Yes, the plot thickens on what was legally decided at the first meeting of the new Shreveport city council on Sat. Dec. 31.
Stephen Parr and Louis Avallone, hosts of American Ground Radio, reported that councilman Grayson Boucher was actually elected versus James Green.
Wow!
Here is a summary of the findings and conclusions of American Ground Radio:
“Grayson technically received 100% of the votes cast initially for the motion to elect Grayson as chair.
Section 3.1 of the City Charter reads:
Voting at council meetings. Ordinances or resolutions may be adopted, and appointments and removals may be made only by a majority of those present and voting, a quorum being present, at a lawful meeting of the council, which shall be open to the public. All votes shall be cast simultaneously, and the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the council minutes.
“Only by a majority of those present and voting.”
No one voted but Jim and Gary.
Grayson received 100% of those PRESENT and VOTING. Taylor, Green, Bowman, and Jackson were PRESENT but not VOTING on the nomination for Boucher. The charter only gives you an option to vote “aye” or “nay.” If there was a reason for those Democrats (other than Brooks) to abstain, that’s fine, but Green never called for “nays” or “abstentions.” He never called for any other votes than “ayes” and therefore Grayson received 100% of the votes actually cast.
There were no “NAY” votes against Boucher. No “NAY” votes were called for by Green.
Anyone who challenges on whether Grayson received 100% of the votes cast, ask them how many “nay” votes were cast?
When they say, “Well, they abstained.” How do you know? “Well, they didn’t vote.” Great, then we agree that Grayson received 100% of those who voted, then. The Charter says he’s the chair because he received 100% of the votes from those present AND voting. Only Jim and Gary were present AND voting. The rest were just present. The motion to nominate Green after that was a moot point, as Grayson had already been elected, under the rules of the Charter.”
It is expected that litigation will be filed to unravel the issue of who is the “legal” chair of council.