It’s a question that has not been publicly addressed by three key members of the Shreveport City Council: LeVette Fuller of District B, John Nickelson of District C and Grayson Boucher of District D. Hopefully, answers will be forthcoming.

Fuller has a campaign account with a balance of over $6,000. Both Nickelson and Boucher have drained their prior council campaign accounts of all funds.

Fuller has drawn one announced candidate. She has held one community meeting after she drew an opponent, and she has three scheduled between Thursday (April 7) and Monday (April 11).

To date, Boucher and Nickelson do not have any announced opponents. Of course, it’s several months before the July 20-22 qualifying dates.

Council members James Green and Tabatha Taylor will seek re-election, and odds are they will return for a four-year term. Both are Democrats.

Council member Jerry Bowman Jr. is termed out. Currently, three citizens have stated they will qualify for the District G seat.

Council member Alan Jackson was appointed and he currently undecided on seeking election to the District E seat.

Fuller is a registered Democrat. She has often voted independently of the other Democrats on the council, and several of those votes were the swing votes on controversial issues.

Boucher and Nickelson are Republicans, and they almost always vote together on issues.

Fuller, Boucher and Nickelson are currently in their fourth year on the council.

Collectively, their experience is important and will be even more important in the next council term, no matter who is the next mayor.

Fuller has a special interest in land planning.

Boucher is a former fire chief and has an express interest in public safety.

Nickelson has taken a special interest in the city's finances and financial reporting.

They all three have been on the "winning" side of key votes as well as the "losing" side.

This means that they have earned their merit badges for being heroes and goats, and in the process learned the hard realities of being an elected official.

Newcomers to the city council face a tremendous learning curve that limits their effectiveness for at least the first year of service. As they say on the streets, "Talkin’ the game ain't the same as playin’ it."

Fuller, Nickelson and Boucher have been diligent and conscientious in their service, and for the most part, have been consistent in their council votes.

Constituents in these council districts deserve to know, and soon, if these elected officials will seek re-election. This is true for both their supporters and detractors.

Hopefully, all three will soon announce their intentions on seeking re-election in the very near future.