REMARKS BY PRESIDING OFFICER
Councilman Stewart: Mayor Hightower, it says Remarks by Presiding Officer, and all I could come up with was the word, remarks. But I do believe while I'm the Presiding Officer, you are certainly the ranking officer. We welcome you to the new opportunities. On behalf of the members of the City Council and the Staff, please accept our congratulations not only for your election and your inauguration, but for the inclusive air, the great ideas and the direction that you presented each of us. I know that a considerable amount of conversation ensued following your comments. I did not see anything but grins and teeth, so teeth for Keith, has a ring to it. I'd appreciate it if you might take a moment to share your thoughts with us before we have the election for City Council Officers.
Mayor Hightower: I want to take a minute to congratulate each and every one of you. As I told each one of you individually, I look forward to working with you over the next four years. As I said in the inauguration today, I don't think that the form of government we have ought to be a form that divides us and keeps one branch in the dark, that won't happen. Certainly it'll be our goal everyday to inform you on what's going on. We'll meet regularly. I ask for your input. You are the guys, certainly I know over the last eight years, you are the guys with your ears to the ground out there you know what is going on in the city and I'm looking forward to working with each and every one of you to insure that the districts that you represent, the constituents that you represent are taken care of. Certainly, there are limitations on the money we have, but we are going to find ways to tell people, yes, and not always tell people, no. Tell people why we can't do something. We are going to try and find solutions and the ways to get things done and hopefully ways to make all of our jobs easier. And as a result of that, hopefully make the whole city a better place to live for all of our citizens and congratulations to each one of you.
Councilman Stewart: Mr. Antee, you are the Chief Administrative Officer, right? Mr. Antee: Rather than the City Attorney. Councilman Stewart: I thought I'd be reminded. Yesterday, I introduced him as the City Attorney, when I was asking for his opinion. Mr. Antee: I appreciate the opportunity to serve. I look forward to working with ya'll.
Councilman Stewart: The purpose of this meeting is to convene our group and the election of
City Council officers, that specifically being the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman.
ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS: CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
Councilman Shyne nominated John David Stewart, Chairman, seconded by Councilman Burrell. Councilman Serio nominated Roy A. Burrell, Vice-Chairman, seconded by Councilman Carmody. Motion approved by the following vote: Ayes: Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.
Councilman Burrell: I look forward to the next four years, unless something else come up. to serve this Council and to work with you Mr. Chairman, to put forth many of the ideas that is needed in order to move our city forward. Mr. Mayor, I pledge to you and your staff that we will work very, very hard to initiate if necessary any work that is necessary to bring about the changes that you are looking for in the city. I think it is very, very important. I know that four years ago, one of my biggest concern was and you've addressed that, is including the Council on the front end and I'm very adamant about doing that. Because I believe that we are going to be doing things that are for the betterment of our city then more heads are better than one, so whether it is two or more; so, we are looking forward to working with you.
Councilman Stewart: I appreciate the opportunity to be the first Chairman of this group. I came here in '91 and that's when I met Mr. Hightower, Mr. Shyne, the ladies over here--Julie, Dianne, Art, Deborah, and many of you. Its been an enjoyable seven years for me, and that's a very true statement. I'd be either first to say and remiss if I didn't make the observation that I truly look forward, as everyone else does to the next four years. This is an opportunity for Shreveport, its an opportunity for everybody in Shreveport. It's a pleasure to face the year 2000 with smiling faces, great ideas, people on the same team, going in the same direction and I hope that each of you will remind me of my responsibilities and that we'll all work together with the Mayor, with his team. We have a great opportunity for Shreveport and I'm glad that we are all a part of it.
APPOINTMENT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL
Motion by Councilman Carmody to nominate Arthur Thompson, to serve as Clerk of Council,
seconded by Councilman Spigener. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen
Huckaby, Stewart, Carmody, Serio, Spigener, Shyne, and Burrell. 7. Nays: None.
Councilman Burrell: I want to recognize my family that have come here, my oldest brother, James. My mentor, he always has been. As you know I came from a family of fourteen, so that's the oldest right there. And my youngest son, Ryan and his friends here. These are my other two sons here in the neighborhood, but they were on the campaign trail with them and my fiancee, Kathy Hunter. Councilman Stewart: How many people knew that Roy had a fiancee? Congratulations, I didn't. You did say, fiancee didn't you? Okay, congratulations. And Ms. Fiancee after Mr. Burrell leaves, we'll be glad to visit with you personally.
Councilman Stewart: We have the vote, Mr. Thompson, I know we are short on time, how about sharing your brief thoughts with us. You are very important to what we do along with your staff. Your wisdom is always the best. Please share it with all of us. Mr. Thompson: I really appreciate the opportunity to serve. I enjoy doing what I do. I will enjoy working with each of you and I hope that we will move the Council forward and will help to move the City forward in the next four years. It is a pleasure to serve the people of Shreveport. I think service is what I was intended to do, and I enjoy it very much; thank you.
Councilman Stewart: Mr. Hightower, all of us wish you the best. We look forward to the pleasure of working with you, with Liz, with Tom, with the others out there. You've given us all hope, we appreciate it and we won't forget it.
The organizational meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
/s/John David Stewart, Chairman
/s/Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council