Oktibbeha County Voter Guide 2015

Oktibbeha County
oters Guide
A GUIDE TO THE AUGUST 4 PRIMARY ELECTION
Precinct Polling Place

West Starkville
National Guard Armory, 343 Highway 12 West
North Longview
Longview Fire Station, 2168 Highway 12 West
South Adaton
Adaton Baptist Church, 1975 Highway 82 West
Self Creek/Double Spring

Fire Station Turner Road, 3407 Highway 82 West, Maben
Hickory Grove/Southeast
East Oktibbeha Fire Station, Old Highway 82
North Starkville 2
Mt. Pelier Baptist Church, 840 North Jackson St.
Northeast Starkville
Humphrey Coliseum, 55 Coliseum Blvd., Mississippi State
Osborn
Fire Station 16th Section Road
Bell School House

Bell School House Fire Station, 221 Highway 389
Center Grove/North Adaton

Adaton Fire Station, 2237 Reed Road
East Starkville
Humphrey Coliseum, 55 Coliseum Blvd, MSU
Maben
Maben Fire Station, 4026 2nd Ave., Maben
North Starkville 3
Fire Station No. 5, 102 West Garrard Road
South Starkville
Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane
Inside
Chancery Clerk......................... 6
Circuit Clerk.............................. 5
Constable................................. 10
Coroner.................................... 9
County Prosecutor..................... 10
District Attorney........................ 2
District Supervisors.................. 2
House of Representatives......... 11
Justice Court Judge................... 7
Sample Ballots......................... 2
Sheriff...................................... 6
Senators.................................. 12
Surveyor................................... 10
Tax Assessor/Collector............. 6
South Longview
Longview Fire Station, 2168 Highway 12 West
Craig Springs/South Bradley

Craig Springs Fire Station, 2199 Craig Springs Road, Sturgis
Sturgis/North Bradley
Sturgis Fire Station, 2729 Montgomery St., Sturgis
Central Starkville
Circuit Court Annex, 108 West Main Street
Needmore Center
Gillespie Street Center, 610 East Gillespie St.
Oktoc
Oktoc Fire Station, Oktoc Road
Sessums
Sessums Fire Station, 3100 Turkey Creek Road
The Starkville Dispatch

Sunday, July 26, 2015
The Dispatch www.cdispatch.com
2 Sunday, July 26, 2015
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY SAMPLE BALLOT

(Composite ballot for the Aug. 4 primary election actual listings will vary by districts and precincts.)
O
O
O
O
DEMOCrAT
DEMOCrAT
DEMOCrAT
for STATE of MISS. GoVErNor
for STATE hoUSE of rEP. dIST. 38
for SUPErVISor dISTrIcT 4
(Vote for one)

Robert Gray
Valerie Adream Smartt Short
Vickie Slater
______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Tyrone Ellis
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)
(Vote for one)

O Paul Millsaps
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS. SEc. of STATE
(Vote for one)

O Monica W. Banks
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS.

LIEUTENANT GoVErNor
O Jelani Barr
O Tim Johnson
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)
O Charles E. Graham
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS. ATTy. GENErAL
(Vote for one)

O Jim Hood
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS. STATE AUdITor
(Vote for one)

O Jocelyn Pepper Pritchett
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS. coMMISSIoNEr of

AGrIcULTUrE & coMMErcE
(Vote for one)

O Addie Lee Green
O ______________________________
Write-in
PUbLIc SErVIcE coMMISSIoNEr

NorThErN dISTrIcT
(Vote for one)

O Brandon Presley
O ______________________________
Write-in
for TrANSPorTATIoN coMMISSIoNEr

NorThErN dISTrIcT
(Vote for one)

O Danny Woods
O ______________________________
Write-in
dISTrIcT ATTorNEy dISTrIcT 16

(Vote for one)
O Scott Colom
O ______________________________
Write-in
okT. chANcEry coUrT cLErk
okT. co. cIrcUIT coUrT cLErk
(Vote for one)

O E. Regina Evans
O ______________________________
Write-in
okTIbbEhA coroNEr
(Vote for one)
O Michael R. Hunt
O ______________________________
Write-in
okTIbbEhA ShErIff
(Vote for one)

O Steve C. Gladney
O ______________________________
Write-in
okTIbbEhA SUrVEyor
(Vote for one)
O Tom L. Gregory
O ______________________________
Write-in
okT. TAx ASSESSor/coLLEcTor
(Vote for one)

O John S. Brown
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Donald Thompson
O ______________________________
Write-in
STATE SENATE dISTrIcT 16

(Vote for one)
O Angela Turner
O ______________________________
Write-in
O
O
O
O
(Vote for one)

Gene Autry Perry
Tremell Orlando Sherman
Orlando K. Trainer
______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Marvell Howard
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

Sylvester Dewayne Davis
Ernest Rogers, Jr.
Joe L. Williams
______________________________
Write-in
Democrat
Scott Colom
Age: 32
Occupation: Lawyer; City
Prosecutor
Education: Columbus High
School; B.A. in English and
History-Millsaps College; Cum
Laude graduate of Wisconsin
Law School
Political party: Democrat
Political experience:
Prosecutor-City of Columbus;
Former municipal judge-City of
Aberdeen
Residence: Lowndes County
Family: Married
Email: scottcolomforda16@
gmail.com
Phone: 662-368-2015
for STATE of MISS. ATTy. GEN.
(Vote for one)

O Mike Hurst
O ______________________________
Write-in
for JUSTIcE coUrT JUdGE dIST. 1
O
O
O
O
(Vote for one)

William Anton Tony Boykin
Jessi A. Collier
Lynn Williams
______________________________
Write-in
O
O
O
O
(Vote for one)

Larnzy Lee Carpenter, Jr.
W. Bernard Crump
Kennedy Neal
______________________________
Write-in
O
O
O
O
O
(Vote for one)
C. Marty Haug
W.L. Will Hutchinson
James Jim Mills
Cheikh A. Taylor
______________________________
Write-in
O Andre Quinn
O Curtis Randle
O ______________________________
Write-in
for coNSTAbLE dISTrIcT 3
rEPUBLICAN
for STATE of MISS. GoVErNor
(Vote for one)

O Alisha Nelson McElhenney
O Tate Reeves
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS.

STATE TrEASUrEr
(Vote for one)

O Lynn Fitch
O David McRae
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE coMMISSIoNEr of

AGrIcULTUrE & coMMErcE
(Vote for one)

O Cindy Hyde-Smith
O ______________________________
Write-in
rEPUBLICAN
(Vote for one)

O Loyd B. Rob Roberson
O Mac Smith
O ______________________________
Write-in
okT. co. cIrcUIT coUrT cLErk
(Vote for one)

O Michael Jason Campbell
O Glenn Hamilton
O ______________________________
Write-in
okTIbbEhA coroNEr
(Vote for one)

O Chris Pollan
O Doug Hamilton
O ______________________________
Write-in
okTIbbEhA ShErIff
(Vote for one)

O George Carrithers
O ______________________________
Write-in
okT. TAx ASSESSor/coLLEcTor
(Vote for one)

O Allen Morgan
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)
(Vote for one)

O John Prate Montgomery, Jr.
O ______________________________
Write-in
PUbLIc SErVIcE coMMISSIoNEr

NorThErN dISTrIcT
(Vote for one)

O Dennis Denny Daniels
O ______________________________
Write-in
for TrANSPorTATIoN coMMISSIoNEr

NorThErN dISTrIcT
(Vote for one)

O Bart Gregory
O Bricklee Miller
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Mike Maynard
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O James Lindsey
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS.

