Four members of the Bossier City Council will not be returning when the next term begins in two weeks.
Tuesday’s regular city council meeting was the final meeting for some of the long-serving city council members. Mayor Tommy Chandler and the returning council members honored the legacy of the outgoing members and thanked them for their service to the citizens of Bossier City.
Don Williams, Jeff Free, Jeffery Darby, and David Montgomery, Jr. leave office with a combined 96 years of service on the city council. Mayor Chandler recognized the outgoing members and presented each with a plaque and a ceremonial key to the city noting that “This key represents all the doors you have unlocked for us and a small reminder of the difference you made.”
Councilmen Chris Smith, Brian Hammons, and Vince Maggio will be back for a second term when the new members are sworn in on July 1. These returning members, joined by the Council Clerk Phyllis McGraw, thanked the outgoing members for their years of distinguished service and for helping them learn the workings of Bossier City government.
“We may disagree, and that’s what’s talked about,” at-large councilman Chris Smith explained, “but your true legacy piece is what you poured into me, Councilman Hammons, and Councilman Maggio.”
Mayor Chandler listed the numerous projects and improvements accomplished during the tenure of the departing members adding, “There were difficult decisions, conflicts and criticisms, but no matter how big the problem, you guys faced them head on and led the way to solutions. Not always an easy road, but you stayed the course and Bossier City is better because of each of you. Your love for our city is obvious and your service is undeniable. As the Mayor and more importantly as a citizen, of the great city of Bossier City we say Thank you.”