The resignation of James Flurry from the Shreveport City Council has now thrust council member Tabatha Taylor into the council chair's seat. Taylor was selected as vice chair in January of this year.

Taylor was initially appointed to the council upon the resignation of Willie Bradford in May 2020. She was elected to serve Bradford's unexpired term in November of last year. Thus, she has served on the council for 19 months.

Taylor has a penchant for becoming very emotional in pushing her agenda items, almost to the point of calling out those who do not support her position or share her zeal. As the council chair, she should rein in her passionate, long-winded admonitions and allegations.

She has championed herself as the spokesperson for the downtrodden, including her characterization the "brown population." She is an African-American, and no Hispanic group has recognized her as their spokesperson or spear carrier.

As chair, Taylor should be responsive to relevant inquiries from the press on her votes and her positions on issues. Additionally, she should not complain about being included in group communications to all council members.

Flurry had a well-deserved reputation as being a statesman while serving as chair of the council. He sought unity on critical votes and often his votes were based on the greater good of the city, not just his district.

Taylor has been very aggressive representing her district, often without regard to factual reality. Whether or not this attitude will change while serving as chair is yet to be known.

Councilman James Green has lobbied long and hard to be appointed the chair of the council for next year. Green is an African-American. He is expected to be elected as chair.

Whether or not Taylor will be re-elected as vice chair is not known. Traditionally, the council elects one white and one black for the positions of chair and vice chair. This may change now that the council composition will likely be five blacks and two whites once Flurry is appointed.

Taylor has done a good job since her appointment to the council, but she no longer deserves any special treatment as the new kid on the block. How she handles the job as chair for the remainder of the year may impact her future political aspirations.