A deputy had to come between Coach Johnny Staples and Supervisor Willie Wright after the two exchanged accusations at each other from playing “the race card” to “being a thief his whole life.”
The Yazoo County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday morning took a tense turn after the two men erupted into an argument surrounding local recreation and the children who use the parks.
Staples said he was shocked at how Wright handled Nathan Burton, a local volunteer, during the last county board meeting. He said Wright was rude to Burton, even after he volunteered to do some work at the local parks with bringing in loads of top soil for the ballfields.
“I hope no one at this board takes this personally,” Staples began. “Yazoo City is growing, and we have got to rise above it. The last time I was at this meeting, I wanted to leave. I didn’t even want to present my presentation. Mr. Wright, I am directing this to you. Time out for the race card.”
“Who you talking to Staples,” Wright asked. “You done lost your mind.”
Staples said Wright used “the race card” with Burton, who is white.
“That young man (Burton) who left here, I felt so angry and hurt for him because he came here with something for our children and this community,” Staples said, to Wright. “I am tired of you using Roy Campanella Complex…if you don’t do it there, then it is racist. What do we have at Campanella? We do not have anything at Campanella. When baseball is over at Campanella, it is shot…nothing.”
Staples said the programs he has suggested to the county board would benefit the local parks, including Campanella, for the entire year. But he said he has some reservations when it comes to Campanella.
“When I come to this board with something to do, it is to have programs that would last year-round,” Staples said. “I can’t go to Campanella and have the basketball program without interference.”
Supervisor Cobie Collins attempted to end the conversation and move on with the board agenda. But Wright insisted on letting Staples continue with his presentation.
“No, let him talk,” Wright said. “Come on and talk now. Say it from your heart. I am gonna tell you from my heart in a few minutes.”
Staples repeated to Wright that “the race card is over.”
“If not now, when,” Staples asked.
Wright responded by telling Staples he has been accused of “stealing money from kids for years.”
“People don’t fool with you because of your past reputation,” Wright said. “You have been accused of taking money.”
In the past, Wright said Staples was hired as park manager at Campanella with himself working as assistant manager.
“You might get amnesia,” Wright said. “But back in those days, your name came up because a $1,000 was paid under the table. So, Staples, don’t come at me like that. You have been using kids for years.”
Wright said Staples also took credit for programs he and Herman Leach organized in the past.
“You were taking pictures, sending them to folks and saying it was your program,” Wright said. “Nobody is using no race card up in here. All we are trying to do is get something done.”
Wright accused Staples of being “a thief.”
“You are the one who has been using kids,” Wright said. “You are still using kids. You are here today using kids. Don’t go there with me now. Don’t play with me Staples. But you ain’t nothing but a thief . You have been that way your whole life. You have been taking money from your program.”
Staples thanked the board for allowing him to speak with them. But he told Wright he would have never spoke to him the way Wright spoke to Burton during the last board meeting.
“If you had put my name in and called me what you called that man, I would be in jail cause I would have whooped your butt,” Staples said.
At that point, a deputy separated the two men as Staples exited the board room.
“You know I live on Third Street,” Wright shouted. “Hear me good, I wish you would. You ain’t nothing but a thief, been stealing stuff from folks. Don’t make me tell it. The man has been stealing from this town.”
