New Grambling leadership sworn in New Year's Day
Leader photos by Nancy Bergeron
Third Judicial District Judge Bruce Hampton swore in Grambling's new mayor and council Sunday. Council members are from left, John Brown, Jr., Cathy Giles, Jerry Lewis, DeVaria Hudson Ponton, and Delores Wilkerson-Smith. Spouses or other family members are holding each council member's Bible.
Alvin Bradley, Sr., took the oath of office as Grambling's new mayor in a New Year's Day ceremony attended by about 300 people. Holding the Bible is Bradley's wife, Monica.
GRAMBLING – Newly sworn-in Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradly on Sunday promised his administration would be open, develop a partnership with Grambling State University beneficial to both the city and the school, and involve citizens in decision making.
Bradley and the five members of the Grambling City Council took their oaths of office in a New Year’s Day ceremony witnessed by around 300 people packed into the Black and Gold Room of GSU’s Favrot Student Union.
“Make no mistake about it, we have a big job ahead of us, but by working together we can make it better for our city,” Bradley said.
Bradley was elected mayor in the November primary, defeating third-term Mayor Edward Jones and two other candidates.
In a brief inaugural address, Bradley said he’s already begun a 30, 60, and 90-day review plan of city contracts and personnel. He said he and the council will hire a fire chief – the city hasn’t had one since early 2021, a public works director and a parks and recreation director.
Bradley said his administration will also develop a master plan for economic growth.
He began his remarks thanking voters and the new council. He said voters told him they wanted integrity, transparency, infrastructure improvements, parks and recreation opportunities, open communication and communication with GSU.
“The citizens of Grambling have spoken and the future looks bright,” Bradley said. “So let’s roll up our sleeves and go to work.”
Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton, in a charge for commitment to public service given to the new city leaders, urged them to follow the biblical model of servant leadership expressed by Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
“Servant leadership is about being about your business, not your neighbors’ business, not you coworkers’ business, but being about your father’s business,” Belton said.
“The goal of leadership is not grasp power but to serve,” he said.
Belton charged Bradley and the council to keep God first in everything and make decisions based on spirituality and ethics.
“It we do those two things, we can’t go wrong,” he said.
Bradley and the new council hold their first meeting Thursday evening. Among the items expected to be on the agenda is a vote on the 2023 budget.
The former council refused to adopt the spending plan in December, technically leaving the incoming administration with the no new operating budget.
