After serving for one year and making history by becoming Jennings’ first black woman mayor, Yolanda Fountain-Henderson has been impeached.
In a unanimous decision in a hearing at the city’s municipal court on Tuesday, May 24, the Jennings City Council – which includes two newly elected members who have been serving for less than two months – voted to end Henderson’s term as mayor.
Only about 10 residents attended. Some of those residents hugged and rejoiced, while others stormed out early.
“It’s wonderful. It’s one of the best things that could’ve ever happened,” said Teresa Lowman, a Jennings resident.
After handing in her keys, Henderson was greeted with hugs from friends and supporters.
Henderson’s troubles began during her first month as mayor, when she and attorney Elbert Walton filed a lawsuit against nearly everyone who worked for the city, including herself as former council member. The suit asserted a strong mayoral system for Jennings and tried to undo municipal legislation that limited the mayor’s appointing powers.
Then she hired an outside vendor – Tony Weaver, who had worked with her and Walton in the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, which ended in court receivership – without council approval. When the council tried to remove Weaver, Henderson defended him and even vowed at a council meeting to make sure he was paid anyway.
All of this, and more, appeared in the articles of impeachment drawn up in February. It contained 19 allegations, which were later pared down to 12.
Paul Martin, who was contracted to prosecute the impeachment hearings, said that Henderson has placed the city at risk of litigation, liability and dysfunction by “acting outside the scope of her office and without regard to the authority of the council and to the law.”
Henderson’s attorney Donnell Smith disagreed. “The vast majority of the allegations brought against her were not founded in competent of evidence,” Smith said.
Henderson claimed the impeachment process was a vendetta initiated by council members Rodney Epps and Carol Epps, who are married. She alleged that the Epps illegally used their city titles to obtain health insurance and they retaliated by seeking her impeachment.
After the impeachment was approved, Carol and Rodney Epps had St. Louis County Police officers escort them to their vehicles.
Henderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
