FERRIDAY — A recent dispute over the District D Alderman seat is settled after a Seventh Judicial District Court judge Tuesday ruled in favor of Andre Keys, making the newly elected alderman eligible to take office.

After the case was heard from July 25 through July 27, Judge John Reeves ruled that Keys is a qualified candidate and dismissed the petition filed against Keys.

Keys was the only person to qualify for an Oct. 14 special election, which was called for following the untimely death of former District D Alderman Johnnie Brown in March.

Ferriday was required to hold the special election because Brown had more than one year left on his term.

Current District D Alderman Johnnie “Rip” Woodruff — who was appointed following Brown’s passing — contested the election, filing a civil lawsuit against Keys and the Town of Ferriday.

Woodruff said he did not qualify for the position because he did not receive proper notification from the town regarding the deadline of the qualifying period.

“I didn’t know anything about the qualifying date,” Woodruff said. “When I found out about (the deadline), the qualifying (period) was already over.”

Following the decision Keys thanked Woodruff “for his service to the town of Ferriday,” and said he looks to follow in Brown in serving the citizens of the town.

Woodruff said he is mainly upset about not having an opportunity to qualify, also saying he “has no problem” with Keys being an eligible candidate.

Woodruff did, however, claim that Keys “lied” about his permanent residence in order to maintain eligibility.  Woodruff said the Ferriday address that Keys allegedly provided to the court was actually the address of Keys’ mother. Woodruff then claimed Keys’ actual address was in Alexandria, outside of Concordia Parish.

“This guy lives totally out of the parish … how can you represent your citizens and your district … when you don’t even live in the parish?”

But Keys said his Ferriday residence at 707 Delaware Ave. is his permanent “domicile,” and also said he has been registered to vote in Ferriday for the past 10 years.

“I want to thank Mr. Woodruff for filling in for Reverend Brown, and I hope to work with him in the future and move the city of Ferriday forward,” Keys said.“I don’t have nothing against Mr. Woodruff; I don’t have nothing negative to say about Mr. Woodruff.”

Although Woodruff said he believes Keys lied, Woodruff said he has no problem with Keys and is more upset about not having a chance to qualify. He said he is disappointed that he will not get the opportunity to personally carry out Brown’s wishes as an alderman.

“The court ruled in (Keys’) favor. There’s nothing I can do about that. I’m not going to challenge the ruling or anything. I just really hate it.

“I’ve tried to meet the needs of the people and the town as a whole, just to make a difference. I think we, in Ferriday, are heading in the right direction.”

Keys said he expects “a smooth transition” and looks forward to working with Ferriday Mayor Sherrie Jacobs and the rest of the board.