Meet the Candidates: Supervisor District 1, 2, 4 Head to Runoff

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Lafayette County voters are headed back to the polls Tuesday for several run-off elections.

Only those who voted Republican in the primary election on Aug. 6 will be voting in the state elections tomorrow since only Republican candidates are in the runoff for the Governor, Attorney General, Transporation Commissioner for the Northern District and State House District 10 races. Local Republicans will also be voting for the Republican candidate in the Supervisor District 1 race.

Lafayette County Democrats will only see two races on their ballot – Supervisor Districts 2 and 4.

Voters must vote on the same party ticket as they cast their votes on Aug. 6. So, if a voter voted in the Republican primary then, he or she has to vote Republican in the run-off.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hottytoddy.com will be covering the local election results live from the Lafayette County Courthouse and will be posting results as they come in on Facebook, Twitter and the Hottytoddy.com website.

Supervisor candidates were asked to provide some background information and answer three questions. Here are those responses for Lafayette County Supervisors candidates in Tuesday’s runoff election:

District 1 Supervisor

Harold Brummett

Name: Harold Brummett
Party: Republican
Age: 61
Education: Bachelor of Arts Public Administration, University of Mississippi; Masters of Science in Workforce Development Leadership, Mississippi State University; Federal Emergency Management Basic Course, Emmetsburg, Virginia;
Federal Emergency Management Specialist Series, Fort McClellan, Alabama; State of Mississippi Educators License (AA) Public Affairs Officers Course
Senior Officers Logistics Management Course
Armor Officer Management Course (Basic and Advanced)
Combined Arms Services Staff School Flight School (UH-1 Huey and UH-60 Blackhawk)

1. Why are you running?
I have watched the majority of Democrats on the board continue to make uninformed and poor decisions regarding the county. At the board meetings that I have attended, the agenda is run through with little or no discussion between the Supervisors, or input from the floor. With my background and education, I am the best candidate to be a supervisor.

2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Lafayette County and what are your thoughts on how to help correct the problem?
Infrastructure in the county.  A solution is certainly not the proposed Utility Authority, (House Bill 1743) twice attempted to be pushed through the legislature by the current board.  The county government overreach with this proposed legislation is almost as staggering as the cost to the residents of the county. As Democrats will do, they propose more government, more cost, less freedom for the individual landowner and no real solution.  Leadership is the answer, solving problems with planning and an eye to impacting the individual citizen as little as possible – not just a naked power grab that will benefit only a few.

3. What is your No. 1 promise to the voters in your district should you win?
To listen, return calls and not make major decisions without input from District 1. Second, lobbyists will not be employed and sent to Jackson from the County Board without the cost and their purpose made public.

Adam Clay

Name: Adam P. Clay
Party: Republican
Bio: I’m a native Mississippian, growing up in Columbus. I’ve been in Lafayette County since 2002, and I’ve lived in District 1 for the past 10 years. My wife is Kacy Johnson, and we have three children: Evan (6), Patrick (4), and Mollie (2).
Party: Republican
Age: 35
Education: BA in History/Spanish, University of Mississippi; MA in Modern Languages, University of Mississippi; AD in Nursing, Northwest Mississippi Community College; MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Profession: Family Nurse Practitioner

1. Why are you running?
I am running for Supervisor because I want to ensure my children can grow up in a safe community, get a good education, and have the economic opportunities available to remain here should they choose.

2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Lafayette County and what are your thoughts on how to help correct the problem?
The biggest challenge facing Lafayette County is infrastructure. The county has spent a lot of time and money studying our growth; the time has come for us to do something about it. We must be smart with tax dollars, prioritizing projects based on need. Improving infrastructure will help to attract better-paying jobs to address poverty and affordable housing. Much of our infrastructure funding is going to require the county working closely with state and congressional leadership, and I think electing local Republicans helps promote those relationships.

3. What is your No. 1 promise to the voters in your district should you win?
I believe public service is a civic duty, and one I don’t enter in to lightly. I promise to bring honesty and integrity to the job, treating everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve. I’d like to see all board meetings take place after 5 p.m. so working families have the opportunity to voice their concerns and be involved in local government.

***The winner will face Democratic candidate Brent Larson in November.

District 2 Supervisor

Ava Halon Bonds Gossett

Name: Ava Halon Bonds Gossett
Age: 48
Education: Northwest Community College
Profession: Currently a nail tech; worked in father’s construction company; business owner

1. Why are you running?
I come from a long line of public servants as my mother was a public school teacher at Oxford High School for more than 46 years, and my grandfather, Jesse Hardin, served as chancery clerk. My aunt, Pasty Waller, was also chancery clerk and my great aunt, Mary Bonds, was Justice Court Judge. These are just a few of the people who instilled in me the value of public service and influenced my desire to serve. Lafayette County is my home. To protect and better the community as it grows is a job I desire to have as your next supervisor.

