By John Howell Sr.

Five of six candidates in the special election for Panola District 2 supervisor answered questions and stated positions during a political forum hosted by Panola Playhouse and sponsored by radio station KBUD, The Southern Reporter and The Panolian Tuesday night.

Incumbent Vernice Avant and challengers Paul Henderson, Johnny Salter, William Pride and Tim Holliday fielded questions prepared by media staff and submitted by readers.

The special election Tuesday, November 3 will fill the unexpired term of the late Robert Avant, who died in August, 2008. Vernice Avant was appointed by the Panola County Board of Supervisors to hold office until the special election.

KBUD general manager Ederic Kerney, The Southern Reporter publisher David Howell and The Panolian reporter Billy Davis took turns asking questions of the candidates.

Candidates were asked to describe the primary role of a supervisor and their qualifications for the job, under what circumstances they would increase tax millage, and what, if any, combination of county services and/or offices they would consider.

They also fielded questions about the Longtown Volunteer Fire Department and the Panola County Narcotics Task Force, among others.

All candidates said that they would vote for a tax increase “if.”

“I mean, if it’s necessary, you’ve got to vote to increase taxes,” Salter said.

“If we’re going to raise taxes, … we need to make sure it’s for a very good cause and that we can show the cause to taxpayers that it’s actually needed,” Pride said.

For education, public safety and “anything involving the welfare of the people, I would vote for it,” Holliday responded.

“I would vote for a tax increase if we had gone thoroughly through each department’s budget and made sure we’ve cut all the fat, and if we came out in red, I would vote for a tax increase,” Avant said in her reply.

Henderson also said that he would support a tax increase “if it’s need for schools or something of the county. If it’s not needed and we don’t have the money to do it, I would not vote for it,” Henderson added.

Avant defended the use of the Longtown Fire Department building as both a fire station and community center, citing her late husband’s goal when he started seeking funds for the facility years ago.

“When he went to Washington he asked the Senators and Representatives to appropriate money for a community center and a fire department,” she said. “From the get-go it was a community center and the people who he entrusted to carry out the operation of the Longtown Fire Department and Community Center now, all of a sudden, they don’t remember that it was supposed to be a community center and a fire department,” she said.

Henderson said he lived near the facility but was unfamiliar with the background details.

“All I know is they had a little dispute there between Mrs. Avant and us, and I hope it’s worked out … because we needed that,” Henderson said. “I don’t see anything wrong with having a function there and a fire department,” he added.

Salter said that he felt that if it was funded for a “fire department and recreation center, then that’s what should happen.”

“I don’t know what it was initially appropriated for,” Pride said during his response, “but I don’t feel like a fire department and a community center can be combined together because, supposing they had a function … and you got a fire to break out the fire trucks ain’t got time to sit around and ask people to move out of the way,” Pride continued, explaining conflict between using one building for both

“You need to have one or the other,” Pride said, drawing a round of applause.

Holliday said, “if the funding was for a fire department and community center, then that’s what it needs to be. Partition walls should be able to separate the fire equipment and trucks over on one side of the building. … The community of Longtown have nowhere to do anything at,” Holliday continued.

Henderson in line to answer first a question about the Panola County Drug Task Force: “Do you think that’s a wise investment of the county’s tax dollars?”

“Yes I do,” Henderson replied. “If we can keep funding it, I think we should.

“We’ve got a sheriff’s department, what’s the sheriff’s department for?” Salter asked with his reply. Salter questioned the length of time required for task force investigations. “There are drugs being distributed out here. If the citizens see it why doesn’t the task force see it, why does it take so long to get anything done?” Salter added.

“I can see the need for a task force if it’s going to be handled properly and not over-manpowered,” Pride said. “It’s a lot of drugs being filtered being filtered into this county and we need to be able keep a control on it.”

“I believe it’s a need for a task force but it just needs for a certain manpower. You’ve got six task force up there, it really (doesn’t) take but two task force. … They don’t go out and actually buy drugs from people,” Holliday continued, describing the use of confidential informants. He said that four officers could be eliminated to save up to a half million dollars in salaries, cars, equipment and benefits.

Replying to a question about what should be done to break the stalemate at the Rolando Curtis building in Crenshaw, Holliday replied: “You bring him (building owner Roland Butler) into court so Panola County can return and get that building back and put that building back on the market.”

“The Rolando Curtis Foods building, I would suggest that Mr. Rolando come before the board.” Avant said. “… When you look out across the nation you see large industries that have closed their doors. He has invested his own personal money to improve that facility, …” Avant stopping when the 30 seconds of the final answer time elapsed.

Avant in an earlier reply had said that investments in the Rolando building has increased its value to twice the amount it was worth at the time the county transferred to Rolando Curtis Foods.

But Henderson questioned whether building owner Roland Butler had invested anything personally and whether the building was worth the $1.6 million that had been stated earlier during the forum. “If he’s going to open it, he needs to have a certain time limit,” Henderson continued.

“I would suggest that the supervisors take action and do what it necessary for them to do to get the building or get the money,” Salter said.

Pride said that if the building had liens totaling $1.6 million against it, “You can’t just walk in there and take it, … you’re going to have to deal with those lienholders, but Mr. Rolando needs to come in and we need to get it operating or we need to move on. … “Three years is way past due,” Pride continued during his response.

“I want us to become a greener community,” Avant said during her final remarks, with “good housing, safe water, a friendly environment and to be able to have a holistic way of life that’s good all the way around.”

“I believe I could get some industry in Crenshaw and help the area there if I could put it before the board and let them see what I’m trying to do,” said Henderson, who also cited his background in construction and public relations.

Salter reminded voters of the issues that he has featured in newspaper advertisements during the campaign. “It’s not only about roads and bridges; we need jobs in this county,” Salter said.

Pride cited his 25 years business experience, his volunteer and appointed service with Bancorp South, the Northwest Mississippi Community Foundation and as founder of the Panola County Community Foundation. “It’s the basics we’ve got to get,” Pride continued, citing the need for improved education among basics that will help attract industry.

Holliday also cited education, including his membership on the North Panola School District board of trustees. He said that “down people; people who we don’t know much about,” need the help of the county. “We’ve got to come together and build homes for people that don’t have one,” Holliday continued.