A relaxed press conference is a fun experience for a news reporter. Casual conversation before and after the cameras are turned off gives insight into the attitude of the officials.
Mayor-elect Tom Arceneaux’s first presser was at his campaign headquarters on Line Avenue. Interim CAO (chief administrative officer) appointee Tom Dark and interim finance director Sherricka Fields-Jones were in attendance.
Interim part-time city attorney Zelda Tucker was unable to attend.
In no particular order, here are some of my take-aways from the Tuesday, Dec. 20, press conference:
1. Tom A. likes dark roast Community Coffee.
2. Tom D. had already discussed an issue with William Daniels, the DOWUS director.
3. Jones is still pursuing her lifelong passion of teaching ballet.
4. Tom A. will follow up on his campaign promise to have the Real Time Crime Center under his supervision of the Shreveport Police Department.
5. Tom D. does not intend to have any departmental house-cleaning of personnel.
6. Jones has already started reviewing the 2023 city budget.
7. Tom A. does not need council approval for the interim appointments.
8. Tom D. does have a tie, and he may wear it to council meetings.
9. Jones may consider a full-time position in the Arceneaux administration.
10. Tom A. expects the transition teams to have reports to him within 90 days.
11. Tom D. does not intend to have a department head house-cleaning.
12. Jones was “dolled up” as usual.
13. Tom A. is determined to hire full-time, fully qualified persons as CAO and city attorney.
14. Tom D. was planning on talking to department heads before Jan. 2
15. Jones is aware of many important vacancies in the city's finance department.
16. Tom A., Tom D. and Jones all know where the bathrooms are at city hall.
All in all, it’s a great start for the incoming administration. No real learning curves will be needed as in the last two administrations.