Term limits still a contentious issue at Bossier City Hall

BOSSIER CITY, La. (KSLA) — It was another heated day of debate as the Bossier City Council appeared to take a step back in the process of having residents vote on term limits.

District 1 Councilman Brian Hammons: “You can talk to me ...”

At-large Councilman David Montgomery: “I have the floor!”

Hammons: “... but you’re not going to yell at me.”

Montgomery: “I have the floor!”

Hammons: “Talk all you want.”

Montgomery: “Good.”

Council members voted Tuesday (Sept. 5) to ask the registrar of voters to decertify the petition calling for an election on term limits.

As we’ve reported, the city attorney claims the registrar made a mistake since the petition lacks the birth years of those who signed the petition.

Council members also authorized the city attorney to seek legal action to see if the petition is valid if the registrar refuses to decertify it.

“If she so refuses to do that, then I’m asking for consent from the City Council to file an action for a declaratory judgment, put it in front of a judge, let the judge look at it and say thumbs up, thumbs down,” city attorney Charles Jacobs said.

Mayor Tommy Chandler, who has advocated for term limits, said he believes voters should be able to decide the matter. “Not one time have I seen someone come up to the podium and say ‘Hey, y’all need to work there all your life. We don’t need no term limits.’ Everybody’s been saying they want term limits. I just say let the people, they voted us in here, let them speak, OK.”

A resident who has attended the meetings about the term limits petition disapproves of the council’s actions. “I’m very concerned by the council’s actions. I’m concerned about Charles Jacobs’ interpretation of the law and why he feels his opinion supersedes the Bossier City charter,” Wes Merriott said.

Another Bossier City resident also thinks the city needs term limits.

“Term limits would give everybody a new opportunity. I just think it’s what we need in Bossier City; it really is,” Kevin Grayson said. “I don’t know why they’re fighting it, you know. But, hopefully, God will be on our side and we will win.”

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