COUNCILMAN DARBY NEEDS TO FOLLOW HIS OWN LECTURE ON "SECONDS"

 
No, this is not a lecture from Emily Post on how to hold your napkin, to hold your fork or when to go back for more food. Nor does it have anything to do with a clock and time. It’s about parliamentary procedure, in what was defined by Bossier Councilman Jeff Darby as a “learning moment.”

It’s always good to having “learning moments” in life. It’s even better when the ‘”instructor” of the “learning moment” is, in fact, a student of the lesson.

Councilman Jeff Darby shared his wisdom at the Thursday council meeting on the importance and functions of “seconds” to ordinances, motions and resolutions. Darby is now vice president of the council and, evidently, this new position, plus the Plexiglass panels on both sides of his seat at the council dais, has elevated his self-esteem or his opinion of his importance.

Darby advised those in the chambers that “seconds” are part of the governmental process. He said the purpose of a “second” is to open the platform for discussion of an issue by council members and the public who may have questions. Darby says “seconds” are necessary for the process of government.

What triggered the sharing of wisdom by Darby is an unknown. Maybe it was the two amendments he made to an ordinance he proposed on entering contracts between mayoral elections and the actual taking of office by the newly elected mayor. Darby had to prompt his council neighbor Bubba Williams to second each of his amendments.

Unfortunately, Darby did not follow his own preaching when a motion was made to confirm Mayor Chandler’s first nomination for Chief Administrative Officer. That motion, made by Councilman Smith, did not get a second, and, thus, it died on the vine.

Hmmm.

Why did Darby not give Smith the courtesy of a second? Did he not think that the platform should have been open to discuss the merits of the Cheatham nomination or to allow the public to make comments on the same? Maybe Darby just had an epiphany on “seconds,” or maybe the “seconds lecture” only applies to non-controversial topics.

So, now you know about “seconds.” One never knows what can be learned at Bossier City Council meetings. It’s more the reason to go because there is no price for admission to what has been a circus since Chandler took office.