JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The argument continues over trash collection in Jackson. Tempers flared during a special meeting on Friday, April 1. One member was almost kicked out of the meeting.
Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba has issued a one-year, emergency contract with Richard’s Disposal, even though the council voted it down twice.
The emergency contract was brought up for discussion during the special meeting. Councilmembers Aaron Banks, Vernon Hartley and Kenneth Stokes stated their disapproval of Richard’s Disposal by making several disruptions during the meeting. The motion for the contract was brought to the floor twice and was voted down both times.
After failing to pass, the mayor invoked his right to veto, moving forward with the emergency contract. However, Banks said he couldn’t veto something that doesn’t exist.
“I’m very passionate because I respect government. My family, we didn’t grow up fighting government. We didn’t grow up trying to fight the system. We grew up trying to understand and get in place to make sense of it, and that’s what we’re trying to do. Whenever you have an authority that disregards the majority of the council and finds a way to try and get his way regardless of that, then that’s a problem. That’s what the passion is about. It’s not about the City of Jackson. It’s about every city in this state where the mayor wants to set a precedent where he can run the city without the council, and it’s just a ceremonial vote,” said Banks.
“The option that the council has now, if they want to overwrite it, then they would have to put it on the agenda within a certain time frame to overwrite that veto. Richard’s Disposal is picking up trash today. I told you when you asked me yesterday who would pick up the trash that Jackson residents’ trash would be picked up,” said Lumumba.
Richard’s Disposal trucks were seen around Jackson picking up trash Friday morning.
According to City Council, they have issued a cease and desist letter and a restraining order against the company. The council has reiterated that they will not be paying for services performed by Richard’s Disposal.