Why did Marshals escort this Haughton woman out of the Bossier City Council meeting?
Plus — How about one more vote on term limits? Waiting on Montgomery. Bossier City live music calendar.
Bossier City weather — Today: Sunny. Highs in the mid-80s. Tonight: Clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.
Beyond Bossier
Why LSU vs. Ole Miss is a huge game for the College Football Playoff race
Amazon Pharmacy to expand same-day meds delivery to nearly half the U.S. in 2025
Why did Marshals escort this Haughton woman out of Bossier City Council meeting?
In a meeting filled with confusion and debate regarding yard parking, term limits and City Charter revisions, one matter that wasn't heard was an issue a Haughton woman wanted added to the agenda.
She was eventually escorted from Council chambers by Bossier Marshals.
"The other thing that needs to be added to the agenda is the situation that involves the community, the support that is being given to the United Nations in the form of refugees," Alice Boyer said.
"Ms. Boyer, no," Council President Don Williams said. "We're not talking about that. That's not on our agenda, nowhere."
"It needs to be on the agenda. It needs to be on the agenda," Boyer repeated. "It's the United Nations, and you're sitting there, and you have a councilman that has put this up as a possibility for regurgitated money. You need to explain to the people that if I'm wrong, if I'm wrong, explain to them how I'm wrong. Explain to them how this is not gonna happen."
Williams asked Boyer to be seated, but she refused. Ultimately, Williams asked for her to be removed from the room. She left escorted by five Marshals without resistance.
Just what was the matter Boyer was trying to get the Council to address?
It deals with a letter signed by councilmember Jeffery Darby.
A letter supporting a 'pathway to safety' for refugees
Darby endorsed an appeal launched by supporters of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program urging a legal pathway to safety for refugees. The letter was signed by 477 state and local elected officials, including Darby, and was sent to President Biden on September 12, 2024.
No other members of the city council signed the letter. In fact, no other Louisiana official endorsed the campaign.
"As elected leaders of our communities at all levels of state and local government, we write today to express our strong support for welcoming and resettling refugees in the United States," the letter reads.
"Together, we can and must do more. With greater federal support, our communities stand ready to welcome refugees who want to restart their lives in safety. Our cities and states need greater coordination and support from the federal government so that newcomers have access to programs and services that help them succeed in their new homes."
The letter continues, "We are calling on your administration to double down on the investment of resources necessary to build a robust resettlement program that can withstand external pressures, refugee emergencies, and political transitions. "
The City of Bossier City and other council members have not publicly endorsed the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Apparently, Ms. Boyer was attempting to determine if Mr. Darby was endorsing the initiative on behalf of himself — or the Council.
The question was neither asked nor answered.
Meanwhile, how about one more vote on term limits?
The Bossier City Council will hold a special-call meeting today to attend to matters left over from Tuesday's meeting.
One is appointing a new Parks and Recreation director (see below). The other is a modified version of term limits, which are among the changes recommended by the Bossier City Charter Commission.
The meeting will be held at 3:35 p.m. today. Why the strange time? It's due to the fact that an agenda revision was issued at 3:36 p.m. Wednesday. Agendas must be publicly posted 24 hours before a meeting, though it looks like the Council may be one minute short of legality.
While putting term limits on the voting ballot, based on a petition circulated by the Bossier Term Limits Coalition, is held up in court — the Bossier City Charter Commission has its own version.
There are important differences in the proposed term limits between the two.
BossierNow background
Term limits with retroactivity: The Coalition's petition sought to limit the Mayor and City Council to three-term limits with retroactivity. The time in office for anyone elected before January 1, 2024, would be counted. This would mean that four currently-seated council members could not run for reelection: Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free, David Montgomery, and Don Williams.
Term limits without retroactivity with reelection possible after breaks in service: The Charter Commission's version would have the same three-term limit without retroactively impacting those currently seated. The clock on term limits would begin on January 1, 2025, allowing a former elected official to run again after "a break in service." The four affected council members could hold office for another 12 years, though Don Williams said this would be his last term.
