JOHN E. SETTLE JR
Shreveport councilman John Nickelson just announced he would not seek reelection to the council. His decision was both timely and needed since qualifying for the council races is less than two months away.
To date, council appointee Alan Jackson has not decided if he will seek the position the old-fashioned way -- by actually qualifying, beating the streets and seeking voter approval. Jackson's appointment by the governor was a silver-plated gift that was not really merited for many reasons.
As is her MO, council member LeVette Fuller has not publicly advised if she will seek re-election. After an opponent announced, she held a knee-jerk, poorly attended town hall meeting at Sci-Port. She also announced two other such meetings, but then cancelled one at the last minute.
Although council members James Green and Tabatha Bowman stubbornly and irresponsibly refuse to respond to media inquiries, it can be assumed they will both seek re-election.
Green is the Ken Epperson of the council. He previously served until termed out, and he is now finishing up a first term. He enjoys his position as council president as he delegates the normal presidential duties as if he were running his church.
Taylor has become the council camera hog, crowding in behind Mayor Adrian Perkins and other elected officials at press events to make sure her mug appears in the media. She has also become the number one cheerleader for the mayor as she reportedly harbors future mayoral aspirations.
Jerry Bowman Jr. is termed out. To date, three citizens have said they will seek his seat in what may become the most hotly contested council race.
The last holdout, in the sense of not announcing his intentions, is Councilman Grayson Boucher. The Springhill native has often sided with both Nickelson and Fuller in key votes, but unlike those two, he has not alienated other council members.
Boucher's experience as a fire chief is valuable in the sense of knowing how the governmental machine works and does not work. His real job as an appraiser sends him all over the city, and for that matter northwest Louisiana, and gives him an overall perspective not shared by the other council members.
Both Fuller and Boucher need to announce their political plans soon -- like by May 1. Both can make valuable contributions to the city with a second term, especially Boucher.