The 2019 local election is shaping up to be an interesting one already as two prominent officials – Lamar County District 4 Supervisor Phillip Carlisle and Petal Ward 2 Alderman Steve Stringer – have announced their intentions to run for other positions.
During last week’s meeting of the Lamar County Board of Supervisors, Carlisle informed the board of his intention to run for the position of Lamar County Chancery Clerk in next year’s election. If elected, Carlisle – who was elected in 2010 – would take over for Wayne Smith, who has served as chancery clerk for almost 30 years.
“I feel like it’s a good opportunity,” Carlisle said. “I think my eight years as supervisor, my job experience before that and retiring from the Army has given me unique qualifications to run for the office of chancery clerk. I think that I can step in and not only carry on the good customer service that Wayne has for all these years, but I think I can look at opportunities to make customer service even better."
Carlisle is a graduate of Oak Grove High School and William Carey University, where he earned a master’s degree in business. Before being elected supervisor in 2011, he served as a consultant for the Mississippi Army National Guard.
“I look forward to sharing my vision (as supervisor) for the next eight months,” Carlisle said. “This isn’t something I’ve taken lightly.”
Smith took the opportunity during the board meeting to announce that he has decided to retire from the chancery clerk post and will not seek re-election next year.
“I appreciate all the support (over the years),” he said.
Stringer has made public his plans to run for Forrest County District 3 supervisor, a position currently held by Burkett Ross, who was elected in 2011.
“I think they deserve better representation on the board,” Stringer said. “There are many ways the county and city can work together to benefit the entire community.
“With the city doing their property cleanup and everything.... Petal paid close to $3 million in county taxes, and hasn’t got a lot for it. So, I want to give attention to the areas of District 3 that are often overlooked – there’s certain areas that seem to have constant paving projects on the road, and then there’s some roads that have been neglected for many years. I want to be a representative of all of District 3.”
Stringer, who is currently serving his 18th year on the Petal Board of Aldermen, is a 1983 graduate of Petal High School and owner of Locke Exterminating Company. He has been married to Jenkins Stringer for 32 years and has two daughters, Stephanie and Emily, along with grandchildren, Adaleigh and Kaitlynn.
He received his certification through the Mississippi Municipal League.
“I bring 18 years of experience helping to manage a municipal government, and I’ve helped balance the budget without a tax increase for the past 12 years,” Stringer said. “We need to have a county government that lives within its means just like our families do. I want to be more efficient in how we use our resources.”
