Batesville, MS -
FAST FACTS:
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Batesville, MS 10/7/2009) Almost two weeks after the apparent suicide of the Panola County Sheriff, County Supervisors appear close to deciding on a replacement.
But one of the people considered a top choice for the job, suddenly took their name out of the running Wednesday.
That means by this time next week, Panola County will have a new Sheriff.
"We've discussed it. The board and considered all options and talked with a couple of folks and of course we talked with the widow." said Gary Thompson, President of the Panola County Board of Supervisors.
Thompson says the board will keep its options open, considering a broad range of candidates he wouldn't name, including current and former law officers.
Whatever the board chooses, Thompson says it will make its choice in the open.
At a Meeting Monday, Supervisors had wanted to go into executive session to discuss their choices, something that didn't sit well with the public.
Tradition in Mississippi would have Supervisors offer it to the Sheriff's widow the way they did when Sheriff David Bryan's wife took office several years ago.
But late Wednesday, Mary Nell Bright, the Sheriff's widow, released a statement saying she does not want the job.
That would appear to make Chief Deputy Otis Griffin the next most obvious choice.
Griffin has been serving as "Acting Sheriff" and says he's ready to serve longer if needed. "It's all about the citizens of this County and we're gonna continue to serve and do the job we were hired to do." said Griffin.
That would seem to put him in good standing among a short list of candidates.
"How important is continuity? It's real important to us. I've discussed that this morning that we need to carry that on and another thing is not to have a divided community on this issue." explained Thompson who stressed, at the moment, no one has a lock on the office,
"There will be a decision Monday morning." he said.
Thompson says he and other board members will consult with voters through the weekend, before making their choice which would run one year until next fall's election.
We'll keep you posted on the Board's Decision.
- Sheriff "Shot" Bright commits suicide September, 27th
- Supervisors Deliberating Replacement
- Sheriff's Wife Drops Out of Running
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Batesville, MS 10/7/2009) Almost two weeks after the apparent suicide of the Panola County Sheriff, County Supervisors appear close to deciding on a replacement.
But one of the people considered a top choice for the job, suddenly took their name out of the running Wednesday.
That means by this time next week, Panola County will have a new Sheriff.
"We've discussed it. The board and considered all options and talked with a couple of folks and of course we talked with the widow." said Gary Thompson, President of the Panola County Board of Supervisors.
Thompson says the board will keep its options open, considering a broad range of candidates he wouldn't name, including current and former law officers.
Whatever the board chooses, Thompson says it will make its choice in the open.
At a Meeting Monday, Supervisors had wanted to go into executive session to discuss their choices, something that didn't sit well with the public.
Tradition in Mississippi would have Supervisors offer it to the Sheriff's widow the way they did when Sheriff David Bryan's wife took office several years ago.
But late Wednesday, Mary Nell Bright, the Sheriff's widow, released a statement saying she does not want the job.
That would appear to make Chief Deputy Otis Griffin the next most obvious choice.
Griffin has been serving as "Acting Sheriff" and says he's ready to serve longer if needed. "It's all about the citizens of this County and we're gonna continue to serve and do the job we were hired to do." said Griffin.
That would seem to put him in good standing among a short list of candidates.
"How important is continuity? It's real important to us. I've discussed that this morning that we need to carry that on and another thing is not to have a divided community on this issue." explained Thompson who stressed, at the moment, no one has a lock on the office,
"There will be a decision Monday morning." he said.
Thompson says he and other board members will consult with voters through the weekend, before making their choice which would run one year until next fall's election.
We'll keep you posted on the Board's Decision.
