SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENTS - At the end of Shreveport City Council meeting yesterday, Councilman Willie Bradford of District A made an announcement that took everyone by surprise.
"I want to announce that today will be my last council meeting," Bradford said. "I will be retiring from the council effective April the 30th."
Bradford was first elected in 2014 to the District A seat. He won a second term in 2018. Bradford’s term as councilman was to end in 2022 and his seat will undergo a process as the Louisiana Secretary of State will first declare Bradford’s seat vacant once his retirement letter is officially received. The Shreveport City Council Clerk will be notified and in turn, will notify council members. Council members will set up a process to select an interim councilman from
resumes submitted to fill Bradford’s seat and will have 20 days to do so. After that, the Shreveport City Council will interview and choose from those resumes to appoint someone to fill the interim position until Nov. 3, the next available major election.
There was another surprise announcement during the Shreveport City Council meeting as District E Councilman James Flurry informed the body that he will be seeking treatment for Leukemia in Texas. During a tearful announcement, Flurry said he has no plans to step down.
"I thank you all for standing with me," Flurry said. "I will continue to try to work. I have no plans to resign as I intend on beating (this) leukemia."
Flurry won re-election to his seat in 2018.