Candidates Qualify For County Offices

By David Howell
Editor

WATER VALLEY – At presstime Tuesday two candidates have qualified to run for District Three supervisor and many incumbents have also filed the necessary paperwork to seek re-election.

    Water Valley realtor Lee McMinn and former supervisor Bailey Walker are the first to qualify for District Three Supervisor. M.H. “Butch” Surrette has  announced that he will not seek another term.

    Jamie Caldwell a retired trooper and officer with a the Water Valley Police Department has also filed paperwork to run for sheriff, along with incumbent Lance Humphreys. Caldwell ran against Humphreys in 2007.

    Although the first day of the year was a holiday,  candidates could begin qualifying as the courthouse was open until noon for absentee voting for a Jan. 11 special election for Northern District Transportation Commissioner.

    Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney, who was manning the Water Valley office on the holiday,  filed his paperwork becoming the first candidate in the county to qualify for the August 2 primary. He was followed by Walker and District 2 Justice Court Judge Steve Riley.

    On Tuesday, Jan. 4, there was a flurry of activity as the following candidates qualified:

    Tax Assessor/Collector: Linda Shuffield;
    District One supervisor: Tommy Vaughn;
    District Two supervisor: Amos Sims;
    District Four supervisor: George Suggs;
    District Five supervisor: Frank Tillman;
    Chancery Clerk: Amy McMinn;
    District One Justice Court Judge: Gary Tippit;
    District Two Constable: Randy Simmons; and
    Coroner: Ronnie Stark.

    All of the candidates have qualified to run on the Democratic ticket. The deadline to qualify is March 1. The primary is set for August 2.