Hightower Administration Comes to an End

It`s the end of an era- After eight years serving the citizens of Shreveport, Mayor Keith Hightower is packing up and moving on. The move is bitter-sweet. The mayor says he`s only leaving because term limits force him to do so. Hightower began his final day in office with a press conference, reflecting on the triumphs and challenges of his administration. "The city`s come a long, long way and I leave office standing tall and standing proud of everything that`s been accomplished over the last eight years," said Hightower. He says his biggest accomplishment was turning Shreveport`s negative image in to a positive one and creating a bright economic future. Today he thanked his staff and the citizens of Shreveport for helping accomplish his many goals. "Thanks to the citizens of Shreveport for giving me the opportunity to serve over the last eight years. I hope we`ve made you proud. I hope you are proud of where you live.I`ve got every confidence that this city will continue to grow and be the city we want it to be. Where truly our children will want to stay." Mayor Hightower spearheaded numerous economic development projects, including bringing retailers to Youree Drive the renovation of Independence Stadium and the creation of the Shreveport Convention Center. But there were also some disappointments, like the Red River District. "It`s obviously our biggest disappointment from a city investment standpoint... It certainly was built before it`s time I think." Still Hightower says his biggest challenge was dealing with the shooting of Marquise Hudspeth, who died at the hands of Shreveport Police. "It was a scary, scary situation. It could have gone either way... It just has the potential of turning the city upside down" The mayor had to act as a mediator to prevent the city from self-destructing. "I think that was the biggest challenge. But I think it really brought the community together, even though it was a tragedy." As a far as unfinished business, the mayor says he would like to have seen the Convention Center Hotel completed before the end of his administration. He would also like more housing options. Still Hightower is confident the next administration will be able to take the city to the next level, making Shreveport one of the great cities of the South. As for his next move, Mayor Hightower plans to return to work at a local car dealership and says he would consider running for another political office, if the right opportunity presented itself.