OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — District 5’s seat became the first contested supervisor race on Friday, when political newcomer Anthony Watt qualified to take on incumbent Joe Williams.
Watt, a Republican, is a physical education teacher and football coach at Okolona School District. The Oktibbeha County native is a Mississippi State University graduate and is seeking his master’s degree online through Arkansas State University.
A resident of the Chapel Hill community, Watt said he decided to run primarily because of road conditions in his district. He specifically noted Harris Road, which he said is so narrow at points that it’s hard for two cars meeting to both get through at the same time.
“If it is two school buses meeting, you can forget it,” he said. “That’s a safety issue.”
As supervisor, Watt said he would be accessible and take action.
“It’s about serving the community, listening to what the people want and making progress toward getting it done,” he said.
Williams, a Democrat, is serving his third term on the board of supervisors. He said there are several road projects — including work on Harris and Moore High roads, as well as an upgrade to 11 miles of Oktoc Road — he wants to see through.
He noted, however, “there’s more to being a supervisor than building roads and bridges.” One of his proudest accomplishments on the board this term, he said, was relocating Extension Services, Human Services and other offices from the dilapidated former Felix Long Hospital building to a better facility on Lynn Lane.
“There’s just so much that still needs to be done,” Williams said. “I work as a full-time supervisor who is always accessible to the people.”
Qualifying deadline is Feb. 1. Party primaries are Aug. 8 and the general election is set for Nov. 7.
Justice Court, District 3
Republican Brian Michael Lindner on Friday became the first qualifier for District 3’s justice court judge seat.
Lindner, the minister of education at Meadowview Baptist Church in Starkville, has owned Brian Michael’s Catering Company since 2007.
He has several years of law enforcement experience, including a brief stint in Arizona and seven years as a patrol officer in Mathiston. For the past six months, he’s served as a chaplain for Starkville Police Department.
He ran unsuccessfully for District 1 justice court judge in 2019.
One of the primary issues affecting the justice system, Lindner said, is fatherless homes.
“We’re seeing the byproduct of that in our court systems, but we’re not dealing with the root of the problem,” he said. “Until we start investing in people, not prisons, we’ll never solve the problem.”
Incumbent Marty Haug, a Democrat, had not qualified for reelection as of press time.
District 1 constable
The constable race in District 1 has drawn three candidates so far, as incumbent Shank Phelps is instead running for sheriff.
Democrat William Ford and Republicans Joe Morse and Kenneth Watkins had all qualified as of press time.
Ford, a 26-year law enforcement veteran, has worked 20 of those with Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office, where he is a lieutenant. Before that, he was a deputy in Webster County.
He ran unsuccessfully in 2013 for constable but said he feels more ready to serve this time around.
“I’m a people person, and I know pretty much every inch of the county,” Ford said. “I don’t think people will be disappointed if I’m elected.”
Morse, a 50-year resident of Oktibbeha County, is trying for the third time to become District 1 constable. He ran unsuccessfully in 2011 and again in a special election in 2017.
He worked part-time with OCSO as a reserve officer for 20 years, beginning in 1977. He spent more than 11 years working full-time for the jail after that — first a detention officer then a transport officer — before retiring. Since 2018, he’s been a part-time transport officer and court bailiff with the county.
If elected, he said, he could give the necessary focus to the job.
“I’ve wanted to be a constable for a number of years,” Morse said. “With me being retired, time is not a factor.”
Watkins has been a patrol officer at SPD for 14 years, earning the rank of lieutenant.
The Oktibbeha County native said he has lived in the first constable district since elementary school and is very familiar with its residents.
“Without a doubt, I believe my law enforcement experience can directly impact that office,” Watkins said. “I also wanted to run to give back to my community through service.”
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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