In wake of Wright, Bayou la Batre remains without mayor

BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala. (WALA) - Stan Wright's conviction more than a week ago has left the town of Bayou La Batre without a mayor.

The city council is set to start work Monday on a plan to fill the vacancy, Monday, Bayou la Batre residents weighed in on who they thought may replace Wright.
 
When he lost his legal fight against federal corruption charges on March 1, he also lost his job as mayor of Bayou La Batre. City Attorney Misty Gray said Wright has already stepped down.

"As a matter of fact, he's turned in his property back to the city clerk and the clerk has sent his personal belongings back to his house," Gray said.

The city council has 60 days from the date of the conviction to appoint a new mayor.  The council members could appoint one of their own or someone else who qualifies.

If the council fails to do so in the given time frame, it will be up to Governor Robert Bentley to choose Wright's replacement.

Related: City council to lead Bayou transition

The former mayor still has a lot of support in the Bayou where he won reelection after his arrest on the federal charges. Ruby Besson is one who hates to see him leave.

"I don't think they should have got Mr. Wright, Mayor Wright out anyway. I feel like he's done a lot for this community, and I, for one, would not have a roof over my head if it hadn't been for him. So there's people in Washington that's made bigger mistakes than what he's made,” Besson said. “I think he should be put back in.”

Robert Entrekin has nothing against Wright, but he thinks a council member should get the job. He's hoping it's his neighbor and brother-in-law, George Ramirez.

"He's good. He's been on the board for a long time. He's a good one to be nominated," Entrekin said.

Another woman who didn't want to be identified said she has no preference, but she thinks the council should act soon.

"The city really needs some stability after all we've been through in the past. Ever since Katrina when we had devastation, everybody in community including the school… we just haven't recovered from that fully, and I just think we need a mayor as soon as possible," she said.