Ward 1 to conduct special election
As the qualifying period approached its final hour, lawyer Patricia Ice turned in paperwork at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday to run against Quentin Whitwell, who qualified weeks ago and appeared destined for an unopposed appointment.
Qualifying ended at 5 p.m.
The winner will fill the seat left vacant when Jeff Weill left the council to become a Hinds County circuit judge.
Ice, 57, said she had been weighing the decision for weeks, but the lack of entries convinced her now is the time to make her first run for public office.
“I thought I’d be a good candidate,” she said.
City Clerk Brenda Pree said Ice’s bid will have to be reviewed to assure she meets qualification requirements, including signatures from 50 Ward 1 residents.
The review should be concluded by week’s end, Pree said.
Whitwell, who has garnered support from various businesses and organizations and already has begun a campaign, said he never assumed he would run unopposed and his campaign is running status quo.
Clarion Ledger
1/27/11
Magnolia Tribune
