by Malcolm Butler
With the unfortunate passing of longtime District 9 police juror Joe Henderson, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury is now preparing for the process of filling the opening.
LPPJ Administrator Courtney Hall said that the process is outlined by state guidelines.
“It’s all dictated by Louisiana Revised Statues,” said Hall. “We have 20 days from the day of the vacancy, which wold have been the day that Mr. Henderson passed, to convene. No. 1 we have to issue a proclamation. Also during that time, we have to appoint somebody to fill his unexpired term.”
Hall said that the law states that since there is more than 18 months remaining on the term, the appointee can only fill the role until this fall when a special election will take place where District 9 members vote for a “permanent” replacement who will fill the role through the end of the term.
“If there was less than 18 months left, the person that is appointed could serve the rest of the term,” said Hall.
Hall said he isn’t sure the exact date of the special election this fall.
“The Secretary of State will tell us when that election needs to take place,” said Hall. “We are waiting on them to tell us.”
He also said he expects the special meeting that will lead to the short-term appointment to take place most likely next week.
“We are still trying to get some details from our legal council that will help us on this,” said Hall, who verified that the person who is appointed in the coming days could also run during the special election in the fall.
The LPPJ meeting that will determine the appointment for District 9 will be open to the public as Hall said a proclamation would be sent out publicizing the date and time.
Hall said anyone residing in District 9 who “meets the qualifications” could put their proverbial hat in the ring for the appointment.
“A lot of times you depend on the person leaving the position to help determine the replacement as a courtesy,” said Hall. “I remember when Ronny Walker left office on the jury, they appointed is wife to fill his unexpired term.”
Linda Henderson, Joe’s wife, is currently a member of the Lincoln Parish School Board.
“It’s the jury’s decision,” said Hall. “I think there will be some conversations (prior to the meeting) going on to find someone that they all feel is palatable.”
Current LPPJ President Glenn Scriber verified that the current jury would have some conversations with Linda Henderson in advance of the meeting.
“I think the jury will go into that meeting pretty well united on that one person, and just make the appointment,” said Hall.
Hall said the proclamation that is issued will specify that a vacancy has occurred and will give a synopsis of qualifications and other details.
The last time the LPPJ had to fill a vacancy in the middle of an existing term was Marvin Franks in 2020, who was replaced by former juror Richard Durrett.
Henderson served for 34 years on the Lincoln Parish Police jury after being elected in 1992.
“Joe came on board shortly after I started working for the police jury,” said Hall. “He was always a great representative of his district. He was very aware, politically. He was a role model for not only the jury, but his constituents in his community. To get re-elected that many times, it speaks to he was doing a really good job. He is going to be missed and hard to replace.”