LIEUTENANT GoVErNor
(Vote for one)

O Mary Hawkins Butler
O Stacey E. Pickering
O ______________________________
Write-in
O Mike Chaney
O John Mosley
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)
(Vote for one)

O Phil Bryant
O Mitch Young
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE of MISS. STATE AUdITor
for STATE of MISSISSIPPI

coMMISSIoNEr of INSUrANcE
District Attorney
Q&A
for STATE of MISS. SEc. of STATE
(Vote for one)

O Delbert Hosemann
O ______________________________
Write-in
O
O
O
O
(Vote for one)
STATE SENATE dISTrIcT 15
(Vote for one)

O Cecil L. Simmons
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Daniel Jackson
O ______________________________
Write-in
okTIbbEhA co. ATTorNEy
O Haley Brown
O ______________________________
Write-in
rEPUBLICAN
(Vote for one)

O Jimmie D. Mills
O Mike Tagert
O ______________________________
Write-in
for STATE SENATE dISTrIcT 15

(Vote for one)
O Gary Jackson
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)
O Gary A. Chism
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Buddy Johnston
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Shank Phelps
O ______________________________
Write-in
(Vote for one)

O Tim Cook
O ______________________________
Write-in
Term: 4 years, Annual salary: $95,796

1. How would you characterize
crime in this district?
2. Where is the balance, for

you, between getting justice
for victims and offering
chances for offenders to
remain productive in society?
3. Where do you stand

on incarceration for drug
offenses?
I think we need to reduce violent crime

and property crime in our district. A
major part of my platform is the need
to prioritize the prosecution of violent
crime. Over the last few years, several
close friends and family members have
been victims of violent crime and Ive
seen the emotional and physical turmoil
they experienced because of it. This is
why I want to set up a violent crime unit
that has the best and most experienced
attorneys focus on prosecuting violent
crimes such as murder, rape, sexual
assault, armed robbery, domestic
violence, and burglary.I will also ask
local law enforcement agencies to
assign investigators to this unit so they
will have access to the best resourced
for investigating violent crimes.
As District Attorney, my first priority will

be justice for victims of crimes. I will
keep victims updated on the status of
prosecutions and give them a voice in
recommendations for plea deals and
sentencing. For victims of property
crimes, I will prioritize restitution. But
victims can never have true justice
unless the right person is convicted.
Prosecuting an innocent person has
four horrible outcomes:
Drug addiction destroys the lives of too

many young people, which is why I will
aggressively prosecute people who
bring drugs into our communities and
prey on our children. However, most
people convicted of drug possession are
drug addicts with high recidivism rates.
The fewer people who are addicted to
drugs, the fewer drug addicts there are
to arrest or re-arrest. Because of this,
as District Attorney, when appropriate
and after careful review, I will consider
rehabilitation for non-violent drug
offenders, especially young, first time
offenders. This rehabilitation will include
strong monitoring and drug testing by
our Circuit Court Judges through the
Drug Court in our District.
In sum, I believe rehabilitation for drug
addiction is the best method at stopping
continued drug use and the crime
associated with it.
There is a list of the most dangerous

cities in Mississippi. No city in my
district is on it. A citys ranking on that
list was not related to size, but rather
your likelihood of being a victim while
living there. E.g.: The number one
most dangerous city in Mississippi is
Indianola, population 10,641. Jackson,
Greenville, Greenwood, Cleveland,
Vicksburg, Pascagoula, and McComb
are all on the list. One of my cities,
Starkville, made the list of 10 Safest
Cities in the State. While there is
certainly more crime than I would like to
see, we must be doing something right.
Most victims are quite reasonable.

Every once in a while you find one
who wants the defendant hung on
the courthouse lawn for stealing a
lawnmower, but theyre rare. We
have an adversarial system and the
defendants lawyer is there to take care
of his interests. The judge is there to
protect his rights. Nobody is looking
out for the victim. Consequently, I
believe in victim centered prosecution.
If everybody does their job, then a fair
balance is struck. Insofar as chances
to remain productive, I know lots of
convicted felons who have gone on to
lead productive and successful lives. Im
friends with some of them. That being
said, we have a Pre-trial Intervention
Program. All first offenders of most
felonies where the maximum sentence
is 5 years or less are eligible.
1. An innocent person wrongfully goes

to jail.
2. A guilty person remains free and able
to cause further harm.
3. The victim and his or her family are
denied true closure.
4. The public loses confidence in the
criminal justice system.
Independent
Forrest Allgood (I)
Age: 61
Occupation: District Attorney
Education: B.S. & Law DegreeUniversity of Mississippi
Political party: Independent
Residence: Columbus
Family: Married
Email: f_allgood@hotmail.com
Phone: N/A
District 1 Supervisor
Democrat
Q&A
Donald Thompson
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired Rural Mail
Carrier/Retired Crop and Cattle
Farmer
Education: Graduate of Maben
High School; Attended Wood
Junior College and Mississippi
State University
Political experience: N/A
Residence: Oktibbeha County
Family: Married; 1 child
Email: donaldgthompson15@
gmail.com
Phone: 662-323-9079
The U. S. Department of Justice says

that 80 percent of all crime in America
has a drug component. 80 percent is a
lot. It stands to reason that if you reduce
the flow of drugs into your community,
you will reduce crime. Consequently,
if youre charged with selling it, we are
going to try to put you in jail. Those who
are possessors are getting probation
or pre-trial unless they are prior
felons, habitual offenders, or they are
possessing large quantities.

1. What is the biggest
challenge facing Oktibbeha
County?
2. How would you promote

future industrial/commercial
development in the county?
3. How would you help foster

a stronger relationship with
Starkville and Mississippi
State University?
Increasing industry and attracting more

jobs for Oktibbeha County residents is
an important challenge that we need
to continue to address. Economic
development increases the quality of life
in Oktibbeha County and encourages
more families to make their homes here
in Starkville. More jobs means more
young people stay here in Oktibbeha
County rather than moving away to find
employment.
Making Oktibbeha County appealing

to businesses and industries is crucial.
The Board of Supervisors can work with
economic partners to meet their needs
to make doing business in Oktibbeha
County not just feasible, but appealing.
Mississippi State University is an

integral part of Oktibbeha County. A
partnership between the county, the
city, and the university is mutually
beneficial, and as a Supervisor, I will
work to foster the relationships that
will continue to make this partnership
a success for students and Starkville
residents alike.
I = incumbent
District 1 Supervisor (continued)
Republican
Q&A
John Montgomery (I)
Age: 37
Occupation: Firefighter/
Company office-Starkville
Fire Department; Owner of
Montgomery Lawn Maintenance
Education: Bachelors degree in
Financial Management-MSU
Political party: Republican
Political experience: Serving
1st term as Supervisor
Residence: Starkville
Family: Married; 2 children
Email: johnemontgomery1977@
gmail.com
Phone: 662-418-1614

County?


State University?
I feel there are several challenges

facing Oktibbeha. Budget constraints
are always a challenge, and I feel
we have done well as a board in the
management of your tax dollars. Others
would include the maintenance of our
county road system, and to continue
to improve it also. We must make
consolidation work to the benefit of our
children here in all of Oktibbeha County.
We must continue to improve our
school system, and Oktibbeha County
supervisors have done our part. Im
proud of the commitment weve made
to our new school district in office space
and utilities. The improvement of our
911 system is another challenge we
face, and its ability to operate is vital to
the safety of citizens of this county.
Keep the momentum we have seen

as of late. The new growth in our area
helps promote Oktibbeha County,
and we have done well to capture
new businesses in the industrial and
commercial sectors. We as a county are
growing like we havent in the past. The
LINK has done a great job promoting
this county, and new developments
are looking here that hadnt in the
past. This new growth with examples
like the Cotton Mill project, the new
car dealerships, the new apartment
complexes, C-Spire, and the new
Aspen Bay development that will go in
cornerstone will comprise over $100
million in new businesses that create
jobs in industry/commercial and retail
growth. These are things that increase
our tax base that helps to keep our tax
rate as low as possible, and benefit our
school system also.
To continue to work with MSU and the

city of Starkville on projects like the
Cotton Mill, which was an interlocal
agreement between ourselves, MSU
and Starkville. It hasnt been without
healthy discussion, but we have worked
well with MSU and Starkville. I think
between all three parties, we have a
great understanding, and we each know
our role. I feel that our relationship to
both MSU and Starkville is good and
will only continue to get better. I think
its good to keep in communication
with officials from MSU and Starkville
and I feel comfortable calling several
representatives from both. Its important
to work well with these and other
representatives.
Democrat
Gene Autry Perry
Declined to participate.
Tremell Sherman
I think the biggest challenges that

are facing our county is resources,
having resources for affordable homes
and jobs. I believe we need to enact
programs that promote homeownership,
more programs for families that create
homeownership through mentorship
for credit repair, job placements and
mentorship. I believe creating these
type of programs will increase property
values therefore creating more property
tax funds. I also believe our road
conditions need to improve on roads
that are driven more heavily, while
others could be improved simply by
grading them and keeping them in good
manageable conditions.
I think we can increase industry

