Maureen Clark’s seat on the McComb Planning Commission remains unfilled four months after the former city board opted not to reappoint her.
The board decided to re-advertise the Planning Commission opening after then-Selectman Devante Johnson alleged she made a racist statement in a Facebook Messenger conversation.
Clark has sued Johnson for slander, defamation and emotional distress. Johnson claims legislative immunity protects him from the litigation.
In the conversation that purported to have taken place between Clark and another person whose name was hidden in a screenshot Johnson presented to the city board, Clark criticizes the city for firing former Police Chief Damian Gatlin and disparages the board.
“We plan to advertise for the position,” Myers said after Tuesday’s city board meeting.
Clark had served on the board for 15 years. The previous board voted 4-2 to re-advertise the position.
Clark said she does not know if she would still consider serving on the board, and Myers has not determined if he would recommend Clark again or select someone else for the seat.
“I do not know at this point,” he said.
Myers also said he does not know when the seat will be filled.
“I can’t give you an exact time frame on that, but right now that board is operating with enough members,” he said.
The board has seven available seats and at least four of them must be filled to hold a meeting.
