Following the removal of three commissioners of the Yazoo City Housing Authority, the city council approved new appointments to the board.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to replace Commissioners John Meeks, Dawn Gainwell-Dodd and Richard Griffin earlier this month. The council voted to let Commissioners Mamie Williams and Danny Neely remain on the housing board.
Gainwell-Dodd, however, submitted a letter of resignation before her notification letter was sent to her from the city council.
City leaders approved the replacement of those three commissioners with Carolyn Johnson, Herbert Scott Jr. and Mike Wallace during a special call meeting Thursday afternoon.
However, Wallace declined his nomination based on his profession not allowing him to serve on the Housing Board.
The city council voted to accept Wallace’s declination with Alderman Sir Johnathan Rucker abstaining.
During Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, the city council then approved placing Veronica Starling on the Housing Authority board in place of Wallace’s declination.
Rucker, who has opposed the commissioners’ removal from the beginning, has recused himself from voting during the city’s actions with the Housing Authority. He wished to explain his stance on the matter.
Rucker said he has nothing against the new appointments, adding that he just did not want to be a part of the process.
“From the beginning, I have always thought the whole thing was too political, too personal and that the things going on surrounding the Housing Authority, we as a city and elected officials, yes, must hold people accountable,” Rucker said. “We must do the things that is right. When I go to bed at night, I want to make sure things are right with me and my God. I am not trying to preach, but I am being honest. I wasn’t a part of the process of removing anyone so therefore I felt I shouldn’t be in the process of the new appointments as well.”
After Starling’s nomination during Monday’s board meeting, Rucker recused himself from the meeting again.
“When the people vote for you, they vote for you to vote,” said Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. “They don’t put you down here to abstain or recuse yourself when issues may be critical issues. They need your vote. I will have a discussion with (Rucker) about that. I think you are letting your constituents down when you don’t vote. That is what it is all about. You may not get your way, but at least you voted.”
