Editor’s Note: Delta Democrat Times wanted voters to get one last look at candidates with opponents in the August 8, 2023 Washington County Democratic Primary by asking for responses to two questions. 1. What have you done in the closing days of your campaign to finish on a winning note? 2. Why should voters support you in next week's election?. In their own words, each candidate responded to the questions via email. A few candidates chose not to respond by the Monday, July 31, 2023 noon deadline.
Supervisor District 2
Barbara Williams
What have you done in the closing days of your campaign to finish on a winning note?
ANSWER #1
I have been going door to door meeting many of the citizens in District 2 and asking for their support and votes. I have told them that I decided to run as District 2 Supervisor because the Furr Road bridge has been closed for four years, which has caused so many residents a lot of inconvenience and a lot of expense. Many shared their concerns with me, and I took it to heart.
Unlike our current Supervisor, I am letting them see who I am and building a rapport with them. Many of them did not know what district they live in, nor had they ever seen their current Supervisor, nor did they know his name. I assured them that when I am elected as their Supervisor I will not be a ghost. They will see me and know who I am, and know what district they live in. I have brought the citizens up to date on some of the issues we are facing in the county, like how several of our current supervisors are overspending our tax dollars, which is going to mean an increase in our property taxes or a cut in services. Even those who pay rent will pay for their lack of financial responsibility.
I told them how our current Supervisor voted to appoint an engineering firm from Hinds County that has built only one bridge in four years, and it’s still not open! Our previous engineering firm, which was located in Washington County, built 27 bridges in four years.
I also told them that the county's operating budget has risen by five million dollars since the Board changed in 2019. I let them know this has got to stop. One example: Three of the Supervisors agreed to pay an outsider $162,000 to manage $8 million in federal money we received. Our county administrator could manage that money at zero cost to the county.
I let the citizens know that I will do my best to see that our hard-earned tax dollars are spent efficiently and ensure that we get a good return on the investment spent on our county providers and services. We must be diligent in hiring the best people to work for us.
I told them that I am not a politician, and I don’t make promises I cannot keep. I will not make them promises just to get their votes, but I will promise that I will work hard for them as their District 2 Supervisor. I will be honest and transparent regarding the county’s business and vote with ALL citizens in mind. And I will always be available when they need to speak with me.
I let them know that if they want to see a change they should vote on August 8th for Barbara Williams District 2 Supervisor. I will be their VOICE on the Board because WE CAN WORK BETTER TOGETHER.
QUESTION #2
Why should voters support you in next week's election?
ANSWER #2
Because I am a woman of God, a woman of integrity who will stand up for what is right and the advancement of our county, I have a heart to serve, and I am ready to serve the people of Washington County.
Unlike our current supervisor, I will not make promises just to get votes, and I will not be led astray by other members of the Board, nor will I vote for anything that is not benefiting our county. As the District 2 Supervisor, I will vote with honesty for all the citizens of Washington County.
I will be focused on making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely, and that we hire service providers who are qualified to handle our county services professionally and who finish the jobs on time.
I will vote to keep our taxpayers' money in Washington County by supporting and hiring qualified business owners who live in Washington County and have proven track records.
I will always keep Washington County residents in mind when voting on the various issues that come before the Board, and I will work with the other four supervisors on the Board, giving them the respect they deserve as we move our county forward.
Washington County has great potential, and I’m ready to go to work for all of our citizens.
I will be their VOICE because WE CAN WORK BETTER TOGETHER.
Constable District 3
Jatonius Pratt
1. What have you done in the closing days of your campaign to finish on a winning note? My plan is to continue my campaign strategy with a more aggressive approach in meeting as many more constituents in Washington County District 3.
2. Why should voters support you in next week’s election? I am asking for your support because as a young man I’ve admired my Father Retired Constable Tony Pratt doing this position for 12 years and I was inspired to be like him growing up. I feel credible in saying I am qualified for this role, because I am of Service, Honest, Accessible, Approachable and Dependable.
Circuit Clerk
Barbara Esters Parker
What have you done in the closing days of your campaign to finish on a winning note?
Several things as most campaigners do, (advertising, visibility, flyers, i.e.,) Of course, most importantly I have remained committed and focused to the job at task which is effectively operating an efficient smoothly operated effective Circuit Clerk’s Office as I have for the past sixteen years with professionalism, knowledge, decisiveness, transparency, integrity, competence, humility and experience. Oftentimes when campaigning we demonstrate our best behavior and attitudes and that’s important to do. I took an Oath in 2008 and took the same Oath every four years thereafter which I have upheld and exemplified throughout the years, therefore, I have never stopped campaigning. It’s a daily duty for me. That is the political promise I made to the citizens of Washington County, MS., and I have walked, talked and exemplified on that political promise. Today, I am equally focused and committed to that political promise.
