Published: March 11, 2009 09:01 am      

Kosciusko, other town elections hold few surprises

With the deadline to qualify as a candidate for the election in Kosciusko as well as the surrounding municipalities past, there isn’t going to be a whole lot of change.

“It’s a bit puzzling in a way,” Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft said that only one alderman on the current board faces an opponent.

Cockroft said for the first time since 1993 when he ran for alderman, he doesn’t have an opponent.

Along with Cockroft, Aldermen Tim Kyle, Robert Ellis, Henry Daniel and Martha Kate Lawrence are opponentless.

Alderman John Sullivan, who has served several terms, faces challenger Earl Kern.

Daniel should be use to no challenger. He hasn’t had an opponent since 1999.

Just up the road in Ethel, Mayor Ophelia Mitchell will face challengers Tyrone Merritt and Michael D. Hughes.

While Ethel Alderman Jerry Parish decided to step away from his position, other aldermen including Anthony J. Barksdale, Lydia Fair, Larry Morgan and Paul Stewart are prepared to run again.

Diane Doty has also thrown her name in the ring. There are five at-large positions for aldermen.

There will be a new mayor in McCool in a few months.

Current Alderman Teri Sims Dempsey has qualified to run for mayor as well as Bettie L. Ward.

Mayor Kenneth Barnett decided against running for office again.

Current aldermen seeking re-election are Annie Sue Gilbert and Mark Hill. Others running are David T. Fancher, Margie Rosamond, Billie J. Rowell and Savannah J. Russell.

McCool’s Board of Aldermen is comprised of five at-large positions.

In Sallis, the current mayor and board of aldermen are looking to go back in office.

Mayor Jack Ables qualified as the only candidate for mayor and all the At-Large Aldermen Gloria Bordelon, Kelly Hutchison, Linda Hutchison, George McLellan and John Roby have also qualified.