STARKVILLE — Outgoing Oktibbeha County Tax Assessor/Collector Pat Kight calls Tuesday’s election “pivotal” for county residents.
That’s not to take anything away from previous elections where important offices were up for grabs, but after Tuesday the county will lose 70 years of combined service in three of its most important offices. Sheriff Dolph Bryan was eliminated in the runoff election, while Kight and Circuit Clerk Angie McGinnis aren’t seeking re-election.
Though they answer to the board of supervisors, all three positions have an important role in the county’s framework.
Electing the most qualified candidate will be paramount, Kight said.
“I can’t recall a time when three offices like this would have new people,” said Kight, who is retiring after 20 years. “A lot of pressure will be on each one of them. It will be a disadvantage at some point to the citizens of the county. If they come in and they need information and help on something and the person has no knowledge at all about it, how does that work?
“When you come in, you’ve got to be ready to hit the ground running,” Kight added. “When I got elected, I was already familiar after serving at the state tax commission. Anyone with no knowledge at all, it’ll be tough.”
All three offices have at least one candidate that doesn’t have relevant experience to the office. Additionally, none of the candidates on Tuesday’s ballot currently work in the office they’re running for.
Typically, chancery court, circuit court and tax assessor races have a longtime deputy on the ballot.
In the sheriff’s race, Democrat Steve Gladney’s stock rose when he parlayed his 30 years of experience with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and tireless campaigning into an upset win over Bryan in the primary runoff.
Gladney and Republican challenger Rudy Johnson are adamant they’ll pursue every grant possible to help fund new equipment and training. Both want to enhance community relations and awareness.
The major difference between the two is Johnson has spent the majority of his career away from law enforcement as executive director of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District.
Johnson did spend 16 years as an Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office auxiliary deputy and says he’s the only candidate with the “experience, knowledge and proven leadership to be Oktibbeha County Sheriff.”
Bryan said either candidate will face a difficult transition as they make changes to the staff and develop sources.
Bryan believes battling drug use and the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine will be the greatest on-job challenge. He said lax laws on buying precursors in other states have made it tough on Mississippi authorities to eliminate meth labs.
“And even if they don’t make it, they can still use it to trade for drugs,” Bryan said. “I think we could have done a little bit better with more manpower, maybe having two men to each shift. But I think we did the best we could. The board has the thankless task of dividing the budget, and I got most of everything I needed. I’m sure they’ll give the next a little bit more, which I hope is the case, to help him out in the beginning.”
The tax assessor candidates have the most contrasting work history. Republican Allen Morgan was a revenue officer and law enforcement agent with the Mississippi Tax Commission for 29 years before retiring in 2006 to buy and sell timberland through his forestry company. Democrat Lisa Wynn has campaigned full-time after deciding to leave her career as a literacy coach. Wynn holds a master’s degree in English from Mississippi University for Women, but has never appraised property or worked in a tax office.
In the circuit clerk’s race, Republican Glenn Hamilton, a former two-term senator, brings a strong knowledge of state government and elected officials. Hamilton served with the Mississippi State Parole Board, and also served as marketing director for the state’s Agriculture and Commerce Department. He spent a short time with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
Hamilton said he has the depth and breadth of legal knowledge necessary to keep the circuit clerk’s office compliant with all state regulations.
“Nothing would make me more proud than to serve my home county,” said Hamilton. “Angie McGinnis has put together a very qualified staff I hope to inherit. They’ll be very valuable to moving forward.”
Democrat Teresa Davis-Roberson currently works as receiving services coordinator for Mississippi State University, but she has experience in banking, customer service and teaching. The Sturgis native graduated from MSU in 2000 with a degree in accounting. Davis-Roberson feels her experience in meeting stiff deadlines will help her manage day-to-day activities as circuit clerk.
McGinnis said the most important quality her successor must have is dedication.
“I think they’re in for a long road and a learning curve,” McGinnis said. “I think that they’re going to have to be extremely committed to do the job as effectively and efficiently as they know how. I’m hoping that person will come in with a lot of drive. From the bat, people will be speaking different languages.”
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