development by offering a variety of
incentive base programs, like land
purchase programs, some that increase
sales of vacated land. I believe by
appealing to companies with innovative
ways will market to companies looking
to move to the Starkville area. I believe
we arent progressing enough off of
the recent success of our local schools
and colleges. I think we need to be
marketing to larger factories that will
increase more real jobs and increase
the need for more homes. This in
exchange will create again more tax
dollars and even increase the need for
more independently owned restaurants
and franchises.
I think you foster a stronger relationship

between the two by providing programs
for educational growth, offering more
internship programs for the community
that promote jobs and improve the
overall average educational levels. I
think we have great schools here in
our area, the transit program was a big
success but I think more work can be
done to keep progressing for a stronger
relationship.
Orlando Trainer (I)
Preparing for additional growth and

dealing with current dilemmas that
accompany growth. Higher expectations
from citizens as it relates to county
services and opportunities.
Advocating the need for us to continue

strengthening our partnerships with
individuals and entities that give
us the potential to do something
significant. We must be willing to make
the investments if we expect to reap
beneficial returns. We must be willing to
make sometimes difficult decisions that
will have significant future returns.
Making myself available to interact and

meet whenever necessary, planned or
not. Remain committed and interested
in the benefit of collaboration with all
stake holders. Take advantage of all the
resources that each offer that can bring
benefit to the county.
The county needs to fully utilize

all resources available, while also
searching for alternative funding.
We must promote or prime real estate

and location along with tax incentives.
Also, advocating the qualified personnel
in our area along with the diversity of
our country.
We must come to the realization

that what is incumbent to one is also
incumbent to all. In order to improve, we
must come together to present in unity
common goals.
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:
Age: 30
Occupation: Business owner;
Insurance Agent
Education: University of
Southern Mississippi
Political party: Democratic
Email: mell523125@gmail.com
Phone: 662-549-8553
Age: 41
Occupation: Farmer,
consultant, bus driver
Education: Degree in insurance
and risk management from
University of Mississippi
Political experience: Served
16 years as supervisor District
2 Oktibbeha County, Oktibbeha
Leadership Forum graduate,
board of directors for Boys &
Girls Club of Golden Triangle
Family: Married, three children
Email: orlandotrainer@hotmail.
com
Phone: 662-769-0071
Independent
Robert Bubba
Gray Jr.
Age: 55
Occupation: Cattle Farmer
Education: Graduate of Central
Academy; Associate degree in
Machinist Technology
Email: bgray511@gmail.com
Phone: 662-435-0387
I = incumbent
Democrat
Q&A
Marvell Howard (I)
Age: 56
Occupation: Oktibbeha County
Supervisor
Education: Maben High School;
Industrial Technology-EMCC;
Industrial Technology-MSU; U.S.
Army-Leadership Training
Family: Married; 3 children; 3
grandchildren
Email: 5howard@bellsouth.net
Phone: 662-323-1755

County?


State University?
If I had to point to one single thing it

would have to be the shortage of middle
income wage earning jobs.
I feel that we made a major stride in

doing so when Oktibbeha County along
with the City of Starkville partnered with
the counties of Lowndes and Clay and
the cities of West Point and Columbus
to form the Regional Economic
Development LINK. We must continue
to support that effort. Next, Oktibbeha
County needs to continue moving
forward with the joint effort between
the City of Starkville and the County
to develop an industrial park. Thirdly,
Oktibbeha County must always look for
opportunities to join hands with our City
and our University to attract and retain
industry to our area. Finally, Oktibbeha
County has got to do everything we
possibly can to support education and
workforce training. Those two things are
critical to the success and future of our
country.
For a few years now there have been

regular meeting with the President
of MSU, the mayor of Starkville, the
president of the Board of Supervisors
and the business community. These
meeting serve to keep one another
abreast of efforts taking place in each
respective entity. Those meeting also
present an opportunity to discuss and
look for ways join forces to achieve
success. I can also envision forming a
board with members representing each
entity that would discuss a wide range
of topics and have an ongoing dialog
with the community.
I feel the biggest challenge for

Oktibbeha County is the countys ability
to meet the infrastructure needs of
the citizens, given the current budget,
without having to levy any tax increase
on our citizens. I believe one way to
improve the tax base of the county
without raising taxes is to increase our
tax base with industrial and commercial
development. When compared,
Oktibbeha Countys tax base falls a
billion dollars short of neighboring
Lowndes County. Oktibbeha County
needs to catch up! Building up our tax
base through economic development
will allow us to build the better roads the
citizens want.
Industrial and commercial development

will be one of my top priorities! Being
retired from the military will allow
me to be a full time supervisor. I will
have the time necessary to personally
market our community to business
and industry around the world. I would
work directly with the railroads through
our county to bring back an invaluable
transportation asset connecting
Oktibbeha County globally and inviting
industry to Cornerstone Park. I will work
directly with local and state economic
development agencies providing
them the necessary tools they need
for success. I want to do all within my
power to bring jobs and growth to our
community.
A successful community is one that

works together towards common goals.
I have been employed by all three;
Oktibbeha County, The City of Starkville
and Mississippi State University. From
my years living, studying and working
in the community, Ive gained a good
understanding of how each entity works.
The three are like family to me, as Ive
had strong ties to each my whole life. I
would like to see them all at the dinner
table working together as a family to
make our community a better place
to live. I would encourage a stronger,
goal oriented, planning relationship
between the Board of Supervisors,
Board of Alderman and Mississippi
States Master Planning Committee and
foster this relationship with regular joint
meetings or retreats.
Republican
Dennis Denny
Daniels
Age: 45
Occupation: Retired Military/
Cattle Farmer
Education: Masters of Public
Policy and Administration-MSU
Political experience: Former
Oktibbeha County Deputy Sheriff
and city of Starkville police
officer
Email: dennydaniels@hughes.
net
Phone: 662-418-2071
Democrat
By Oktibbeha County and the City of

Starkville joining the LINK over two
years ago, this positioned our county
to not only continue supporting our
existing industry but also recruit new
industry. This investment made by the
county and city will eventually lead to an
increase in new jobs for our residents
as well as a larger tax base in the future
from not only the investment made
by the industry itself but also from the
new residential growth new industries
typically bring with them.
The continued support of the LINK and

its recommendations dealing with tax
incentives or any other related incentive
that is used to recruit potential industries
to Oktibbeha County is a must for the
Board of Supervisors. Keeping millage
rates on a comparison level with other
counties of similar size as Oktibbeha
County as well as providing the public
with ample quality of life opportunities is
also a plus when potential industries are
looking to locate or expand.
By making sound decisions that benefit

all of Oktibbeha County, you thereby
enhance the countys standing with all
entities, including Starkville, Sturgis,
Maben, and MSU.
Bart Gregory
Oktibbeha Countys greatest strength

is her people. From Sturgis to Maben
to Starkville and everywhere in
between, Oktibbeha County is called
home by a hard working, caring and
concerned population. Much has
been accomplished by the leaders
of our community, but theres much
work to be done. One of our countys
greatest weaknesses is our inability or
unwillingness to create a vision that
provides for growth but also protects our
infrastructure and resources. We need
to be working more closely with the
City of Starkville and Mississippi State
University in the trenches to identify
our goals as a broader community, and
work together to achieve them.
I support the currentregional

partnership with the GTR LINK, and I
believe that responsible supportand
engagement with our economic
development team will lead to an
increase in our industrial inventory,
which in turnimmediately benefits our
schools and provides a financial return
to our county in time. Quality public
education is key to a thriving community
and key for economic development.
I am committed to listening to the
needs of our schooldistrictand finding
appropriate solutions to support
our children, while engagingcounty
stakeholders. This includes support
for workforce development and our
institutions of higher learning.
The Starkville/Oktibbeha/MSU
community has made great strides
to improve communication and
collaboration between the community
and Mississippi State University,
but there is more work to be done.
My professional career has allowed
me to cultivate relationships that
will assist with this goal. I believe a
commitmentto communication and
collaborationwiththese entities will only
lead to a more promising future for our
community.
Bricklee Miller
Our countys biggest challenge is

maintaining a level of economic
development that expands our tax base,
which translates into a lower tax burden
on our citizens.
It is the responsibility of every

supervisor to promote our entire county
through partnerships with local, regional
and state development agencies.
I was not aware these entities had a

weak relationship. Every supervisor
should strive to foster strong
relationships with all entities within the
countys borders whether they be public
or private.
Daniel Jackson
Age: 35
Supervisor Dist. 4
Education: B.A. Secondary
Education- 2003
Political experience: Currently
serving 2nd term as supervisor
Family: N/A
Email: N/A
Phone: 662-323-1520
Republican
Age: 38
Occupation: Assistant Athletic
Director-Mississippi State
University; Sports BroadcasterMississippi State Radio Network
and SEC Network
Education: Graduate of Nanih
Waiya Attendance Center
Graduate of MSU
Email: bart@bartgregory.com
Phone: 662-418-4777
Age: 46
Occupation: Director of the
Mississippi Horse Park-15 years
Education: Lamar Academy;
MCC; Mississippi State
University
Family: Married
Email: brickleemiller@gmail.
com
Phone: 662-418-3963
I = incumbent
Q&A

County?


