With the retirement of Amite County District 1 Supervisor Dale Sterling and four-term District 4 Supervisor Travis Taylor, a number of hopefuls have stepped in to succeed them.
In District 1, Warren Leake won the Democratic runoff with 58 percent of the vote against Tim Toler. Leake meets Republican Johnny L. Tynes and independents Ray Lofton and Glenn Wilson in the Nov. 8 general election.
In District 4, Melvin “Butch” Graves won the Democratic runoff with 61 percent of the vote against Johnny Wayne Nevels. Graves meets independent candidate Thomas D. Fenn in the general election. Graves is in his first run for political office.
District 2 supervisor Will L. Powell is unopposed in the general election after he defeated Sheila Thompson in the Democratic runoff, 852 votes (82 percent) to 183.
District 3 incumbent and current board president Jackie L. Whittington, who is running as an independent, meets Democrat Racheal Davis on Nov. 8 . Davis beat James Whittington in the runoff, 557 votes (53 percent) to 484.
District 5 incumbent Max Lawson meets independent candidate Norman Stevenson in the general election. Lawson defeated Daniel Williams in the Democratic runoff, 540 votes (53 percent) to Daniel Williams’ 478.
Tax assessor-collector
There will be a new tax assessor-collector in Amite County after Jennifer Lindsey declined to pursue a fourth term. Eunice Blake won the Democratic primary with just over 50 percent of the vote. Blake had 2,033 votes, compared to 1,965 votes for Mary Brantley Netterville and 753 for Jesse P. Mabry.
Blake meets Republican Gerald Honea in the Nov. 8 general election.
Blake has been employed over the last 31 years in the tax assessor’s office, so she said her experience make her the natural choice in the race. It is her first attempt for political office.
“With my experience, I feel the time is right for me to do it,” Blake said. “I’ve worked under three assessors over those 31 years, so I believe I have the experience and the knowledge.”
Blake said knowing the inner workings of the office giver her a leg up.
“Knowing the ins and outs of how the office should be run and in a timely manner are important,” Blake said. “I’ve always tried to treat customers with respect and courtesy and proper service.”
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Honea spent 26 years with the United States Postal Service, including 17 as Liberty postmaster.
“I saw where they had a job opening in the tax assessor’s office, so I applied,” Honea said. “The office, in my opinion, is run very efficiently. From the outside looking in, I don’t see where any changes need to be made.
“I have a career in public service, and I have a desire to continue to serve the fine folk of Amite County,” Honea added. “My experience in the military, the postal service, and most recently the real estate business, have prepared me for this function of county government.”
Honea said he believes in keeping taxes low.
“I am a fiscal conservative,” Honea said. “My belief is to keep taxes as low as possible and spending at a necessary level.”
JUSTICE COURT JUDGE,
SOUTHERN DISTRICT
Southern District Justice Court Judge Louis Green is seeking his sixth term in the Nov. 8 general election.
The 64-year-old Green, a Democrat, is opposed by political newcomer and Amite County High School teacher Shirline Perry Hampton. She is running as an independent.
Green said domestic violence cases are the most frequent to appear before him.
“We need someone strong enough to deal with that,” Green said. “We have lots of it. I feel like I am the better candidate because of my experience.
“Laws have changed with domestic violence. My biggest fear with domestic violence, you tap them on the hand and something bad can happen. You have to stop it at the first go round. They might need some type of anger management class.”
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Hampton is making her first run for political office.
“I just feel it was time for a change and I feel people should have a choice. The position is for the people and by the people.
“I want to make sure all the laws are upheld equally, not personal opinions, but laws. And I think the youth should be held accountable and help them make better choices for the future,” Hampton said.
“Based on qualifications of the office, they’re not rigid enough,” Hampton said. “ Based on knowledge of law, that is something I’d have to learn, but I can be impartial.”
