It’s going to be quite a year for
politics in Bossier Parish. We will have a race for State Senate to replace
Robert Adley, who is term-limited. Dr. John Fleming will be seeking to retain
his seat in congress, with the big question being whether Cedric Glover will
offer some real Democratic opposition this year.
Bossier Judgeships will be up for
grabs. Judge John Robinson is retiring and there is some interesting conjecture
as to who will replace him. Word is that Jeff Thompson is interested, which
would leave open his seat in the State Legislature.
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| Vicky & Jim Whitman |
One of the most visible races, and
the one I will concentrate on today, is the contest for Bossier City Marshal.
Current Marshal Lynn Austin, who ran to fill the term of the late Johnny Wyatt,
is not running for re-election. Two main contenders have stepped forward. They
are Jim Whitman, a Captain in the Marshal’s office with eleven years
experience, and Carl Wayne Richard. Richard, who has served as a Deputy Marshal
in both Bossier City and Shreveport, where he is currently employed.
Richard ran for Marshal after the
unfortunate death of Johnny Wyatt, in a three way race with Lynn Austin and
Sammy Wyatt. Austin, a former police chief and Bossier City CAO, won the race
with 53% of the vote. He had the support of the city establishment politicians
and enjoyed heavy contributions from the local power brokers.
Richard, despite being outgunned in
that race, carried 30% of the vote. He is the most well known and high profile
candidate in the race, with all of the pros and cons that go with that.
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| Carl Wayne Richard |
Whitman should enjoy the support of
the establishment that supported Lynn Austin, although probably not at the same
level. The powers that be pretty much view Richard as the fox who wants to get
into the henhouse, and they will work to prevent that. He’s not ‘one of them’.
Marty Carlson had a good article in
the Forum about this race in which she addressed the question of remuneration.
- “First, he (Austin) cut the City Marshal’s salary by nearly half. His predecessor’s salary had averaged about $140,000 per year of which the city paid $32,784 – the balance coming from the Marshal’s office contingency fund (pursuant to law). Austin had observed during the election campaign that he didn’t believe the City Marshal should make more than the Bossier City Chief of Police and therefore would reduce the salary if elected.He was and he did. His annual salary is $72,500."
It is a question that will be asked of each candidate and
must be answered – ‘will you pay yourself at the current level of $72,500 or
will you revert back to the higher amount?’.
Both of the candidates have websites up, and you can view
them for more complete information on both.
Did Whitman really work for the FBI? If not he's misleading voters.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you see that?
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ReplyDeleteMarch 22, 2014 at 4:21PM, your comment had nothing to do with the subject at hand and only served to advance your personal vendetta. Keep it on subject.
ReplyDeleteJim Whitman is a great guy. I wonder if Carl is promising everybody who votes for him a job last he did last time. Stay in Shreveport Carl.
ReplyDeleteYes, please stay in Shreveport, we do not need a marshals office like the one across the river
ReplyDeleteCarl is a great guy also and want play into the wink wink Corruption of Bossier city.
ReplyDeleteJim you need to get off your ass and do some more stories. There bad things happening everyday, your just afraid to report them, I want tell Low.
ReplyDeleteIt seems I remember reading that Austin was prohibited from accepting the full salary because he was already receiving a pension from the city and the pay cut was for legal reasons and not so much an ethical dilemma on his part. Does anyone else recall this?
ReplyDeleteI don't recall anything legal that required him to take a pay cut. I'm. It convinced he ever took a pay cut. I know Marty Carlson did an article that said he filled out the paperwork but never followed up as to whether he submitted it. Marty won't print anything negative about the good ole boys
ReplyDeleteIs it correct that Judge Michael O. Craig's term is up December 31, 2014? If so, is it anticipated that he will have opposition in the race? Where would one find more details?
ReplyDeleteAustin gave me some bad advice when he was working with Lo Walker, I just can't trust him, but that's just me. Maybe he didn't know the person he advised me to talk to Lt. Jimmy Stewart would threaten me with a false arrest.
ReplyDeleteHe's back!
ReplyDeleteOMG its the craziest man in bossier parish..........he's nutty........he's the FUNNY BONE freak.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the truth is harder to except than a lie. I know the truth, and although there are are people that don't want to hear it, like my GAY Stalker, that is just the way it is, Carl is the man for the Job, he is honest, and he want lie to victims, or will he arrest the person that he hates the most because he can.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the Bossier City Chief of Police makes 70k+ I have had to deal with him before where he told me an employee had left the force, but latter found out he had been moved to the Secretary for Stockton. And somehow Shane FORGET to put someone else on the case. How does that happen. I think Lo wanted a tall guy, not a smart guy, so it would make Lo look taller. 70k is way to much, I was thinking 40k or less.
ReplyDeleteFunny Bone Freak, cannot vote in Bossier City elections. He can only whine, cry and blow hot air, like always
ReplyDeleteI think May 7 at 11:15 am Is my gay stalker, I just wanted to tell you gay stalker when you go to a bar and it has a sign that says Parking in Back it doesn't mean what you think it does, are you wearing your Pink High Heals?
ReplyDeleteWow, is FBG back? What the hell are you talking about secretary to Stockton and Shane forgot to put someone else on the case? What case would that be? He has to make more than $70,000, if not he needs a raise.
ReplyDeleteJim, We would like to read some of the stupidity posted that you've removed. Can you display redacted statements instead of complete removal. I understand if you can't because of the content, but if you can it would be appreciated.
DeleteI might can do that in some cases. Usually it has to do with naming names. In the case of FBG I usually let it go because no one takes him seriously in any event. (Sorry FBG)
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