By Billy Davis

Friday marks the deadline for Panola County supervisor candidates to return their questionnaires for an upcoming special section.

All five incumbent supervisors received their questions and eleven of 18 challengers had picked up their questions at the newspaper office late last week. 

The five incumbents are seeing re-election while 10 Democrats, three Republicans, and five independents are also seeking the powerful county office.  

The Panolian is set to publish Panola County Votes 2011 on Friday July 22, eleven days before the August 2 party primaries.

If supervisors participate, Panolian readers will read views on how they personally cared for taxpayers’ money; if they would vote to dismantle county zoning; and a listing of road and bridge improvements made during the current term. 

The 18 challengers are quizzed about issues such as county zoning, their own plans for road maintenance, and what they consider the county’s most pressing issue.

“This coming special section fulfills a newspaper’s obligation to serve the community it serves, especially as it relates to candidates’ views before Election Day,” said Panolian publisher John Howell Sr.

“We encourage our candidates to see that importance, too, and participate,” he said.