12-03-2025
Joyner Neighborhood Association to host Meet the Candidates Q&A
TUPELO — A local neighborhood association has set up a candidates' forum and Q&A next week, with a goal of informing as many voters in the All-America City as possible ahead of an April 1 primary election that will decide most races in the city.
The Joyner Neighborhood Association will host a Meet the Candidates event on March 17 at 6 p.m. at the Bel-Air Senior Recreation Center at 2107 Country Club Road. Both mayoral candidates are set to attend, as are the candidates running for the Ward 2 seat on the Tupelo City Council.
According to Leslie Mart, president of the Joyner Neighborhood Association, the purpose of the event is to educate members of the public on the candidates' views and policies.
'This is our opportunity or chance to have our voices heard through voting,' Mart said. 'It is so important that people do education themselves. My hope is that through this Q&A, they will learn more about what each candidate stands for.'
Republican Rob Chambers, who lives in the Belden Area and is the executive director of the Mississippi Conservative Coalition, is vying to replace incumbent Republican Mayor Todd Jordan, who is seeking reelection to a potential second term.
The two mayoral candidates previously spoke at an event for the Republican Women's Club as a campaign forum, but this is the first time questions will be lobbed at both candidates.
The neighborhood is in Ward 2, where Republican Lucas Berryhill, who is a part of the association and lives in Joyner himself, faces incumbent Republican Lynn Bryan, who is currently winding down his third term. The two also attended the Republican Women's Club forum and fielded questions from the Daily Journal.
With no Democratic or independent candidates in either race, the April 1 primary will decide both. There are two voting precincts within the ward: Parkway Baptist Church at 1302 Lee Street and Wildwood Baptist Church at 2280 West Jackson Street.
While the event is in Ward 2 and features candidates running for the ward, Mart is encouraging everyone in the city to take part, as there are only a few more weeks to hear from mayoral candidates and make an informed decision on Election Day.
For the Q&A portion of the event, a moderator will read questions submitted by Joyner neighborhood residents and Tupelo citizens in general. Each candidate will have two minutes to speak, and each will be asked the same questions. At the end of the questions, the candidates will give a two-minute closing statement.
Each candidate, Mart said, was given the list of questions before the event, allowing for prep time. She said this will make room for more questions, as candidates will have an idea of their answers beforehand. She said because the candidates will answer the same questions and have the same allotted time, there will be no advantages to any individual.
As of Monday, the neighborhood has a list of almost 30 questions ranging in topics such as animal control, homelessness, parks and recreation, government efficiency and walkability. Mart noted that many of the questions were submitted by multiple people, adding that questions with multiple askers were moved to the top of the question list.
'Make sure people come out to the Bel Air Senior Center to meet the candidates and listen to the Q&A,' Mart said.
