Bogalusa lawyer sues city over unapproved change of street name to 'Bob Hicks'

A Bogalusa lawyer has filed a lawsuit against the city claiming his civil rights and the civil rights of other residents were violated when the city changed the street name of East Ninth Street to the Robert "Bob" Hicks Street.

Claiming the name change was not debated or discussed, Archie Perry filed suit against City of Bogalusa, Bogalusa City Council, Bogalusa Planning and Zoning Commission, City Attorney, Chief of Police, and Bogalusa City Council member Michael O'Ree on July 5 in Washington Parish District Court. The defendants removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on July 22.

The defendants are accused of conspiring with the mayor to violate the civil rights of Perry, other residents and property owners residing on East Ninth Street. According to the lawsuit, Perry states the conspiracy was started because none of the street property owners would sign a petition for a street name change.

The City Council voted for the resolution to change the street name without debate or discussion, the suit claims.

The city ttorney is accused of participating in the conspiracy by recommending that the name change by treated as a zoning change which only required a notice in the local paper.

The Bogalusa Police Department is accused of participating in the conspiracy by installing the "illegal street name signs."

Perry is asking for an award of money damages for inconvenience and anxiety, plus interest and court costs.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01786