Changes

===Recall attempt over low-income housing===

===Recall attempt over low-income housing===

In the spring of 1981, Minden resident Joe Holemon launched an unsuccessful recall petition against Batton over the proposed construction of a low-income housing complex, Webster Manor Apartments, adjacent to the Pecan View neighborhood between Shirley Drive and the Lewisville Road. The project contractor was Jamar Adcock of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], a former member of the Louisiana State Senate who ran unsuccessfully in 1971 for ieutenant governor.<ref>"Petition filed today to recall Mayor Batton", ''Minden Press-Herald'', March 6, 1981, p. 1.</ref> Holeman moved against Batton on the premise that the mayor did not inform the city council on April 7, 1980 that it had thirty days thereafter to consider objections to the apartments and that his failure to have done so implicitly meant the approval of the project. Holeman also accused Batton of having needlessly delayed the 1980-1981 city budget by more than six months.<ref>"Holemon outlines reason for mayoral recall attempt", ''Minden Press-Herald'', March 17, 1981, p. 1.</ref>

In the spring of 1981, Minden resident Joe Holemon launched an unsuccessful recall petition against Batton over the proposed construction of a low-income housing complex, Webster Manor Apartments, adjacent to the Pecan View neighborhood between Shirley Drive and the Lewisville Road. The project contractor was [[Jamar Adcock]] of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], a former member of the Louisiana State Senate who ran unsuccessfully in 1971 for ieutenant governor.<ref>"Petition filed today to recall Mayor Batton", ''Minden Press-Herald,'' March 6, 1981, p. 1.</ref> Holeman moved against Batton on the premise that the mayor did not inform the city council on April 7, 1980 that it had thirty days thereafter to consider objections to the apartments and that his failure to have done so implicitly meant the approval of the project. Holeman also accused Batton of having needlessly delayed the 1980-1981 city budget by more than six months.<ref>"Holemon outlines reason for mayoral recall attempt", ''Minden Press-Herald,'' March 17, 1981, p. 1.</ref>

When the city council voted 3–2 to rescind Adcock's building permit, Batton vetoed the measure on grounds that the project was needed and that the city would otherwise be sued for breach of contract if it halted construction of the apartments.<ref>"Mayor says building permit stands", ''Minden Press-Herald'', December 10, 1981, p. 1.</ref> Batton's veto was tested in a ruling from state Attorney General [[William J. Guste]], who declared that the mayor could veto a 3-2 or 4-1 council vote but not a unanimous one.<ref>"Batton's interpretation of veto power upheld", ''Minden Press-Herald'', February 26, 1982, p. 1.</ref>

When the city council voted 3–2 to rescind Adcock's building permit, Batton vetoed the measure on grounds that the project was needed and that the city would otherwise be sued for breach of contract if it halted construction of the apartments.<ref>"Mayor says building permit stands", ''Minden Press-Herald'', December 10, 1981, p. 1.</ref> Batton's veto was tested in a ruling from state Attorney General [[William J. Guste]], who declared that the mayor could veto a 3-2 or 4-1 council vote but not a unanimous one.<ref>"Batton's interpretation of veto power upheld", ''Minden Press-Herald'', February 26, 1982, p. 1.</ref>