Former City of Shreveport Mayor John B. Hussey has transitioned from his earthly home to his heavenly home.
Mayor Hussey served two terms as mayor of what could have been—and should have been—“The Next Great City of the South.”
I was blessed to work under Mayor Hussey during both of his terms. I was also blessed, and in some cases challenged, to serve during the administrations of seven other mayors, spanning ten administrations.
During my tenure with eight mayors, I worked with some who were great, some who were good, some who were not so good, and one or two who were simply clueless.
Mayor Hussey did not fit into any of those categories. Mayor Hussey was in a class by himself.
The initiatives carried out during his administration were light years ahead of where we have been since. He understood leadership, vision, and the importance of bringing people together.
Mayor Hussey once said, “First, to be an effective mayor, the only way to get things done is by developing a consensus—that is, by persuasion.”
When he was first elected in 1982 with 54% of the vote, some in the media called it a landslide. However, he reminded us that 46% of the voters did not vote for him. He understood that real leadership required reaching beyond those who already supported him.
He figured out how to get things done—and by the next election, he was unopposed.
Mayor Hussey, your family will miss you, and so will I.
So long to the GOAT of mayors. We will greet you in Heaven one day.
Donald Hobdy