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photo by Hannah Reel
Adams County Road Department employee Charlie Campbell gets polling booths for District 2 from the court house Monday morning. Campbell distributed polls to four different precincts in preparation for today’s runoff election.
Months of campaigning come to head today
Polls open at 7 a.m.
Published Tuesday, November 24, 2009
NATCHEZ — Monday was a day of housekeeping before today’s Adams County sheriff’s election between Ray Brown and Charles R. “Chuck” Mayfield.
The election will fill the remaining two years of the late Sheriff Ronny Brown’s term.
Election Commissioner Larry Gardner said his office was busy testing voting machines, attaching printers and trying to work out the kinks before voting polls open at 7 a.m. today.
Gardner said he hopes the last-minute checking will prevent technical problems that slowed results during the general election on Nov. 3.
“We have four machines from that election that are marked and ready to be sent to Jackson for repairs,” Gardner said. “Those have been replaced and everything tested well. You hope that same thing happens (tonight), but you never know after they’ve been jostled around in the back of a truck and used all day.”
Mayfield said he did a little bit of housekeeping himself to make sure things are in order for the big day.
“(Monday) was a day for straightening up signs and just in general getting things tidied up,” he said.
In the last three weeks, Mayfied said he has been back tracking a bit to reconnect with people he visited with and contacted before the general election and meeting new people.
“I have been trying to build some bridges with folks who might have voted for some of the other candidates in the general election,” he said.
Brown said he didn’t put any added emphasis on Monday and treated it just like any other day during the campaign by meeting people and “going on with (the) day.”
“I am just getting prepared,” he said. “When you are running, no matter if you are running against seven people or one, you have to run the same.”
Brown said regardless of the outcome of today’s election, he is happy about his decision to run for sheriff.
“This election has been a great experience for me,” Brown said. “The main thing now is for people to just get out and exercise their right to vote.”
Mayfield said he feels blessed to have been involved in such a clean campaign.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to be involved in an election with campaigns run the way they were,” he said. “Everyone was jovial and amiable and it was just a clean race. It has been a joy.”
Voting precincts are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Walk-in absentee voting ended Saturday and mailed absentee ballots had to be received by Monday.
Adams County Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker said his office had received 833 at the end of Monday.
Gardner said he expects voter turnout for the runoff to be lower than the general election. He said typically runoff elections see fewer votes cast, but he can’t predict how much lower the turnout will be.
“There is a holiday coming up, there are a lot of people out of school, and the weather isn’t going to be as pleasant (as in the general election),” he said. “And with the recreation issue already settled, which I think brought a lot of people out, I think it is going to be lower, just how much lower is yet to be seen.”
The general election had eight names on the ballot and with only two in the runoff, Gardner said that might also have a negative effect on voter turnout.
“Going from all those candidates to choose from to just two, people may not feel like they have a horse in this race,” Gardner said.
Poll workers will begin tallying votes shortly after 7 p.m. For complete election returns as they come in visit, www.natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by rational (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
www.raybrown4sheriff.com
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Conservatives need to get out and Vote for Mayfield, the only Choice! We don't need another regime like the D. C. has with Owhampy!
Posted by Big_Red16 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mrbobo your name says enough about you. It should be mrbozo. I feel sorry for you! Ray Brown will be your
sheriff tonight when you get ready for bed. rushinghjr you are sick also. Because of people like the two of you is why Adams county is in the shape it is in now. Stop with the racial slurs,it doesn't benefit anyone. It just shows that some still live in the old south and that time has passed.Ray is more intellegent,has more integrity and very competent. So you should vote for Ray Brown too. Say it with me now, Ray Brown for sheriff!!!! Has a nice ring to it huh? Get use to it, because when the numbers come in thats what they will say too!!! VOTE RAY BROWN!!!!!
Posted by Sinbad (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think the problems to our north and south have anything to do the color of the sheriffs' skin, but the men inside the skin. You have good and bad people of all races. This has nothing to do with race, but with who is best suited to do the job. I know Chuck and think he will make an excellent sheriff.
However, I know nothing about Ray Brown. He, nor anyone campaigning for him has made any attempt to enlighten me about him. About all I have gotten out of what i have read on here and other places is that some think he should be elected only because of his skin color. He may be a great man and if elected I truely hope he is but, I can't vote for someone only because of his color. I will be voting for Chuck Mayfield.
Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on November 24, 2009 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Dr Martin Luther King Jr. 28 August 1963
Let's all move forward Ya'll. I am going to vote for the man I feel will do the job the best.
GOD Bless all
JESUS CHRIST is coming soon
Posted by krjjsu (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr...bo..Zo..There's not a thing wrong with Wilkinson Co. So try getting your facts straight. The color of a man's skin has nothing to do with his intellect. It's of poor standards that the only satisfaction we get is discussing race. You can't love yourself because NO ONE's race is pure!!! Check it out... Get from behind your white sheet and let yourself be known. God sees all.. I hope you believe in Him!!
Posted by bobbingforapples (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
go vote. if you are over confident that your candidate is going to win and don't go vote, then guess what? if you are thinking like that, then somebody else is too. don't count your chicks before your eggs hatch. go vote and carry somebody with you
Posted by TigerLily (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Chuck!!!
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TINMAN and SINBAD: Very well said. I agree with your comments 100%. White vs Black is totally irrelevant. Adams county needs a Sheriff for the PEOPLE!!! Both candidates are highly qualified and I feel will do an excellent job. The one thing I like about this election is no matter who wins Adams county still gets a good sheriff!!!!
MRBOBO: Why are you IGNANT???
Posted by vcurrie1 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God bless both of the candidates in this race. As I have said before, personally and professionally, I believe Chuck Mayfield will make the best sheriff for Adams County. I would like to say how proud I am of both candidates in this race. Dirty politics is a bad business and the race between Brown and Mayfield has been one of mutual respect. Thanks to both candidates for that!!! Best of Luck!!
Posted by double011 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayfield 55% to Brown 45%. Mayfield wins by 650-800 votes.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another election that will be a race vote.
GO SONNY CROSS!!!!!
Posted by iluvntz2 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote, vote, vote.
Vote for the man, not the race. I see lots of signs, but no one has knocked on my door. I have read the paper and the ads. As of right now, I think we have 2 people that may be very qualified and the only difference is that one of them filed his donations and expenses report on time with full disclosure and the other one filed one very vague report and did not file the second report. I worry about someone who can't take care of his personal paperwork; how is he going to manage the paperwork of the office? Or is he hiding something? It just makes you think.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
iluvntz2: when I consider my choice for a candidate to protect, secure and support the community, the first thing I do is develop 2 lists. List #1 consists of IMPORTANT things like experience, dedication, education...
List #2 is less important stuff. My BULL---- List that contains mediocre criteria at best. Small things like is this person church going, involved with his family, good neighbor etc... ILUVNTZ2: " one very vague report and did not file the second report" does not even make my BULL ---List......that is so petty !!!! These guys have run a clean and professional race, please dont start any mudslinging. Everyone on this page has been positive about their candidate without trashing the other... GROW UP!!! Ray is as good as Mayfield. At the end of the day, Adams county will get a well qualified, hard charging Sheriff to protect, serve and support the community and make it a better place.... What Will You Do????
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
please--this contest is all about race. It's what all elections are about.
Few white people in Adams county will vote for a black man. Period. Few black people in Adams county will vote for a white man against a black man. Period.
Blacks and whites are all bigots. Admit it and move on.
Posted by HillsideManor (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This time tomorrow, we'll be celebrating our new Sheriff! Charles R. "Chuck" Mayfield!
Posted by bigdaddy101 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It has been a clean race but everybody griped and complained about Randy not showing for one of the forums so now no one's not supposed to say anything about Ray not turning in the required paperwork!?! It was required and he just didn't turn it in?! Not that there was gonna be anything on it!! Vote Chuck and be done with it!
Posted by whysoserious (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All you have to do is ride through the neighborhoods and look at the election signs and tell me it's not about race.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Big Red/ You are a Big Fool and You are the Racist-refer to your first posting about myself and Mr.bobo! Again, don't forget to vote for the Best, that is Mayfield for Sheriff!
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If I look to the north and south of natchez i do admit that the state of fayette and woodville is diminishing. Yes they do have black sheriffs. Also when I look at natchez it state has diminished as well. More than that of it neighboring counties. Crime is rampant is NTZ..like never before!!!! Guess what??? NTZ has always had a white sheriff. The rise in crime is no more their fault than it is the fault of the black sheriffs in woodville and fayette. MRBOBO your reasoning and perspective amazes me so again I say "WHY ARE YOU IGNANT??? at some point you have got to break free of that racist cyst your mind is enclosed in and realize that the behavior of one or a few does not characterize all. I would be saddened to think that ALL white people are as ignorant and stupid as you. Good for America that I know better. I am so glad that you are not the moral and intellectual compass for southern whites. I am glad I left NTZ and have seen the world for myself. Hate to be looking thru those big blues of mrbobo's.... lol
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
please--this contest is all about race. It's what all elections are about.
