The Shreveport city council is scheduled to vote on the confirmation of Tom Dark as Mayor Tom Arceneaux's permanent chief administrative officer (CAO) on Tues. April 25.

Those that closely follow the council predict that council members James Green, Tabitha Taylor and Alan Jackson will probably oppose the confirmation.

These three were big time supporters of former Mayor Adrian Perkins and seemingly they have forgotten he finished a dismal fourth in last year's primary. Green and Taylor did not endorse in the run-off election while Jackson supported Senator Greg Tarver.

Collectively, the Perk 3 group have coalesced this year to be a force of opposition to Mayor Tom for whatever reasons, which probably include race. Additionally, there is talk that Jackson and/or Taylor have mayoral aspirations in the next election.

Dark is eminently qualified for the CAO position and his work as interim has amazed everyone in city hall.

The fact that Marvin Mohammed, the de facto spokesperson for Taylor, blasted the mayor on his interim appointment of Dark and then blasted Dark at council meetings, sends a loud and clear message of opposition by Taylor and Green who are joined at the hip on council matters.

This year Jackson assumed the role as the council spokesperson for Green and Taylor. His remarks are glib, but often not factually based. His posturing is as transparent as his oversized butterfly bowties which is his personal signature.

How council newcomers Ursula Bowman and Gary Brooks will vote on the CAO confirmation is an unknown.

To date, these two have tied their wagons to the Perk 3 on votes.

During their campaigns both Bowman and Brooks promised to vote for progress and pledged to move the city forward in a nonpartisan way. Of course, campaign promises often do not translate into council votes.

Every mayor under Shreveport's mayor-council form of government starting with Billy Hanna has had their CAO nominees confirmed.

Council members should acknowledge that the mayor has been elected by a majority of the citizens who endorsed his leadership. Leaving aside party politics and future political aspirations, council members should approve a mayor's appointments as a matter of course.

Additionally council members should realize that Mayor Tom can continue Tom Dark as interim CAO for the remainder of this term. So, a vote to spite Mayor Tom will not derail the Arceneaux administration.

However, such a vote could result in delay in approval of projects in districts of naysayers who can not force the mayor to sign construction contracts.

Tuesday will be a day of reckoning for Bowman and Brooks. Their constituents should advise them on their thoughts on the CAO selection.

If the council wants Shreveport to be a better place during their term, they should unanimously confirm Dark.