Mayor Sues Aldermen
by Stephen Largen - News Star (excerpt)

The long-running dispute between Grambling Mayor Martha Andrus and the Board of Aldermen has taken another turn: Andrus sued the board last week, claiming that members are hindering her ability to conduct the town's business.

Andrus did not return several calls Monday, but aldermen Edward Jones, Roosevelt Bryant and Toby Bryan said they learned of the lawsuit Thursday. Third District Judge Jay McCallum was set to rule on an emergency writ of mandamus that the board brought to try to force Andrus to comply with board rulings on financial and personnel decisions. But Andrus, with new attorney Chris Bowman, filed the lawsuit against the board before a ruling on the writ was issued. McCallum is expected to hear the charges and rule Feb. 6.

"She doesn't want the board to be able to keep her from making any financial or personnel decisions," Jones said. Bryant said Andrus is overstepping her authority. "That's too much power," Bryant said. "In other words she's saying the board is defunct and not needed."

Bowman and the board's attorney, Rick Candler, did not return calls seeking comment Monday.