A former business owner has an open invitation to present her accusation of downtown discrimination before the board of Main Street, a coalition of business owners.

“Where are you, Melanie Damrell?” asked board chairman and downtown property owner Harry Sharp, who was also the landlord for Damrell before her court-ordered eviction.

“Our meetings are open to the public, and you are welcome to come any time,” he said.

Damrell operated Dixie Diamonds, a lounge at 1306 Washington St. On Friday, she told the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen that downtown businesses are discriminated against based on their clients. She specifically blamed Main Street director Rosalie Theobald and Sharp.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Damrell said she probably will attend the next scheduled meeting of the Main Street board of directors, at 8:45 a.m. April 19 at the office on Clay Street. She also said her accusations have nothing to do with her eviction from Sharp’s property, ordered by Warren County Court, after a dispute over a utility payment.

The Main Street board members also voted unanimously to show their support for Theobald, the program director who is a municipal employee. Sharp said the charges are completely unfounded and accused Damrell of “grandstanding” in an election year.

“Harry Sharp is a liar. All I said were facts,” Damrell said later. “I think it’s a shame that groups of people should be told that they are not welcome in that part of town.”

According to court documents, Damrell’s business shared an electric meter with the downstairs tenant, Borrello’s Restaurant, and Damrell was responsible for a portion of that bill. Sharp contends and the Warren County Court agreed that she did not pay her full share.

“Nothing I’ve said or nothing I’ve done has helped me or I thought would help me get my bar back. The only reason I’ve come forward is because I think it’s wrong,” Damrell said.

Guy Russo, general manager of Horizon Casino and a member of the Main Street board, said he was angry about the accusations and called it a game of “dirty politics.”

“I think anybody looking at it from the outside will see it for what it is,” he said.

Sharp also said he believes the accusation is politically motivated.

“Obviously Miss Damrell and her husband are being helped by some of the candidates for mayor and for North Ward alderman,” Sharp said.

Rodney Dillamar, one of three Democrats seeking the nomination for North Ward alderman, has said he supports Damrell and has introduced her at churches, where Damrell has been allowed to speak before the congregations. Sharp said Damrell has also put a bumper sticker on her truck supporting Charles Selmon, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor.

Selmon, who is the Warren County District 3 supervisor, said he did not know of her until recent events.

“About 1,800 people have Selmon bumper stickers, and that doesn’t mean anything,” Selmon said. “And if anybody on the Main Street board wants a Selmon bumper sticker, I’ll make sure they get one.”

Damrell also told the city board that she has an audiotaped conversation with Theobald that showed racism, but the board said she could not play the tape during open session because it involved an allegation of employee misconduct. They offered to hear the recording during a closed session or suggested she meet with the city’s legal department to play it.

Damrell did not return for the closed session and has not played the recording for the city’s lawyers or the city’s human resources department. She has also not made the tape available to The Vicksburg Post, despite previous requests.

Main Street is a franchised national program in many cities. It operates like a merchants association but with funding from a special ad valorem tax paid by commercial properties in specified areas plus government grants and other allocations. In turn, Main Street programs hire directors to conduct promotional events, including themed sales, parades and beautification efforts.