Dream Home or Dream Job?

Tom Dark has been working for Shreveport City Government for years. But until now, his residency has never been questioned. "I`ve lived here all my life. We just chose to move to this particular house 6 years ago," said Dark. But in order to take on his newly appointed position as the city`s Chief Administrative Officer, Dark may have to consider moving. "What I told them from the beginning was that I was gonna be straight up with them and tell them where I lived and they just needed to make their decision accordingly," said Dark. Dark lives of Ellerbe Road in Caddo Parish, just outside Shreveport City limits. But an ordinance created tin the 1980`s requires City Government Department Heads to live inside the city limits. "My dad lives in Southern Hills. I could`ve given a Southern Hills address or whatever, but I don`t believe in doing that kind of stuff," said Dark. Members of the Glover transition team, admit the Mayor was aware of Dark`s address but he didn`t want geography to stand in the way of offering him the position. "That was one of the things we had to consider. But I think the fact that he felt Tom`s qualifications and credentials were important enough that we would deal with the residency issue." Despite living outside the city limits, Tom Dark says moving to keep his new job is simply not an option. "My wife found her dream home a few days ago. And that`s where we`re gonna stay," said Dark. And he may be able to do just that and still keep his job. Mayor Glover has asked the City Council to vote to rescind the residency requirement. The council is expected to make that decision in their meeting on January 23rd.