State University?
Sylvester Dewayne
Davis
I think the biggest challenge is locating

and obtaining enough property to create
an industrial park.
I will work along with other board

members to seek ways in securing
property and provide the necessary
infrastructure for development of
an industrial park. This will provide
the LINK with a tool that could land
Oktibbeha County a mega job creation
site.
I will help foster a stronger relationship

by keeping each entity abreast of what
is occurring on the county level. By
accomplishing this we will create a
strong force that could lead us to being
one of the top counties in the state.
Ernest Rogers Jr.
The lack of job creation compared to

the other surrounding counties and
adequate health care. Im willing to work
alongside the Board of Supervisors
and Board of Alderman to make the
right decisions for Oktibbeha County
can grow with long-lasting industries
and businesses that can the younger
generation close to home. Only we
can do this by all individuals working
together.
I believe with economic and industrial

improvements, we will allow Oktibbeha
County citizens to make their living
and allow them to spend their hard
earned money in their own community.
Leading to much needed infrastructure
improvements throughout the county
as well as the creation of more small
business developments.
As a business owner, educator, and

lifelong citizen of Oktibbeha County,
I know the importance of making the
right decisions and teamwork within the
community. Im willing to work alongside
the Board of Supervisors and Board of
Alderman to ensure Oktibbeha County
will have better road conditions and a
safe and positive environment. My plan
is to make financial decisions that will
lead to an increase in the economy of
Oktibbeha County. I strive to make a
lasting change in our youth to ensure
that their future is bright for tomorrow.
Joe Williams
One of the biggest challenges facing

Oktibbeha County is to provide
necessary support for the StarkvilleOktibbeha Consolidated School District
and still maintain other necessary
needs of the county. We need to ensure
that the transition to a consolidated
school district is as smooth as possible
for students, teachers, parents,
and administrators. We also face a
challenge in Oktibbeha County of
making our roads safe and user-friendly
for students and lifelong residents.
We are challenged with addressing
the traffic flow problem that the county
is experiencing as Mississippi State
University increases in enrollment,
especially around the Southern and
Southeastern parts of the campus.
I will continue to support the Golden

Triangle LINK, but expect the agency
to work equally as hard in Oktibbeha
County as in Lowndes and Clay when
it comes to industrial development
and employment opportunities. I will
promote the creation of jobs in general,
but especially those that offer good pay
and fringe benefits to our citizens who
lack advanced degrees but nevertheless
have good work ethics. I will promote
the establishment of another Industrial/
Commercial Development Park that
does not have Native American
remains. I will also promote the
utilization of Cornerstone Park for job
creation.
I will work with Mississippi State

University on various projects with an
open mind and meet regularly when
given an opportunity. I will support
developments that will help maintain
Oktibbeha County as a good place to
work and live for both students and
lifelong residents of Oktibbeha County.
Democrat
Age: 46
Occupation: Firefighter
(Lieutenant), City of Starkville-18
years
Education: B.S. Business
Administration-Management
Residence: Crawford
Email: sddavis2015@gmail.com
Phone: 662-418-5733
Age: 27
Occupation: Business owner/
Freelance Graphic Designer
Education: Graduate of East
Oktibbeha County High School;
Mississippi University for
Women
Residence: Crawford
Family: N/A
Email: runegraphix@gmail.com
Phone: 662-722-1896
Age: N/A
Occupation: Public Service;
School Counselor
Education: B.S.; M.S.;
Educational Specialist Degree
Political experience: Oktibbeha
County Board of Supervisors,
District 5- 1 term; Oktibbeha
County Economic Development
Authority Board-16 years
grandchildren
Email: jwilliamsoktcnty@att.net
Phone: 662-418-2386
Circuit Clerk
Democrat
Q&A
Elizabeth Regina
Evans
Age: N/A
Occupation: Mississippi
Department of Corrections
Education: N/A
Political experience: Oktibbeha
County Deputy Clerk-23 years
Family: 2 children
Email: evans2457@bellsouth.
net
Phone: 662-617-3380
Term: 4 years, Annual salary: Varies - fee based, capped at approx. $90,000
1. What qualities make you the best candidate
for this position?
2. How well do you believe you can work with

law enforcement, justice system officials,
local party leaders and the public in effectively
executing the circuit clerks responsibilities?
Having worked as deputy circuit clerk for 23 years in Oktibbeha

County, I know that a warm smile and listening ear are very
important qualities to have while serving as circuit clerk. I
believe I possess both of these qualities that will make the
office a comfortable environment for the public. I am a hard
worker, driven to acquire any and all knowledge necessary to
be successful in my job.
Once again, I turn to my 23 years of experience as Oktibbeha

County Circuit Clerk. I have a proven record or working with
the Democratic and Republican Executive Committees as
well as the Oktibbeha County Election Commissioners during
6 years as the election deputy. For the remaining 17 of the
23 years, I served as criminal court deputy circuit clerk. In
that capacity, I worked daily with law enforcement and justice
system officials. From issuing capias, filing circuit court bonds,
handling executions or making commitments to MDOC, I kept
an open line of communication with the local law enforcement.
I prepared court dockets, recorded and filed all court
documents and worked closely with the circuit court judges and
their office personnel as well as probation services. I continue
to work with MDOC probation in my present employment
further enhancing my working relationship with area law
enforcement.
Republican
Michael Campbell
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:
I = incumbent
Circuit Clerk (continued)
Republican
Q&A
Glenn Hamilton (I)
Age: 59
Occupation: Circuit Court Clerk
Education: EMCC
Political experience: 4 yearsCircuit Court Clerk (Oktibbeha
County)
Residence: Maben
Email: glennhamilton12690@
gmail.com
Phone: 662-263-7692
1. What qualities make you the best candidate
for this position?
2. How well do you believe you can work with

law enforcement, justice system officials,
local party leaders and the public in effectively
executing the circuit clerks responsibilities?
First, I would say Is my deep, genuine love for this county. My

roots have grown deep as a fourth generation resident and
tax payer. This helped develop a real life understanding of this
county and her people.
I have a proven record of working with law enforcement as well

as a high level of respect, and appreciation having served as
an auxiliary deputy for many years as well as my serving as
Chairman of our State Parole Board. As for our justice system,
it is the best in the world and I stand on my record while I have
been serving as Circuit Clerk. Carrying out other duties of the
Circuit Clerk is more an enjoyment than work. I have been
honored to have served these past four years as your Circuit
Clerk.
Chancery Clerk
Tax Assessor/Collector
Q&A
Monica Banks (Democrat) - Unopposed incumbent

Term: 4 years, Annual salary: Varies - fee based
1. What makes you the best
candidate?
2. What do you see as the

biggest challenge to the job?
3. What experience do you

have in financial record
keeping and/or bookkeeping?
John S. Brown
Down to earth, common sense person

who treats people like they want to be
treated. A true public servant.
Learning the individuals of Oktibbeha

County and putting them first. Having
the office be more customer oriented.
Family owned, small business for more

than 40 years and working for the public
in various positions whereby record
keeping and financial data were very
important.
Allen Morgan (I)
Republican
Age: 58
Occupation: State of
Mississippi
Education: Masters from
Mississippi University for
Women, Bachelors from
Mississippi State University
Political experience: 22 years
in public service
Family: Married
Email: jsb91145@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-324-3635
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:
Sheriff
Democrat
Q&A
Steve Gladney (I)
Age: 59
Occupation: Sheriff of
Oktibbeha County
Education: Attended Mississippi
State University, graduate of
Mississippi Law Enforcement
Training Academy
Political experience: I have
been in law enforcement for
the past 33.5 years, served as
a Mississippi trooper for 28.5
years, Oktibbeha County sheriff
for 3.5 years
Family: Married, three children,
three grandchildren
Email: sgladney@sheriff.
oktibbeha.ms.us
Phone: 662-323-2421

