A group of concerned citizens have begun a recall effort for the first black female mayor of Jennings, Yolanda Fountain-Henderson.
Fountain-Henderson, who was elected in April, made history by becoming Jennings’ first female and African-American mayor. Although her term began with celebration, it took a quick turn toward controversy when she filed a lawsuit against many city officials, including City Council members, municipal judge, city attorney and city clerk. In the lawsuit, she pleads to have policy makers and members of her cabinet appointed by her.
Residents who are part of the recall effort said it is not about race. The group leading the recall is racially diverse.
“’I’m the mayor, you have to do what I say or else’ – that’s the kind of attitude she has,” said Robert Cotton, Jennings resident.
Cotton said he saw Fountain-Henderson’s work ethic when she served on the council. “When you lie to me as councilperson, you going to tell a bigger lie as mayor,” said Cotton.
Fountain-Henderson, in turn, told The American their claims were “all lies” from residents who “are all haters.”
Prescella Jones, chairman of the Jennings Neighborhood Watch committee, said “something’s not right” and claimed Fountain-Henderson wants to hire “friends.” Jones said it seems like every week Fountain-Henderson “is doing something outrageous. The list just goes on and on.”
Prior to serving as mayor, Fountain-Henderson was an office employee for the Northeast Ambulance and Fire District. The district was taken over by the St. Louis County Circuit Court in 2009 after allegations of board members violating open meetings laws and spending large sums inappropriately.
Fountain-Henderson was removed from her position at the fire district, along with attorney Elbert Walton and Anthony Weaver. As mayor of Jennings, Fountain-Henderson hired Weaver to work for the city, but the City Council rejected that.
“Weaver was voted out last week,” said Jones. “She still ended up bringing him back the next day. They even had a court order to remove him.”
John Schlereth, a Jennings school board member and resident, said the recall effort against Fountain-Henderson is “not personal.”
“She has a lot of energy. I just wish she put it in the right path, instead of the negative path,” Schlereth said.
Fountain-Henderson said the residents who oppose her are influenced by Yolanda Austin, who lost to Fountain-Henderson in the April election.
“It looks political, but it’s not,” said Schlereth. “We just want the right thing to be done for our city. We don’t want a kid in the candy store that thinks they can do anything they want.”
Terry Lowman, a Jennings resident, said she plans to move next year if Fountain-Henderson remains in office. “If these people don’t recall her or the council doesn’t impeach her,” Lowman said, “the next three and a half years are going to be a living hell in Jennings.”
Jennings will have its next City Council meeting 7 p.m. Monday, November 23 at Jennings City Hall.
This story is published as part of a partnership between the Huffington Post and The St. Louis American.
