Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy stormed out of Monday’s City Board meeting saying “You don’t need me!” after a mother came before the board asking why the killer of her son had not been arrested.
Ward 3 Commissioner and vice Mayor Willie Turner continued the meeting and conducted city business.
Espy had his meltdown after the mother of Jeremy White, who was shot and killed July 5 on Page Street, came before the board seeking justice for her son.
No one has been arrested for White’s murder or 15 other murders in this community since January 1.
Espy tried to blame the situation on Commissioners not hiring former Sheriff Charles Jones to head up a drug/gang task force for the city.
Jacqueline Houston read from a Clarksdale Press Register editorial that ran in last week’s paper saying no one seems interested or responsible for finding her son’s killer and the others murdered in Clarksdale this year.
“My son was shot 12-times with a rifle,” said Houston. “It was a hit. We know who put out the hit, but he is no longer in town. We were told police had a high-speed chase trying to catch the man, who actually did the shooting, but he out-ran police and he’s not around here, either.”
She went on to say if a Mayor or Commissioner’s family member was murdered it would be solved.
She also said SkyCop will never arrest anyone and the city needs to hire more police officers.
Houston said the murder of a 15-year-old, 16-year-old and 17-year-old were tragic and she said the robbery and murder of the owner of D&T Super Market over the Easter Weekend shocked the community. She also pointed to the shooting in downtown Clarksdale in May 2023, where more than a dozen people were sent to the hospital – and Memphis television stations showed video of the incident – but police never even made one arrest.
“People know who did these shootings,” said Houston. “Why haven’t you arrested them?”
Houston spoke for more than 10 minutes.
After Houston left the room, Espy turned to Commissioners and said because they did not hire former Sheriff Charles Jones to head up a task force, that White died.
Espy’s voice grew louder and he pounded on the podium as he said a “group of people” came to the Special Called City Board meeting where Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk, Ward 2 Commissioner Jimmy Harris and Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals voted not to hire Jones. Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner voted to hire Jones.
During that vote Espy initially said he would vote to break the tie, but it was pointed out there was no tie.
Espy went on to say he was being maligned as Jones’ “friend” and he was part of some kind of “secret back-door mission” to get Police Chief Robbie Linley replaced. Espy did campaign for Jones last summer and Jones was un-elected and replaced by current Sheriff Mario Magsby.
“A group of people came into this body and challenged me to not make the right decision,” said Espy, who abruptly stood up, took off his coat and beckoned Turner to take over the meeting. “You don’t need me,” Espy said as he stomped out of the meeting and slammed the door.
Commissioner Plunk pointed out White was shot in early July and the hastily called meeting, where concerned citizens showed up to voice their concerns, was not held until August.
Espy has said he is not running for mayor when voters head to the polls next year. Espy has also said he promised to only run two terms.
Espy defeated former Mayor Bill Luckett in a highly polarized race seven years ago and defeated political newcomer Cassandra Wilson, 964-to-648, three years ago after Espy and the local Democratic Party denied Scotty Meredith a chance to be on the ballot.
Shortly after the June 2021 City Election, the Mayor and Board of Commissioners voted themselves massive pay raises following a closed-door Executive Session at the City Auditorium.
The Mayor and Board of Commissioners voted to give themselves annual raises of $36,000 and $20,000 respectively.
The annual compensation for Mayor went from $86,421 to $122,421.92. The annual compensation for a Commissioner went go from $26,650 to $46,650. Both Mayor and Commissioners also have expense accounts.
The June 14 vote prompted outcry from a community that feels the money could be better spent on law enforcement, street repairs and infrastructure and worried about the long term tax burden after this board is gone.
Candidates can qualify for Mayor and City Commissioner posts Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
