Cross resigns city position

By By Suzanne Monk / managing editor
March 21, 2002
A black city executive who alleged racial discrimination played a part in Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith's decision to suspend him for 30 days has resigned.
Chief Administrative Officer Ken Storms confirmed today that Don Cross, the city's assistant administrative officer, has submitted a letter of resignation effective March 26.
Cross was involved in a traffic accident on Feb. 4, and subsequently charged with driving under the influence. Two days later, the mayor suspended him.
Cross appealed the decision to the Meridian Civil Service Commission.
Cross included a copy of this letter in his appeal to the commission, and cited three situations in which he alleged "non-minority" city employees all police officers had received different treatment in similar circumstances.
He appeared briefly before the Civil Service Commission on March 12 to ask that further action in his appeal be delayed until after his DUI trial in Meridian Municipal Court.
The trial, scheduled for today, has been rescheduled for April 15. It is unclear what, if any, effect Cross' resignation will have on his appeal to the Civil Service Commission.