Fired Taxicab Commission Director Sues, Claims Board Member Was Illegitimate, Making Her Termination Void

Former Executive Director of the Taxicab Commission, Vernice Gumbs, is challenging her termination in court, alleging that the commission's board was not properly constituted when the decision to fire her was taken, and thus the dismissal is void.  Filed last week, Ms. Gumbs is asking the court to reverse her termination, which she says was communicated to her via a letter from TCC chair Elizabeth Hansen-Wattley on February 20, 2025. Her dismissal was effective “immediately,” for reasons of “continued insubordination,” which Ms. Gumbs denies. “There was no insubordination ever by Vernice Gumbs, nor was there any record of such prior to, or on February 20, 2025,” her civil complaint reads.  Allegations and denials of insubordination notwithstanding, the complaint hinges on defects with composition of the board, which has long been an issue for the TCC.  In law, the TCC must comprise 9 members; three taxi medallion holders and three members of the public, one of each from St. Thomas, ...