4 qualify for Eupora mayoral seat

The Webster Progress-Times

Eupora Mayor Tommy Lott faces challenger Martha Lou Ballard in a primary election on May 5.

The two, running as Republicans, were among candidates who met Friday's qualifying deadline for the city's 2009 municipal election.

They are competing to run against Alderman-at-large Jack Haney, an independent candidate for mayor, and Democrat James "Pop" Woodard in the June 2 general election.

All incumbents on the Board of Aldermen also qualified, however one is running for the open at-large seat.

Ward 2's Dan Burchfield filed as an independent for alderman-at-large, as did Democratic candidate Mike Ford and independent Janice Gary.

In Ward 1, Alderman Robert Calvin Mays, an independent, will compete against Democrat Vickey D. Patterson.

Two candidates are assured of seats on the city board. Independent Billy Brister is unopposed to replace Burchfield as Ward 2 alderman and Alderman Ricky Newton, who also filed as an independent, is unopposed in Ward 3.

In Ward 4, Aldermen Henry "Hank" Flowers faces Charles "Pete" Bailey; both qualified as independents.

Other Elections

All qualifiers in other local municipalities are running as independents in the June 2 elections.

In the town of Mathiston, all incumbents are seeking another term. Mayor Jimmy Carden faces challenger Marty Kilpatrick in his re-election bid.

Aldermen Mathew Carden, Earl Frost, Jeff Haney, Lavelle McAlpin and Harvey Pinnix are running again.

Also qualifying for the five non-partisan, at-large posts on the Mathiston Board of Aldermen are Lisa Craven, Gary Jeffcoats and James C. Johnson. Marshal Roger Miller is unopposed.

All incumbents are unopposed for re-election in Walthall: Mayor Belinda Stewart; aldermen Glendolyn Crowell, Rodney Crowell, Joe Hays, Sherlene Stewart and Randy Tabb; and Marshal Benny Neal.

They were also unopposed four years ago and Walthall did not have to hold an election then. However, Municipal Clerk Joyce James said the secretary of state's office has informed the village that it will have to hold an election this year.

Elected officials in Maben are also unopposed in their re-election bids: Mayor Larry Pruitt plus aldermen Darrell Bryant, Patty C. Harpole, Rufus Harris, Robert J. Herd and Harvey Jones.

Municipal Clerk Barbara McCluskey said Tuesday she was awaiting word as to whether or not the town would have to hold an election. Attempts to obtain information about qualifiers in Mantee were unsuccessful as of publication.

State law mandates that all voters intending to cast ballots in any election must be registered by 30 days before the election is held.