SHREVEPORT, LA – The fight over term limits in Bossier City takes another turn. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of a Bossier City woman in her effort to get term limits on the ballot.

In fact the court ruling says:

"Defendants’ refusal to call an election may be construed as malfeasance in office. La. R.S. 14:134" --- 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal

Cassie Mae Rogers has been battling the city for more than 2 years. She wants term limits implemented for the city council members and the mayor. But she has been met with resistance from 5 members of the council who have refused to take action. She filed suit against the council members “requesting an election on a proposition to amend the Bossier City Charter to provide for term limits for the City’s Mayor and members of the City Council.”

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She wanted the matter placed on the November 2024 ballot. But the council refused to pass a measure calling the election. That’s when she took the city to court. She won a ruling from the District Court, but the 5 council members appealed that ruling to the 2nd Circuit.

Now the higher court has agreed with the district court ruling and decided the city council was wrong in not calling an election which is required by the City Charter if a properly signed petition is presented.

The Mayor and 2 council members, Chris Smith and Brian Hammons supported Rogers’ effort to get term limits on the ballot.

The legal documentation filed by the City described the defendants’ actions as “self-interested” and argued the defendants’ claim that the amendment will shorten the current City Councilmembers’ terms is “false and unsupportable,” and even if accurate, would not serve as a basis for refusing to comply with the City Charter.

What happens now is anyone’s guess. Candidates for Bossier office are up for election this spring. It is too late to get the term limits item on the March ballot. Secretary of State Nancy Landry tells KEEL News the deadline was January 2.

Here’s How 3 Judge Panel of 2nd Circuit Ruled:

We find the trial court did not err in granting the writ of mandamus and ordering the Bossier City Council to call an election as mandated by its Charter.  Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. Costs of the appeal, in the amount of $331.00, are assessed to defendants, Don “Bubba” Williams, Jeffrey “Jeff” Darby, Jeff Free, Vince Maggio, and David Montgomery.

Rogers and the term limits organizers got more than 3500 residents to sign a petition calling for term limits.

But this does lead to quite a mess because Rogers wanted the term limits issue retroactive to include current council members. But the city elections are on the March 29th ballot and qualifying for that election runs January 29-31.

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