New Administration, City Council And Police Chief Take Oath During Public Ceremony In Olde Towne
Randy Fandal was sworn in as mayor of Slidell on Wednesday morning at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium, taking office with the city’s newly seated council members and incoming police chief during a public inauguration ceremony that signaled the official start of a different administration at City Hall. The ceremony placed several major branches of city leadership before residents at the same time, giving the public a clear look at the officials who will guide Slidell through its next stage of municipal work.
The 11 a.m. ceremony in Olde Towne Slidell included the oath of office for Fandal, Council Members-at-Large Leslie D. Denham and Thomas S. Abney, district council members Landon J. Washington, Sean Fadely, Megan S. Haggerty, Nicholas “Nick” DiSanti, Shawn Jones, Thomas “Trey” Brownfield and Tim Rogers, as well as Chief of Police Tommy Williams. The group represents the city’s new governing team, with responsibilities that will reach across public safety, infrastructure, drainage, budgeting, neighborhood services and long-range planning. Fandal was also scheduled to deliver an inaugural address after the swearing-in, giving residents an early look at the priorities expected to shape his administration.
The event was open to the public at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium on Second Street, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. and seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents who attended had the chance to witness a formal transfer of leadership in a familiar civic setting, rather than watching the change happen only through official notices or meeting agendas. City officials described the ceremony as the start of a new chapter in municipal leadership, and the public format gave the day a more direct connection to the people served by City Hall.
Fandal, a former Slidell police chief and fourth-generation Slidell native, took office after winning the special election to complete the unexpired mayoral term left vacant by Greg Cromer’s resignation earlier this year. The City of Slidell says Fandal won 72% of the vote and is serving as the city’s 23rd mayor. His local background and public safety experience are expected to shape how residents view the early months of his administration, especially on matters involving police operations, emergency readiness and basic city services.
The transition at City Hall began in January when Cromer stepped down to take a state job with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Under the city’s home rule charter, Bill Borchert, the council-at-large member who had received the most votes in the last election, moved into the mayor’s office on an interim basis until voters chose a successor in the October 2025 special election. The process gave Slidell a temporary leadership structure before the special election settled who would finish the mayoral term.
Fandal enters the mayor’s office after a lengthy career in law enforcement and public safety. According to the city, he began his public safety career in 1980 with the Slidell Police Department, later served more than two decades with the Louisiana State Police, and eventually returned to lead Slidell’s police department before running for mayor. That career path gives his administration a strong connection to law enforcement experience, while also placing attention on how he will address broader city needs beyond public safety.
Why This Matters In Slidell
Wednesday’s inauguration formalizes a wide leadership transition for city government, with a new mayor, a newly seated council and a new police chief all taking office together. Residents will now look to this group for decisions that affect daily life in Slidell, including drainage improvements, street maintenance, public safety strategy, city budgeting, storm preparation and the delivery of routine municipal services. The ceremony may have lasted only part of the morning, but the decisions that follow will help define how the city handles both ordinary operations and urgent challenges.
Slidell sits at an important crossroads for the Northshore, where residents rely on local government for neighborhood services, hurricane readiness, traffic planning and infrastructure work around major corridors. Leadership changes at City Hall can have practical effects that extend well beyond ceremonial moments because city officials influence how projects are prioritized, how departments coordinate and how quickly public concerns move through the system. Fandal’s first stretch in office will likely be watched closely by residents who want clear communication, steady service and visible progress on long-standing local issues.
Sources
- City of Slidell: Community Invited to Celebrate City of Slidell Inauguration on July 1
- City of Slidell: Mayor Randy Fandal
- City of Slidell: Bill Borchert Sworn In as the 23rd Mayor of the City of Slidell
- City of Slidell: Mayor Greg Cromer’s Final Video to the Citizens of Slidell
- NOLA.com article provided as reporting lead
Angela Knight is a seasoned journalist with a deep-rooted passion for covering the vibrant local business scene in Slidell, LA. Her expertise lies in spotlighting the unique stories of local entrepreneurs and keeping her finger on the pulse of the latest business news and trends within the community. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to impactful storytelling, Angela’s articles serve as a vital resource for residents and business owners alike, offering insights, updates, and inspiration. Her work not only informs but also celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement that define Slidell’s business landscape.