certainly is not due to the hands of a politician. Fresh ideas from our citizens, those who open new businesses, work in their neighborhood associations, those police officers, firemen, and military personnel who ask the politicians to listen to their concerns is what keeps a city thriving. Enacting term limits can give others the opportunity to serve our city. While nothing may be wrong with keeping things the same, why not open the door to a change? And even more so, a chance. A chance of hope for all the citizens to be heard.

I ask that you give my mother her chance and vote #24, Marsha McAllister, on April 4th.

Tonight's Meet & Greet Pictures!

We had a wonderful meet & greet tonight. Thank you to all of my mom's supporters for making this a great event!

The candidate! Vote Marsha McAllister, April 4!

The delicious food (all catered by me).

Marsha and Charlene Morrison.

My mom's supporters enjoy food and conversation.

Former international model/well known socialite Summer Knight and I pose for a picture.

My favorite candidate and extraordinary mother.

Pat Burchett (Judge Burchett's wife) and I.

The candidate talks to her supporters (Cortez Bridges pictured).

What a great event! See you all at the polls April 4!