1. What makes you most
qualified to be sheriff?
2. As the chief law

enforcement official in the
county, how would you
address crime in the area?
3. What steps can the sheriffs

department take toward
stronger community-oriented
policing?
With 33.5 years of experience in law

enforcement, I understand the need for
professionalism in law enforcement, as
well as the duties and responsibilities of
a law enforcement officer. Having been
the Oktibbeha County sheriff for the
past 3.5 years, I know the importance
of managing budgets, operating
our county jail system, fulfilling the
responsibilities of court procedures and
the daily responsibilities of the chief law
enforcement officer of the county.
The Oktibbeha County Sheriffs

Department is proactive in the
community dealing with public safety,
property crimes and drug traffic in this
area. As a state accredited department,
in-service training of our officers is
priority as we strive to maintain a
high level of professionalism in law
enforcement. It is extremely important
to me that we are a professional
department as we deal with crime in our
area.
I feel there is a need to provide positive

role models and activities for young
people to keep them productive and
actively involved in the community in a
positive way. Keeping an open line of
communication with the public is vital
to maintaining strong law enforcement
in the area. The Oktibbeha County
Sheriffs Department has developed and
maintains a great working relationship
with the Starkville Police Department,
MSU Police Department, Sturgis Police
Department, Maben Police Department,
MS Department of Corrections, State
Alcohol Beverage Control, MS Bureau
of Narcotics and the MS Highway
Patrol. It is important that all these
departments and the public work
together for the good of the community.
I = incumbent
Sheriff (continued)
Republican
George Carrithers
le
lab
to
o
Ph
Q&A
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired Oktibbeha
County Sheriffs Office
Education: Eupora High School
graduate. Studied criminal
justice at Mississippi State
University
Political experience: Worked
with the Oktibbeha County
Sheriffs Office for 36 years.
Family: Married, three children,
five grandchildren
Email: georgeso2@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-323-0932
ai
t av
no
1. What makes you most

qualified to be sheriff?
2. As the chief law

enforcement official in the
county, how would you
address crime in the area?
3. What steps can the sheriffs

department take toward
stronger community-oriented
policing?
Thirty-six years on the job experience

working at the sheriffs office, the
schools I have completed to enhance
my knowledge in law enforcement,
experience investigating actual cases
within the county, and knowledge of
county budgeting criteria.
During the 36 years I was in the

sheriffs office, I developed a trust and
working relationship with the citizens
of the county which helped my in being
able to solve cases. I also believe in
being proactive when it comes to law
enforcement. I would increase patrol in
the county and have the deputies visit
citizens in the community in order to
stay aware of their concerns. My office
will be accessible to anyone who would
like to talk to me about anything going
on in their neighborhood and it would be
kept confidential.
I would initiate the following programs:

Setting up a citizen advisory board,
initiating a ride-along program,
organizing a meet-and-greet program
between officers and citizens, allowing
officers to attend neighborhood watch
meetings, scheduling deputies to attend
schools and speak to the children letting
them know that law enforcement can be
trusted and that the children should not
be afraid to trust officers.
District 1 Justice Court Judge
Q&A

candidate justice court judge?
2. What do you believe the role

of a justice court judge should
be, and how do you intend to
execute that role?
3. What do you consider to be

the biggest challenge in the
justice court system?
William Tony
Boykin Jr. (I)
I was born and raised in Starkville,

attended Starkville public schools, and
have lived here all my life. I have been a
justice court judge for nearly 40 years.
Justice court judges should listen to

all evidence presented before making
any decision on a case court decorum,
have the bailiff in court to ensure safety.
Integrity and compassion to all involved.
Treat all in court fair.
We need to do more to make sure our

children stay in school, learn how to
make a living and be productive.
Jessi Collier
Age: 20
Occupation: Business Owner;
Student
Education: Senior majoring in
Chemistry, Mandarin Chinese
and Finance at MSU
Family: N/A
Email: jessi.collier@hotmail.com
Phone: 662-324-3300; 662-3232717
I am qualified for this position because

I have the drive, the initiative and the
education to perform the duties of this
position with integrity and fairness. My
values are education, family, excellence,
community, law and order. I am able
to learn the duties and protocols of
this position quickly. I am caring and
capable. As a judge, I will review and
hear all evidence before me, allow all
litigants the opportunity to be heard. I
will be impartial in my assessment of
every case. I will conduct my personal
and professional life with the highest
moral standards and integrity as I have
in the past.
The role of a justice court judge is

to hear all evidence presented and
rule fairly. Judges are to also conduct
themselves by the judicial code of
conduct. I will do this.
Having interned in the Oktibbeha

County justice court, the biggest
challenge I have observed is case flow/
docket management and the lack of
order and respect for the court from the
court personnel. Other challenges that I
have observed first hand that should be
addressed and will be if I win are these:
Gay Lynn Williams
Did not return questionnaire to The

Dispatch.
Democrat
Age: 72
Occupation: Justice Court
Judge
Education: Attended University
of Mississippi
Political experience: 39 1/2
years-Justice Court Judge;
26 years-Mississippi Judicial
College Board of Governors
Residence: Maben
Family: Widowed
Email: N/A
Phone: 662-418-4735
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:
1. The current judges have a combined

service of 96 years. It is time for
change. It is time for new, diverse,
more efficient representation for our
community. It is time for new generation
leadership.
2. The current justice court is long
overdue for updated technology.
3. I feel that I could be instrumental in
upgrading the courts collection efforts
for fee and fines.
Democrat
Larnzy Carpenter Jr.
Age: 52
Occupation: Chief Bailiff/
Clergyman
Education: Doctorate in
Theology
Political experience: Military
veteran; 3 decades of law
experience
Email: pastorllcarp00@yahoo.
com
Phone: 662-312-7774
My candidacy is based on integrity,

The criminal and civil justice system is
innovation and equability. My integrity
important. My role as judge will allow
is evident in my experience as a
me to ensure the courts are involved
servant and officer of law enforcement
early in cases and are involved until the
and the court. I have an unblemished
end. My plans are to develop and apply
past as an energetic and proactive
courtroom and judicial performance
contributing member of my community,
standards that measure and encourage
family and church. My leadership in
fairness, good judicial management and
the aforementioned are a shining
efficiency. I plan to streamline the court
example of my resourcefulness in my
experience by minimizing the number of
surroundings and in every area my
times many people appear in court.
influence. The time is now for a fresh,
I, also, want to improve the warrant
innovative approach to the justice court
procedure and make sure the ones
system.
issued are appropriate and valid. I

will ensure that the judgments and

sentences rendered are fair,but

effective. This will, hopefully, prevent

repeat offenses and keep the

community safe. Every person who

leaves the courtroom will feel that I

and the court staff respect the judicial

process.
One of the biggest challenges of the

justice court system is the transparency
of the judicial process. The
understanding of the ever evolving laws
and mandates of the system presents
a challenge to new judges and all other
parties involved, in both criminal or civil
affairs. The courts, also, should embody
a greater sense of professionalism in its
process and among its officers during
the execution of daily practices.
I = incumbent
District 2 Justice Court Judge (continued)
Democrat
Q&A

W. Bernard Crump (I)

Dispatch.
Kennedy Neal
My experience in dealing with people

and situations with a sense of fairness,
honesty and conviction. I believe that
my approach to administrative decisions
I have made in career will serve me well
to make decisions on questions of law
that are necessary for a judge.
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:
Age: 50
Occupation: Director of
Environmental ServicesOktibbeha County Regional
Medical Center
Education: Associate Degree
in Business- Hinds Community
College
Email: kennedyneal2015@
gmail.com
Phone: 662-324-1909

execute that role?

