If I had sat down and written this letter three months ago, I would have been dismissed as a disgruntled employee. There are reasons as to why I should be disgruntled, but I am not mad.

I was told by my supervisor the way the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen carried out my retirement was that, “You didn’t get two votes” during an executive session. I had no idea any action was going to take place. I asked, “Two votes for what?” He said, “To keep your job. Clean your desk and be gone by 5 p.m.”

Well, three months have passed and I am enjoying my early retirement.This letter is not about me, but the citizens of Vicksburg. I worked for 35 years in the service of the taxpayers and for that I am grateful. I never once worked for a mayor or board. My job was not to serve them.

In 1979, I was called out  to investigate a house fire where small children died. The cause of the fire was human error. At that point in my career I chose not to just do a job but to try and make a difference in our community. Code enforcement became a priority.

Fire codes and building codes enforcement saves lives. For 35 years I tried to provide to the public the level of safety they deserved by enforcing these codes.

Thank you for that opportunity. Thank you the people of Vicksburg for allowing me to be your employee.

Wayne Scott

Vicksburg