What's next for Bossier City term limits?
Plus — Bossier City house fire. 'Pack the bus.' Traffic hassles.
Beyond Bossier
What's next for Bossier City term limits?
It seems the effort to allow voters to decide on term limits for Bossier City leaders is crumbling. The mayor is pushing for the Charter Commission to be disbanded, and the ordinance to accept the new term limits petition was rejected by the City Council.
There are now only slim hopes for the matter to be on the December ballot.
A move to disband the Charter Commission
At Tuesday's meeting, Mayor Tommy Chandler offered an ordinance to disband the Bossier City Charter Commission. The commission was formed to establish term limits for locally elected officials.
"I respect and appreciate the time and effort each commissioner has put into the Charter Review Commission," the Mayor said. "It's clear to me that they will not be able to complete the work. The Charter Review Commission has become a distraction, and it is in the best interest of the citizens of Bossier City to dissolve this commission so we can move forward together."
The ordinance's introduction to disband the Commission was approved by the council and will be on the agenda for a final vote at the council’s August 13 meeting.
The City Council's rejection of the term limits petition
Later in the meeting, the first vote to accept the newly certified petition to put term limits before voters was inexplicably rejected.
With three council members absent, the four-person quorum required all present council members to vote unanimously for any measure to pass. Councilmembers Jeff Free and Don Williams voted against moving the ordinance to a second vote, while councilmembers Brian Hammons and Chris Smith voted for the measure.
What happens now?
The council will take a final vote to disband the Charter Commission at its next meeting on August 13.
Mayor Chandler has introduced a new version of the resolution to put the petition on the ballot for another vote on August 13. This is a first-and-final vote.
As to the council continuing to reject the term limits petition: That's a complicated matter, according to City Attorney Charles Jacobs.
"If the city council does not act within 30 days, then it would have to go to the bond commission without any action of the city council, which is problematic because the bond commission … is going to require a resolution from the city council at some point in time if it's going to be placed on the ballot," Jacobs said.
Councilmember Chris Smith asked Jacobs if the council was required to act on the matter.
"If they petition us, we have to at least go through the motions to allow it to be on a ballot, correct? At some point in time, [the City's Charter] requires action by the city council within 30 days. Whether we agree with the petition or not?" Smith asked.
"That is correct," Jacobs answered.
District 1 councilmember Brian Hammons was concerned about the mounting legal expenses the City faces as the ordinance encounters continuing delays.
"It's already cost us money. You know, everybody says, it'll be up to a judge. Well, then, you know, if that's the case, then send it to a judge," Hammons said. "But I think we need to move forward with this. I think we owe it to the citizens. We owe it to the people that have elected us and put us here."
A councilmember announces he will not seek re-election
When the vote failed, a member of the Bossier Term Limits Coalition challenged the council, saying they rejected accepting the petition because they wanted to be re-elected.
However, Council President Don Williams said he would not be seeking reelection in March.
"I'm not. This is my last year, OK? I'll tell you that right now. I'm not running again," Williams said.
Bossier City house fire claims family's pets
A weekend Bossier City house fire left its residents safe but claimed the lives of the family's pets.
Bossier Fire District 1 responded to a call of a house fire on Sunday, July 28, around 1:30 p.m. The blaze was reported in the Tall Timbers subdivision.
Units arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke coming from the home. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to bring the fire under control.
No one was reported injured, however nine pets were lost in the fire.
Help 'pack the bus' for Bossier Schools
The Bossier Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual 'Pack the Bus' school supply drive tomorrow, benefiting Bossier Schools.
You can help out and join it with this annual event. Come by the Walmart Supercenter tomorrow, Thursday, August 1, from 11:30 to 1:30 and drop off much-needed supplies to help Bossier teachers fill the gaps in their classrooms.
Portion of Shed Rd. closes today
A portion of Shed Road will be closed for a couple of days this week. The City of Bossier City says the 5000 block near I-220 will shut down for a railroad crossing rehab. The closure began at 7:00 a.m. this morning and is scheduled to reopen on Friday, August 2, at 4:00 p.m.
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration.
August 31: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Elle King at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
September 7: The Cleverlys, a one-of-a-kind, unique comedy and music experience at the Louisiana Grandstand. "If Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs, and Spinal Tap spawned a litter of puppies, it would be The Cleverlys," says the New York Times.
September 12: Pony Bradshaw makes a rare Louisiana stop at the legendary listening room of Louisiana Grandstand. Catch Pony Bradshaw as he fuses Americana, rock, folk and many other styles.
September 13: Comedian Rodney Carrington at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
September 14: Cody Johnson, The Leather Tour at the BGA.
October 18: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott at the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 20: Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour, with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay at the BGA.
October 26: Daughtry at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
November 1-3: Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at the BGA.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
November 23: William Clark Green brings his "Whole Lotta Lubbock" tour to his debut appearance at the Louisiana Grandstand. Green is tearing up Texas dance halls and filling venues all over the country with his hits like "She Likes The Beatles" and "West Texas in My Eye."
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