Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com

Against Mayor Paul Winfield’s wishes, Thursday’s firing of Human Resources Director Lamar Horton may have been changed to a layoff. However, it was unclear Friday what the actual status of Horton’s departure was, while the mayor and aldermen seemed to have different recollections of the vote in closed session Thursday and subsequent discussions.

Walterine Langford, who was named interim human resources director following Thursday’s action, said Friday morning Horton’s termination, announced at the same time as three other layoffs, had been changed to a layoff — possibly to aid Horton in securing full unemployment and other benefits.

The three other city employees laid off Thursday were city inspector Richard Wayne Scott, building maintenance director Johnny Puckett and public works superintendent of utilities Donald Womack.

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman said he received an e-mail Thursday evening from Horton, forwarded from Langford, asking that his firing be changed to a layoff. In the e-mail, Beauman said it was suggested Horton would sign some kind of waiver if the change was made.

“Of course, I didn’t have a problem with it because I didn’t vote to fire him in the first place,” Beauman said.

Winfield, however, said Friday he believed the change should not be made and maintained the vote to terminate Horton had been unanimous.

“I disagree with it whole-heartedly,” said the mayor. “All three of us voted to fire him with cause.”  

Both Winfield and Mayfield said Thursday they believed Beauman had voted in favor of three of the four cuts. Beauman, however, maintained the opposite: that he had voted against three of the four. 

State law allows personnel discussions to be behind closed doors; however, any vote on personnel matters must be recorded and made a part of the meeting minutes. The minutes, which will be public record, of Thursday’s meeting were not available Friday, and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield was not available.

Winfield said Friday afternoon he did not know if the status of Horton’s dismissal had been changed.

“The last I heard he (Horton) was going to sign the waiver, and I don’t know if he’s done that. Until he signs it, I would assume he’s still terminated with cause,” he said.

Beauman said he believes the termination will remain on record until the board votes to change it in another session, which could happen on Tuesday when the board meets next.

In explaining why the city ended its employment relationship with the four, Winfield said the city is embarking on a reorganization aimed at having fewer department heads reporting directly to the three elected officials.

He also said no other cuts were imminent.

In addition to Langford being named interim human resources director, Sammy Rainey was named interim building maintenance director. Officials said the other two jobs would not be filled.

Vicksburg has approximately 550 employees and a budget of $31.5 million. The largest slice is payroll.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com