Ferriday will elect new mayor

Published 11:04 pm Saturday, December 10, 2011

VIDALIA — The Town of Ferriday will elect a new mayor this spring, while incumbents in Vidalia and Clayton will ease into a new term unopposed.

Qualifying for municipal and police jury races for the March 24 primary ended Friday evening with 60 people applying for a variety of positions.

Former Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen, District D Alderman Johnnie Brown, Ferriday Fire Chief Joe Sontoyo and Justin Conner will compete for the position of mayor of Ferriday.

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Incumbent Glen McGlothin did not qualify.

Vidalia incumbent Mayor Hyram Copeland and Clayton incumbent Mayor Rydell Turner were the only ones to qualify for their seats.

Chief Deputy Clerk of Court Becky Zerby said the turnout went as expected all three days.

“It was pretty busy (Friday), but not as hectic as Wednesday,” Zerby said. “Everything went alright.”

Qualifiers were:

Mayor of Vidalia:

– Hyram Copeland

Vidalia police chief:

– Todd Ainsworth and Arthur K. Lewis

Vidalia aldermen:

– District 1 — Frank Duson, Audrey Johnson Gray and “Tron” McCoy.

– District 2 — Vernon Stevens and Randy Young.

– District 3 — Jon Betts, Richard S. “Ricky” Knapp and Maureen “Mo” Saunders.

Mayor of Ferriday:

– Gene Allen, Johnnie Brown, Justin “The Preacher” Conner and “Joe” Sontoyo

Mayor of Clayton:

– Rydell Turner

Clayton police chief:

– Clarence “PaPa” Skipper

Police Jury:

– District 1, Place A — Carey Cook and Marcus T. Martin

– District 1, Place B — Steve D. Gray and “Joe Bear” Parker

– District 2 — Willie J. Dunbar, Anthony “Bro Man” Lewis, Fred “Coach” Marsalis, Richard White and Betty Albert Wilson

– District 3, Place A — Randy “Temple”

– District 3, Place B — “Whest” Shirley and Raymond “RC” West

– District 4, Place A — Jerry Beatty and Curtis Nelson

– District 4, Place B — Melvin Ferrington, Michael Lyles, David Turner and Jimmy “Boo” Wilkinson

– District 5, Place A — Jack Crane, Karl Davis, “Jimmy” Jernigan, Samuel “Tom” Lowry, Karvi Tarver and Wilbur “Steel Bill” Washington

– District 5, Place B — Kent Campbell, “Tim” Charrier and Tommy “Red” Tiffee

Clayton aldermen:

– Floyd L. Barber, Blanche “Sandy” Clayton, Willie L. “Bil” Evans, Houston Holmes, Irene Jefferson, Leroy Kelly and Shannon Burns Madison

Democratic state central committee member:

– 21st Representative District, Office “A” — Leslie Dandridge

– At large — Don W. Tate

Democratic parish executive committee member:

– District 1, Place B — William H. “Billy” Rucker

– District 5, Place B — Ray F. Routon Jr.

Republican state central committee member:

– 21st Representative District, Subdistrict A — “Bob” Strozier.

– 21st Representative District, Subdistrict B — William Guthrie.

Republican parish executive committee member:

– District 1, Place B — Elizabeth “Liz” Brooking

– District 3, Place B — Susan Rabb

– District 4, Place A — Ronnie Bradford