Yazoo City’s police and fire chiefs learned that they will continue to serve, and Ward 1 Alderman Ron Johnson was appointed Mayor Pro Tem in a special meeting Monday.
Police Chief Ron Sampson and Fire Chief Terry Harber were previously designated as “acting” chiefs during the first meeting of the new administration after a majority of the board did not vote for their reappointments.
Newly elected Ward 3 Alderman Sir Johnathan Rucker explained during the previous meeting that he simply wanted to learn more about those serving before making a decision.
Ward 4 Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. called for an executive session to discuss Sampson’s position behind closed doors.
When the board returned to open session Brent and Ward 2 Alderman Andre Lloyd voted against reappointing Sampson, but the motion carried 3-2 with Mayor Diane Delaware, Rucker and Johnson voting in favor.
Harber was unanimously approved for reappointment.
The board also reappointed those serving in the following positions:
Municipal Court Clerk: Mary Crawford Johnson
Johnson’s reappointment was unanimously approved.
City Prosecutor: Carlos Tanner
Brent cast the sole vote against reappointing Tanner, stating that he wished the board would consider hiring a local attorney.
Public Defender: Lisa Ross
Brent cast the sole vote against reappointing Ross, who is also a Jackson-based attorney.
City Code Inspector: Russ Carter
Brent abstained from voting to reappoint Carter, stating that he has trouble getting Carter to do things that he asks Carter to do, and that he has heard some rumors that concern him.
Delaware said that she had no knowledge of the rumors Brent described.
“I do know that in Yazoo City has a shortage of plumbers and things of this nature, and very often people will ask the city inspector for advice on a plumber to use,” Delaware said. “He will give them one or two people’s names. He will say sometimes, and I have talked to him about this, who he thinks might be a better plumber because one doesn’t have a license. I think that’s a good thing because you’re not supposed to be doing plumbing or electricity in the city without a license.”
Rucker said that he wants the board to ensure that Carter is accessible to residents when they need him.
Carter was reappointed with Brent abstaining and Lloyd voting against it.
Cemetery Sexton: Robert Lewis
Lewis was unanimously reappointed.
Mayor Pro Tem: Johnson was appointed to this post, which means that he will serve as mayor, when the mayor is unable or unavailable to serve.
Former Ward 3 Alderman Rev. Gregory Robertson previously held the post.
