by Malcolm Butler
Lynda Henderson wants to honor the legacy left by her late husband, Joe, on the Lincoln Parish Police Jury.
It took seven of the 11 members of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury only nine minutes — most of that time spent on proclamations and resolutions — to agree unanimously Tuesday night to appoint Henderson as the District 9 representative.
Glenn Scriber, Greg Williams, Dan Lord, Milton Melton, Karen Ludley, Logan Hunt, and Annette Straughter were in attendance while TJ Cranford, Diane Richards, Matt Pullin, and Chris Garriga were absent.
Henderson, who is currently a member of the Lincoln Parish School Board, said she will resign from that position during tonight’s monthly meeting in order to fill the appointment.
“I wanted to follow and finish my husband’s legacy,” said Lynda Henderson. “I think it is what my husband would want. I want to fulfill his duties. I will do whatever I can for District 9 and for Ruston, because we believe in Lincoln Parish.”
Joe Henderson served for 34 years on the Lincoln Parish Police jury after being elected in 1992.
“He loved Lincoln Parish,” said Lynda. “He loved the jury. He loved people. He was a servant. And he was a servant of God.”
Joe Henderson’s current term won’t end until the end of 2027, but Lynda’s appointment is only through a special election coming this fall as dictated by state laws.
LPPJ Administrator Courtney Hall said that Louisiana law states since there is more than 18 months remaining on the term, the appointee (Lynda Henderson) 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.
When asked if she planned to run this fall for the District 9 seat, Lynda said she isn’t sure.
“It’s too soon to know,” said Lynda Henderson.
Current LPPJ President Glenn Scriber said he was happy with the appointment of Lynda Henderson.
“She is more familiar with it then anyone else we could possibly get,” said Scriber. “Her and Joe had a great relationship, and they discussed police jury subjects. I think it will be seamless to tell you the truth. I visited with each one of the jurors and I think we are all excited about this. I feel real good about it.”
“We welcome you to this body, and we work forward to working with you,” said District 12 juror Annette Straughter. “We appreciate you for thinking enough of us to come over and join us.”
Hall said that now that the appointment is made, there is still some paperwork that needs to be completed before Lynda Henderson will be a voting member.
“We have to send a certified copy of the proclamation (to the Secretary of State) as well as a certified copy of the minutes about when the appointment was made,” said Hall. “They will send a commission to (Lynda Henderson), and it’s up to her at that point to fill out the paperwork with the clerk and take the oath of office.”
The Lincoln Parish School Board will then have 20 days from when she officially tenders her resignation to make an appointment for Lynda Henderson’s replacement. A special session will be called during that time and an appointment will only need a majority of the board members’ votes.
