WEST POINT — A man who was arrested in November for disrupting a West Point Board of Selectmen meeting is back on the North Central Mississippi Regional Railroad Authority.
After selectmen last month appointed two-time mayoral candidate Harold Lathon to the Railroad Authority, which is working to restore the old Columbus and Greenville rail line, West Point Mayor Scott Ross vetoed the appointment. Selectmen Tuesday, however, voted to 4-1 to override Ross” veto and put Lathon back on the Railroad Authority.
Only Ward 4 Selectman Keith McBrayer voted against the override, saying Lathon”s actions at the Nov. 9 meeting, during which he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, were not consistent with the behavior of someone who should be representing the city. Ross agreed with McBrayer”s assessment.
“How he conducted himself (Nov. 9) is the primary reason I vetoed this,” Ross said of the appointment.
Ross encouraged the board to be “cognizant” of the image West Point might portray with Lathon”s appointment to the Railroad Authority.
“That”s West Point”s face on that board,” Ross said.
Lathon was upset at the Nov. 9 meeting because he was not given a spot on the Board of Selectmen”s agenda, despite his request to discuss economic development. McBrayer and city attorney Orlando Richmond Sr. said Lathon”s proposed topic of discussion was not detailed enough and he would need to present the board with more information before receiving a chance to speak at the meeting.
After one public appearance at the Nov. 9 meeting, Lathon stepped to the podium and tried to address the board, but was warned to sit down and remain silent because he wasn”t on the agenda. Lathon eventually sat down, but continued to call out to the board.
When interim West Point Police Chief Bobby Lane and another officer warned Lathon to remain silent, he refused and was told he was under arrest for disturbing the peace. Lathon then refused to leave the meeting room and, in front of a nearly packed house, scuffled with the police officers.
Lathon eventually was taken to the floor, handcuffed and led from the room after an approximately five-minute struggle. The ordeal left those in attendance shaking their heads.
Ward 5 Selectman Jasper Pittman Tuesday said he does not condone Lathon”s actions of Nov. 9, but believes the man should have a chance to redeem himself.
“To me, everybody deserves a second chance,” Pittman said.
Ward 3 Selectman Charles Collins, who nominated Lathon for the position on the Railroad Authority in January, emphasized the fact that the city has been searching for someone to fill its vacant seat on the Railroad Authority for seven months. When the board discussed possible appointments in January, Lathon raised his hand and let Collins know he would be willing to serve.
“Any time we get a citizen that wants to participate, I think he should be considered,” Collins said.
Still, Ross was not convinced and cited the thousands of West Point residents from which to choose.
“I certainly don”t think this is the best choice we can make,” Ross said.
After the 4-1 vote, Collins extended his hand to Ross. The pair shook and closed the meeting cordially.
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