AMORY, Miss. (WTVA) — Aldermen in Amory have reversed a decision to change how the city's police chief is selected.
They voted Monday to return the job to an elected position.
About 100 people showed up for Tuesday night's board meeting where people voiced their displeasure with aldermen trying to make the job an appointed position in the first place.
The original vote occurred earlier this month.
They accused the aldermen of trying to take away people's voting rights.
One citizen was convinced that if it wasn't for the community taking a stand, that the decision wouldn't have been reversed.
"I'm glad they reversed it, but they reversed it for the wrong reasons. If we hadn't stood together -- Amory -- as a united front, I don't think they would have reversed it," said Alisha Bailey.
Police Chief Ronnie Bowen took out ads in local newspapers encouraging people to show up for the board meeting.
"You know this wasn't about Ronnie Bowen. The city of Amory had elected me, and I have served very humbly for them. But it wasn't about me. It was about taking away the basic right to vote, and that's what this country was built upon," said Bowen.
