City's first black female mayor giving hope to others

SHREVEPORT, La. — Vowing to lower crime, increase the city's reserves and beautify neighborhoods, Ollie Tyler on Saturday became the first black woman to be sworn in as the city's mayor.

Tyler, a former education administrator who's never before served as an elected official, was accompanied by her son, Tony Tyler, as she recited a pledge in front of Judge Carl E. Stewart of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Frances Pitman, of the 2nd Circuit, presided over the council members' oaths.

"I believe in the people of our city," Tyler told the crowd, "and I embrace our wonderful diversity and tenacious spirit."

Tyler, 69, spoke of her goals to enhance police presence in high-crime areas, improve infrastructure including sewers and streets, develop "an aggressive budget" to stabilize the city's finances, attract Fortune 500 companies, and clean up the "major gateways" to Shreveport.

The seven members of the city council — Willie Bradford, Jeff Everson, Oliver Jenkins, Michael Corbin, James Flurry, Stephanie Lynch and Jerry Bowman — also took the oath of office before a crowd of hundreds at the Shreveport Convention Center.

The ceremony, which was attended by many of Shreveport's public figures including departing mayor Cedric Glover, included an exhortation by outgoing District G councilman Sam Jenkins for the new leaders to "be accessible to your constituents" by speaking to residents in stores, barber shops, churches and restaurants, rather than expecting citizens to visit Government Plaza.

After the inauguration, the city council met for its first session of the new term and elected Everson, representing District B, as its chairman. Lynch, of District F, was chosen as vice-chair, and the long-serving Arthur Thompson was re-elected as clerk of council.

"It's great to feel the energy of a new moment," Everson said. Bowman, District G's new representative, said he looked forward to "setting a tone of unity" between the mayor's office and the city council.

During the mayoral race, Tyler hoped to avoid bringing up her past, which included being cleared in the 1968 fatal shooting of her estranged husband after what she said was years of abuse. Lawyer John Settle and another man brought the old charges to light. Tyler said she was never indicted and said the killing was ruled an "accidental and justifiable homicide."

After the shooting death, Tyler went on to become a teacher, Caddo Parish's director of middle schools, the parish's deputy superintendent, New Orleans city schools' deputy superintendent, superintendent of Caddo Parish Public Schools, Louisiana's deputy superintendent of education and acting state superintendent of education.

Tyler won a runoff election for mayor Dec. 6 with 63% of the vote against a white female lawyer 15 years younger.

Starting Monday, Tyler will begin discussions about assembling her staff. She wouldn't confirm who will serve as her chief administrative officer, spokesperson, or executive assistant, saying she's still weighing applicants. Tyler said her right-hand woman, Pam Raines, will be involved somehow in the new administration.

Tyler is also considering whom to appoint as the next Shreveport Fire Chief, a position that's been vacant since September, when former Chief Craig Mulford was fired for his handling of an investigation into firefighter misconduct at Station No. 8.

Tyler will also decide whether to keep Chief of Police Willie Shaw, whose employment is protected by civil-service rules.

"We're going to be working with him to see if he's the right fit for my vision," she said.

Deputy Chief Ronald Jones, currently the highest-ranking officer in the Shreveport Fire Department, said he's looking forward to Tyler's tenure as mayor, having met with her once to discuss plans.

Tyler emphasized her commitment to unifying aspects of government and community organizations, and to making herself available to the public. She also addressed her historic position as the first black woman mayor of Shreveport.

"I think for those who come behind me as African Americans, it does give them hope, and it does give them inspiration that this is a place they can end up in as mayor of Shreveport, particularly women," she said.

"From that vantage point, I'm thankful."