A Pictorial View of Grambling

Grambling Milestones

On November 5, 1953, the first official Village Council Meeting for Grambling, Louisiana was held in a small antique room of Woodard's Tailoring Shop.

First Officials

B. T. Woodard, Mayor

W. E. Downs, Alderman
Mike C. Osborne, Alderman
Sylvester Brown, Alderman
Earl Maxie, Marshall

After approximately I 1/2 years Alderman Brown was notified as being on civil service, he had to resign and was replaced by Rev. L. L. Lewis. The Council was then composed of:

B. T. Woodard, Mayor
W. E. Downs, Alderman
Mike C. Osborne, Alderman
L. L. Lewis, Alderman
L. Waltman, Attorney
Earl Maxie, Marshall

1953-1957

Some of the major accomplishments of this council: adopted ordinances; named the village, and set meeting place and time.

 

Provided for order and peace of the village:

• Disturbing the peace

• Discharging fire arms

• Intoxication on the streets

• Assault and battery

• Concealed Weapons

• Reckless operation of vehicle

• Disorderly house

• Vagrancy

• Gambling

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated

• Being caught on streets while intoxicated

• Levying tax for (advalorem 7 mills)

Projects for public benefits:

• Took over payments for street lights and added new street lights

• Accomplished better telephone services from an eight party line to first class services with exchange CH-7-000.

• Naming of streets (assisted by J. Andrew Gaulden)

• Floated $100,000 bond issue and installed first water system, with Mr. P. G. Grambling as engineer of the project.

• First village audit by R. E. Holiday and Associates, Ruston, Louisiana.

• Appointed Christmas Joy Fund Committee headed by Mrs. Virginia Harris.

1957-1961

Village of Grambling -B. T. Woodard, Mayor
Aldermen: W. E. Downs, Rev. C. H. Shyne, Fred Ellis, Rev. C. P. Jenson, Roy B. Moss
Levis T. Jackson, Marshall
Street Commissioner, E. T. Turner
Clerk and Treasurer, W. L. Garner
Fire Chief, Herbert R. Walker

Some of the major accomplishments under this council:

• Village changed to town in 1959

• Annexed Grambling Height subdivision

• Purchased fire truck for fire department.

• Laid the first sewer lines in the town and connected to Grambling College plant

• Drilled the second water well below Town Hall

• Passed a $60,000 bond issue with which to build the present Town Hall and laid additional sewer line on Adams Avenue.

• Improved some streets to hard surface and added more street lights.

1961-1965 Town Council

B. T. Woodard, Mayor
Aldermen: Fred Ellis, E. T. Turner. W. E. Downs, L. D. Land and Dr. Ruth D. Bradford
Marshall, Levie T. Jackson
Clark and Treasurer, W. L. Garner
Secretary and Tax Collector, Charlene S. Greene
Utility Inspector, F. M. Lloyd
Fire Chief, Milton Kelley

Under this Administration:

• Secured 701 planning grant from HUD for a master plan to guide in development

• Adopted town's first master plan

• Appointed planning and zoning commission headed by Roy B. Moss

• Appointed building and utility inspectors

• Added to police department and purchased another police car

• Continued to add new street improvement and street lights

• Joined the Louisiana Municipal Association and attended all major meetings.

1965-1969 Council

B. T. Woodard, Mayor
Aldermen: Dr. Ruth Bradford, Mayor Pro-Tem; L. D. Land, Milton Kelly, A. D. Smith, Alvin J. McNeil and Rev. C. P. Jenson
Marshall, Levis T. Jackson,
Treasurer and Clerk, W. L. Garner
Secretary and Tax Collector, Charlene S. Green
Street Commissioner, A. C. Carpenter
Utility Inspector, F. M. Lloyd
Fire Chief, Richard Ludley

During this administration the following were some of the major accomplishments:

• Obtained our first fire rating which changed the rate from Class 10 to Class 9, which lowered the rate of fire and extended coverage for all the citizens thereby saving them on the Home Insurance cost.

• Purchased 23 acres of land for Park and Recreation site.

• Passed a $72,000 bond issue which gave the town funds to meet a 75%-25% public improvement grant from HUD and built the community center. Securing this grant was an easy job. The proposal was written and two trips to Austin, Texas were made to get it reviewed. Then with the help of U. S. Senators Russell B. Long and Allen Ellendor and Congressman Otto E. Passaman, the town received a $56,631.00 grant on the above project which enabled the purchase of land and building.

• Rebuilt Main Street from railroad to Highway 10 and placed side walks on each side.

• Purchased a regular garbage compactor truck for more efficient solid waste collection.

• Added to police force and appointed a full time paid water superintendent

• Appointed Housing Commission and secured 18 low rental units for low income families and elderly.

• Added the first large water well that pumped up to 750 gallons per minute and continued addition of street lights and maintenance of streets.

   1969-1973 Council

  Mayor, B. T. Woodard
  Aldermen: Dr. Ruth Bradford Mayor Pro-Tem, Milton Kelly, Richard Gallot, L. D. Land and A. D. Smith
  Chief of Police, Levis T. Jackson
  Secretary and Tax Collector, Charlene S. Greene
  Clerk and Treasurer , W. L. Garner
  Utility Inspector, F. M. Lloyd
  Street Commissioner, A. C. Carpenter
  Planning and Zoning Commission, Roy B. Moss
  Housing Authority, Dr. Lee E. Perkins
  Fire Chief, Lamar Aker

  • In 1971, Mr. B. T. Woodard retired from Grambling College as Math instructor and became full-time mayor for the town.