My role as judge should be that of

an enforcer of the laws that my court
has jurisdiction over, in both the case
of criminal misdemeanors and civil
disputes of less than $3,500. I will
execute that role by becoming as well
educated as I possibly can on the laws I
must apply in Justice Court.
I believe that we must focus on

improving the speed and efficiency with
which we handle matters in the court.
Democrat
C. Martin Haug
I have over 12 years of experience

as an attorney working on thousands
of civil and criminal cases. During my
practice, I have been before many
different judges in different jurisdictions
and levels, including judges that are
attorneys and judges that are not
attorneys and I have observed how
much better the court system is when it
is run by judges that are attorneys. As
the only trained attorney running for this
position, I can use my training to make
our justice court better for everyone in
Oktibbeha County. My legal background
gives me the best understanding of
any candidate about proper courtroom
procedures and will allow me to make
unbiased judgments about the cases
before me. My knowledge of the law
will also allow me to apply the law to
the facts presented to me as I make fair
decisions.
The first duty of a justice court judge

is to provide a fair and unbiased forum
for all citizens to appear and have their
cases decided according to the law;
whether it be a civil dispute between
citizens, criminal allegations, warrant
issues, or any of the other various
responsibilities that come before the
Court. However, this duty extends
beyond just holding trials. The Judge
must have the knowledge and training
to properly hear the citizens complaints
when they come before the Court and
to apply the law when reaching a just
decision.
There are several challenges facing the

justice court system case backlog,
proper court procedures and applying
the law to the facts in the cases. All of
these challenges are a direct result of
the current lack of real qualifications for
judges and judicial candidates. As an
attorney who practices in Justice Court,
having an elected judge who is qualified
and knowledgeable about the law is by
far the biggest challenge. Too many
judges in the system lack the training
and foundation necessary to properly
run the courtroom, hear cases and
apply the law to each case.
W.L. Will Hutchinson
I feel I am the best candidate because

I have worked for Oktibbeha County
for 28 years resolving issues on a
daily basis and my law-enforcement
background.
The role of justice court judge should be

fair, honest, dependable and consistent,
while upholding the laws of Mississippi
with integrity.
The biggest challenge in my opinion

is staying up-to-date on current and
new laws as they change. Also being
consistent with judgments.
James Jim Mills (I)
Ive been associated with the justice

court system for 35 years. I have
experience, background, knowledge
and education that I feel would make
me better qualified than anyone whos
running against me.
I think the role of a judge is to treat

everybody fair, with firmness, and to
lookout for the well-being of the people
in that court. Thats what I think would
be the most important thing to look
out for the welfare of the people in the
court and treat them fairly and firmly.
The biggest challenge we face is that

the attendance is growing more and
more and were trying to figure out ways
to eliminate people being in court. To
do that, we have to counsel and try to
explain to people the laws of the state
of Mississippi and try to give them a
deterrent not to violate the law.
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Mississippi State
University; Florida Coastal
School of Law
Email: martyhaug@gmail.com
Phone: 662-324-9492
Age: 52
Road Foreman
Education: High school
diploma; Continuing educationlaw enforcement
law enforcement
Email: WillHutchinson33@
yahoo.com
Phone: N/A
Age: N/A
Occupation: Justice Court
Judge, District 3, Oktibbeha
County
Education: Graduate of
Carthage High School and
Massey Technical Institute;
Attended Millsaps College and
Political experience: Served as
Justice Court Judge since 1973;
Served as Alderman for the city
of Starkville
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
I = incumbent
District 3 Justice Court Judge (continued)
Democrat
Q&A
Cheikh Taylor
Age: 41
Occupation: Executive Director
of Brickfire Project
Education: B.S.-Howard
University; Graduate of Starkville
High School
Family: N/A
Email: cheikhtaylor@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-617-9029


execute that role?

My experience as a community leader,

businessman and educator are what
qualify me as the best candidate to
serve you as Justice Court Judge in
District 3, and what distinguishes me
from my opponents is the desire to work
as hard outside of the courtroom to
continue to strengthen our community.
This election is about voting for the
candidate who will serve the community
with integrity and fairness, while
increasing accessibility for all to the
justice system. My platform is two-fold;
provide Preventive and Rehabilitative
services now so you will know who
you are getting later. I believe that a
more informed community is a better
community. Far too often the emphasis
is solely on crime and punishment and
not on prevention through education
and training.
For me, real access to justice

requires public confidence in the
integrity of the justice system. I want
the courtroom in which I preside to
inspire that confidence in everyone
who is in attendance. The rule of law
is accomplished by judges who act
fairly, independently, and impartially;
judges who listen to the people who
appear before them and the evidence
presented to them; and judges who
know and apply the governing laws. I
possess the experience, integrity, and
intellect to be such a judge.
Due to the amount of discretion of our

Justice Court judges and the length
of time of four years to serve, it is
imperative that a bar is set immediately
to consistently issue warrants and to set
bonds. I believe that there is no one size
that fits all in many matters concerning
the courts, but if all things are the same
then the punishment should be equal
across the board. All court rulings must
use justice, fairness and equality as the
true measure of any decision.
I believe the role of a Justice Court

judge should be to work for the people
of District 3 in Oktibbeha County
and be as sure as I can that fair and
independent decisions are made to
provide consistent and fair decisions
that will benefit the people that I hope to
represent.
We need to establish a way for people

to move more efficiently and effectively
through the court system!
Republican
Buddy Johnston
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:

Dispatch.
Independent
Hardy Mitchell
Age: 62
Occupation: Owner of Shipley
Donuts, Starkville
Education: B.S.-Mississippi
State University
Email: hardymmitchell@gmail.
com
Phone: 662-648-8520
I am a common sense person with high

ideals, integrity and high moral values.
I am a people person that relates to
people from all walks of life. I have
driven a school bus in the Starkville
Public School District for almost 3 years,
enjoying the students, teachers, as well
as the people in the school district in
which I worked. I bought Shipley Donuts
in April of 2014 and have enjoyed
seeing people that I have known for
years and meeting people that are new
to Starkville and the area. I plan to be
independent in my decisions as a judge
ensuring that fairness is paramount
in any and all decisions that I would
have to make! My plan would be to
work closely with the law enforcement
community and ensure fair minded
decisions that will be good decisions for
Oktibbeha County and its people.
Coroner
Democrat
Q&A
Michael Hunt (I)
Age: 48
coroner/medical examiner
investigator, director of
emergency medical services at
OCH Regional Medical Center,
EMCC affiliate instructor of
Emergency Medical Technology
Education: graduate of
University of Alabamas program
of emergency medicine
as the coroner/medical examiner
investigator for Oktibbeha Co.
Family: Married, nine children
Email: paramedichunt@yahoo.
com
Phone: 662-418-7200
Term: 4 years, Annual salary: $900 month plus fees

1. What makes you the best candidate?
Experience and education in the medical field and as coroner, compassion and dedication to serving the people of Oktibbeha
County who I have known and loved for 38 years.
Republican
Kenneth Doug
Hamilton
This is something I have prayed about. Numerous people have asked me to run and I think I can bring a professional approach to
the office.
Age: 57
Occupation: Police Chief-Town
of Sturgis
Education: Graduate of EMCC
and Mississippi Highway Patrol
School
aw enforcement experience
Email: hamilton25@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-418-2693
I = incumbent
Coroner (continued)
Republican
Q&A
Chris Pollan
Age: 42
Occupation: Licensed Funeral
Director & Embalmer; Fraud
Examiner/Forensic Accountant;
President and CEO of Pollan
Mgt. Company; Owner of Pollan
Promos
Education: Graduate-Mortuary
School; MSU-Bachelor of
Professional Accountancy
& Bachelor of Business
Administration-Mgt.
Political experience: 14 years-public service experience; 25
years-investigative experience
Email: tcpollan03@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-418-5370
Term: 4 years, Annual salary: $900 month plus fees

1) Only Death Care Professional running for coroner

2) Only licensed funeral director & embalmer running for the office
3) Graduate of mortuary school
4) Graduate of Mississippi State University
5) Passed both national board examinations on the first attempt administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service
6) 14 years of public service
7) 25+ years of investigative experience
8) Thousands of hours of classroom study and practical experience specifically devoted to the study of death, caring for the dead
while serving the living
9) First-hand experience working with families during their worst time of need; natural deaths to accidents, homicide, suicide,
cancer, diseases, etc.
10) Experience working with clergy, emergency responders, hospice workers, social workers, & other care givers
In addition, first hand experience educationally, personally and professionally has help prepare me as the best candidate. Our
family experienced seven deaths in an approximate 7 month period in 2011. While all of our families will experience death
and have various stages and choices in dealing with it, we have experienced natural deaths and tragedies first hand. These
experiences have allowed us to grow, understand how sacred and precious life is while dealing with so much, so quick. As your
Coroner I will offer care, character, compassion, education, experience, professionalism, and understanding.
District 1 Constable
Democrat
Q&A
Shank Phelps (Republican) - Unopposed incumbent

