Correction to the story is here
NATCHEZ, Miss. – The state attorney general’s office says the mayor and three aldermen legally met Oct. 14, when they voted to close down a Franklin Street nightclub deemed a public nuisance, according to city attorney Bryan Callaway.
Alderman Billie Joe Frazier insists state law mandates a fourth alderman be present. “You can have a quorum (with the mayor), but you can’t take official action,” he said.
“That’s not how I read it,” Callaway said, noting Frazier’s assertion “flies in the face” of the chief state legal officer’s opinion that cited the city charter.
The Board of Aldermen voted Oct. 23 to get Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office to issue the opinion as aldermen, the mayor and Callaway argued over whether a majority of board members must be present to legally meet and take votes.
Gibson snapped-called the Oct. 14 board meeting – on a Saturday – after a melee in and around Truth Lounge on Franklin Street occurred that necessitated responses from the Natchez Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Aldermen Valencia Hall, Sarah Carter Smith and Curtis Moroney agreed with the mayor to order the nightclub be closed. However, Adams County Circuit Judge Debra Blackwell nullified the municipal order a week later.
Truth Lounge’s owners have sued Gibson and others over this. Rickey Banks and David Haywood allege the mayor has wrongfully tried to put them out of business and cause financial losses.
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In a separate matter at Tuesday’s board meeting, aldermen voted to appoint Lisa Chandler as city prosecutor to replace Tim Cotton, who was elected district attorney last week for Adams, Wilkinson, Franklin and Amite counties. Chandler’s appointment takes effect upon Cotton’s resignation. He takes over the DA’s office in January to replace Shameca Collins, who he defeated in the Nov. 7 election.
Chandler has been practicing law since 2009. She ran unsuccessfully for Adams County prosecutor in 2019.
No, the AG did not say that the Natchez mayor can be counted to constitute board quorum. It was reported that the city attorney just this week sent the letter asking the AG for their opinion, although the letter is dated October 26th. We have not received an opinion from the Attorney General, only the city attorney’s opinion sent to the AG. There will be a court hearing on November 21st, next Wednesday, but I doubt the AG will have responded by then.