Louisiana: Port Allen Mayor recall signatures certified

The petitions to recall Mayor Demetric “Deedy” Slaughter was certified with 1,387 valids. Petitioners handed in 1,521 and needed 1,273. Even if Slaughter is recalled, she can run in the replacement race. Here are some of the key reasons for the recall:

• Her decision to hire her brother-in-law, Ralph Slaughter, as her non-salaried chief of staff. Ralph Slaughter is the former president of the Southern University System.• Her attempt to fire city Chief Financial Officer Audrey McCain in February.• A court fight with three city councilmen who asserted in a lawsuit that Slaughter had exceeded her executive powers of “supervision and direction” in municipal affairs.• Slaughter’s $2,500 trip at city taxpayers’ expense to Washington, D.C., to attend President Barack Obama’s inauguration coupled with her decision to give herself a $20,000 annual raise shortly after her inauguration.• Several city employees have resigned in recent weeks, claiming that the mayor has created a hostile work environment.

Slaughter supporters have targeted one of her critics, City Councilman At-Large R.J. Loupe, with petitions.