Pineville council appoints Joseph E. Bishop as interim mayor after brief public comments

The Pineville City Council voted on Oct. 30, 2024, to appoint Joseph E. Bishop as interim mayor, approving a resolution that cites Louisiana Revised Statutes 18:602 to fill the vacancy. The roll-call vote recorded Councilman Dorn voting no and Councilmen Preggitt, Boushey and Martin voting yes; the presiding council member announced the motion carried.

The resolution was moved by a council member and seconded by the presiding council member. A council member who spoke in favor highlighted Bishop's 18 years on the Rapides Parish Police Jury and leadership experience, saying the city needs someone who can provide 'day 1' executive leadership and maintain relationships with neighboring parishes and agencies.

The vote followed public comment that voiced both opposition and support. Linda Rose, who identified herself as a Pineville resident, urged an election and said voters should choose the next mayor: "I think this election should be voted on ... Let the people vote in, who they would like to see as mayor." Rose also referenced past actions that led to the previous mayor's removal and said residents deserve transparency.

Cornelius Lawson White Jr., another public commenter who provided his address and phone number for the record, said he believed the previous mayor, Rich Dupree, had been treated unfairly and charged the city's leadership with racism. "We got a mayor over there that's a racist," White said, and added he had served in the military and was speaking because he believes the treatment of Dupree was wrong.

Randy O'Neil, who also spoke and said he had submitted his name for consideration earlier, urged residents and departments to welcome Bishop if the council chose him: "This man is being given an opportunity to serve our city once more ... I offer my support at this time for our incoming mayor." O'Neil described Bishop as "genuine."

A council member who spoke before the vote said the process of selecting an interim mayor had damaged trust and could divide the community: "The process ... continues to divide. You can't exclude everyone every time and every decision." That speaker said they had been told how to vote late and emphasized the importance of inclusive procedure.

After the vote, Joseph E. Bishop addressed the audience and council, saying he would work with departments and residents and denying accusations leveled against him: "If you would like to discuss something, ma'am, with me, please feel free. My phone's always on. I will come and talk to you about whatever you're hearing about me, which is false allegations." He asked for a chance to serve and said, "we will make Pineville proud again."

The presiding official noted that the council would hold a swearing-in shortly after the meeting. The council then moved toward adjournment; a benediction led by Pastor Nathan Martin closed the session.

What happens next: the resolution puts Joseph E. Bishop in the interim mayor role under the statutory process cited by the council; any further procedural steps (the exact timing of the swearing-in) were described as occurring "momentarily" at the meeting's close but were not specified on the record.