City of Bruce officials and their water department director Roderick Gray aim to settle their differences and “move forward” after a federal jury ruled in favor of Gray in his lawsuit against the city claiming racial discrimination.
Gray was awarded $18,000 in back pay as a result of the ruling, according to his attorney Jim Waide of Tupelo.
The two day trial stemmed from the city’s decision to hire Joe Moss, who is white, as public works director in 2010.
Roderick Gray
After a lengthy interview process dealing with candidates from across the country, the city narrowed its choices to Gray and Moss. Gray was a current employee with the public works department. Moss was employed in a similar position in Florida.
Gray filed suit after the city chose Moss, claiming the decision was based on race. Town officials vehemently denied the claim citing Moss’ greater management experience as the reason for his selection.
The district court, presided over by Judge Michael Mills, initially dismissed the suit, but the Court of Appeals later overturned that decision saying Gray was entitled to a jury trial, but not to any punitive damages against the city.
Since that time, Moss resigned from the position for another job out of state. The city then decided to divide its public works department in half and hired Gray to lead the water department and Joe Farmer, a longtime public works employee, to lead the street department.
Current Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope said the city is eager to move forward.
“I told Rodney afterwards that I wasn’t here when any of this took place,” Pope said. “Let’s put this behind us and move on working together to make Bruce the best city it can be.”
Gray said he was pleased with the outcome and also hoped all involved could move on.
Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope
“I think it was the right decision,” Gray said of the judgement. “I believe I was qualified for the position.”
“I had worked for the town for 23 years and done everything I could do to get qualified to one day lead the department, then to have them tell me after all that I wasn’t qualified. That was hard to take.”
“My ultimate goal is still to one day be the overall department head,” Gray said. “I just want to put it behind me right now and focus on my job, and hopefully when the position comes open again things will work out.”
Mayor Pope said he didn’t anticipate any appeal of the verdict from the city, but rather a settlement with Gray’s defense team and related court costs.
Pope said the city’s insurance would cover the cost.