In what has become a divisive pattern, Shreveport Councilman John Nickelson and Grayson Boucher have been voting together against major initiatives by Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins.
Both profess to have the city's best interests at heart. Both profess no ill will for the mayor, his proposals or his nominees.
But … there is always a " but." And in fact, many residents in Districts C and D are accusing their representatives of being a "butt."
The "No Twins" have frequently disagreed with the city attorney and her interpretation of the city charter, city ordinances and city procedures.
Nickelson likes to play "Larry Lawyer" and question contracts and ordinances as if he were a law school professor. Boucher often confuses his fire chief experience with his role as a council member vis a vis the mayor.
Like it or not, the continual opposition to the mayor has hurt and will continue to hurt the constituents of Nickelson and Boucher. And this will only exacerbate if they oppose Henry Whitehorn, who will be approved as the city's chief administrative officer.
No, it is not expected that the mayor and the city department heads will turn a deaf ear to Nickelson and Grayson or the residents of District C and District D.
But it can certainly be presumed that, from the perspective of who and which districts get priorities from city hall, the No Twins are not helping their constituents.
The math is not hard. Four votes on the council prevail.
Being on the losing side of key votes is not productive. Politics and personal principles often are conflicting, but politics usually wins out.
THIS ARTICLE IS PUBLISHED IN THE March 20 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.