Four months since he secured his election, incoming District 2 Justice Court Judge Larnzy Carpenter says he’s not used to people using his new title but he enjoys hearing it.
Oktibbeha County’s 18 elected officials were ceremoniously sworn into office Monday and will begin their four-year terms Friday.
Carpenter is one of three new officials picked by voters this election cycle. He, along with incoming District 4 Supervisor Bricklee Miller and District 3 Justice Court Judge C. Martin Haug, represent the new faces within Oktibbeha County’s government.
Since securing their respective victories, all three have received state training in preparation to the start of their terms in January.
“I’m going to do like I said I was going to: be fair and impartial; always preserve the spirit of integrity; keep everything above the table. I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “We trained for two weeks (with other incoming judges). It was very informative and very intense. I have the utmost respect for all attorneys and judges. After going through the rigorous training, I’m looking forward for more and looking forward to doing my job as a judge.”
Carpenter and Haug won their respective races by unseating long-serving justice court judges. Carpenter, a reverend with a background in law enforcement, defeated Judge W. Bernard Crump in August’s Democratic Primary. Haug, the only lawyer amongst the entire local judicial field, knocked off long-serving Judge James “Jim” Mills in the same primary and then beat Cheikh Taylor in a runoff. He then went on to defeat Republican Buddy Johnston and independent Hardy Mitchell in November.
“I’m looking forward to putting my years of courtroom experience to work in service of Oktibbeha County, said Haug, who also joined Carpenter for Mississippi Judicial College training.
Carpenter’s first court date is Jan. 12. Haug’s is Jan. 19.
Miller, Oktibbeha County’s first female supervisor, said she’s ready to take her seat and continue working to improve the area’s economy and infrastructure.
The incoming Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors will start its four-year term on Jan. 4.
Oktibbeha’s incumbents fared well at the polls in August and November. Supervisors Marvell Howard, John Montgomery, Orlando Trainer and Joe Williams; Constables James Lindsey and Curtis Randle; District 1 Justice Court Judge Tony Boykin; Sheriff Steve Gladney; Circuit Clerk Glenn Hamilton; Coroner Michael Hunt; and Tax Assessor Allen Morgan fended off their respective challengers and secured re-election.
Chancery Clerk Monica Banks, Prosecutor Haley Brown, Surveyor Tom Gregory and District 3 Constable Shank Phelps ran unopposed.
Oktibbeha County’s supervisors, justice court judges and prosecutor each receive an annual salary of $44,700, while the sheriff receives $100,000 per year. The tax assessor currently receives $83,445 annually, but certification status affects that total. Annual salaries for the circuit clerk, chancery clerk and constables are determined by the collection of fees. The county surveyor does not receive an annual salary.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.