The City of Lumberton saw a drastic and abrupt turn in leadership at the August 12 meeting of the city’s board of aldermen, when board members voted to remove city attorney Vanessa Jones from that position.
Ward 1 Alderman Kent Crider said he could not discuss the matter in detail, as it was a personnel issue that was handled in executive session. However, board members voted 4-1 in favor of removing Jones, with alderwoman Myrtis Holder providing the sole vote against the measure.
“It’s a personnel problem that can’t be discussed in the public,” Crider said. “(These things) are always handled in executive session, and it was.
“There was nothing unusual or out of the way about it.”
Shortly after the meeting during which she was voted out, Jones issued a statement on the matter saying she had discussed the issue with Mayor Quincy Rogers.
“The City of Lumberton is looking to reduce its legal budget,” Jones said in the statement. “I have enjoyed serving the City of Lumberton.”
Rogers did not return calls on the matter.
City officials are accepting resumes to fill the city attorney position until August 31. Interested applicants can submit their resumes to city clerk Felicia Wheat-Baskin at fwbaskin.lumberton@gmail.com, or drop the documents off in person at Lumberton City Hall, 102 East Main Avenue in Lumberton.
“We’ve only got a couple (applications) right now,” Crider said. “It helps if they’ve got some city experience.”
Jones was approved by the board of aldermen in September 2023 to replace former attorney Scotty Chabert, who was elected to the position of Lamar County attorney in that year’s primary election. Jones received her bachelor’s degree from Alcorn A&M College in 1991 before earning her juris doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1994.
She previously served as Hattiesburg Municipal Court judge.
