LSU board defers choice of chairman

• By JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Oct 3, 2008 - Page: 4A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The LSU Board of Supervisors’ stalemate over its next chairman-elect may continue into December after board members deferred the matter Thursday without even bothering to discuss it.

The 16-member board has suffered an 8-8 gridlock since August concerning the candidacies of businessman Alvin Kimble of Baton Rouge — who is supported by the board leadership — and Dr. John George of Shreveport, who is backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration.

Current LSU Chairman Jim Roy of Lafayette said there was no reason to debate the matter Thursday because another 8-8 vote was likely.

“Deferral was the reasonable and prudent thing to do,” Roy said, noting that he hopes the matter is “amicably resolved” by the next Dec. 4 board meeting.

Supporters of telecommunications business owner Kimble argue he was in line to become the chairman-elect with nearly full board support until Timmy Teepell, Jindal’s chief of staff, began calling board members to promote George.

“They’re still there following the governor’s bidding. They’re not moving,” Kimble said after Thursday’s board meeting. “We’re still standing up for the independence of the board.

“Hopefully, we can reach a compromise,” Kimble said, once “cooler heads” get involved.

Teepell said Thursday in a later interview that “it’s completely appropriate for us to express support for a chairman.”

Teepell has denied accusations that he has used the threat of Jindal not re-appointing board members to get them to back George. The governor appoints all but one student member of the LSU board for staggered, six-year terms.

“There needs to be a close working relationship” between the governor’s office and LSU, Teepell said.

Jindal has declined multiple requests for comment on the matter dating back to August.

George, who is a doctor and former hospital owner, has great health-care experience and would make a strong chairman, Teepell said.

The LSU System runs the state’s public hospital system.