SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - They're gearing up for a busy week at Southaven City Hall. Tuesday, February 7, 2012 is the first Board of Alderman meeting Southaven Mayor Greg Davis will preside over since the end of December.
Davis is refusing to resign as city mayor or answer any questions about the investigation into his spending of city money.
But residents have plenty of questions. Many of them are expected to show up at Tuesday's meeting.
It will be the public's first chance to address Mayor Davis. Several people have already signed up to speak at the meeting. Southaven police are preparing to handle overflow crowds.
"We anticipate a bigger crowd," says Chief Tom Long, "We've had several people call to ask about attending and signing up."
More people mean more officers.
"Any time something is controversial or emotional for a lot of people we'll always anticipate that to keep everyone there safe," Long tells abc24.com.
Southaven Police are taking an extra hard look at security ahead of this Tuesday's meeting.
"Situations can bring out the good and concern in people, but tragically also the bad," Long says.
Several in the city are anxious to address Mayor Greg Davis, who's been silent for weeks.
"We have a lot of questions that need to be answered and something needs to be done," says resident Linda Temple.
Temple started a group called Concerned Citizens for Southaven, specifically to address the city's leaders at these meetings.
"People need to be able to say what they feel to his face," adds Oriana Hill.
Something they'll be able to do at this week's meeting.
"We need to know what's going on with our city," Temple says.
Tensions are expected to be high. Several residents are angry over the thousands of dollars Davis was ordered to repay the city, and the almost one million dollars the state is withholding because of that.
"He's refusing to almost publicly acknowledge how much he's hurting the city," Hill says.
About one hundred people can fit into the regular meeting room. If more show up, they'll be put in an overflow room down the hall.
"We have another room in the building," says Long. "We'll be broadcasting live. You can go down there and watch it too."
The meeting starts at 6:00pm. Seating is first come first serve.
You normally have to sign up to speak ahead of time, but aldermen say this week there will be a sign up sheet at the door. Anyone who wants to talk will be given the chance, but there will be a time limit.
