SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - “It's still on,” says the group Concerned Citizens of Southaven, referring to a petition to get rid of Mayor Greg Davis. Group members say under Mississippi law they need 10,000 signatures to remove Davis from office but a spokesperson for the Attorney General interprets it a different way. That spokesperson was quoted in the paper saying the Mississippi statue only applies to county officials. Southaven residents and the group's lawyer disagree.
"The wording is a little vague so it could easily be misinterpreted but I do believe the law is on our side,” said Oriana Hill, member of Concerned Citizens of Southaven.
She's referring to Mississippi Code title 25 under removal of elected officials. It states, “to remove any elective statewide, state-district, county or municipal officer in this state; and every elective officer of the state or any state-district, county or municipality in this state may be removed from office by the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, if the Governor is the officer to be removed, at any time when done in compliance with the regulations hereinafter set forth.”
"It is up to the governor to decide if he wants to move forward with action but the code does apply to this issue,” Hill said.
Mayor Greg Davis is accused of misusing taxpayer money. Elton Nelson, like many other residents, says he's had enough.
"It's giving the city a bad name, a black eye,” Nelson said. “It's not only Mayor Davis it's the whole organization. The aldermen have to take a little blame too."
So far the group has collected nearly 2,000 signatures. Members will continue to meet every Saturday at the Southaven Library to collect more signatures. ABC 24 News contacted the Attorney General's Office for comment but our calls were not returned.
