Aycock hearing set

Circuit Judge Sharion Aycock will testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee next Thursday as Bush’s nominee for the federal judgeship left vacant when U.S. District Court Judge Glen Davidson took senior status in June.

Aycock is set to be the last person to testify that day. The hearings begin at 2:45 p.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building in Washington.

Aycock has been asked not to talk about her testimony to the media.

Also on the witness list that day are Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of Mississippi. They’re expected to speak on behalf of Aycock.

The Mississippi Right to Life PAC endorsed Charlie Ross’ campaign for lieutenant governor. Here’s the letter:

Dear Senator Ross:

On behalf of the Mississippi Right to Life State PAC, it is my pleasure to inform you of the endorsement of your candidacy for Lt. Governor.

Mississippi Right to Life is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee based in Washington, DC. Mississippi Right to Life PAC is the political arm of the pro-life movement in Mississippi with supporters in all areas of the state.

The PAC gave careful consideration and study of the following criteria before making this endorsement: voting records, candidate questionnaires, public statements, candidate screenings and past involvement in the pro-life movement.

The pro-life community is very thankful to you for your long-standing, unwavering commitment to ending abortion in our state. Your willingness to publicly embrace the cause of the unborn and fight for life in the Mississippi Senate for the last decade is greatly appreciated.

With the decade of experience that you have gained in your service in the Mississippi State Senate and your steadfast commitment to the pro-life cause, it is our determination that you would be the most effective Lt. Governor to protect life in Mississippi.

Sincerely,

Barbara Whitehead
MSRLT PAC

More financial reports

Here’s the rest of the list of the financials. Read Thursday’s DJ for more on the sheriff’s race. It seems like the big money value race. I haven’t gotten into the state or legislative races, but give me time. We’ll get there:

1. Rocky J. Pickering, coroner: In: $1,500, YTD: $2,000; Out:$1,105.22,YTD: $6,205.52; Hand P. Properties, New Albany, Harry Vinson Owner, $1,500

2. Billy Joe Holland, supervisor Dist. 5: In: 0, YTD: $400; Out: $156, YTD: $4,260

3. Jeff Ivy, supervisor Dist. 4: In: 0, YTD: 0; Out: $538.21, YTD: $1,783.21

4. David Hill, sheriff: In: $19,150, YTD: $51,231; Out: $17,178, YTD: $44,365; Chantis Burnett, $100; Britt Harris, Tupelo, self-employed, $2,100; Stephanie Nichols, Tupelo, housewife, $250; Bill Shirley, Tupelo, retired, $1,000; Sherman Ball Tournament Fundraiser, $1,200; Robert Gaines, Tupelo, insurance sales, $200; David Hill, Guntown, self, $2,500; Jimmy Garrison, Tupelo, car dealer, $500; MTM Marketing, Tupelo, $1,000; Steve Hood, Tupelo, salesman, $100; Steve Parker, Tupelo, roofer, $1,000; Victor Fleitas, Tupelo, attorney, $100; Jennifer Noel, Tupelo, marketing, $2,500; Daphaine Headricks, Tupelo, graphic designer, $1,000; Peggy Hamilton, Tupelo, retired, $3,500; Doug McGraw, Verona, retired, $250; Dwight Hill, Red Bay, Ala., sales, $600; Gleason-McHenry, attorneys, $500; and Mike Burleson, Tupelo, investigations.

5. Clay McDonald, Justice Court Judge Dist. 3: In: 0, YTD: 0; Out: $325, YTD: $537.67

6. Brian H. Neely, county attorney: In: 0, YTD: $390; Out: $1,100, YTD: $4,500

7. Kenneth A. Dye, supervisor Dist. 5: In: 0, YTD: 0; Out $445, YTD: $4,173.17

8. Bill Benson, chancery clerk: In: 0, YTD: 0; Out: $450, YTD: $450

9.  Carolyn Gillentine, coroner: In: $400, YTD: $2,530; Out: $1,382.08, YTD: $4,360.09; Tim Counce, Mooreville, Phillip Morris USA territory sales manager, $400

10. Michael Paul Anglin, constable: In: 0, YTD: $20; Out: $369.45, YTD: $933.88

11. John “Buddy” Bell, constable Dist. 1: In: 0, YTD: $1,125; Out: 0, YTD: $1,418.65

12. Melinda Wells, justice court judge, Dist. 3: In: 0, YTD: $2,250; Out: $339.36, YTD: $3,809.36

13.  Darrell Rankin, supervisor Dist. 3: In: $50, YTD: $600; Out: $250.10, YTD: $2,568.94

14. Dudley Owens, constable: In:0; Out: 0

15. Sam Piraino, sheriff: In: $525, YTD: $1,600; Out: $50, YTD: $270; Dick Timmons, Tupelo, $25; Duncan Lott, Booneville, attorney, $500

