Bossier mayor Tommy Chandler has been spectacularly unsuccessful in getting the Bossier City Council to confirm his nominations. In fact all four made by Chandler failed to get approval the first time around. He was successful with two of these at a subsequent council meeting.

Chandler has now employed new tactics in an effort to have Amanda Nottingham join in his executive team. He sent out a press release on Mon. Aug. 30 touting Nottingham and her credentials to be his project coordinator, a position that is the equivalent of an assistant chief administrative officer (CAO). However he did NOT put the nomination on the agenda for the Tues. Aug. 31 council meeting.

Evidently Chandler realized that their were at least two obstacles in getting the Council's stamp of approval. 

Chandler did not look at the city budget to determine if this position was funded. And guess what - it was not. Former CAO Pam Glorioso , who preciously held this position, had rolled those duties into hers when she became CAO. So, no money in the till for this job.

Now Chandler has placed Nottingham on the agenda for the Sept. 7 council meeting for confirmation as interim CAO at a budgeted salary of $70,000. Word on the street is that King David (councilman David Montgomery) will have his council puppets vote to confirm Nottingham.

If this happens, several questions become relevant. The first is does Nottingham really work for Chandler or must she appease King David if she ever wants to advance to the CAO chair? The council must approve the naming of a permanent CAO.

Secondly, if Chandler ever finds a real CAO candidate that can get King David's blessing, what position if any will Nottingham hold? In theory should could remain as assistant CAO which means the new person inherits her without any say so.

Tuesday/s council meeting could have more drama, this time focused on Nottingham. For those that follow the council actions since Chandler took office, it’s a known that the unknown is the norm.