Itta Bena mayoral candidates have been invited to a community event Saturday in order to express their views on the future of the city and what they can bring to the office.
Derrick Conley, an Itta Bena resident, said he will be hosting the event to allow all three candidates — Reginald Freeman, Henry Purnell and Patricia Young — to come and speak on what they can do for the city.
“I wanted to get the community involved and let the citizens know what they have to offer as a mayoral candidate,” Conley said.
The meeting, which will be open to the public, will take place at the old Fred’s building at 118 Humphreys St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Along with a meet-and-greet with the candidates, food, drinks and giveaways will also be available, and there will be vehicle displays from the First Mid-Delta Corvette Club, Conley said.
Space is limited, and masks are required.
Originally, Young was the only candidate scheduled to speak, but on Thursday Conley said Purnell is set to appear and Freeman has tentatively said yes.
Freeman, an employee of Mississippi Valley State University and an Itta Bena alderman, has said he has to work at the university on Saturday but is trying to schedule a time to speak at the event.
Purnell is a former Greenwood police chief. Young is a day care center owner and has been an advocate for fair electric billing for the city.
Itta Bena’s city elections will take place on June 8.
The three mayoral candidates are running to replace J.D. Brasel, who is not seeking reelection.
- Contact Adam Bakst at 581-7233 or abakst@gwcommonwealth.com. On Twitter at @AdamBakst_GWCW.
