More Candidates Qualify

YALOBUSHA – With three weeks and counting to qualify for municipal elections in the county, four new candidates have entered the races.

Bobbie Joe Cox has qualified to run for Alderman of Ward One in Water Valley. He will be running against incumbent Charlie Harris.

In Coffeeville, Marcia Stark has turned in her paperwork to run for Alderman at Large and in Oakland Regina Johnson and Lottie Patterson are seeking Alderman slots.

Jeffery Lyn Welch and Phillip S. Tallant have already qualified to run for Alderman of Ward Three in Water Valley as well as Bill Norris who will be seeking a second term as mayor.

In Coffeeville, Mayor Mack Burns has qualified to run for re-election there. Kerrie Staten will also be seeking the Mayor’s post.

Sharonda Jones and Henry Lumas have already qualified to run for alderman in Oakland.

In order to qualify for the Water Valley city election, a political party candidate must pay the $10 filing fee and file a statement of intent by the March 6 deadline, according to City Clerk Snider. “If they are running as independent, they must have 50 signatures of registered voters,” Snider said. Independent candidates don’t pay the filing fee.

The Water Valley mayor is paid $1200 per month while aldermen receive $425 per month.

In Coffeeville all candidates run as independents and are required to get 15 signatures from registered voters, according to Town Clerk Moody.

The Coffeeville mayor is the highest paid municipal officer in Yalobusha County at $1250 per month. Alderman make $200 per month with the alderman serving in the pro term position getting an additional $20 per month.

In Oakland, candidates run as independents just as in Coffeeville. The Oakland mayor is paid $725 per month and aldermen get $100 per month.

Water Valley will hold its Primary Election May 5 and the General Election on June 2. Coffeeville voters will go to the polls only on June 2.