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An open letter to
The Honorable Albioun P. Summer Attorney General, State of Mississippi Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Dear Mr. Summer:
The purpose of this letter is to request legal clarification on the extent of authority vested in your several assistants.
Our Bay St. Louis City Council held an open meeting on Monday, January 31 for the purpose of hearing a report from the City Clerk, Lucian Kidd.
A petition had been submitted to Commissioner
Kidd on January 20, 1977 and it was agreed he would
comply with the legal 10 day i/Deriod in which to have voter signatures verified.
At the January 31 meeting Kidd told the Council the petition had not been verified! He gave as his reason for delay that he had been granted an extention of time through City Attorney, Joseph Gex who had been granted the extention through permission given by Assistant District Attorney, Sam Birdsong.
It was agreed upon by Council members that the time would be extended until Friday, February 4 and up to four additional persons added to assist with the verification at the County Court House.
I bring this matter to your attention because I do not believe an assistant attorney is legally authorized to make an extention of time, and I further believe no opinion coming from your office is acceptable unless it is given in writing and over the signature of the attorney general.
We reason I seek clarification is because such action could set a precedent should a similar situation arise in the future, and I would like our citizens to be informed of the legality of procedures.
Sincerely,
Joe Pilet See copy of news articles attached.
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