Andre Quinn
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3, To everything there is a season, and I believe this is my season to become constable and
to continue to be a leader of mankind. Working with the Oktibbeha Sheriffs Department and observing the daily news is what
drives me to do more. The overall goal of a constable is to protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, and preserve the
peace. With my experience as a certified Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer, I perform some of the duties that a constable does
on a daily basis. I want my children and the youth in Oktibbeha County to see more men strive to make a positive difference.
Experience, drive and love for my community is what makes me the best candidate. My motto is: The County Wins with Quinn!
Curtis Randle (I)
My qualifications: there is nothing more valuable or irreplaceable than on-the-job training, and my experience with meeting the
people.
Age: 35
Occupation: Owner of Quinn
Dirt Service; Oktibbeha County
Sheriffs Department
Education: Northeast
Mississippi Community College
of law enforcement experience;
U.S. Air National Guard
Email: s32quinn@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-323-2197
Age: 50
Constable District #2/Fireman
Education: B. L. Moor High
School
Family: 3 children
Email: randle83@aol.com
Phone: 662-418-2877
Democrat
James Lindsey
Did not return the questionnaire to The Dispatch.
Age:
Occupation:
Education:
Political party:
Residence:
Family:
Email:
Phone:
Republican
Tim Cook
Age: 38
Occupation: Deputy SheriffOktibbeha Sheriff Dept.
Education: High School
graduate
law enforcement experience
Email: timcook51@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-722-2861
Fifteen years of experience, with the last six years of those in the Sheriff Department. Knows the court systems along with the
paper service process, currently performs some of the same duties as a constable.
County Prosecutor
Haley Brown (Democrat) - Unopposed incumbent
Surveyor
Tom Gregory (Democrat) - Unopposed incumbent
I = incumbent
House District 39
Democrat
Q&A
James E. Samuel Sr.
Age: N/A
Occupation: Baptist Minister;
Retired Veteran
Education: High school
graduate; Attended college; ITC
Theological Seminary-Atlanta,
Georgia
Residence: Columbus
Family: Married; 1 child;
3 grandchildren; 2 greatgrandchildren
Email: jsamuelsr@hotmail.com
Phone: 662-574-8747
11

1. What are the biggest
challenges facing your
district?
2. What should the

legislatures role be in creating
jobs and recruiting economic
development?
3. How would you address

improving the states public
education system?
The greatest challenges facing this

community are the exceeding disparity
between the rich and the poor, and the
perception of a lack of attentiveness
to community needs by incumbent
politicians.
1. Crumbling infrastructure, with a
tendency of incumbents to only answer
to campaign donors.
2. The need to fully fund public
education, so that the next generations
of our young will be prepared to
compete in the national job markets.
3. Moving away from seeking funding
of frivolous Legislative Expenditures,
and the need to seek state and federal
funding for Works projects.
4. The need to elevate Mississippi from
the almost last place measurement in
the Healthcare industry ratings. We
need to support a State Healthcare
Exchange in this state!
The state Legislature already works

with local municipalities to establish
local infrastructural requirements.
However, there should be an effort on
the part of the Legislature to address
whether our municipal schools and
other educational institutions can make
the proper preparations. Mississippi
taxpayers cannot enter an economic
recovery if the only jobs available are
Temporary Hire. This inequity needs to
be addressed.
I would support any effort to fully fund

K-12, and find a path to curtailing
the increasing costs associated with
Institutions of Higher Learning.
Continued funding without taxes being

raised.
Encourage jobs and businesses tax

incentives.
Make more accounting.
Republican
Jeff Smith (I)
Age: 64
Education: B.S.-MSU; J.D.-Ole
Miss
Political experience: 24 yearsMS House of Representatives; 9
years- County Prosecutor
Residence: Columbus
Email: simsandsims@yahoo.
com
Phone: 662-328-2911
House District 41
Democrat
The challenges we face are also

our greatest opportunities to bring
us up from the lower ranks in most
major social and economic indicators.
We suffer from an underperforming
education system, high rates of
incarceration, broken families,
low homeownership, insufficient
infrastructure and inadequate
employment. Our first priority is to
restore hope in the hearts and minds
of our constituents, then give them the
resources and tools they need to rebuild
their own community.
The most effective role that we can play

is to create a healthy environment for
economic growth and the market will
flourish organically. One of many steps
we can employ is to properly fund our
education system to provide citizens the
best opportunity to prepare themselves
for employment, professional careers
or business ownership. In this global
society, our sights must be on making
Mississippi competitive by capitalizing
on our most precious resource - people.
When we invest in raising the quality
of life in our state (i.e., recreation,
entertainment, spirit, arts, education,
neighborhood sustainability), we will see
that the people will be inspired to rise to
their highest potential.
Naturally proper funding is priority

number one. However, coupled with that
we must also look to:
Kabir Karriem
There are several challenges in the

district, but the biggest challenges
facing District 41 are Jobs, Crime,
and Infrastructure. Also, affordable
healthcare/Medicaid expansion is a
challenge for our district and the state of
Mississippi. Our Senior Citizens in the
twilight of their lives should not have to
choose between paying high utility bills
or purchasing medication and seeking
medical care.
As a former member of the Lowndes

County Development Authority, I am
very familiar with the importance of the
legislatures role in creating jobs and
recruiting economic development. The
local legislative delegation works closely
with the Mississippi Development
Authority, and the countys economic
development team, sponsoring critical
legislation that ensures districts have
the available tools and resources
needed to seek different industries that
would make the districts and the state
attractive.
I am a strong supporter of Initiative 42

which fully funds education. I, however,
dont think money is the answer to all of
our educational problems in Mississippi.
In education, there is no cookie cutter
approach and each school district is
different with different challenges. We
must support our educators. We also
have to create an environment inside
the classroom, as well as outside of
the classroom that is conducive to
learning. What aids all public authority,
particularly in education, are involved
parents, as well as an involved
community.
Tiffany Sturdivant
Poverty, education, healthcare and

infrastructure are all great challenges
facing our district. The most important
and the most pressing challenge for this
district is to include the community in
dialog about changes they have seen in
the past and changes theyd like to see
in the future. Create a point of contact
with the collective of the community
and have an ongoing, open line of
communication to make needs known
and brainstorm new ideas. No one
knows the district better than the people
who live here.
A legislatures role in creating jobs and

recruiting economic development should
be to obtain the highest quality of life
for the community without sacrificing
safety and health of the community. As
legislators, we should first research the
prospects and their history for benefits,
pay rate and environmental safety.
Next, find out the available educational
programs offered in the community that
are needed to obtain employment at the
potential business. Then, determine if
this opportunity is something that will
benefit this district. Legislature should
be well informed and aware of the
pros and cons of prospects and make
discoveries know within the community.
What I feel needs to happen to improve

the states education system is to have
an open dialog that involves students,
teachers, parents, mentors, along with
legislators. We need to talk with our
students to find out what they would
like to focus on learning. Determine
are they more hands on or do they
prefer technical based learning.
Offer our educators an incentive for
innovative ideas that work! Parents
and mentors help us explore new
avenues to progressively bridge the
educational process from school to
home. Bring innovative thinking back
within the program and rely less on
standardize testing. Use our past years
as references and brainstorm new ideas
to improve the system together.
Nicole Clinkscales
Age: 40
Occupation: Lawyer
Education: Juris Doctor,
University of Mississippi School
of Law; Bachelor of Business
Administration, Finance, Magna
Cum Laude, Jackson State
University
Political experience: Former
Municipal Judge; AttorneyClinkscales Law Firm
Residence: Columbus
Family: 1 child
Email: nicole.clinkscales@
gmail.com
Phone: 662-327-7949
Age: 42
Occupation: Business Owner;
Columbus City Councilman
Education: Columbus
Municipal School District; Hinds
Community College; B.S.Mississippi State University
Political experience: Serving
2nd term as City Councilman
Residence: Columbus
Email: kkarriem19@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-328-3063
Age: 27
Occupation: Nurse
Education: Columbus High
School; East Mississippi
Community College; Mississippi
University for Women
Residence: Columbus
Family: N/A
Email: tsturdivant1987@gmail.
com
Phone: 662-609-4976
1. Deconstruct traditional education and

move to innovative self/peer learning
models
2. Eliminate wasteful unreliable testing
3. Infuse advanced technology in
instruction and assessment
4. Increase teacher pay and incentives,
especially for high-level specialty
teachers in order to invite them away
from tech and research firms and into
teaching
I = incumbent
House District 43
Q&A

