BY: BILLY ROY WAYNE
Following another round of “lively” discussion the Shreveport City Council finally approved Henry Whitehorn as the city’s next Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The vote was a 4-3 approval and, for the most part, along party lines. The duties of the CAO have been well documented yet there may be some challenges ahead the new CAO will face which are not in his job description. These challenges, depending upon whom one talks with, have more to do with personalities than intellect.
Consider, if you will:
• Will the CAO have to improve his people skills to serve as liaison between the mayor and council, the council and the mayor, and the council itself in order that some of the past frictions between these groups are removed? This could be quite a challenge.
• As simple as this may sound, the CAO may find it a challenge to convince some taxpayers that this position was vital enough to justify city administration not being viewed as “top heavy.” When one considers the city’s present budget woes and what budget issues may arise after the pandemic, this “non-job description” challenge may be closely monitored.
• Finally, it may be a challenge for the CAO, or someone, to find a seat around the horseshoe. It was already “pretty crowded” up there. One thing for “SHO,” the position, although not an elected position, is political. The CAO may find that his greatest challenge will be navigating in and around the politics involved.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE April 24 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.