A Yazoo City Housing Authority meeting ended with an outburst that led one commissioner standing in between those involved in an effort to restore order.
The Yazoo City Housing Authority Commissioners held its regular board meeting Tuesday afternoon with emotions flaring during its second entrance into executive session.
The altercation was between Commissioners Dawn Gainwell-Dodd and Danny Neely. Neely had earlier requested a number of documents and financial statements from the Housing Authority.
Neely requested material be presented to the Housing Authority board at its next meeting including a breakdown of a $1,700 retirement party held for a former employee; a copy of the direct deposit and court order surrounding the transfer of $550,000 to the Gateway Community Development Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Housing Authority; and statements detailing the charges made to the Housing Authority credit card.
Chairman John Meeks then asked the Housing Authority board to enter into closed executive session for the second time during the meeting to discuss personnel matters. Board attorney Barry Bridgforth also exited the meeting at that time.
Minutes after entering into executive session, fist banging and shouts could be heard throughout the Housing Authority office. Upon inspection, it was noted that Commissioner Richard Griffin was attempting to restore order by coming between Gainwell-Dodd and Neely, who were both standing from their seats at the time.
Shouts continued as commissioners exited the board room, with Griffin announcing that the meeting was adjourned.
Neely said the closed session turned personal with attacks made towards his family.
“What we were discussing was not executive session material,” Neely said. “It became personal, particularly with Gainwell-Dodd. I had requested materials earlier, and I was disagreeing with how some things were being handled. Gainwell-Dodd then made comments about my wife and daughter. She has made comments before about my wife in the past, but I have never said anything. But during this meeting, I spoke up.”
Neely said it was at that time he questioned the residency of Gainwell-Dodd.
“I told her that she shouldn’t even have a voice on the housing board,” he said. “It has been alleged that she lives in Humphreys County. If she does, she shouldn’t even be on the board.”
It is state law and the opinion of the state attorney general that “a municipal housing authority commissioner must reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the housing authority as defined by Mississippi Code Annotated Section 43-33-1(g) which, in its definition of the term “area of operation,” provides that “in the case of a housing authority of a city, shall include such city and the area within five (5) miles of the territorial boundaries thereof.”
According to the Housing Authority, Gainwell-Dodd lists her residence at 376 Linda Blvd. in Yazoo City. That listing is a home inside the Roberts Estates, which is a public housing development associated with the Gateway Community Development Corporation. Gainwell-Dodd also serves on the Gateway board of directors.
But, according to public records, Gainwell-Dodd has two automobiles registered in Humphreys County, with the address listed as 712 Martin Dr. in Belzoni.
The Housing Authority commissioners are requested to attend the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Monday afternoon to respond to the city council’s recent decision to remove all the commissioners from their post. The city council said has “grave concerns” about the Housing Authority board.
Failure to appear before the city council will be considered a resignation from the Housing Authority board.
