Louisiana: Gibsland mayor facing recall threats

Mayor Odell Key is facing a recall campaign from a former town employee. Petitioners need 273 signatures (out of 681 registered voters). Petitioners complain that the mayor is not doing his job and refuses to answer questions. The mayor served from 1994-2006, then came back in 2010.

 Hall seeking comment, is no stranger to the town. He was re-elected mayor in the fall of 2010 and assumed office Jan. 1, 2011 after a four-year absence. He previously served as mayor from 1994 to 2006.

Loud's complaints about Key are echoed by Mayor Pro Tem Marketris Jones, a two-term alderman. Jones said he accompanied Key to Baton Rouge March 13 to appear before the Louisiana Legislative Audit Advisory Council to answer why the town's finances were in such disarray that an audit could not be done for fiscal year 2011.

Jones said spending is out of control, employees are being hired without council approval and official meeting minutes are altered or nonexistent. The financial problems also mean the town won't get any state funds, which jeopardizes plans to extend water and sewer services to a large industrial development across the interstate.