KTBS 3 News | Shreveport, LA: ArkLaTex News - Councilman to colleague: Comments about mayor out of line

Posted: Nov 3, 2009 9:40 PM
Updated: Nov 4, 2009 10:09 AM

A Bossier City councilman on Tuesday scolded one of his colleagues for his disparaging comments about Mayor Lorenz Walker's handling of the city budget and his decision to lay off nearly 90 city employees.

Two weeks ago, Councilman Jeff Darby said he felt Walker had deceived the council about the condition of the city's finances, which only recently was told that the city was looking at a $6.5 million deficit and layoffs mostly affecting police and firefighters were planned. Darby called layoffs a form of "crime and punishment."

Councilman Tim Larkin on Tuesday said he felt Darby "crossed the line of dignity and decorum" when he attacked the "reputation and character of the mayor." Larkin apologized to the mayor, saying Darby's comments should have been made in a private meeting.

Darby was in the council meeting but did not respond to Larkin. Walker also did not address the controversy.

The City Council meeting came after a five-day period in which a tornado hit northwest Bossier City and residents in northeast Bossier City had worried that rain-swollen Red Chute Bayou would flood them out.

The council also delayed a decision on a proposed ordinance that would reduce the number of billboards in Bossier City. Its part of an effort to reduce "visual clutter."

The Metropolitan Planning Commission, City Council and outdoor advertisers have been trying to reach a compromise. The biggest point of contention is a proposal that would require advertisers to remove five billboards in order to build one new digital billboard. The council couldn't agree on new rules on Tuesday and sent it back to the MPC for more work.

Neutral + − !

J.E. Long at Nov 4th 2009 11:36 AM

Hey Bossier City, $6.5 million ain't bad....try oh, let's see, several $TRILLION" like our present so-called leader in the White House has done for the United States!! And he didn't even try to hide his ever increasing debt! So ya'll don't be too hard on ole Lo, the only thing I see wrong is the laying off of the people that you need "MOST"! Lay off some of that worthless trash that you got stored away sowmwhere just drawing a check without doing too much work! You know who they are, so start there, and then work your way "down", and the police and fire should be the last to go!!

blondeymomma at Nov 4th 2009 2:19 PM

I understand Mr. Darby's frustration with the situation as I am very frustrated as well. It is disturbing to find that the city is in such bad financial condition. It makes sense that there would be a reduction in income given the current economic conditions. What does not make sense, is how the problem was not addressed before now. Were you sleeping?

My children are insured under the city of Bossier's health insurance. Their dad stands to lose his job because of this situation. One of the children is handicapped and will most likely be permanently uninsured because of the city's propsed cuts. Many families will suffer because of this layoff situation. The City of Bossier should seek other ways of making up the budget shortfall.