A Yazoo City citizen asked the city council to enforce its ordinances concerning political campaign involvement from city employees or those serving on city committees.
Cynthia Walker appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its recent open meeting, sharing that some city employees, Public Service Commissioners and Election Commissioners are actively participating in political campaigns for the upcoming city elections.
Walker said there is a city ordinance that does not allow such participation from city employees or committee members.
“It says no employee, whether appointed or hired, that receives compensation shall not by any means engage in anything related to political campaigns,” Walker said. “If any person participated and fails to follow, there are consequences. The ordinance spells out the consequences. You are either dismissed, or you are demoted. It takes this entire board to do so.”
Walker said city employees, PSC board members and even a city election commissioner are actively supporting and campaigning for candidates in the upcoming city election.
“It’s either a blatant disrespect of the law or an intentional breach and disregard for those laws because these are not immature citizens,” she said. “These are folks well over the age of 50. These are established people who we hold or held at one time with high regard.”
Walker asked the city council to enforce its ordinance and discipline those who she said are in violation.
“It’s incumbent on you all to enforce your law,” Walker said. “It would be a total gross negligence, a failure upon you all if you don’t enforce your own laws.”
Walker’s request was made during the public comment portion of the city council meeting, and no official action was taken by the board.
