March 5, 2019

Council, City of Minden

P. O. Box 580
Minden, LA 71058-0580

Reference: LETTER OF VETO

Dear Members of the Minden City Council:

This letter will serve as my official veto regarding the following described item as
addressed by the council of the City of Minden in Regular Session held on March 4, 2019:

(C) Personnel
“Regarding Item (C) Personnel, Herbert Taylor, III moved to table this matter for further
investigation of the police candidates, but he rescinded his motion after the vote to confirm
the candidates failed. Pam Bloxom moved to accept the recommendation of the Personnel
Committee and confirm William Wright and Lowell Lister as Police Officers in the Minden
Police Department. The motion was seconded by Keith Beard and the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Keith Beard and Pam Bloxom. Nays: Herbert Taylor, III, Terika Williams-Walker
and Vincen Bradford. The motion failed.”

After serious consideration of this matter, I have decided to exercise my right of veto on
this item and confirm the hire of William Wright and Lowell Lister as Police Officers in
the Minden Police Department for the following reasons:

1. William Wright and Lowell Lister were interviewed by Police Chief Steve Cropper;
2. Lowell Lister passed the examination administered by the Municipal Fire and
Police Civil Service Board with a score of 91% and William Wright with a score
of 95%;
3. Both applicants were brought before an interview panel consisting of Captain
Marvin Garrett, Captain Julie Harmon, Lt. Chris Cheatham, Lt. Keith King and Lt.
Ryan Barnette;
4. Background checks were run on both candidates;
Minden City Council
March 5, 2019
Page 2

5. Personal and work references were checked on both candidates;

6. William Wright is P.O.S.T. certified;
7. Both candidates appeared before the Minden Personnel Committee with the
committee recommending their confirmation to the Minden City Council;
8. Both candidates have undergone psychological evaluation, polygraph testing,
physical and drug screen testing at the expense of the city;
9. The Minden Police Department currently has three vacancies with another officer
leaving this month which will leave the city four officers short.
10. The council vote against the recommendation of the Police Chief and Personnel
Committee is unprecedented in the City of Minden.

I firmly believe we should stand behind the recommendation of Police Chief Steve Cropper
and the Minden Personnel Committee and confirm William Wright and Lowell Lister as
Minden Police Officers.

This Letter of Veto will be placed in the official records of the City of Minden and attached
to and made a permanent part of the official minutes of the Council Regular Session held
on March 4, 2019.

Yours truly,

Terry L. Gardner
Mayor

TLG:wp

Enclosure: Minden of Council Regular Session held on March 4, 2019

cc: Police Chief Steve Cropper

City Clerk Michael Fluhr
City Attorney L. Charles Minifield
Minden Press-Herald
KASO Radio
Mr. William Wright
Mr. Lowell Lister