Reginald Moore didn’t have far to go to discover his new role in Leflore County. With the sudden death of his father, Robert, as the result of a car crash in November, Moore found the path to follow his father in service and elected office.
“It’s always been a dream of mine — a calling, if you will — to follow in my father’s footsteps, to be his successor,” he said.
Moore is scheduled to be sworn in on Dec. 26 as Leflore County District 2 supervisor, a post his father held for 27 years, a period of time that served as an education for the son.
“By having a front-row seat to his career in politics and community and economic development for the past 30 years, it always had a large influence on me,” he said, “so by watching him and his passion, the way he served, it definitely made me want to be a public servant.”
There will be a lot of new in the new year for Moore, his wife of 17 years, Dr. Kalanya Moore, and their two sons, Reginald II, 11, and Jordan, 9. Just days after Reginald Moore is sworn in by Circuit Clerk Elmus Stockstill, Kalanya Moore will take the oath of office as one of the first elected school board members for the newly consolidated Greenwood-Leflore School District.
But Moore isn’t waiting until Dec. 26 to serve District 2. He agreed to talk Monday while at county Road Manager Jerry Smith’s office, where Moore met with some of his district’s road crew to talk about potholes and road repairs.
Moore says his approach to people and the work of a county supervisor won’t be much different from that of his father, known as always being able to talk with a direct manner.
“I believe when you’re speaking or communicating with anybody, the best way is to be a straight shooter,” he said.
Moore, 45, has lived most of his life in District 2, except for a few years as a child in Gulfport. He attended Alcorn State and graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a degree in industrial technology and electronics.
Moore was able to spread his knowledge of science as a teacher in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program in the Leflore County public schools for 10 years.
“We were the first district in this area when the STEM program was initiated,” he said. “The STEM program is a very good program. Our youngsters need to know how science, technology, engineering and math impact everyday life.”
He was a supervisor at Greenwood manufacturer Hickok Waekon over aircraft indicators and locomotive instruments for five years before joining U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson’s office two years ago as a field representative and case worker for Leflore, Grenada, Montgomery and Carroll counties. His job requires him to work with local governments throughout those counties, as well as helping any constituents with problems dealing with agencies of the federal government.
Along the way, Moore ran for chancery clerk in 2015 but lost to Christine Lymon.
While filling the 13 months of his father’s unexpired term as District 2 supervisor, Moore said he will “absolutely” be a candidate for the seat when it comes up for election in November.
“We’re going to do what’s necessary to continue my father’s legacy of service,” he said.
He said he is “passionate” about economic empowerment, economic development, higher wages for county employees and awarding contracts and subcontracts to minority businesses.
“Being that we comprise about 60 percent of this county, that needs to be reflected, because we are spending tax dollars,” said Moore, who is African-American. “And so that spending needs to be with some minority contractors.”
In the meantime, Moore said he’ll work to eliminate problems for county employees and constituents as well.
“I was telling the road crew, safety is job one,” he said. “I’m a real stickler for that. We want to put safety first always, not only for county employees but for constituents as well.”
•Contact Gavin Maliska at 581-7235 or gmaliska@gwcommonwealth.com.
