Alderwomen: Cullen Mayor Terry Hoof resigning post

CULLEN, La. — Cullen Mayor Terry Hoof is ending his role as the town’s leader amid months of financial turmoil and mounting turmoil over the town’s management, according to information KTBS received Tuesday.

Alderwoman Bianchi Veal said Hoof submitted a letter of resignation to the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. She said a copy of the letter was supposed to be delivered to the alderwomen but she didn’t have a copy yet.

KTBS made calls to the town’s other alderwoman and one other also confirmed Hoof is stepping down.

Monday night, Hoof cancelled the town’s monthly monthly meeting without public notice. Tuesday, the town’s water customers were without service most of the day.

Multiple attempts to reach Hoof by phone and text throughout the day were unsuccessful.

KTBS was seeking confirmation late Tuesday that the Secretary of State had received Hoof's letter.

The resignation ends a tenure marked by allegations of missing funds, unpaid bills, bounced checks and growing public criticism over how the town is being managed.

“I just saw the mayor up town, working on lawns, and, I did not even stop to say anything to him because he had resigned and, and wasn’t returning phone calls, my phone calls,” Veal said. “So I didn't even stop to even hear what the problem could be, because obviously he wasn't worried about it. He was going about what he does on his lawn service.”

The water system was repaired and restored by late afternoon – but not without confirmation that the contractors from Shreveport would be paid, according to state Rep. Wayne McMahen who stepped in to help after getting a multitude of phone calls. 

Just before 6 p.m., Alderwoman Denis Epps-Hoof sent an email to KTBS saying the town is under a boil advisory for 48 hours because of the water system repair.

Financial crisis

Hoof was elected mayor in November 2016 and took office in January 2017. He’s serving in his third term, which does not end until Dec. 31, 2028.

Controversy about the town’s finances picked up in recent years with audit findings that detailed issues with operations. It escalated last year as an audit revealed allegations that $100,000 has been misappropriated.

The investigation centered in part on the use of a $369,000 grant after auditors reportedly found portions of the money had been used for employee bonuses and supplemental pay rather than its intended purpose.

The state investigative audit has been ongoing for months. It’s unknown when it will conclude.

During that time, there have been growing questions about what’s happened to the money. The town has been plagued with canceled insurance policies, unpaid IRS taxes, employee payroll issues and the handling of municipal services.

Residents at times have packed Town Hall during meetings, demanding answers from their leaders. But they often were met with silence from Hoof.

The turmoil also extended beyond Town Hall.

Last fall, insurance was canceled on the police cars. There’s been no money available in recent weeks to even pay for gas for the units.

As a result, the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office over the past two months has assumed responsibility for answering police calls inside the town limits.

Also over the past year, a town attorney resigned because of non-payment of invoices. Two town clerks also resigned.

Hoof repeatedly declined to discuss details of the Legislative Auditor's investigation, saying he could not comment while it remained active. Multiple attempts by KTBS to reach him Tuesday after news of his resignation were unsuccessful.