Former McComb City Administrator Quordiniah Lockley is not giving in just yet.
Two weeks after his surprise termination, Lockley said he is looking for a job and has a few promising options, but his heart is in McComb.
Lockley said he has no intention of suing the city for wrongful termination, and he has received advice from his attorney, who advised him to put his reaction in writing. Lockley gave a written statement regarding his termination to the Enterprise-Journal on Wednesday.
In it, he alleges that the firing was plotted before the meeting, and said city officials had never questioned his job performance.
“It was clear that one half of the board, who are all white, discussed my termination before the meeting. The Enterprise-Journal quoted the Mayor, ‘I had forewarning that this was coming,’ ” he said.
Lockley told the Enterprise-Journal Wednesday that when he took over the job as city administrator in July 2009, the city did not have enough cash flow to make payroll.
He said he promoted professional development among the staff in city hall and helped get other areas in better shape by pushing for a pay scale.
As for allegations that the firing is rooted in racism, Lockley said, “Understand, this is not about me. It is bigger than me. It is about right and wrong.”
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Here is the text of his letter:
“The Good Book (Bible) states, ‘We glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulations worketh patience; and patience, experience and experience, hope.’ Therefore, I have not rushed to issue a statement concerning my termination.
“The City Administrator, City Attorney, City Clerk and all Department Heads serve at the will and pleasure of the Board of Mayor and Selectmen. It was clear that this had nothing to do with my job performance because the Board has never — and I do underline the word never — called me in to discuss my job performance.
“It was clear that one half of the Board, who are all White, discussed my termination before the meeting. The Enterprise Journal quoted the Mayor, “‘I had forewarning that this was coming.’ It became even clearer that the Mayor and this one half of the Board were in agreement when they refused to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Their action reminded me of the first and only time I was called a ‘Boy’ to my face. While serving on the Board of Selectmen, a White Board Member in the Mayor’s Office said, ‘Boy, sit down and we will tell you how things are.’ I thanked Tommy Walman for stepping between us when I charged him.
“The action, attitude and behavior displayed Tuesday, April 14, 2015, reminded me of the period of history when Black Men and Women were being judged by the color of their skin not the content of their character and were treated as second class citizens. Such actions brought negative attention to the City McComb, Mississippi locally and nationally. It took the action of both the Black and White Communities to resolve some of those issues.
“I want to commend Jack Ryan for his Editorial, ‘Surprise vote was a mistake.’ You hit the nail on the head. Also, I want to commend Will Austin for his comments that were posted on Tommy McKenzie’s Facebook Page. Perception is ninety percent. Yes, the vote was down racial lines with the Mayor Rawlings casting the deciding vote. This is an example of the ‘Good Ol’ Boy Network’ at work in the City of McComb.
“There are those who have privately stated that it was wrong (Black and White) and some have gone as far as to say that it is racist. Understand, this is not about me. It is bigger than me. It is about right and wrong. Right has no side and Right is neither Black nor White. Therefore, as a Community, we cannot afford to allow this Mayor and the three White Board Members to take us back to that time or period in history.
“Therefore, I am asking those of you, black and white, who spoke with me privately to stand with me and others and let our voices be heard. Why must you let your voice be heard? The composition of the Board will change and it might be your spouse, brother, sister or child who will be terminated just because it is the will of the Board.
“Finally, the Bible states, ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear.’ Let us pray.”
