CARROLL COUNTY — Beat 4 voters will decide between Democrat Claude Fluker and Republican Charles Humphrey in Tuesday’s election in Carroll County.
Fluker, the incumbent, said since taking office in 2012 he has worked diligently in keeping Beat 4’s 165 miles of roads and numerous bridges in good working order. In fact, five of Beat 4’s dilapidated bridges have already been replaced, with more to be replaced in the future.
“I think I’ve done a tremendous job stretching the money as best I can,” he said. “It is all about safety..”
Fluker said he has secured $2.4 million for replacement of the old iron bridge on County Road 144 and $1.8 million for a bridge replacement on County Road 31.
Fluker said thanks to the aid of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, he was able to secure $1.8 million in federal funds to repair the dam at Gee Lake. This was the second dam breach in Beat 4. Repairs also were made at Murdock Lake.
In relation to economic development, Fluker said, “I am proud to be one of the five supervisors to help bring the $110 million solar farm to Carroll County. “
He said if he is reelected, his focus will remain on road improvements .
Humphrey, a retired civil engineer, said his experience in engineering and project management sets him apart from the other candidates.
“I think my construction background in bridges, roads and drainage, as well as managing very large budgets, is key,” he said. “I want to put my experience to work for the people in Beat 4, and the county to have full transparency of what is going on.”
Humphrey said road maintenance will be paramount for him if he is elected. In addition, he said county operators need to be properly trained.
“I’ve been attending (supervisors’) meetings for eight or nine years,” he said. “ I want to have a vote on how taxpayer money is spent.”
In District 5, Democratic candidate Randy Keith Browning, who defeated five opponents in August’s primary, will face independent Frankie Robbins to succeed Rickie Corley, who opted not to run again.
Browning has worked as an employee of Beat 5 for more than eight years. “I’ve worked on every road in this area, and I know some of the projects that need to be addressed,” he said.
If elected, Browning said, he would like to replace some of Beat 5’s wooden bridges with steel train cars. In addition, he wants to pave some highly populated roads.
Robbins, who has worked for AT&T and now Entergy for nearly 20 years, said his customer service experience and managing budgets will be invaluable in serving Beat 5. He said he felt called to run for supervisor: “I believe that the Lord has sent me on this path.”
