Goodness, it’s unprecedented in local politics. And for that matter probably in state and national politics as well.
Tommy Chandler was elected to a second term as Bossier Mayor this spring WITHOUT opposition. Chandler and the current council members were sworn into office on July 1 of this year. Their terms end on July 1, 2029.
With the new council members, Chandler has faced many headwinds in less than six months. And now that he must name a new Chief Administrative Officer, he faces a major decision. During his first term his first choice for this position was torpedoed by several long-time council members.
Yesterday evening (Thurs.) a telephone poll was taken of many Bossier City voters. Here is the poll:
Since the new council took office Mayor Tommy has been feeling political heat along with his city hall cronies Bossier City attorneys Charles Jacobs and Richard Ray. Recently Councilman Brian Hammons demanded that Ray turn in his city car because he was NOT a full-time city employee. The new council launched an investigation of the repaving of Benton Road parking lots that had not been approved by the council when accomplished.
Hammons has been a strong independent voice while serving on the Council During his first term. Hammons and fellow council member Chris Smith were often on the short end of the stick when pushing for open, progressive government. All that has changed with the new council and the long-awaited and long overdue departure of David Montgomery, Bubba Williams, Jeff Darby. and Jeff Free when their terms ended in June of this year. These three were almost always joined by councilman Vince Maggio in key votes.
Hammons has NOT publicly announced his future after his current four-year term ends in June 2029. He has confirmed that he did NOT authorize, endorse, or pay for the telephone poll. Bossier city public information officer Louis Johnson has advised that Chandler did NOT authorize, endorse, or pay for the poll.
Chandler's choice for CAO, which must be approved by the Council, will likely determine his future relations with the council which has tight control over city hiring, the city budget and city policies. Change, as in mayor change, started this spring in Bossier politics and the good ole boy network is crumbling. This poll is evidence of unhappiness with Chandler’s past actions as mayor.