By JOHN E. SETTLE JR.
Editor/Publisher
It’s not if but when the Caddo Commission must replace Lynn Cawthorne.
The commission is waiting for a letter of resignation from Cawthorne, which must be sent to the Secretary of State.
Then a notice of vacancy of office is issued by that office.
Upon receipt, the commission has 20 days to elect by a majority vote a replacement until an expected special election in March of next year.
The Caddo Home Rule Charter spells out the requirements to serve as a commissioner. That person must be “a qualified elector of the parish and shall have resided and been legally domiciled in the district from which elected at least one year prior to time of qualification.”
What that means in English is that the person must have been a registered voter for at least a year in the district.
Cawthorne was elected from District 6. This district includes voter precincts 34, 38, 23, 35, 51, 52, 59, 4, 69 and 78. A map of the district is on the Caddo Commission website for District 6. (www.caddo.org/DocumentCenter/View/994/comm6?bidld=)
The charter requirements for this position are minimal. The remaining 11 commissioners should be cognizant that the named replacement will have a leg up over any opponents in the special election to fill Cawthorne’s unexpired term. That individual will be able to campaign on a ticket pushing the selection of Commissioner X.
Cawthorne is an African-American and registered Democrat. The other five Democrat commissioners will want a replacement to be the same. The six Republicans will have the votes to name the interim appointee if they voted collectively. The district is a heavily African-American population area.
Although not required, the commissioners should consider several factors in their selection. A suggested list is as follows:
1. How long the person has been a resident of the district;
2. What involvement that person has had in the district other than just sleeping there;
3. What other community involvement that person has had;
4. What business background/acumen that person possesses;
5. What track record does that person have for attendance at meetings, diligence in preparation and conduct during meetings;
6. What reputation does that person have for making independent judgments;
7. What is the likelihood that person will seek to election to the unexpired term?
Wannabes are already lining up to be selected to replace Cawthorne. Hopefully, the remaining commissioners will look for qualified candidates and not just listen to the noise generated by those seeking this position.
