Joyce Gray resigns as City Clerk
City officials looking to fill vacancy until November elections By John Rech
news@theeveningtimes. com
Thirteen months of contention in West Memphis City Hall ended Friday with the resignation of elected City Clerk Joyce Gray.
Gray had locked into a year long power struggle with City Treasurer and Finance Director Frank Martin and Mayor Marco McClendon.
Gray wrote her resignation on personal letterhead and stated in she intended to continue with other opportunities to serve the public.
In her letter Gray recounted two accomplishments in office during her first year in office. Gray said she had been dedicated to conducting “city business fairly and professionally in compliance to state statute.” She also initiated an ordinance with the help of Councilman James Pulliaum to move the agenda deadline forward so alderman could study the issues longer.
“I am happy to leave that legacy,” wrote Gray.
Gray may be best remembered for contending for power with the mayor and the city treasurer. Gray circulated a document from and international city clerks association asserting the city clerk as the hub of city business. She demanded original receipts before signing certain checks, something traditionally filed in the city finance office. Gray requested documents from the city finance office through a freedom of information act request and expressed frustration with a delayed response. Gray wanted office space, with a desk and computer. To get that space she unilaterally moved city files to the DRED building saying she had a key and 24 hour access to get any needed file.
City officials ordered those records returned to city hall.
Gray also demanded equal pay for the elected treasurer and elected city clerk. Both offices received identical pay during city employee raises effective July 1. Finally, Gray threatened Mayor Marco McClendon with a lawsuit over duties of her office. City Council met to hear her ultimatum with an attorney from the municipal league.
Gray agreed to wait on filing suit when aldermen promised to survey ordinances related other city clerk’s duties and move forward with any appropriate changes. The matter was never again discussed in a public meeting.
Gray also told the Times during an interview, “I have enough on the mayor to see him jailed.” McClendon said he had heard that accusation indirectly during the meeting with the municipal league representative. Ultimately,
“I have been dedicated to conducting city business fairly and professionally in compliance to state statute.
I am happy to leave that legacy.” — former West Memphis City Clerk Joyce Gray, in her resignation letter to the city Gray never acted on the threat.
Voters elected Gray over incumbent Philip Para in the November 2018. Her term ran through 2022. Appointing an interim clerk fell to city council.
“We will declare a vacancy during our first city council meeting in February,” said Mayor Marco McClendon.
County Election Commissioner Frank Barton cited state statute to outline the process for voters to elect a new candidate for the clerk’s office.
“There are two steps,” said Barton. First, the vacancy shall be filled by the city council until a successor is duly elected. Second, the successor shall be elected for the unexpired term at the first general election that occurs after the vacancy happens.”
