Recent Jefferson County Quorum Court meetings have been marked by political disputes and personal conflicts between eight Justices and County Judge Gerald Robinson, with tensions escalating as unpaid bills and other county business remain unresolved.
Both sides blame each other for the ongoing issues, and the situation is nearing the point where lawsuits could be filed, potentially requiring circuit judges to determine who is in the right.
At the center of the dispute is the county’s procedural ordinance.
The eight Justices — Reginald Adams, Melanie Johnson Dumas, Margarette Williams, Rick Victorino, Alfred Carrol, Reginald Johnson, and Cedric Jackson — allege that Robinson is not following the ordinance regarding how items are submitted for the monthly agenda through the County Clerk’s Office.
Justice Rick Victorino spoke with Deltaplex News on Wednesday to share his perspective on the matter.
At Monday night’s meeting, seven Justices — Reginald Adams, Melanie Johnson Dumas, Margarette Williams, Alfred Carrol, Reginald Johnson, and Cedric Jackson — were present at the Jefferson County Courthouse but refused to enter the Quorum Court room to conduct business with Robinson and the remaining Justices. Their refusal resulted in a lack of quorum, preventing Robinson from holding the meeting.
Afterward, the seven Justices joined Victorino in the courtroom to hold a special called meeting.
The dispute stems from Robinson’s decision to reorder the agenda, placing items that passed through committees at the top and moving any other items — which would require the Justices to suspend the rules to address in a single meeting — to the bottom. Victorino shared his opinion on this change.
Earlier in the week, Robinson told Deltaplex News that by not placing committee-approved items at the top of the agenda, the Clerk’s Office is violating the county’s procedural ordinance. Victorino responded to that claim.
Victorino also addressed questions about potential meetings between himself and the other seven Justices to plan how they would conduct business during Quorum Court sessions. Allegations have circulated on social media and in inquiries to Deltaplex News from county residents suggesting that “illegal” meetings may have taken place. Victorino directly refuted these claims, assuring that this is not the case.
One pressing matter for the Quorum Court is a $658,000 payment to FBT Bank for a loan that is several months overdue. Victorino discussed what needs to be done to ensure the payment is made.
