Sulphur City Council member Danny DiPetta is withdrawing two items on next week’s agenda that would have targeted Mayor Jacob Stutes, but DiPetta said he still plans to ask the state attorney general to investigate the administration’s hiring and firing practices.
DiPetta said Wednesday, a day after published online, that he is pulling two items he was set to introduce. They included a formal statement of no confidence in Stutes’ administration and a resolution that would have reaffirmed the council’s commitment to “transparent, accountable, and lawful government.”
DiPetta said the council is facing legal scrutiny but declined to elaborate in an interview Wednesday.
“I’m not trying to be evasive,” DiPetta said. “I’m trying to be defensive.”
He said, though, he plans to move forward with introducing another resolution to ask the Louisiana attorney general and other authorities review and investigate the possible violations of law related to the city administration’s hiring and firing practices.
The move comes amid escalating tensions between the mayor, the council and other city officials just three months after they took office. All six elected officials are new to their positions.
Stutes issued a statement Wednesday defending his administration.
“I understand that people in Sulphur are frustrated,” he wrote in a statement to The Advocate | The Times-Picayune. “They are watching city government become consumed by conflict, accusations and political theater when there are serious issues that need attention. But my focus is not on name-calling or personal attacks. My focus is on city business.”
Stutes said his administration has been working on infrastructure needs, water leaks, open work orders, staffing challenges, public records, financial accountability and “concerns that were formally reported to the proper authorities.”
“Any lawful review of city government should be based on facts, records and the city charter, not rumors, social media pressure or personal grievances,” Stutes wrote.
“I respect the role of the City Council, and I expect the council to respect the role of the mayor and the voters who chose this administration. The people of Sulphur elected me to move this city forward, and that remains my focus.”
Multiple city employees have departed in recent weeks, including the Sulphur fire chief, Rusty Naquin, who cited turmoil at City Hall, and Stutes’ chief of staff, Alexis Nabours. Nabours has also been under scrutiny by some council members since her name appeared in a protective order that Stutes’ wife filed against him.
A judge last week dismissed the emergency protective order. Stutes has not publicly addressed the court allegations in detail.
The next Sulphur City Council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. next Tuesday at 401 Arena Road, a larger venue than the council typically uses.