The Montgomery County Voters’ League Political Rally wasn’t your typical rally. It was designed to see how candidates thought on their feet and how they handled being under pressure – and the League accomplished its goal.
The group held its political rally Saturday, June 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
Sixteen candidates introduced themselves to those in attendance, answered one question from random from concerned citizens and spoke on their platform. Topics included property tax, safety in the community, the Montgomery County budget, road conditions, job creation, police brutality, the Curtis Flowers’ case, and how the Montgomery County Supervisors allocate funding.
Before the question-and-answer session, Al White addressed those at the event. White told those in attendance that it’s about the people and being a public servant for all.
After White’s welcome and the singing of “God Bless America,” Voters’ League member Gloria Johnson opened the floor to the candidates. In an effort to remain fair and unbiased, candidates had to randomly draw numbers to see who would go first. They had to tell those in attendance their names, the position in which they are seeking, and then answer their question before ever speaking about their platform.
Johnson said she believes the rally was something new, different and unique.
“I believe that people were more informed,” she said.
The first person to receive a question was Janet Roby-Harper, the incumbent District 5 Supervisor. She was asked about the county budget. Roby-Harper’s question dealt with public records and how citizens can get a copy of the budget without having to pay $1 for each copy.
“The budget is done in October, and it’s published in the Winona Times,” Harper-Roby said. “You just pick up a copy of the paper if you want to see it.”
“But what if you can’t get a copy of the paper?” Johnson asked.
“Then, you can come to the courthouse and Chancery Clerk Ryan Wood will give you a copy of it,” Roby-Harper answered.
Roby-Harper then spoke of her experience as a supervisor over the years and has hopes, as well as all candidates, of returning to her seat.
Willie Earl Townsend, Jr., the incumbent District 3 Supervisor, was asked how he would get all of the supervisors on the same page.
“I feel like we are already,” Townsend said. “I think we get along pretty well.”
His opponent Katrina Craft-Bays was asked how she would work to have all of the supervisors operate out of the same funding pool.
“I don’t really think that’s possible,” Craft-Bays said. “One district may need more than the other district so I’m not sure if it can be done.”
Candidates used personal stories to connect with voters.
Jamey Mims, candidate for sheriff, spoke of his son’s battle with drugs. He said for him it was a shock, something he didn’t believe would affect his family.
“I’ve never used drugs, I don’t even drink,” Mims said.
He said his son is now 15-months clean and if he’s elected sheriff, he wants to have more visibility to get drugs out of Montgomery County.
Mims said he received a message from a woman who said Montgomery County needed a sheriff that worked for everyone.
“…..not just a select few. We need a sheriff that works with everyone whether they are black, white, purple, blue or gray.”
Jeff Tompkins, also a candidate for sheriff, spoke of how he fought with the decision of running for sheriff and was becoming discouraged in the process, but a text from a friend lifted his spirits and he pressed forward.
Visibility, drugs and becoming more community-oriented were the three main common goals of sheriff candidates Mims, Tompkins and Barry Gregg.
“I want to be visible to the citizens and the criminals,” Tompkins said.
Gregg was humorous. “I wanted my slogan to be ‘Don’t be an egg, vote for Gregg’ but my fiancé wouldn’t let me do it.”
The right to a fair trial for everyone was central for county prosecutor candidates Ryan Taylor and Jena J. Hoover.
Lanelle Martin, who currently serves as the Circuit Clerk, spoke of how she wanted to keep improving the Circuit Clerk’s office and how the staff was moving files online, which is helpful to lawyers who need them and are at no cost to taxpayers.
Candidates for Tax Assessor/Collector – Brad Johnson, Monica Turner, Sue Stidham and Teresa Green -- spoke about property taxes, how to get them online, and how to notify people to pay them.
“Notices are sent out in February, and when you see your name in the paper, that’s your notice [they are past due],” Stidham said.
Turner’s question was regarding getting all tax files online.
“It’s expensive, and it’s going to cost, but that’s going to come with working with the Board of Supervisors,” she said.
Johnny Dupree, candidate for Secretary of State, also spoke to those in attendance.
Dupree talked about how he began his life’s work as a public servant. He said he began as a member of the Parent Teacher Organization, then progressing to becoming a member of the school board and working his way up.
He spoke of how he wanted to be on the school board because he wanted be the change that he wanted to see. Dupree said after talking to his wife and praying, he chose to run for supervisor. He worked his way up, making an unsuccessful run at Governor in 2015.
“We were a little short, if I had’ve won then I wouldn’t be here talking to y’all because it would’ve been the last thing that I ran for,” he said.
Dupree said he still wanted to do more. He spoke of his experience and said he felt that was the reason he was qualified for the seat of Secretary of State.
He was the only state candidate in attendance.
Dianne Hemphill, the lone Constable Candidate present, pulled a question that dealt with experience, as did Tompkins who’s running for sheriff. Hemphill spoke of her work in the juvenile centers and her work in the schools for 18 years.
Tompkins said his work as a reserve deputy with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department has provided training and experience needed to serve as Montgomery County Sheriff.
Hoover was asked if she had personally witnessed injustice and how to prevent it in the future.
“I believe that everyone should be treated equally,” she said.
Taylor, who is also seeking the county prosecutor position, was asked about the case of Curtis Flowers. Flowers’ 2010 conviction was recently overturned by the United States Supreme Court, and a seventh trial is likely.
“In law, we have a statute that holds the scales, and it’s called Lady Justice…and she’s blind and it represents that justice should be fair for everyone and shouldn’t be based on your race, creed, color or sex,” Taylor said.