  • In 1970, the Council passed two bond issues totaling $659, 000 and secured a grant and loan from HUD to put in a complete sewage system. The water supply system was upgraded by adding a new well pumping 750 gallons per minute and an elevated storage tower at the community center with a 250,000 gallon capacity. A pump station on Miram Street with a 450,000 gallon ground storage was also constructed.

  • In 1973, the town secured a $248,000 total grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and added $70,000 to construct a new water well on College Avenue that pumped 1,000 gallons per minute. Additional water lines were laid and another 250,000 gallon elevated storage tank was erected to furnish the Fiberboard Corporation with water as well as citizens that are located on this line. By 1977 the water capacity was very good. With all wells running, they could pump 1,900 gallons of water per minute. Grambling had an elevated storage capacity of 6,000,000 and 450,000 gallon ground storage.

  • The police department's radio communication system was improved. Closed circuit was obtained along with two new police cars.

  • A No.2 fire truck was purchased at a cost of $26,700. A fire station to house both trucks was constructed with a meeting room, kitchenette and bath. The cost was $18,500.

  • Railroad Avenue and Church Street was reconstructed. Because a portion of Railroad Avenue was on the Railroad right-of-way, these two streets had to be hard surfaced with no help from the parish.

  • Three full-time Radio Operators paid by the town (one on CETA program) and two additional secretaries were hired in the Mayor's office.

  • Between 1965 and 1973, the council was successful in getting legislation passed for the construction of the beautiful overpass which became a reality in 1976. Facilities of the fire and police departments were improved and the Mayor's office was redecorated.

     1973-1977 Council

  B. T. Woodard, Mayor
  Aldermen: John Williams, Jr., Richard Ludley, Rosetta Days, Roy B. Moss and A. D. Smith.
  Chief of Police, Milton Kelley
  Town Treasurer, A. D. Smith
  Town Clerk, Rosetta Days
  Secretary and Tax Collector, Charlene S. Green
  Assistant Secretary, Charlotte A. Smith
  Street Commissioner, Clarence Douglas, Jr.
  Utility Inspector, E. K. Patterson
  Housing Inspector, Clayton A. Wiley
  Planning and Zoning Commission, A. P. Kennedy
  Housing Authority , Dr. Lee Perkins
  Fire Chief, Lamar Aker

  Major Achievements were:

  • Secured another 701 Planning Grant and revised the Master plan for the Town of Grambling.

  • Completed and dedicated the long time project that the 'mayor and council had worked on under two Governors, the second rail road crossing or the overpass. This was one of the most significant projects of the town.

  • Obtained a 75%-25% Grant approval for upgrading the sewage system. This will be a complete overall job, including a sewage plan. The U. S. Environmental Administration outlawed ponds {lagoons} like the one present in Grambling. This project is to be completed in three {3} phases. Phase one was started in by this council.

  • Purchased a new police car and added personnel to the police force.

  • All major streets in Grambling were overlaid with exception of one parish road.

  • Constructed new police station adjacent to the Town Hall. 7. Added street lights and continued maintenance of streets.

  • SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL DEPARTMENT -Purchased a new Ford Chassis and Leach Compactor for solid Waste at a cost of $21,676.02 paid cash.

  The Town had seventeen {17} full time employees paid by the town with a combined annual salary of $114,374.10, and five additional workers on the CETA program with combine annual salary of $23,200.10.

A City on the Move

Under the leadership of Mayor Martha Andrus, the city of Grambling has hosted various meetings and workshops, such as the Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus and the Small Business Administration. Grambling was represented by your mayor's attendance at various conference, such as the African American Leadership Conference, and meetings by the Louisiana Chapter of the National Conference of Black Mayors and the Louisiana Municipal Association. By my participation in events such as these, your interest are represented and this makes our community a stronger, more vibrant one in which to live.

                            What Your Leaders Have Done

* Improved internal control resulting in clean city audits
* Provided new, improved police & fire protection through new personnel,  training, & equipment
* Hired director of public works
* Purchased vehicles & equipment for better sanitation services
* Renovated and Improved City Park
* Celebrated Grambling's Fiftieth Anniversary
* Adopted the City Logo & increased community visibility
* Passed an ordinance against pornography
* Received a housing preservation grant to renovate senior citizens' homes
* Received a rural development grant to guarantee the community
* Received a Louisiana Partners in Prevention grant for a drug prevention program for community teenagers
* Appointed a new medical board oversee the Grambling Health Center
* Establish the annual Pinkie Wilkerson Health Fair, held at Mount Zion B.C.(2005)
* Brought improved health care to Grambling's citizens through annual fair
* Began a massive cleanup on Main Street to remove dilapidated housing and revitalize the city
* Establish the Downtown Main Street Historic District
* Renovated and dedication the Ulysses Walton Baseball field.
* Brought free health screening to the community through the LSU Partners in Wellness program.
* Received a two- year Litter Grant for community education & cleanup campaigns
* Refurbished the city's water wells with the replacement of pumps & motors.

1-20 Lights @ Exit 81