Bossier City Council Meeting Ends in Stalemate Over Term Limits
Bossier City, La. — In a surprising turn of events during Tuesday’s city council meeting, three council members openly defied a court order that required them to call an election regarding term limits. This decision came despite a clear directive from District Judge Parker Self, who had ruled just a day prior that the council was legally obligated to address the matter.
What Happened at the Meeting?
The atmosphere in the room was tense as the council began its regular agenda. The proposal to call an election for term limits wasn’t on the official agenda, necessitating an amendment to allow for discussion. City attorney Charles Jacobs attempted to have the amendment added, but it relied on a unanimous vote from the council—which simply didn’t happen.
Council members Jeffery Darby, David Montgomery, and Vince Maggio voted against the amendment, effectively blocking the proposal. The two remaining members who supported it, Don Williams and Chris Smith, along with Brian Hammons, were outvoted 3-3. This vote came after three concerned citizens spoke up, urging the council to follow the judge’s ruling.
Citizen Voices Heard
One of the speakers, Cassie Rogers, who is actively involved with the Bossier City Term Limits Coalition, expressed her disappointment in the council’s decision-making process. “We are divided. Let’s come back together,” she said, emphasizing the need for unity.
Frustration echoed in the remarks of another citizen, David Crockett, who blasted the council’s actions as a tactic to maintain power. He pointed out that some council members might be eyeing a run for mayor, saying, “Who would let you run when you’re fighting the will of the people and you’re wasting the people’s tax dollars?”
Legal Tensions
The council members who voted against the amendment are part of a group that has consistently resisted the push for term limits. This group, which includes Williams and Jeff Free, has filed an appeal against the judge’s ruling. The appeal directly conflicts with the sentiments of the citizens, who strongly believe that the council should respect the court’s decision.
Rogers returned to the microphone to remind the council of the judge’s finding that favored the citizens’ stance. “It was deemed in a court of law the arguments rendered by the five council members who are fighting us tooth and nail, that there was no reason for the fight,” she stated. “The judge awarded the citizens the power to put something on the ballot because you refuse to.”
The Outcome and What’s Next?
The failure to add the term limits election to the agenda has left many in the audience and the wider community feeling disillusioned. Rogers labeled the council’s actions as “fraud, waste, and abuse,” insisting that their duty is to listen to the will of the citizens.
The ongoing struggle over term limits brings to light significant questions about governance and public accountability. As the council prepares for the next meeting and the community continues to voice its opinion, the hope remains that the city’s representatives will heed the call for change.
This latest chapter in Bossier City’s political saga highlights the growing divide between elected officials and the constituents they serve. While it’s clear that passions are running high on both sides, it remains to be seen how this issue will unfold in the upcoming weeks.
Conclusion
For Bossier City, the controversy surrounding term limits is far from over. With passionate citizens rallying for their voices to be heard, the next council meeting promises to be just as contentious. Will the council reconsider? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the people of Bossier City are watching closely.
