An appointment to the Brookhaven Parks Commission may be vetoed,Mayor Bill Godbold warned aldermen following a city board voteTuesday night.

With current commission member Les Bumgarner giving up his postto assume duties as the city’s new alderman-at-large, the boardvoted 4-2 Tuesday to put former commission member Bobby Harris backon the recreation board.

“He was on there and did a great job, and he’ll go a better jobnow,” said Ward 3 Alderman the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson in bringing upthe matter.

Some other aldermen said they wanted to wait on namingBumgarner’s replacement.

After Wilson’s motion was seconded by outgoing Alderman-at-largeHenry Newman, Ward 5 Alderman Tom Smith nominated Boyce Bullock forthe recreation post. Smith’s motion was seconded by Ward 6 AldermanJohn E. “Buddy” Allen.

During votes on the nominations, Aldermen Wilson, Newman, JohnRoberts and Terry Bates backed Harris while Smith and Allensupported Bullock. Ward 1 Alderman Dorsey Cameron abstained fromvoting.

“I might veto that motion. I’ve got 10 days,” Godbold saidfollowing the board action.

The mayor raised concerns about replacing a white board memberwith a black member. Wilson responded by saying race should notmatter in board appointment decisions.

“It does, though,” Godbold said.

Both Wilson and Godbold agreed Harris was qualified for therecreation post. Godbold maintained his reservations and warnedaldermen to “don’t bank on” the certainty of the recreationappointment.

In other action, Tuesday’s meeting was the last for Newman andRoberts, of Ward 4. The aldermen are stepping down followingunsuccessful runs for mayor this year.

“I appreciate the work we got done,” Newman said in brieffarewell comments.

Roberts said his 12 years on the board and gone quickly and ithad been a “blast.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with everyone in the administration,”Roberts said.