FERRIDAY, La. — Whether Gene Allen can run for Ferriday mayor will be a question for the courts to decide — if someone files suit to challenge his qualifications, Concordia Parish’s district attorney and clerk of court said Monday.

To run for mayor in Louisiana, a person must live in the town for one year prior to the election. Municipal primaries will be held March 14, with a general election to be held April 15. Candidates qualify Wednesday through Friday at the Clerk of Court’s Office.

On Jan. 12, Allen changed his address with the Registrar of Voters Office from 2962 Louisiana 569, his home on Lake St. John, to 609 Alabama Ave. in Ferriday — the address of his business, Concordia Funeral Home.

&uot;Sure, I&160;live at the funeral home sometimes,&uot;&160;said Allen, who also has a house in Vidalia and said he has not received many inquiries about his residence. &uot;I&160;eat, sleep and cook there. I’ve even got clothes there. Nothing says a person can’t have more than one residence.&uot;

Clerk of Court Clyde Ray Webber said several people have called his office in recent days wanting to know whether Allen can qualify for the election and what qualifications for the office are.

&uot;We have no authority to question someone’s qualifications,&uot;&160;Webber said. &uot;We just take his statement and ($80 in qualifying fees) and send it to Baton Rouge. He can put down anything he wants to now, and we can only take him at his word.&uot;

But anyone who is qualified to vote in Ferriday can file a lawsuit against Allen in Seventh Judicial District Court challenging Allen’s qualifications. Lawsuits must be filed no later than Feb. 4 and would be handled before other cases, Webber said. As of Monday, no one had announced that they would sue.

So far, Allen, police juror for District 1, Place A; former mayor Glen McGlothin; and the Rev. Justin Conner have said they will run for Ferriday mayor. Current Mayor Odeal Montgomery and former mayor Hubert Lee McGlothin, Glen McGlothin’s uncle, are still undecided.

Even if a lawsuit is filed, the District Attorney’s Office probably will not play a role, said D.A. John Johnson.

&uot;It’s premature to do anything because qualifying has not started,&uot;&160;Johnson said. &uot;If there are people who feel Mr. Allen’s qualifications are not met, the burden would be upon them to challenge it. … It would be up to the courts to decide.&uot;

Candidates can qualify from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the clerk’s office in the new courthouse in Vidalia.