Ballots set in school board race

By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Sept. 7, 2002
Two women made the 5 p.m. deadline Friday, qualifying to run for a vacant seat on the Lauderdale County School Board.
Samantha Boutwell, 37, 5308 Causeyville Road, and Tommie Jean Avera, 68, 2566 Highway 496, each apparently attained the minimum 50 signatures from qualified voters needed to meet the application's specifications.
The District 5 seat was vacated by Jimmie Gibson, the former school board president, in July. The election is scheduled Nov. 5.
Boutwell, a Lauderdale County employee, has two high-school aged children attending Southeast Attendance Center. Although she's somewhat satisfied with the education her children have received in Lauderdale County, she said improvements could be made.
Avera could not be reached for comment.
On another political front, four candidates have qualified to run in a special election for District 4 supervisor. They are Joe Norwood, Melvin Wright, Rickey Harris and John Nelson Jr.
They will face voters on Nov. 5 as they seek to fill the unexpired term of Q.V. Sykes. who died in July. The winner of the race will also have to run in the regular election next year if he wishes to remain in office.