Sheriff Billy Sollie to seek re-election

By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Jan. 2, 2003
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said he plans to file paperwork today that will put him on the ballot this year seeking a third straight term as the county's top law officer.
Sollie said the move on the first day candidates can qualify for this year's state and county elections will end speculation that he may run for circuit or chancery clerk.
Candidates have until 5 p.m. Feb. 28 to qualify for this year's elections. Party primaries are Aug. 5, followed by the general election on Nov. 4.
Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson said her office has received numerous phone inquiries from people interested in this year's elections.
The sheriff's job pays $65,000 a year.
Sollie said his department's greatest accomplishment is the working relationship established between the sheriff's department and the community.
Sollie said using the Hilltop Home on Highway 39 North to house non-violent inmate workers was a big accomplishment last year. He said the workers provided more than $1 million of in-kind labor to the county and reimbursements from the state to the board of supervisors.
He said other areas of improvement include automating the department with computers; adding equipment, such as a video camera system for documenting evidence; and placing a resource officer at all four county school campuses.