HEATED CRITICISM - Shreveport City Council met yesterday and it had it’s share of fireworks; one item on the agenda was to vote on confirmation of Mayor Adrian Perkin’s choice for Chief Administration Officer – Henry Whitehorn. One councilman – Democrat James Green was absent from the meeting, and when the vote came up – the confirmation failed with a 3-to-3 tie. The outcome resulted with Mayor Perkins criticizing one councilman – aiming his comments at Republican John Nickelson. Councilman James Flurry serving as chairman gaveled Perkins comments asking him to not to call out a council member by name, the mayor obliged but continued his criticism.
"This is a personal attack by a council member
and I think it’s shameful. I repeat my message from yesterday. This is making our city look terrible.”
At this point Councilmen Nickels, Flurry, and Boucher all Republicans walked, leaving the council without a quorum. After a few moments, they returned to resume the meeting.
During his criticism, Mayor Perkins had pointed out he had heard rumors spread about past sexual harassment lawsuits against Whitehorn along with an alleged lack of support from the Shreveport Police Department which Whitehorn had formerly served as Chief of Police under then Mayor Cedric Glover. After returning from his walkout, Councilman Nickelson who voted No on Whitehorn’s confirmation addressed the CAO candidate directly.
“I have not slandered you nor impugned your integrity. I did privately ask questions about your background and meant no disrespect to you,"Nickelson said.
Perkins said Whitehorn’s CAO appointment will be back on the next council meeting’s agenda anticipating a vote by returning councilman James Green who was absent due to a personal matter.
