Polls open for election of supervisors

By DONNA MELTON - Sun Herald

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BAY ST. LOUIS — Polls open today at 7 a.m. for two Coast races.

In Hancock County, voters in Standard, Edwardsville, Fenton, Kiln East and Diamondhead West precincts will choose a supervisor to fill the remaining term of the late District 5 Supervisor Jay Cuevas.

The winner’s term will expire 2011. Patricia Cuevas has served as supervisor for the past four months, said Hancock County Circuit Clerk Karen Ruhr.

The seven candidates seeking the seat are Philip Moran, Tony Wayne Ladner, Wanda Ladner, Darrin “Bo” Ladner, Joe Pettigrew, John Barnett and Danny White.

If no one candidate gets 50 percent plus one vote, a runoff election will be held Nov. 24, Ruhr said.

Polling stations close at 7 p.m.

Ruhr said fewer than 50 absentee votes have been counted, which could foreshadow a low voter turnout today. About 6,200 residents are registered to vote in this election.

She said voting tends to be much lighter when only one race is on the ballot. “We hope everyone in that district comes out and exercises their right to vote,” she said.

She also said although the Diamondhead East precinct isn’t new, it is in a new location for this election. Instead of the Diamondhead Community Center, it is now at Diamondhead Community Church at 5301 Diamondhead Circle.

For the Jackson County School Board, incumbent Tommy Tootle faces Troy Frisbee for the District 5 seat, said Superintendent Barry Amacker.

Voters can make their selections at the usual precincts for District 5 — at Mississippi 57, North Vancleave, Hickory Hill, South Vancleave and Red Hill.