The City of Lumberton experienced a drastic and abrupt change in leadership at the August 12 City Council meeting when council members voted to remove City Attorney Vanessa Jones from her position.

Ward 1 Councilman Kent Crider said he could not discuss the matter in detail because it is a personnel matter that will be handled in closed session. However, members of the panel voted 4-1 to fire Jones, with Councilwoman Myrtis Holder the only one voting against the measure.

“It’s a personnel issue that can’t be discussed publicly,” Crider said. “(These things) are always handled in closed session, and that was the case.”

“There was nothing unusual or extraordinary about it.”

Shortly after the meeting at which she was voted out, Jones issued a statement on the matter, saying she had discussed the issue with Mayor Quincy Rogers.

“The City of Lumberton is seeking to reduce its legal budget,” Jones said in the statement. “It has been my pleasure to serve the City of Lumberton.”

Rogers did not return calls regarding this matter.

The city government will accept applications for the position of city attorney through August 31. Interested applicants may send their resume to City Clerk Felicia Wheat-Baskin at [email protected] or drop off materials in person at Lumberton City Hall, 102 East Main Avenue in Lumberton.

“We only have a few (applicants) right now,” Crider said. “It helps if they have some experience in the city.”

Jones was elected by the City Council in September 2023 to succeed former attorney Scotty Chabert, who was elected Lamar County Attorney in that year’s primary election. Jones received her bachelor’s degree from Alcorn A&M College in 1991 before earning her juris doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1994.

Previously, she served as a judge in the Hattiesburg Municipal Court.