Headlines – 8/29/2003

Published 12:00 am Friday, August 29, 2003

Panolian Headlines: August 29, 2003

For complete stories, pick up the 8/29/03  issue of The Panolian

Pitcock Edges Out Chandler in Race for Chancery Clerk
Election May Not Be Over as Loser Ponders Contest
    
On hand watching the close chancery clerk’s race were (l to r) Ted Smith (seated), Jim Pitcock, Linda Pitcock, Democratic Party Chairman David Walker and David Chandler. Following the count, Pitcock was certified as the winner by 10 votes.
    

BY JASON C MATTOX
SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Ten votes gave Jim Pitcock a win over David Chandler in the run-off for Chancery Clerk on Tuesday.

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A total of 6,992 votes were cast with Pitcock taking 3,498 votes or just over 50 percent of the votes cast. Chandler received 3,488.

The margin of victory for Pitcock shrank after election night once the affidavit absentee ballots were counted.

An affidavit ballot, according to a circuit court clerk, is a ballot cast at the polls by a voter whose name is not in the books. Those ballots are put in separate envelopes, sealed and the envelope is signed by the voter.

The spokesman said affidavit balloting usually occurs when a person goes to the wrong polling place to vote. The names of all affidavit voters are double-checked against the registered voter list before the ballot is counted.
    


Lott Loses;
Benson in by 50-vote Margin
    
BY JASON C MATTOX
SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Three supervisors races were determined during the run-off election on Tuesday and incumbent Dennis Lott was ousted.

District Three
Incumbent District Three Supervisor Mack Benson retained his seat with a 50-vote win over challenger Gary Kornegay 885 to 835.

"It might not look like much, but 50 votes are 50 votes," Benson said. "This was a close race and I am glad I will have the chance to continue representing the people in District Three."

Kornegay said he is proud of the race he ran and is thankful for the support he was shown by the voters in District Three.

"This race could have gone either way, but the voters made their decision," he said. "I am grateful for the support I received and their consideration during this election."

District Four
Incumbent Jerry Perkins picked up 1,078 votes or 61 percent against challenger and former supervisor Calvin Land.

Land received 684 votes in the second primary.
"There is no question that the people of District Four have spoken," Perkins said. "I am proud to have the opportunity to serve them for another term.

"I will continue to work with the other members of the board to make life in District Four, and all of Panola County, as good as it can be," Perkins said.

"It was a hard battle and I think the people made their decision," Land said adding he too would like to thank those who showed support for him at the polls.

District Five
District Five will have a new Supervisor in January as challenger Bubba Waldrup defeated incumbent Dennis Lott 805 to 585 or by 220 votes.

Phone calls to Lott and Waldrup were not returned before press time.

The supervisor for District One will not be decided until the Nov. 5 General Election when Democratic primary winner James Birge faces Independent challengers Rick Hosney and Fred Butts.

Robert Avant retained his seat in the first primary and will serve another four years.
    

 
   

Made in the …
    

Incumbent Loses to Grant-Gulledge
November Race Takes Shape
    
Following the Second Primary election on Tuesday, the Democratic challenger for the Panola County Coroner’s office has been selected.

By defeating Incumbent Donna Stevens 3,685 to 3,202, Gracie Grant-Gulledge will move to the Nov. 5 General Election to face off with Republican Candidate Steve McGregory.

Stevens has served the county as coroner since 1991, or three terms. This was Grant-Gulledge’s first venture into the political arena.

Neither was available for comment by press time.
 


Sheriff’s Report
All information is taken from the open records of the Panola County Sheriff’s Department records. An arrest does not mean a conviction. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty. Names will not be left out of the records upon request. If a name appears in the arrest logs, it will appear in The Panolian.

Aug. 24

Will Booth, 548 Sanders Rd., Sardis, was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

James Townsel Jr., 13008 Ballentine Rd., was arrested and charged with no proof of insurance and no driver’s license. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

Martin Garcia, 114 Holly Cove, Batesville, was arrested and charged with DUI, no driver’s license, speeding and no proof of insurance. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

William Joy, P.O. Box 100, Crenshaw, was arrested and charged with contempt of court. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

Douglas Joy, 1927 Sardis Lake Dr., Batesville, was arrested and charged with public drunk and careless driving. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

Aug. 25

Charles Walls, 755 Taylor Rd., Batesville was arrested and held for a mental evaluation. The case will be heard in Chancery Court.

Rodney Ladd, 105 Hawkins Rd., Courtland, was arrested and charged with possession of paraphernalia. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

Randy Tiner Jr., 231 Mimosa Rd., Pope, was arrested and charged with violation of probation. The case will be heard in Circuit Court.

Karterance Brooks, Hawkins Rd., Courtland, was arrested on a grand jury indictment. The case will be heard in Circuit Court.
Aug. 26

Edward Ford, 808 Wells St., Courtland, was arrested and charged with malicious mischief. The case will be heard in Justice Court.
Sellie Street, 14805 Hwy. 35, Batesville, was arrested and held for a mental evaluation. The case will be heard in Chancery Court.

Jerome Pope, 538 Green Rd., Pope, was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended, expired tag and no proof of insurance. The case will be heard in Batesville Municipal Court.

Larry Ford, Wells St., Courtland, was arrested and held for investigation. The case will be heard in Justice Court.

Gwendolyn Card, 1496 Sardis Lake Dr., Sardis, was arrested and charged with public drunk. The case will be heard in Justice Court.