Ex-Councilman Explains City’s ‘Mayor Pro-Tem’ Rule [VIDEO]
Former Shreveport City Councilman Tom Arceneaux talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the city charter rule giving the city council chairman the powers of the mayor when the elected mayor is out of the state.
Arceneaux tells KEEL listeners that the charter, which has been in place since 1978, "...is passed on by tradition. I think when you look at most city charters you'll find something very similar to this because there may be times when when the mayor has to act, there are times when you need to have someone in the office of the mayor."
Here is the exact wording from the Shreveport city charter:
"The chairman of the council shall serve as mayor pro tem and, as such, shall perform the duties and be vested with the powers of the office of mayor:
(a)Whenever so requested by the mayor;
(b)During any period when the mayor has been declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be incapacitated;
(c)When the mayor is suspended from office, or is absent from the State of Louisiana, or when the council has determined that his whereabouts are unknown; and
(d)When the office of mayor is vacant."
Read More: Do We Need Charter Provision Giving Council Chair Power of Mayor? | https://710keel.com/do-we-need-charter-provision-giving-council-chair-power-of-mayor/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral