The new year is a time for growth and Bossier has new leadership for its towns. Benton, Haughton, and Plain Dealing all have new mayors at the helm. 

Hunter Timms is the new mayor for Haughton. His first impression is that the town’s finances are in great shape, pointing out that former Mayor Kim Gaspard had run Haughton “really well” and added that his staff has been “awesome,” and their expertise has led to a “flawless” transition. 

Timms ran for mayor because he has a vested interest in Haughton succeeding for his wife and two young children. He also has a heart for service having been a Bossier City police officer and Army National Guardsman. 

“The desire to affect positive change hasn’t left me and I didn’t realize that until this opportunity to serve my community,” he said. 

As one of the fastest growing communities in Bossier Parish, which is one of the fastest growing parishes in Louisiana, guiding Haughton’s growth is high on Timms’ list of priorities, specifically bringing in new businesses. 

“We have the lowest tax millage in the parish and almost no debt, so I want a better tax base to bring in revenue for the town,” he said. “With that will come new amenities sooner than later. Stay tuned.”

His other priority for 2025 is getting the town’s current infrastructure projects — roads, water, and drainage improvements — across the finish line. He then wants to take a step back and see what is next for improving the town.

While growth and development are a major focus, Timms is still striving to protect the small-town feel that makes Haughton special. He said it is a balancing act, but an achievable one.

“People are so proud to live here because of the small-town values. Haughton is going to grow and that’s important, but it’s equally important to keep the values that made Haughton what it is,” Timms said. “We got something good going and everyone else sees that too.”

James Friday, the new mayor for the Town of Benton, previously served as a town alderman for 16 years. His civic pride pushed him to run for mayor and now he wants everyone to appreciate Benton for the quality of life it offers, noting its safety, schools, and versatility.

“This is a good town with beautiful, historic homes. We have an excellent police department, so the town is safe,” Friday said. “There are very few towns where you can take a walk at night and feel safe.”

His first impression of the mayor’s seat is that he loves his new job. He said the transition was easy due to the former mayor and his two “right hand ladies,” Bookkeeper Shonta Neal and Town Clerk Stephanie Hollier, with 20 years of experience combined. 

“(Former mayor) Shelly Horton because he’s a friend of mine. He decided to try something new after being mayor for eight years, so I waited until the last minute and now, here I am,” Friday laughed. “I’ve got a great staff here.”

He noted that Benton is the parish seat for Bossier and that brings with it some built-in business thanks to the Bossier Parish Courthouse, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Heritage Village museum. However, a major priority is trying to attract more businesses to the town.

“I plan very shortly to start meeting with our local businesses to discuss how we can enhance this town to bring more people in,” Friday said. “We have a lot of good things with the courthouse, sheriff department, and museum, but your businesses are where your tax base is.”

Also, on his mind is building out newsletters to keep residents informed, working with local artists to paint murals for beautification, and developing some new festivals to attract tourists. Friday is also prioritizing the enhancement of the town’s infrastructure.

 “Bottom line: I would like to leave the town in better condition than when I came into office,” Friday said. 

Plain Dealing’s James Cook is also a former town alderman who moved into the mayor’s office. His first impression is that the position requires an attention to detail. 

He has started his tenure by learning and interacting with residents, whether that’s helping sort out a town customer’s water bill or inspecting a pothole.

He took this new role on because he loves his town and wants to see it prosper. 

“I grew up here, I want the town to be what it used to be — bustling with multiple companies,” Cook said. “But it’s baby steps. The sooner we get new things in, the sooner it will pick up. We are getting new people coming in thanks to sawmill and new local businesses like a thrift store.”

His priorities for 2025 are infrastructure. He notes that means town residents won’t see visible changes, but things like new water meters being utilized will improve billing for the town’s residents and a $1.7M Louisiana Community Development Block Grant will be used on the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

“Waterpipes and roads aren’t glamorous but that’s my main concern,” Cook said. “We are also about to start receiving payments for Teal-Jones sawmill for water usage which will see that investment repaid so we can reinvest in the town.”

Having gotten involved in the town’s government after retiring, Cook is hoping to run the town like a business as much as possible.

“I was surprised that the government takes a while to bear fruit and that is not my mindset. I want to make enough money to do what we need for the town,” he said. “I want to be transparent and honest with our residents. If you have a question, I want to get an answer for you or figure it out.”