ShreveCentre Coalition Incorporates, Announces Goals

Group aims to increase value of mineral rights leases for property owners

SHREVEPORT, LA. - On Wednesday evening, July 17, the ShreveCentre Coalition, Inc., held its organizational meeting for purposes of formally incorporating and electing officers. The group's Articles of Incorporation and related paperwork were filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State on Friday.

Attending Wednesday's meeting were authorized representatives from at least twenty-four homeowners' associations from across east Shreveport, collectively representing tens of thousands of area homeowners and thousands of acres of land. Those 24 associations were made official members of the Coalition. Other groups with recognized associations are welcome to join the Coalition with full voting rights. Unofficial groups of Shreveport property-owners who are not members of a chartered association are welcome under the Coalition umbrella, but will not be voting members.

Elected president of the organization was Jack McLeod, current president of Jackson Square Towne House Homes Association and SESHA, the Southeast Shreveport Homeowners Alliance. Serving as vice president will be Larry Farley, president of the Captain Shreve Neighborhood Association. Delores Hackler of Town South Neighborhood Association was voted the group's secretary.

"The purpose of the Coalition is to negotiate the best deal possible for the property owners' gas and mineral leases related to the Haynesville Shale," said McLeod. "The Coalition will work without any compensation, and there will be no charge to the individual property owner. "

ShreveCentre Coalition is being advised by industry experts, who suggest that there is strength in numbers when negotiating for bonus payments, primary and option lease terms, royalty percentages, and other relevant and necessary lease terms.

The group intends to develop and launch a website in the next few weeks to provide detailed instructions on how other groups may join the Coalition, answer frequently asked questions, and include other helpful resources. Meanwhile, the Coalition hopes to avoid being inundated by calls and emails, and urges patience to all area residents. The Coalition also has a blog on The Times' website, shreveporttimes.com, where individual associations can post updates for their
members.

"Over the next few weeks, we are advising all landowners throughout Shreveport not to agree to any mineral lease deal, or sign any document presented by an oil and gas production company," said McLeod. "At this point, the experts have convinced us that it is in everyone's best interests to simply wait."

The Coalition restated its commitment to use all available means to disseminate information quickly to its resident members and media.