A political forum held at the Alexander Teen Center Saturday evening hosted a number of candidates seeking municipal office.

The posts of mayor and police chief were the only two offices to feature opposing candidates appearing at the forum together. One candidate each, running for the office of city clerk, Ward One alderman, Ward Three alderman and Ward Six alderman, also spoke.

Mayor

The mayoral candidates present, D.W. Maxwell, an independent candidate, and David Douglas Smith III, a Democrat, both took a few moments to introduce themselves.

Maxwell emphasized his experience on the board as an alderman as well as the formal training in city government he’s received through the Mississippi Municipal League.

The mayoral hopeful said none of his opponents have the background, education and training in city government he has.

His opponent Smith didn’t seem impressed.

“Hopefully, you won’t be the next mayor,” Smith said to Maxwell as he began his comments.

Instead of prior experience, David Smith, who’s a truck driver, talked about his personal story and its applicability to leading a city he believes has become “stagnant.”

“My life is a living example of what you can come out of,” he said.

Moderator Roy Smith began asked the candidates about plans to help strengthen the predominately black sections of the city.

“We have a shortage of low income housing and a shortage of youth activities,” Roy Smith said. “What are your plans to develop the east side of town?”

David Smith, who is himself black, emphasized the need to get the most out of the city’s current facilities, including ball fields.

“There’s no quick fix,” he said, emphasizing the need for community involvement in order to make any development plan a success.

Roy Smith followed up by pressing for more details on the question of subsidized housing.

“You talking about projects?” David Smith replied.

“If you want to call it that,” the moderator said.

“You’ve got to take pride in yourself,” the candidate said before coining a slogan he repeated several times throughout the night. “Before you get to two, you have to start at one.”

Maxwell pointed out that subsidized housing is a federal program and said the city can only influence the process. He did underscore the need for increased economic development in the majority black sections of town.

Also seeking the office of mayor but not present Saturday night are Rose “Polly” Powell, independent; Joe Cox, a Republican; and Joe Poole, a Democrat.

Police Chief

Bobby Bell and Larry Warren were the two candidates for police chief appearing at the forum. Both have long records in the Brookhaven Police Department.

Bell highlighted the 31 years he’s been on the force rising through the ranks to the post of assistant chief.

Warren served 28 years in the department before retiring from the force.

The two had several colorful exchanges throughout the evening.

Asked by Roy Smith how they would work to prevent children from “falling through the cracks,” Bell emphasized his background as a school attendance officer and his 22 years as president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Brookhaven.

“That’s one of my big things,” he said of his work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Talking to those kids at least 15 minutes daily about the way they need to go.”

Warren discussed at length his irritation with the clothing trend of “sagging pants.”

“If I were there, I would have them pull their clothes up,” Warren said.

That sparked a response from Bell.

“You cannot do anything the law does not give you the authority to do,” the assistant police chief said. “You can ask them, but you cannot make them.”

Some municipalities in Mississippi have passed ordinances banning “sagging pants” but Brookhaven has not done so.

Asked about combating the city’s drug problem, Bell said he wants more drug dogs with BPD, wants to involve the Bureau of Narcotics more and wants citywide Neighborhood Watch programs.

Warren emphasized the importance of public cooperation and tips to the department and then critiqued Bell’s response.

“Some of the things he said are good, but not all of them,” Warren said of Bell. “He didn’t say anything about you all, the public.”

Bell didn’t find that charge accurate.

“When I say neighborhood watch, I mean you all, the public,” he told those in attendance.

“I told them some of the things you said were good,” Warren responded.

Warren and Bell are both Democratic candidates. One of them will face Republican candidate Ted Goleman.

City Clerk

City clerk candidate Maxine McCoy Jones discussed her work experience, currently as a youth court counselor in Pike County and her plans for the office.

“I want to make the office a little more user friendly, a little more open,” she said. “I want the citizens of Brookhaven to know this office is your office.”

Jones, a Democrat, faces incumbent Mike Jinks, a Republican.

Ward One

Kermit Sartin was the only one of five Ward One candidates present. Incumbent Dorsey Cameron and challengers Randy Belcher, Robert Berry and Christopher Harris weren’t present. All Ward One candidates are Democrats.

Sartin discussed his desire to make himself useful to his community.

Ward Three

Lennie Lewis-Bracey, running in Ward Three, voiced similar comments.

“It’s time for something new,” she said. “It’s time for the old guard to change.”

A Democrat, she’s opposing fellow Democrats incumbent Mary Wilson and challenger Ramon Johnson.

Ward Six

Ward Six candidate David McCoy was questioned by Smith about preventing poverty.

“It starts at home,” McCoy said. “Parents should know where their kids are at.”

McCoy also discussed his commitment to remaining accessible to his constituents.

The Democratic McCoy faces primary opponent Mack Gipson. The Democrat primary winner will challenge incumbent David Phillips, an independent candidate.