Why should voters vote for you in next week’s election?
The Circuit Clerk’s office is a vast job with many responsibilities and I as Circuit Clerk have a genuine love for the job and its responsibilities and for the citizens/voters whom I was elected to serve. It is a public servant’s job which oftentimes extend beyond its regular daily hours.
When I became Circuit Clerk the office was rather in “disarray” but during my tenure as Circuit Clerk I have made many improvements within the office both manually and electronically to improve upon the effectiveness of the office and to have it become more friendly oriented and a user friendly office. I and the staff have always been willing to listen and to assist the customers with the upmost respect, knowledge, accountability, transparency, integrity, knowledge, honesty and intelligence and have demonstrated that in our dealings with the customers. I have stayed abreast of local/state and national laws and regulations which might govern the office and adhered to such. I have never become complacent within the office realizing that when you become complacent as we can sometime do on or job its operation effectiveness cease.
I am a service oriented individual and I offer unique skills to the job developed throughout my past professional career and from my present experience as Circuit Clerk. I am proudly committed to those qualities daily and honored to be a Circuit Clerk you can be proud of. I desire to remain your Circuit Clerk serving you to the best of my ability, therefore, I am prayerfully asking that on August 8, 2023 when you approach your polling precinct, Vote Barbara Esters-Parker Circuit Clerk. Then, we shall “both” and “all” become winners!!
Sheila Washington
- What have you done in the closing days of your campaign to finish on a winning note?
- As we rapidly approach election day, the main thing that i have done is constantly pray and meditate on the word of God requesting that He continues to order my steps during this process and my life. I have also made contact and connections with as many constituents as I can in order to ensure them that a vote for me is truly a vote for them. I am sharing my vision to move the office of the Washington County Circuit Clerk in a more positive direction. I have not only shared with them the importance of voter registration, but voter education as well. It's important that they understand the purpose and importance of serving on jury duty. Above all, I have made sure that the voters know who I am and what I bring to the table; and that is honesty, integrity, professionalism and accountability. As my campaign slogan says, "A trusted leader with a servant's heart".
- Why should voters support you in next week's election?
Corner
Methel Johnson
To finish this campaign, I am continuing a connection of communication with our citizens just as I’ve always done even if this was not a campaign to be in.
The reason to vote for me is that I hold over 24 years of experience in the field of Death Investigation. I am already certified,
and I hold over 24 years of dedicated service in our community. Serving in this this field is not a job, it’s my calling.
Jerry Shelton
1
When I started my campaign I wanted to show the people within the county my availability plus I wanted to be visible and approachable,as it come to the end I'm going to stay consistent to how I started allowing the voters to see my availability and the compassion I have for all the people in Washington County
2
The coroner's office need a lot of changes,just to name a couple of things, the office needs a facility to hold bodies,a vehicle to pick up the bodies and also needs enough Deputy to cover the whole County,as of right now our County does not have either,if elected I plan to go before the board and present it to them ,in order to cut down on the wait time we need these so on August 8 vote to elect Jerry Shelton Sr as the next Coroner of Washington County
Chancery Clerk
Netty Seard
1. What have you done in the closing days of your campaign to finish on a winning note?
What I have done is what I have set out to do all along, work hard! My mantra since my
announcement in January 2023 is a “New Level of Leadership” and it remains the same! I truly
feel hard work goes a long way. I believe in Washington County! I believe in the people of
Washington County! I believe the people of Washington County want and deserve a “New Level
of Leadership”! I have served this county for many years by volunteering in many capacities. I
have a track record of service in our communities that I look to expand on within our Chancery
Clerk’s Office. This is the type of leadership I feel is ultimately important to this office – a
service-driven mindset. I have this type of mindset within me. I have worked to show that Netty
R. Seard is ready to provide this type of leadership. Once given the opportunity to serve as your
next Washington County Chancery Clerk, I assure you of my talents and devotion to the office.
2. Why should voters support you in next week’s election?
I am confident that the voters of Washington County support my vision for a "New Level of
Leadership " and stand in agreement with me. They have seen me working alongside them, shoulder-to-shoulder in the trenches. I strongly feel that I offer voters something they have not had over the last 20 years. That is energy, new and positive energy! When constituents come into the Washington County Chancery Clerk’s Office they will be met with kindness,
organization, and effective leadership. This is something I look to build upon once elected as
Chancery Clerk. It is not often that most constituents visit the Chancery Clerk’s Office. I want
those visits to be a memorable visit when they occur. When they come to pay delinquent taxes I
can assure you those visits are unpleasant for them. I plan to treat customers with a level of
respect and dignity that they need and deserve. I have tried over the course of my career and
campaign to show that type of behavior
