Benton Harbor City Commissioners have accepted the resignation of Dial-A-Ride Board Chair Apollonia Williams, although Williams tried to rescind her resignation. At a Monday meeting, commissioners were told Williams sent a letter of resignation, effective August 1, to the city clerk and Mayor Marcus Muhammad. She sent a second letter Monday morning, taking it back. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams wanted to keep Williams in the position, saying the meeting to accept her resignation was called hastily.
“This young lady resigned, and just like she sent in a letter of resignation, she had an opportunity to change her mind and heart, and she seems to have done so,” Adams said.
Mayor Muhammad said the resignation should be considered.
“A second letter was written this morning at 8 a.m. rescinding it again, but it’s the priority and the prerogative of the council to act on whichever we choose,” Muhammad said.
Commissioner Sharon Henderson proposed making the resignation effective immediately. Commissioners then accepted, with Commissioners Adams, Ethel Clark Griffin, and Juanita Henry voting no. Henry wondered what’s going on with Dial A Ride that it has lost so many employees and volunteers in recent years. She said more needs to be understood by commissioners. Meanwhile, a meeting for Tuesday scheduled to interview new directors for Dial A Ride has been canceled. Williams told The Herald Palladium the reason for her resignation is that she’s moving to Georgia in October.