1. What are the biggest
challenges facing your
district?
2. What should the

legislatures role be in creating
jobs and recruiting economic
development?
3. How would you address

improving the states public
education system?
Providing a great education for the

children of my district is my highest
priority and the biggest challenge the
state faces. In fact, a great education
for the children of our district and our
state is the answer to almost every
challenge Mississippi faces. Starkville
and Oktibbeha County have a new,
consolidated school district. Ill be the
champion in the Legislature for the
new consolidated school district every
day that I serve. We must ensure that
the consolidated Starkville/ Oktibbeha
County school district has the support
and resources it needs to achieve great
success.
Also, support for Mississippi State
University will be at the top of my
agenda. We must see that MSU gets
the resources it needs to continue the
great success that it has experienced.
The Mississippi Legislature should be

supportive of our local leaders efforts
to grow existing businesses and to
recruit new economic development to
our district. Government can create a
climate and an attitude where economic
development is encouraged and where
businesses can thrive. Ill work to reduce
the burden of unneeded regulation
on the businesses and industries in
our area. Ill work to create a state
government that provides certainty
to our businesses in their interaction
with state agencies so businesses can
plan for the future. Ill work with our
local industrial development leaders
to provide specific state support for
businesses and industries that are
considering locating in our area.
Improving public education will be my

top priority if Im elected. And by public
education, I mean from Pre-K all the
way through to our community colleges
and universities.
We must fully fund our Pre-K through
12th grade public education system.
Ill be the champion in the Legislature
for the new Starkville-Oktibbeha
Consolidated School District to ensure
that the new school district has the
resources and support it needs to
succeed. Part of having a great public
school system that provides a worldclass education for our children is
having outstanding teachers who are
well paid, so Ill work hard to have
competitive pay for our teachers.
We have a terrific community college
system in Mississippi. Ill be an advocate
for EMCC and all the community
colleges.
Loyd B. Rob Roberson

II
Age: 47
Starkville High School;
Bachelors of Business
Administration-MSU; Juris
Doctorate-Mississippi College
Political experience: Starkville
Board of Alderman-5 years;
House of Representatives, Dist.
37- 5 years;
Email: robersonlaw@aol.com
Phone: 662-418-2914
The biggest challenge facing District

43 is to take advantage of our unique
position our community has with
Mississippi State University. So that I
am not misunderstood, it is not the role
of government to create jobs, however
government can do an awful lot to help
promote or obstruct job creation. Job
creation is as much an art as it is a skill
but to bring this community together
for a common goal is time consuming
and can take a lot of human as well as
financial capitol. Leadership to bridge
state and local officials together with
entrepreneurs will take communication
and negotiation skills that I have honed
for well over a decade. One of the best
ways the legislature promotes business
in this or any other community is to
make certain our highways are properly
maintained, widened or built where
needed.
Without the infrastructure to support

business we will not have the tax base
to support our other commitments
like education or Medicaid programs.
Another way that the legislature can
promote economic development is
to continue to encourage public /
private partnerships using Mississippi
State University as the catalyst for
development. We are blessed with
many natural resources but our most
valuable resource is our people and
there wiliness to work and do what it
takes to get the job done. As a leader
in this community my commitment is
to make certain that the most valuable
resource we have has a path way
to success whether that be a path
to a vocational skill, junior college or
university.
Education is the most important issue

facing our state as a whole. Every
option needs to be put on the table
when discussing education. Funding
increases may very well be part of
the answer but it is certainly not the
only part of a complicated problem.
Teachers must be treated with respect
in and out side the class room. Students
must be challenged and disciplined
by their teachers as well as their
parents. Administrations must back up
teachers when issues arise. Teachers
must be allowed to teach according
to their training and not to a test. The
past school year students were tested
three months because of state and
federal testing requirements, which took
valuable class work time away.
Mac Smith
School consolidation.
Create an environment that encourages

companies to want come to an area like
Starkville and Winston county. One way
to do this is to get big government out of
the way. Having a good infrastructure in
place with a good highway system and
a good workforce in place so that when
they do come there are people ready
to go to work. The legislature needs to
make things easier, not burden with so
many rules and regulations.
Let teachers teach. Lets not force

common core on people who know how
to do their job. Lets take a real hard
look at budgets and lets see where the
waste is and get money where it does
each school the most good.
Democrat
Paul Millsaps
Age: 63
Starkville High School; B.S.Mississippi State University;
J.D.-University of Mississippi
School of Law
grandchildren
Email: pmillsaps16@gmail.com
Phone: 662-323-7001
Republican
Age: 54
Occupation: Employed at Little
Dooey, Starkville
Starkville High School;
Attended Wood Jr. College and
Email: Smith.district43@gmail.
com
Phone: N/A
Senate District 17
Republican
Robert A. Patrick Jr.
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired State Farm
Insurance Agency Owner
Education: B.A. in political
science-Mississippi State
University
Residence: Columbus
grandchildren
Email: bobbypatrick4@gmail.
com
Phone: 662-327-3992
(1) Reduction of our entitlement

programs for those that are able
to work, but choose not to do so.
Instituting a drug screening test to
those currently receiving welfare or
seeking to apply for welfare benefits
would be a good place to begin our
task of only paying benefits to the truly
worthy. The State of Florida has already
adopted and begun such a program as
this. (2) Continued economic growth
in Lowndes and Monroe County in
order that everyone who wants a ob
has an opportunity to find one. (3)
Adequate education funding and the
abolishment of Common Core, now
renamed Mississippi College and
Career Readiness Standards. (4) True
conservative leadership that will be
totally responsible and accountable to
our constituency and vote the needs
and the will of our district accordingly.
Jobs refuel growth. The legislature

should be comprised of men and
women with good common sense and
a keen and thorough business sound
enough to be able to start their business
and grow their business during the slow
period of every business cycle. Startup
costs almost always requires some
financing and our state must recognize
that to attract companies to our state,
we have to work through the process
of helping with loans, tax incentives,
location, and the infrastructure
all businesses require. Then too,
sometimes waivers must be obtained
from the EPA and other governmental
bureaucracies and we must be fully
committed to help our businesses
overcome such hurdles they may face
as long as there is no endangerment to
the population.
We should begin to fully fund our

education budget. Our teachers are in
need of a pay raises, yet we continue
to pay our teachers much less than we
pay our superintendents and we have
more school superintendents that we
do counties. Obviously we have to have
qualified administrators running our
school systems, but it is time we focus
on our teachers because they are the
ones that control the educational destiny
of our children. Our childrens skill levels
must be brought up to the point where
we can compete with every state and
country on planet Earth. That requires
an uptick in our language, arts, science
and math skills. It is my thought that if
we empower our teachers to teach what
they have been trained to teach and if
we discipline the unruly students that
interrupt the teaching experience, our
student would be more well educated.
Republican
Charles Chuck
Younger (I)
Age: 54
Occupation: Farmer/Rancher
Education: Heritage Academy;
EMCC; MSU
Political experience: Served in
Senate, 1 session
Residence: Lowndes County
Email: cyounger@senate.
ms.gov
Phone: 662-251-3432
Creating jobs and protecting the ones

This world we live in is very small,
we already have. We are so lucky to
since we have all this technology at
have our universities close by teaching
our fingertips. Were not just competing
high tech, high skilled jobs, and we
with our surrounding states anymore.
are also very blessed to have Joe Max
Through workforce training and
Higgins and his LINK team, they have
infrastructure programs we can and
put the Golden Triangle on the map,
will compete. If we are asked for help,
not only in our great state, but in our
I believe the state should invest in its
country.
people and communities. (Incentives

are must!)

Republican leadership has increased

education by more than $400 million
dollars. Thats more than has ever
been invested. Legislature has passed
reforms to increase administrative
accountability, improve literacy skills
and give teachers a pay raise. All of our
education from kindergarten to college
is critical to our economic success. I
believe if our revenue grows we will be
able to continue increased funding for
the schools.
I = incumbent

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Oktibbeha County

Precinct Polling Place

National Guard Armory, 343 Highway 12 West

Self Creek/Double Spring

Bell School House

Center Grove/North Adaton

Craig Springs/South Bradley

The Starkville Dispatch

The Dispatch www.cdispatch.com

2 Sunday, July 26, 2015

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY SAMPLE BALLOT

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