Councilman James Flurry resigns from Shreveport council, unleashes in radio interview
Councilman James Flurry announced his resignation from the Shreveport City Council in a radio interview with Robert and Erin on KEEL Wednesday morning. He lamented not being able to leave office on his own terms.
"My enemies were attacking me," Flurry said of fellow councilmembers he declined to name but said they felt he "never was Republican enough."
"They wanted me to jump off the roof and break my neck and leave. They wanted me gone right then."
Flurry also said he is done with politics and changing his party affiliation to Independent.
"I want nothing to do with the Republican party," Flurry said.
Tuesday's city council meeting began with legal counsel on how to address the consequences for a councilmember moving out of the district they serve. The city's attorney said a move of this type deems the office vacant.
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Councilman John Nickelson asked for clarity on those consequences.
The city's attorney added that the councilmember could retain their seat if they can prove they reside in both the new home and old one at similar frequencies.
Flurry sold his home Friday.
A court order would have been required to officially remove Flurry from his office.
"That just happened Friday. Give me the chance to either comply or move," James said.
Flurry said he will submit his resignation Wednesday afternoon.
Flurry mentioned in the radio interview that he and his wife ultimately decided stepping down would be best for the city because it would provide an opportunity to better reflect the city's majority population on the council.
"The Census says my district is now 50 percent African-American," Flurry said.
"That might be coming across that I want to stay so I can keep whites in control. I said all along I would never support any gerrymandering to keep district E white," Flurry added.
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"That's the reason my colleagues on the African American side don't want me to leave, because they know I've been fair and inclusive."
Flurry said the two Republicans on the Council will not accept that Shreveport is changing.
"Who was speaking against me yesterday? Who was trying to chop my head off?"
We reached out to Flurry for comment but did not receive a response.
Kendrick Dante is a Government Watchdog Reporter in Shreveport. You can find him on Facebook as Kendrick Dante. Twitter @kendrickdante
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport councilman announces resignation in radio interview