Few white people in Adams county will vote for a black man. Period. Few black people in Adams county will vote for a white man against a black man. Period.
Blacks and whites are all bigots. Admit it and move on."
Now that's the most sensible comment on this article today.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol..... sad but true....
Posted by bigdaddy101 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right! If blacks and whites both would see that, this would be a better place. It's just human nature for people to be like that.
Posted by nolimit03 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whichever man wins, we will have a good sheriff. Too bad it is all about race, because when Ronny Brown and Charles Woods were running, I did not vote for Charles Woods and he was a black man. I would not vote for someone just because they skin color is the same as mine. We have got to mmove past this ttype of BS!
Posted by iluvntz2 (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
belle_south: " ILUVNTZ2: " one very vague report and did not file the second report" does not even make my BULL ---List......that is so petty !!!!" Sorry you feel that way, it's not petty, it's the rules. Why wouldn't he file his reports with full disclosure? A sheriff has to be able to follow all the rules himself and get the paperwork right; if he doesn't, criminals go free instead of jail.
Again, it's not "mudslinging" it's just a fact; a fact that makes me wonder about him. I do agree that the candidates have run a very clean race and I commend them for that.
Randy Freeman did not show up for a couple of public forums and that made me wonder about him. I did not mention this in my first post because he is not in this race.
Shame on you, belle_south, for attacking me personally when you do not agree with my position, however, the facts are the facts.
In regard to the comments about race, unfortunately it does feel like most of our elections are more about race than the candidate. It does seem that a lot of whites will only vote for a white candidate and it does seem that a lot of blacks will vote for the black candidate simply because he is black. That's just sad.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I did not attack you personally. I did attack your position but was more upset about your motive and perspective that "brown did not disclose... maybe he is hiding something". That is not fact, it is innuendo and very wrong and unfair to Brown. I also felt that not going into detail on a report or non-filing is petty ( maybe there was nothing to report...dont know, dont care.. not like he raised tens of thousands). Anyways....my problem is that these candidates are very fine men who have run a pretty clean race. Why should the voters engage/encite finger pointing when the politicians are not. If you asked Mayfield about Brown, no doubt he would have nothing but good to say and vice versa. So fact or not, the way you came across was petty. The way you explained it in your latest post is more respectable and makes sense. Doesnt seem like youre calling Brown out! Sorry you felt attacked.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
iluvntz2: "In regard to the comments about race, unfortunately it does feel like most of our elections are more about race than the candidate. It does seem that a lot of whites will only vote for a white candidate and it does seem that a lot of blacks will vote for the black candidate simply because he is black. That's just sad."
that statement is restricted to the south. a little over a year ago a whole bunch of white people voted for this black man named obama. If it wasnt for the white voters he would not be in office. I know a lot of black people inthe army who did not vote for him. They felt like he lack experience in foreign affairs(war). This guy named Clarence Thomas is a perfect example of why some black people do not vote on race. Sarah Palin is an example of why some people dont vote for gender nor race. Also, i know a whole bunch of blacks who did not vote to elect or re-elect philip west, pat dunmore, Woods for sheriff... I can go on and on. I have hope and believe that a small minority is voting strictly on race. That small percentage exists strictly in the south.
Posted by iluvntz2 (anonymous) on November 25, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
belle_south: I did feel that you attacked me personally--
here "that is so petty !!!!"
and here "please dont start any mudslinging"
and here "without trashing the other... GROW UP!!!"
and here "What Will You Do????"
However, typing here is limited in that we can not bold, italic, etc. so I will assume that something was lost in the translation and accept your explanation.
Lastly, my comments about our elections being racial, are strictly limited to OUR elections meaning those held for the city of Natchez and Adams County; not national elections. I do agree that there are some people who really take the time to know the candidates and then vote in good conscience (sp?). These people, and I believe that you and I are both in this group, must convince others to truly consider the man, woman, black or white and then vote for the person that will truly do the best job for our communty and not just the person that might do something for me personally.
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