By T. Scott Boatright
Officially adding Dr. Birdex Copeland Jr. Avenue to the city map and hearing an update on the situation surrounding the Grambling Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) were primary orders of business Thursday as Grambling’s City Council conducted its February meeting.
During the GEDC update, City Attorney Ronald Lattier told Grambling’s City Council that Third District judge Monique Clement on Tuesday filed paperwork denying a request for pretrial exemptions requested by the GEDC, potentially opening the door for the case to be sent to trial should the entity fight a request by the city to have the GEDC
In December, the city of Grambling filed for a petition of involuntary dismissal of the GEDC on the grounds that the city feels the entity didn’t have any transparency that applied to the purpose for which it was created.
Lattier contends that the GEDC, headed by former Grambling mayor Ed Jones, is not a classic private corporation not needed by the city.
During the January Grambling City Council meeting, Lattier said that while the GEDC held no meetings last year, it spent some of its funding, and said it appears the GEDC improperly purchased a vehicle for GEDC President Edwards Jones, Grambling’s Mayor from 2011-23.
After Thursday’s City Council meeting was over, Lattier said he expects that one way or another, the matter will be closed within two or three months in the city’s favor.
Grambling’s City Council also approved a motion Thursday to accept a roadway coming off of La. Hwy. 151, also known as “Old Grambling Road, leading into Lincoln Preparatory School and the planned Traditions subdivision and naming it Dr. Birdex Copeland Jr. Avenue in honor of the late former Grambling alderman and Grambling State University professor.
Copeland also played a key role in founding Lincoln Preparatory School. The naming of the road came at the request of Lincoln Prep Executive Director Gordan Ford.
In other business, Grambling’s City Council introduced an ordinance to govern short-term housing rentals within city limits. That matter will be discussed and possibly voted on next month. A public hearing will be held at 5:45 p.m. March 8 before the City Council is expected to discuss and vote on the ordinance during the following meeting that will begin at 6 p.m. that night.
Grambling’s aldermen also approved a motion during Thursday’s meeting for Mayor Alvin Bradley to put his signature on a USDA grant request to provide a police vehicle for the city. The request for the change from former Jones’ signature to Bradley’s was made by the USDA.
Also approved was a motion to hire David Keith to the city’s Sanitation Department.
During his monthly update, Police Chief Tommy Clark warned that ongoing car break-ins continue to occur and asked that city residents call the Grambling Police Department if they have trouble dealing with youth.
“This is a different breed of kid today than back in our day,” Clark said. “And if you chastise them, they get mad, but even worse, their parents get mad because their kids were chastised. So please call the police department and let us handle the matter if that happens.”
Richard Anderson, a candidate to become a Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee member, also spoke during the meeting asking for votes during the upcoming March 23 election.
