July 1 will be historic for Bossier City. That's the date that the new terms begin for the mayor and the seven city council members.
Tommy Chandler will begin his second term. He was reelected without opposition. Council members Chris Smith, Brian Hammons and Vince Maggio also start a second term.
The remaining four council seats will be filled by newcomers:
• Debra Ross who is the first Black woman council member, who defeated long serving Jeffery Darby
• Craton Cochran who will be give up his seat on the Bossier Parish School Board
• Clif Smith who was an active member of the Bossier Term Limits Coalition
• Joel Girouard who ran unopposed for the seat currently held by Jeff Frees.
The swearing in ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the Civic Center. The regular council meeting will begin at 3 p.m. in the council chambers. The first order of business will be the election of the council president, expected to be Smith.
Smith intends to introduce many ordinances that he believes are long needed at the July 1 meeting. Smith and Hammons were roadblocked on many progressive measures during the current term by the old guard led by councilman David Montgomery.
One thing is certain. The Bossier City Council should be calm with no shouted outbursts by a certain council member who constantly opposed the Mayor and progressive measures by Smith and Hammons. It will be a much needed change for the City.