2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Lafayette County and what are your thoughts on how to help correct the problem?
I feel that infrastructure is a huge issue. Holding the contractors accountable if the watershed study isn’t done correctly. The need for protecting the established residents with the new construction developing around them, the tremendous need for affordable housing and continuing to help with the funds needed for our public schools excel.

3. What is your No. 1 promise to the voters in your district should you win?
I promise to be fair to all constituents. I will do everything in my power to provide for everyone in my district. There is no one person more deserving or more important than the other. Each one of you deserves the best of me as your public servant as you voted me into office.

Josh McGlawn

Name: Josh McGlawn
Party: Democrat
Age: 31
Education:  Master’s (MBA)
Profession: Business Owner

1. Why are you running?
As a fifth-generation Lafayette Countian and raising children here, I have a vested interest in the progress of this great community. As Supervisor of District 2, I would have a more direct influence on that progress.

2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Lafayette County and what are your thoughts on how to help correct the problem?

As I have listened to the concerns of the people, the main idea of what I have gathered is the overall state of the working lower and lower-middle class. Problems such as under-employment, lack of affordable housing and rural infrastructure are all main concerns of the people.

3. What is your No. 1 promise to the voters in your district should you win?
If elected as Supervisor of District 2, I promise to the people to continue to listen to their concerns and act on them accordingly.

***The winner will face Republican candidate Larry Gillespie in November.

District 4 Supervisor

Chad Mclarty

Name: Chad D. Mclarty
Age: 45
Education: Lafayette High School, Northwest Community College and the University of Mississippi.
Occupation: Oxford Utilities (Superintendent of Water/Wastewater), Owner/President of MC Construction, LLC.

1. Why are you running?
I have had the privilege and honor of representing the voters of District 4 for the last eight years. (I am) seeking re-election to continue to represent those voters and improve the overall quality of life for all of our citizens.

2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Lafayette County and what are your thoughts on how to help correct the problem?
The biggest problem is maintaining the growth we are dealing with. I think this board has been very proactive with the steps we have put in place to manage this growth. We have updated the comprehensive plan and established zoning. We have joined with the city of Oxford and the University of Mississippi to develop a Transportation Plan. We have enacted building codes for subdivisions and commercial properties. We will continue to address this growth and find ways to provide more affordable housing closer to Oxford and protect the rural communities from unwanted growth.

3. What is your No. 1 promise to the voters in your district should you win?
To always remain open and accessible with the citizens of Lafayette County. I will continue to apply common sense to any decision I make for this great county.

Duncan Gray

Name: Duncan Gray
Age: 39
Education: OHS Graduate; B.A., University of Alabama; M.A., University of Mississippi; Ed.S, Mississippi College; Ed.D., University of Mississippi (anticipated May 2020);
Profession: Educator

1. Why are you running?
Lafayette County is my home, and I am deeply committed to ensuring it remains the best place to settle down, start a business, raise a family, and retire. Since we are growing so quickly, we must be proactive, not reactive. We must create the vision of how we want Lafayette County to grow in the future, and I want to work with the residents of Lafayette County shape that vision.

2. What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Lafayette County and what are your thoughts on how to help correct the problem?
One of the most startling pieces of data that came out of the city of Oxford’s 2037 comprehensive plan was the majority of jobs being created in Oxford are lower wage, retail/service-based jobs. Our economy is growing, but there is an economic shift going on in Lafayette County. To diversify our economy, I think it’s vital we look at how we can foster an environment for entrepreneurs since we have lost so many manufacturing jobs over the last decade and explore how we can grow workforce development programs. We need to also consider how we can create partnerships that allow students to thoroughly explore career opportunities prior to graduating from high school. The growth of any community places a strain on infrastructure, and we are no exception. We need to really be studying the various long term plans regarding growth and traffic and making sure we have necessary pieces in place moving forward. We just developed a comprehensive transportation plan with short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans based around the city and county’s respective comprehensive plans. However, a plan is no good if we don’t implement it and constantly evaluate how we’re using it.

3. What is your No. 1 promise to the voters in your district should you win?
I promise to listen, and I promise to always remember I am a representative for over 6,000 voices, not just one. I have committed 10% of my supervisor salary to the Lafayette County Literacy Council, and I promise to continue to look for ways to support education in the community. I promise to think about the future as well as the present, so my children and grandchildren will be able to grow and love this county as much as I have over the years.

The winner will join Republican Derek Mooney on the November ballot.