Cross makes second appeal to Civil Service Commission

By By Suzanne Monk / managing editor
April 20, 2002
Don Cross, assistant administrative officer for Meridian, appeared before the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday to ask that action be delayed in his second appeal in as many months.
Cross filed an appeal March 18 protesting his termination. He told the commission Tuesday he wants to hold off, pending continuing conversations with Mayor John Robert Smith.
The CSC agreed to table the matter until its next regular meeting in May.
Cross' trouble began Feb. 4, when he was involved in a traffic accident and subsequently charged with driving under the influence. The mayor suspended him for 30 days with pay.
In his first appeal in March, Cross appealed that suspension and alleged that racial discrimination played a part in the mayor's decision.
Meanwhile, the mayor's public remarks seem to contradict Cross' version of events. Smith says Cross resigned effective March 26, but had second thoughts.
Cross is still the city's assistant administrative officer, but is not keeping office hours. He declines to comment on his appeals.
His DUI trial in Meridian Municipal Court is set for April 15.