Wright: No Problem Working With Council

Bayou La Batre Mayor Stan Wright made his first public appearance Thursday night since pleading not guilty to federal fraud charges.

Wright and his daughter are accused of transferring land and money to hide a profit the mayor made by selling the property to the city after Hurricane Katrina.

The meeting lasted only about ten minutes.

Mayor Wright spoke afterwards, but not about the fraud charges.

When asked how he thought everything went during the meeting, Wright said, "I think everything is going just the way it should go. We don't have a problem working together. We've got to keep keeping on."

What asked about his support in the community, he said that, still, no one had asked for his resignation.

Wright said, "Listen: I've been the mayor for eleven years. People know me. People know me."

No council member asked for Wright's resignation.

But, no one was very talkative, either.

Ida Mae Coleman was asked whether she supported the mayor.

She said, "I'm too involved in it, so, I'd really like to stay out of it until the end."

Former City Council Member Henry Barnes was at the meeting, and was asked if he thought the mayor should resign.

Wright said, "Its up to him. That's his decision. If he can run the city, and deal with this, and work on his defense, that's fine."

Before he left, the Mayor made one final statement.

Wright said, "I love my people, and my people love me."