Melton bows out of supervisor's race

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Feb. 28, 2003
One of the many Republicans who qualified for the Lauderdale County District 1 supervisor's race has dropped out of the running, but another candidate took his place the same day.
W.H. "Billy" Melton said Thursday there are enough candidates in the race from which voters can choose.
The remaining candidates, all Republicans, running for the position being vacated by Supervisor Hank Florey, include: Billye Wayne "Bill" McBride, Eddie DeWayne Harper, Jerry P. Marlow, Sidney S. Covington and David Pritchett, who qualified on Thursday.
Melton, a retired businessman, served on the board of supervisors from 1977 to 1991.
Also on Thursday two more candidates qualified for county offices:
Linda B. Fortenberry filed qualifying papers as a Republican candidate for tax assessor, challenging Republican incumbent Jimmy Slay;