Former public works director Walter Williams said he attempted to resign from his job that he admits he couldn’t do efficiently.
But he said the city council rejected his letter of resignation, only to fire him moments later.
“I stated to the mayor and board that I could not do the job that I know I can do efficiently and effectively without essential equipment, sufficient manpower and without a budget that will fund the needs of the Public Works Department,” he said. “I then submitted my letter of resignation, which was not accepted, only to push me out by termination.”
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen terminated Williams on April 24 with one alderman stating that Williams couldn’t perform basic duties within the street department. But Williams said he consistently informed the city council of what he needed to run his department but was never given any of his requests.
“The board is aware, or at least should be aware, that the City of Yazoo does not have the essential things to accomplish a thorough job,” Williams said. “You just cannot offer a service to a city your size without having the tools you needed. The city's work demands are greater than the labor supplied.”
Williams said he desperately needed more equipment, a qualified staff and a workable budget within the public works department. He also said he brought that to the board’s attention numerous times.
“I don't make excuses,” Williams said. “If I don't get a job done, there is a reason. There is a difference between an excuse and a reason. An excuse is when one has been provided the things that are essential to get the job done and doesn't get it done. A reason is when one has not been provided the essential things necessary to get the job done and therefore can’t get it done.”
Williams said he regularly requested assistance from the county and the Public Service Commission on several projects because he didn’t have the necessary equipment or tools to get the jobs done.
Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. said Williams was fired because he was failing to perform basic duties as leader of the public works department. But Williams said Brent was being “deceptive” in his comments.
“Alderman Brent is well aware that I was not terminated because of non-performance of my duties,” William said. “To make a statement like that is outlandish when it is well known that I performed all the duties required of me except the few that were impossible without having the essential equipment necessary to perform the duty.”
Williams said he is also frustrated with the city council acting as if they didn’t know his whereabouts during several board meetings. He said he was often at training sessions the board instructed him to attend.
“The question arose in the April 15, 2017 board meeting of the whereabouts of the public works director,” William said. “The minutes will reflect that I was selected to attend a traffic calming workshop by the Mayor and Board, which conflicted with my attending the board meeting of which I became the subject of complaints without the privilege of response.”
Williams also said his reports, which represented him during his absence, was provided to the city council.
“This happened two other times during period I served as Public Works Director,” he said. “The assigned workshops have been the only reason for my absence from the board meetings.”
Williams said he never given what he needed to efficiently operate one of the largest departments within the city.
“The county, Public Service, and city working together is a great thing,” he said. “But when the citizens pay an agency for a service that agency is also being paid to have what is essential to supply that service.”