Plus: Don't vote on this, "Montgomery wants to say some favorable things and he's not here"
At-large councilmember David Montgomery holds such influence over the City Council that he gets things done (or not done) even when he's absent.
At Tuesday's meeting, a vote to appoint Mary Ward as the Director of Parks and Recreation effective upon the retirement of the current director received a motion and a second, but then things stopped.
"Who made the motion?" President Don Williams asked.
"I did," At-large member Chris Smith replied.
"Chris, can I ask you to rescind it? I'm also gonna continue this item," Williams said.
"It's already been motioned and seconded already," Mayor Tommy Chandler said.
"You're wanting to continue this for two weeks?" Smith asked.
"Well, and I'll tell you why," Williams hesitantly answered. "Mr. Montgomery wants to, he's not here. He wants to be here to say favorable things, you know? So he asked me if we could continue that item."
The resolution goes up again at today's special-called meeting.
Let's hope Councilmember Montgomery is there.
Swan Lake Road partial closure
The Bossier Parish Police Jury will close a portion of Swan Lake Road between Duckwater Landing and Hammack Way from today, Thursday, October 10, to Friday, October 11. The roadway will reopen on Saturday morning.
Work crews will construct the road connecting Swan Lake Road to the new North/South Corridor.
Jimmie Davis Bridge: Lane closures Sunday and Wednesday
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says that on Sunday, October 13, 2024, the eastbound lane of the Jimmie Davis Bridge will be closed for a routine bridge inspection.
The westbound lane of the JDB will be closed Wednesday, October 16th, from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration. If you would like to add an event to the Bossier City free time calendar, send the details to email@bossiernow.com.
Tonight, Thursday October 10: Travis Tritt at the Margaritaville Resort and Casino
October 11: The Brother’s Keepers Motorcycle Club and Phoenix Organization of Jefferson will host the Annual 2024 “Burn Run” from October 11th through October 13th. The event supports child burn survivors by helping fund “Camp I’m Still Me.” Purchase tickets at the event from 11 am to 7 am across the street from Auntie Skinners in Jefferson. The event includes live music, a poker run, a bike show, a 50/50 drawing — and plenty of entertainment.
October 18: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott at the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 19: 85 South at the BGA.
October 20: Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour, with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay at the BGA.
October 25: Mike Ryan brings his band and their popular Texas country music sound to the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 26: Daughtry at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
November 1-3: Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at the BGA.
November 9: A Candlelit Evening with The Wilder Blue at the Louisiana Grandstand.
November 14: Gabby Barrett live in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Casino.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
November 22: John Michael Montgomery at the Riverdome in the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel.
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 nationwide with his hits like "She Likes The Beatles" and "West Texas in My Eye."
November 29: Neal McCoy in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Casino.
December 5: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs The Lost Christmas Eve at the BGA.
December 6: Neo-traditional country artist Braxton Keith at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 7: Williamson Branch, one of Nashville's fastest-growing family bands, is touring the country with their traditional country sound and will perform at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 13: Creed Fisher at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 14: A Candlelit Evening with Marc and Ted Broussard.
December 19: Marcus King, the southern blues & rock guitar phenom, is coming to the Louisiana Grandstand. Marcus will be playing an intimate acoustic evening featuring Drew Smithers.
Bossier news: Independent, reader-supported.
BossierNow's mission is to provide independent, conflict-of-interest-free news coverage of Bossier City and Bossier Parish. We are funded by our readers — not by out-of-town billionaires, deep-pocketed foundations, or dark money groups with a hidden political agenda.
Support independent coverage of Bossier news with a $5 monthly subscription. You can cancel anytime. Email addresses are never shared with third parties.
We welcome your input, press releases, and news tips at email@bossiernow.com.
If he is talking about Florida, then absolutely. If he is talking about refugees that go through the legal process, get a social security card, work and pay taxes, I don't mind giving them a head start, but nothing more. If he is talking about Mexico, he can go straight to hell. Anybody, with any sense, knows the hundreds of reasons why. Thank God he doesn't represent my district.