Meet your candidates: Lincoln County Supervisor, District 4 – Daily Leader

Each Lincoln County candidate who will appear on the Aug. 8 Primary Election ballot has been contacted by The Daily Leader and asked to reply to a questionnaire.

The same set of questions was sent to each candidate, even those who are running unopposed.

The responses are offered in no particular order, and no candidate had the opportunity to see any other candidate’s answers prior to submitting their own. No edits were made for content.

Each week, we will present responses from two candidates, along with reminders of who their opponents are.

This week we present responses from candidates for Lincoln County Supervisor.

The county is divided in five districts. In District 1, incumbent Democrat Jerry L. Wilson is running for reelection, facing Republican candidate Donnie “Speedy” Hedgepeth. Wilson did not respond to the questionnaire.

In District 2, incumbent Republican Jerry McGehee is running for reelection, and will face two Republican challengers in the Primary — Virgil E. Stewart and Keith Lewis. Stewart did not respond to the questionnaire.

In District 3, incumbent Nolan Williamson is retiring at the end of this term. Three Republican candidates will face off in the Primary — John David Hart, Ricky Wayne Nations and Brooks Warren. Jason McDonald will face the winner in the General Election as an independent.

In District 4, incumbent Eddie Brown is retiring at the end of this term. Three Republican candidates will face one another in the Primary. They are Todd Bowlin, Eli Ferguson and Calvin Kees.

In District 5, incumbent Republican Doug Falvey is running for reelection. He faces challenger Grady Case in the Primary. Falvey did not respond to the questionnaire.

This week we present the responses from District 4 candidates Bowlin, Ferguson and Kees.

Todd Everette Bowlin

Bowlin is a resident of the West Lincoln community. He is self-employed with Bowlin Logging LLC.

What is your assessment of the previous or current occupant of this office, and, if elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course?  

First, I would like to extend my appreciation to the current administration for their years of service to the county. If elected, I would strive to seek better road/highway systems, school systems, and industry. I would strive to make sure our schools are fully funded to educate our children. I would also make sure that all public-school systems have the tools and to competitively educate our children. Due to our geographic location and interstate, I believe we can do a better job of recruiting more citizens in Lincoln County.

How would you address transparency and accountability of this office?

I will take full accountability by making myself available to any Lincoln County resident for any questions, concerns, or problems at any time.

What are the most pressing issues in this office and how would you address them?

I will seek to preserve the conditions of Lincoln County to be better and more superior to raise our children. I will strive to be the best steward of our taxpayer’s money.

How would your role in this office improve Brookhaven and Lincoln County?

I will diligently work to keep our roads and community a better place. I will also seek to boost our local economy by stressing the importance of support of our small businesses. I look forward to working with local law enforcement to make sure they have the tools to make the community a safer place.

What are your reasons for seeking this office and why should voters elect you?

Being a lifelong resident of this district, I feel I can sustain and enhance our county, community, and schools. Having raised my children here, I want to ensure the quality of our area for our future generations as well. I am qualified with having 30+ years’ experience in owning and operating my own business. Knowing the pains owning a business comes with, I would like everyone to support all Lincoln County businesses. I would like to extend my utmost appreciation for your support in this great endeavor.

Eli Ferguson

Ferguson lives in the Johnson Grove Community approximately 2.5 miles from the Brookhaven city limits. I have a Bogue Chitto address and live within the West Lincoln School District. I am a Realtor with Tom Smith Land and Homes.

What is your assessment of the previous or current occupant of this office, and, if elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course?  

I appreciate the hard work and commitment that Mr. Brown has always had to the residents of our community. I hope he enjoys retirement and gets to spend some quality time with his grandkids. Looking forward, I plan to keep a crew of men who take pride in their job and make maintaining roads and bridges their top priority. I know as supervisor I will be evaluated every day by the Job these men do. It is very important and I understand that. The safety and integrity of our roadways will never be neglected under my watch. I’m not naive enough to think I have all the answers to all the issues that will come up. I will seek solutions and ask for help when needed. My commitment is to work with people for the betterment of our community.

How would you address transparency and accountability of this office?

Communicate, communicate, communicate. Talk to people. Respect peoples concerns. Address issues and work towards solving problems. I am not afraid to be held accountable. I am confident in my ability to do the job expected of me and I am eager to learn. I know there will be a learning curve and it will take time to figure out certain aspects of the job. I know expectations will be high for me and I am prepared for that.

What are the most pressing issues in this office and how would you address them?

Finding money and managing money. There is never enough money to take care of all the needs so I believe it is my duty to search for and tap into any streams of revenue available to our district. I must very consciously and responsibly use the financial means at my disposal. I will, along with advice from knowledgeable resources, such as the county engineer, maintain a plan to manage all road and bridge projects.

How would your role in this office improve Brookhaven and Lincoln County?

Brookhaven and Lincoln County is home to me. I grew up in a time where so many of my peers were determined to leave Brookhaven and get out of the Lincoln county community. I’ve never felt that way. I love this place. This is a good place to call home. I am raising my family here. I am of sound mind and have very strong Christian values. I will lead in a way that will glorify my lord and savior Jesus Christ. All my decisions will be backed by prayerful consideration. I will do good for Lincoln County.

What are your reasons for seeking this office and why should voters elect you?

This is something that has always been of interest to me. I feel like the timing is right. Being a Realtor I have to work with the public every day. I take pride in building personal relationships. In my line of work, effective communication is critical. I try to be thorough in everything I do. I know I am not perfect, and I will make mistakes at times. I am quick to own my mistakes and I will learn all I can to do better in the future. Voters will get someone who will represent his district with honesty and sincerity. The only promise I will make is to wake up every day and do the best I can to make the residents of this district proud that they chose me to be their Supervisor.

Please share any family, personal information you’d like to include.

My wife Valerie and I have been married since January of 2021 and together we have 3 wonderful children: Brice, Tracen and Maci. Valerie is an RN. I am a 2003 graduate of Brookhaven High School. After High School I completed my Bachelors Degree in Business Administration at The University Of Mississippi. We are members of Southway Baptist Church where I actively serve as a Deacon and my wife helps with the children.

Calvin Kees

Kees is a resident of Brookhaven. He is employed as a logger with Thornton Logging.

What is your assessment of the previous or current occupant of this office, and, if elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course?  

I have been highly successful in ensuring that I am able to meet all needs once I am elected. I plan to change the course of things where change is needed. If there is no changes needed nor any complaints, then I will keep it the same.

How would you address transparency and accountability of this office?

I plan to provide the community with accurate information, and consider their needs. I will also take accountability for my actions and performances.

What are the most pressing issues in this office and how would you address them?

One of my main concerns would be the condition of the roads within our community. I would ensure that these conditions of the roads would become safer.

How would your role in this office improve Brookhaven and Lincoln County?

My role would improve this community by bringing in someone who will be willing to make change where change is needed.

What are your reasons for seeking this office and why should voters elect you?

I am seeking this position because I would like to make needed changes within a community that I have resided in for 53 years. I am trustworthy, caring, and have great communication skills. I will be sure to take everyone’s concerns into consideration.

Please share any family, personal information you’d like to include.

I am a devoted husband, father of 6, and grandfather of 3.