I was in attendance at the Shreveport City Council meeting when Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins's nominee for chief administrative officer (CAO), Henry Whitehorn, was not approved by the city council on a 3-3 vote.
I was there when angry exchanges were made by the mayor and a council member which led to a "walkout" by three councilmen, which resulted in a loss of a quorum.
I was there when the three council members returned and the meeting continued with comments by Whitehorn and council members.
I was in attendance at other council meetings when Whitehorn was introduced by the mayor as his CAO choice and Whitehorn responded to questions from members of the council.
I have listened to and read many media interviews of the mayor and council members on the Whitehorn nomination, both before and after the vote.
I have witnessed many controversial votes by the council.
One was the first vote on Cross Bayou presented by Mayor Ollie Tyler. Another was on the Cross Bayou vote this year. And the surprise vote this year was the mayor's nominee for the port commission.
Despite knowing that the vote would be a tie, I was tense waiting for the vote board to light up. And even more tense as I witnessed the verbal exchanges and events that followed the vote.
I commend Council Chairman James Flurry for attempting, unsuccessfully, to restore order to the meeting. I also commend his actions in leading the "walkout" — as well as leading the return to the chambers.
Thankfully, the council continued the meeting and worked through the remaining items on the agenda. Unfortunately, the vote on a gun resolution led to more heated comments that were not needed.
Obviously, the absence of Councilman James Green was a factor in the unfortunate scenario of events. Green should not be cast as a scapegoat; I am confident he had exigent circumstances necessitating his absence.
The mayor said Tuesday he would again nominate Whitehorn to be the CAO at the next council meeting.
By council rules, this resolution must appear on the March 10 agenda for approval on March 24. The council could vote to suspend the rules by a unanimous vote to consider the Whitehorn resolution at the March 10 meeting. Then this issue would be resolved by a majority vote, assuming all seven council members were present and voted.
No matter when the Whitehorn vote is taken, Councilman Green definitely will be the kingmaker on this vote. He may lay claim to the crown recently bestowed upon Councilwoman Levette Fuller's head after her "No" vote on the Cross Bayou Pointe resolution.
The sooner the proposed Whitehorn appointment is resolved — by a majority vote — the better. The world did not end on the second floor at city hall by the tie vote, and the sun has continued to come up each day since then.
Often disputes must reach the ugly stage — as in real, real ugly — before issues can be resolved. The Tuesday vote was certainly the nadir for this administration and this council. Many believe it was the low point of all votes since the 1978 charter became effective.
In the past I have entertained fantasies of being on the council and even to be mayor. Tuesday was not one of those days.
It’s time to stop all finger-pointing, social media massacres and cries of Shreveport doomsday by the media, the critics of Shreveport government and the perennial cynics.
Our elected officials can do better, they should do better, and I am confident they will.
Call me Pollyanna if you will.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE February 28 ISSUE OF THE INQUISITOR.