The Shreveport city council deadlocked in its votes today to name an interim council representative for District E.
A majority of four was needed to select one of the eight applicants. (Alvin Oliver withdrew his name from the vote.)
The first vote was three for Durwood Hendricks, two for Matt Kay and one for Jon Glover.
On the second round of voting Matt Kay received three votes (Levette Fuller, Grayson Boucher, John Nickelson) and Durwood Hendricks had three votes (Tabitha Taylor, Jerry Bowman, James Green.)
The deadlock means that Governor John Bel Edwards will appoint a council person to serve until Dec. 31, 2022
Council clerk Dannielle Ewing Farr advised that the Governor's selection is not limited to those that applied for the position.
The council deadline for appointment of an interim person was on or before Dec. 13. How soon the governor will make his choice is unknown, but it is not expected until after Saturday's Bond Vote.
James Flurry, the two-time council representative for District E, resigned because he moved out of the district. He could establish a residence back in the district by renting an apartment or for that matter an Airbnb.
The council has many critical votes that will be taken in the next six months. These include district re-districting, confirmation of the mayor's selection of a new police chief and new fire chief, future budget decisions that will be impacted by Saturday's bond election, and the composition of the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission, among others. Having a "rookie" on the council does not bode well for decisions on these critical issues.
Another factor in appointing an interim representative is the fact that if gives a "leg up" to that person who most likely will run in the fall of new year for a four-year term on the council.
It is possible that Flurry could be re-appointed to his former position. And that may be a good compromise for the council and the city.