Board appoints Cassie Henson Ward 4 alderman, Mayor Young threatens veto

A 3-0 vote to appoint former Neshoba County Democratic Party Chairman Cassie Henson as Ward 4 alderman sparked a veto threat by the mayor Tuesday night during a regular meeting.

The Ward 4 Alderman position was left vacant by the death of longtime Democrat Alderman Cecil Nichols in January.

Ward 1 Alderman Joe Tullos, a Republican, made the motion to appoint Henson, which was seconded by Ward 2 Alderman Jim Fulton, also a Republican.

Ward 3 Alderman James Tatum, a Democrat, voted for the motion, while Alderman-at-Large Willie Jackson, former chairman of the Neshoba County Republican Party, voted present.

Tullos and Fulton voiced support for Henson, pointing out that they had received several phone calls from residents in Ward 4 asking that she be appointed.

Henson is the daughter of the late Charles Henson, who served four terms as Ward 4 Alderman.

While she had not qualified as a candidate for the Ward 4 post, Henson said she had been considering a run in June.

"My genuine concern is my community," she said. "I love my community and I want to make it better."

Henson is a graduate of Philadelphia High School, East Central Community College and Mississippi State University where she earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Psychology.

"I am preparing to take the Praxis core exam in order to teach," she said.

A homemaker, Henson has two sons who attend Philadelphia Elementary School.

Mayor James A. Young, a Democrat, told aldermen that Nichols' widow, Ajatha, was also interested in the appointment.

He said he lived and had family in Ward 4.

"I have talked to several people in Ward 4 and also with his widow," Young said. "She is interested in filling out his term."

Young said he was not ready "at this time" to fill the appointment.

After the vote, Young said he would veto the motion.

"Y'all can override me in two weeks if you want to but I think we should respect Mrs. Nichols," he said.

Cecil Nichols' term expires on June 30. Board Attorney Robert Thomas said state law says the board shall appoint a replacement since it is less than six months left on the term.

Under state law, to veto the motion Young would have to submit his reason in writing to the City Clerk.

It would take two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Aldermen to override a veto.