16. Jim H. Johnson, sheriff: In: $5,200, YTD: $54,605; Out: $17,276.17, YTD: $44,122.22; Tommy Wood, Tupelo, owner Landtree LLC, $500; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Kutka, Tupelo, Lee County Sheriff’s Department dietician, $225; Tom Nelson, Baldwyn, Nelson Auto Sales, $400; Jacob Mills, Tupelo, retired, $250

17. Tommie Lee Ivy, supervisor Dist. 4: In: $400, YTD: $400; Out: $321.75, YTD: $1,326

18. Bobby Smith, supervisor Dist. 2: In: 0, Out: 0

19. Daniel Thrasher, justice court judge: In: 0, YTD: $420; Out: 0, YTD: $420

Charlie Ross’ fly around

Lt. Gov. candidate Charlie Ross has scheduled a “fly around” the state for a major endorsement. The last time his campaign did this major announcement from someone it was a ho-hum affair. Notice, the schedule doesn’t include anything north of Columbus. Has Ross written off Northeast Mississippi to Jamie Franks and Phil Bryant?

The following is Thursday’s fly-around schedule:

8:45	Golden Triangle Airport, RAS Aviation 1900 Airport Road Columbus
10:00	Meridian Regional Airport, Meridian Aviation 2607 Airport Boulevard Meridian
11:00	Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mercury Air 110 S Hangar Dr Jackson
2:00	Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional Airport, US Aviation 1010 Terminal Dr Hattiesburg

Saltillo’s audits

Saltillo attorney Jason Herring confirmed today what this reporter walked in on this morning. An investigative auditor from the state auditor’s office was in City Hall today.

If you’ll recall, when the current administration took office, Mayor Bill Williams and the aldermen discovered the city was behind audits all the way back to 2000. Those have been caught up to 2004-05.

More in Wednesday’s DJ about what prompted the state to open a case.

Hopkins announces

Just back from Tupelo City Hall where Al Hopkins announced his run for attorney general. Lot of supporters showed up and waited Hopkins out. His plane ran into some bad weather on the way up from the Gulf Coast. He’s off to Olive Branch and Greenville today. More in Wednesday’s DJ.

Early campaign financial reports

Bringing you the early financial reports from candidates today. The due date is Tuesday, 7/10 for the last 30 days. Next reporting date is 7/31.

No real surprises here:

1. Steve Terry Gann, tax assessor – In: 0; out: $2,063

2. Gary Long, constable Dist. 3 – In: 0; out: $536.25

3. Rickey Thompson, justice court judge – In: 0; out: $286.25

4. Tom Henry “Punnie” Lyles, constable Dist. 4 – In: 0; out: 0

5. Terry W. Anthony, justice court judge – In: 0; out: $1,347.13

6. Larry T. McCord, supervisor Dist. 3 – In: 0; out: $48.57

7. Larry McCoy, supervisor Dist. 1 – In: 0; out: $550

8. Jimmy D. Jennings, justice court judge Dist. 4 – In: $150 (non itemized); out: $180

9. Bobby Joyner, constable Dist. 1 – In: 0; out: $94.20

10. Sadie Holland, justice court judge – In: 0; out: $300

11. Charles Duke, supervisor Dist. 3 – In: 0; out: $50

12. James D. Moore, Lee County attorney – In: $400, Leathers and Russell, attorneys, Tupelo, $250, 6/8; out: $1,200

13. Ted Wood – In: 0; out: 0

14. Mark “Winky ” Weathers, tax assessor – In: $500, Dan Franklin, owner Franklin Collections, Tupelo, $500, 6/14; out: $979.71

15. Doyle Lambert, chancery clerk – In: 0; out: 0

16. Leroy E. Belk Jr., tax collector – In: $729.15; out: $729.15

a. Leroy E. Belk Jr. – $185.54, 6/11

b. Leroy E. Belk Jr. – $356.06, 6/18

c. Leroy E. Belk Jr. – $187.55, 6/28

17. Phil Morgan, supervisor Dist. 1 – In: 0; out: $187.55

1 8. Joe McKinney, supervisor Dist. 5 – In: 0; out: $1,967.26

Monday, Monday

Ah, the Mammas and the Poppas…what a group!

DJ news editor Patsy Brumfield calls this time of year the “summer doldrums.” She’s right. We’re looking for news in all the wrong places.

Candidates are beating the streets. We’ll find out who’s doing what later this morning and let you know. Meanwhile, the GOP executive committee meets tonight at its HQ. More on that later…

Friday afternoon

Pop a top, sit back and relax:

What happened?

Colleen posted a comment about the two candidates for House District 18 getting together and talking.

We’ve heard from some sources that one of the candidates was sore at the other one for perceived “negative campaigning” in Guntown.

Does anybody have the skinny on this? Let us know.