Each Lincoln County candidate who will appear on the Aug. 8 Primary Election ballot has been contacted by The Daily Leader and asked to reply to a questionnaire.

The same set of questions was sent to each candidate, even those who are running unopposed.

The responses are offered in no particular order, and no candidate had the opportunity to see any other candidate’s answers prior to submitting their own. No edits were made for content.

Each week, we will present responses from two candidates, along with reminders of who their opponents are.

This week we present the responses from another candidate for Lincoln County Constable Post 2, and one of three candidates for Lincoln County Tax Assessor/Collector.

Incumbent Post 2 Constable Lavon Boyd is running for reelection and will face Wade Hinshaw and Kirby Ebbers in the Republican Primary. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Michael Harvey in November.

Incumbent Tax Assessor/Collector Blake Pickering is running for reelection. Republican challengers Marjorie Montgomery and Rita Wilkinson Goss will face Pickering in the primary, where this race will be decided.

Replies from Constable candidates Ebbers and Lewis can be read here.

Replies from Tax Assessor candidates Pickering and Goss will run at a later date.

Responses from Harvey (Constable) and Montgomery (Tax Assessor/Collector) are as follows:

 

Michael Harvey, Constable Post 2

Harvey lives in Brookhaven and is employed by the Brookhaven Police Department.

What is your assessment of the previous or current occupant of this office, and, if elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course?

If elected I will continue to maintain ethical and integrity in the office and position by performing professional and legal service in accordance with the due process of law. I will keep such position filled with high integrity as what you get from me from being your local law enforcement officer.

 

How would you address transparency and accountability of this office?

Professional and high quality of ethical conduct at all times.

 

What are the most pressing issues in this office and how would you address them?

The issues are not any different from what I do and perform for the City of Brookhaven, Mississippi as a police officer/patrolman. I would keep my public service the same and continue to serve and protect the citizens of Brookhaven, Mississippi in an honorable way.

 

How would your role in this office improve Brookhaven and Lincoln County?

My role as a police officer improves Brookhaven and Lincoln County. My dedication to professional service will not change but will continue to improve if I see something that needs improving.

 

What are your reasons for seeking this office and why should voters elect you?

My reasons for seeking this office in Brookhaven, Mississippi because of my love, honor and respect for Brookhaven, Mississippi that is why I sought my childhood’s dreams to be a professional police officer where I can serve and protect in the right way that I see my talent and abilities can be used to better protect the citizens of Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Votes should consider me because I CARE and respect ALL HUMANS as one. Why not VOTE for someone that see you and believe in you to provide you with the best service that I can provide for you and your family?

 

Please share any family, personal information you’d like to include. 

I have been a devoted family man for 39 years, married to Diane Harvey and been a citizen of Brookhaven, Mississippi for 45 years. That should tell everyone a lot about my dedication and character to the City of Brookhaven.

In my pastime I enjoy fishing, relaxing, and knowing that I have served my community well after working my shift with the Brookhaven Police Department as a Captain Patrol Officer. I know the City of Brookhaven well and by your community support on November 7, 2023, we will continue be working for a change by improving the City of Brookhaven by me being your next CONSTABLE POST 2. Let’s go Brookhaven, Mississippi. See you at the polls. It’s all about winning so let’s win together. CHECK YOUR BALLOT BY VOTING MICHAEL C. HARVEY, CONSTABLE POST 2.

 

 

 

Marjorie Montgomery, Tax Collector/Assessor

Montgomery lives in Bogue Chitto and is a business owner/cosmetologist.

 

What is your assessment of the previous or current occupant of this office, and, if elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course?

I would prefer not to comment directly on the current or previous occupant, but what I will say is I feel like I have a different view of how I personally would like to see the tax office work for all of Lincoln County. Therefore, there are definitely things that I would take in a different direction.

 

How would you address transparency and accountability of this office?

To be able to be transparent and accountable I will make sure I am in the office just the same as the rest of the employees that work in the tax office. Yes, on paper I am considered self-employed, but I work for the people of Lincoln County and need to make sure I am accessible to the public to better serve them as their Tax Assessor/Collector.

 

What are the most pressing issues in this office and how would you address them?

This statement is based solely on the feedback I have received from concerned citizens.

It has come to my attention the tax office has not been able to properly address the issues of property deeds that have been filed incorrectly in the office. I was informed that 8 years ago there were approximately 400 incorrect deeds and currently there are now somewhere between 1,200-1,400 incorrect deeds. If I am elected there are recourses available to me that will enable me to get this issue taken care of for our citizens.

 

How would your role in this office improve Brookhaven and Lincoln County?

I will make sure the office is ran as efficiently as possible to improve the confidence the City of Brookhaven and Lincoln county has in the tax office. I will work side by side with the current employees to better gain knowledge and understanding of the office and I will make it a priority to always be accessible to the public.

 

What are your reasons for seeking this office and why should voters elect you?

I decided to run for office because first and foremost I have a servant’s heart and I love my city and my county! I know there are changes that need to be made to better serve the residents of Lincoln County and I feel confident if given the opportunity I can and will be the person to make that happen.

 

Please share any family, personal information you’d like to include. 

I have owned my own business for the past 14 years. I am married to Andrew Montgomery and we just celebrated 13 years of marriage this past January. Andrew has served with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Dept. for the past 16 years. We have also been blessed with two amazing little boys. Bryson is 11 years old and Branson is soon to be 9 years old. They both attend Bogue Chitto Attendance Center. We are active members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. I am on the children’s committee, the family ministry team, active in the choir, I teach children’s church and I teach the 3-4 year olds AWANA class.