Over in Bossier City, budget problems and layoffs among city employees and police officers and fire personnel could result in opposition for city council members there, although the election is still three years away.

Sammy Wyatt, a Republican and a retired Bossier City police officer, told the Fax-Net that he is already being contacted by many citizens urging him to run.  Consequently, he says he is casting an eye at the District 4 seat currently held by Republican David Jones.

Wyatt has an impressive resume.  In addition to serving 17 years on the police force, he has an associate degree in criminal justice from BPCC, a bachelor of criminal justice from LSUS, and an MBA from Centenary College.

It is likely that more names of potential candidates for council seats will surface in the future.

Popular choice

Last week, the Fax-Net had an article entitled, “A tale of two chiefs,” which dealt with the possibility of Shreveport and Bossier City getting new police chiefs at about the same time.

It’s a done deal in Bossier City.  Current Police Chief Mike Halphen will leave office on Feb. 19, although his official retirement date will be later  because of vacation and sick leave.

Mayor Lorenz “Lo” Walker announced that he will appoint Lynn Austin, currently serving as chief administrative officer for the city, as the interim police chief.

Walker’s decision is a popular one and has been met with universal approval from police rank-and-file, elected officials, and the citizens of Bossier City.

Austin served as Bossier City’s police chief from 1988 to 1992.  His tenure there got high marks, and he is regarded as having been one of the city’s most capable and popular police chiefs.

Austin told the Fax-Net that he is pleased and excited about returning to the department as police chief on an interim basis.  He said he plans to do a “little tweaking” of the department while there.

Candidates for the police chief’s job won’t take the civil service test until March, and it will likely take several more weeks before the results are in and the mayor chooses a new chief.

Lou Gehrig Burnett  is a seasoned veteran of national and local politics. He publishes Fax-Net Update, a weekly political newsletter.

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