Residency issue surfaces in Breaux Bridge council race

Only two of the five City Council seats here are up for grabs Nov. 4 – the others were reelected unopposed – but one of these contests is already starting to throw sparks.
Michael J. “T-Mike” Breaux, who is running against five-term incumbent Howard “Doc” Alexander, is alleging that Alexander doesn’t live within the city limits and therefore cannot run for the council.
Breaux filed a lawsuit in 16th Judicial District Court Tuesday, Aug. 26, asking that Alexander be removed as a candidate for the council’s District B seat.
In the suit, Breaux alleges that Alexander lives at 2071 Doyle Melancon Rd., outside the city limits, rather than 406 Nettie St., his address of record.
Alexander told TecheToday.com that the Doyle Melancon address cited in the suit is where his 89-year-old father lives, and that he often sleeps there because he is taking care of his father, who has Parkinson’s disease.
“My residence is at 406 Nettie,” Alexander said. “I go back and forth.”
Virgie D. Pickney, whose address is given as 410 Nettie, sent a copy of the suit, along with affidavits alleging that Alexander does not live a 406 Nettie. Copies also went to the Louisiana Board of Ethics and the Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure.
The affidavits are signed by Virgie Pickney, Rita Lewis and Ernest Johnson and notarized by Breaux Bridge insurance man and private detective Vincent Alexander.
Other contested city elections here are council District A, Gereline “Geri” Frederick and Brenda Castille Hobbs; mayor of Breaux Bridge, Ricky J. Calais, Jill Hebert, and George J. Williams; and police chief, Rollie Cantu and P.J. Hebert.