Latest news with #TupeloCityCouncil
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voter registration for municipal elections ends Monday
TUPELO — For those who missed municipal primaries, residents in Tupelo have until Monday to register for the general election, which will decide the two final races in this cycle. Tupelo City Hall will be open during its regular hours this week from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with some exceptions. City Hall will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon for those looking to register in time for the general election on June 3. State law requires municipal offices to remain open until 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday ahead of the deadline to accommodate late registration. Registration ends by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 5. While most of this election season's races were decided during the April 1 primaries, two races remain contested. In Ward 3, incumbent Republican Councilman Travis Beard will face Democrat Shirley Hendrix; and in Ward 5, Democrat Candria Lewis is up against Republican Bentley Nolan to replace Buddy Palmer on the Tupelo City Council. Nolan defeated two challengers in the primary and subsequent runoff. The outcomes of the races in Ward 2, Ward 4, Ward 7 and the mayoral race were determined during the primary elections. Ward 2 Councilman Lynn Bryan, Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis, Ward 7 Councilwoman Rosie Jones and Mayor Todd Jordan fended off opponents to secure new terms. Ward 1 Councilman Chad Mims and Ward 6 Councilwoman Janet Gaston ran for reelection unopposed. Absentee voting for the general election will begin May 24 and continue through May 31. Absentee voting in municipal elections follows the same guidelines as those of general elections. Those who qualify for absentee voting include individuals staying outside of their primary residence, such as university students and teachers of any grade; individuals who will be out of town on election day; the parent or spouse of someone with a temporary or permanent physical disability that is hospitalized at least 50 miles away from their primary residence or otherwise cannot vote on election day; any individual over the age of 65; congressional delegates and their spouses; and people working at the times polls are open. The council's new terms will begin July 1.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bentley Nolan defeats Steven Coon in runoff, set to run in June 3 general election
TUPELO — Bentley Nolan has defeated Steven Coon to claim in Tuesday night's runoff election to earn the Republican nomination to represent Ward 5 on the Tupelo City Council. According to unofficial reports from the city, Nolan received 243 votes, which or 60% of the total votes cast in the sparse election. Coon received 162 votes, or 40%, mirroring the percentages from the April 1 primary that included a third candidate. Earlier this month, Nolan beat Coon and Mike Horton, garnering 47% of the vote, but failed to meet the required majority. Nolan moves on to the June 3 general election, where he will face Democrat Candria Lewis. 'I am overwhelmed by the confidence the voters showed in me today,' Nolan said Tuesday night. '(I'm) humbled by the people that put their faith in me.' There are 3,140 registered voters in Ward 5, and 405 people voted in the runoff election, which comes out to about 13% turnout. The primary election, meanwhile, only saw just about 18% participation. Citywide, turnout in the primary was 15%. Ward 5 is one of two races that will take place in the general election, including the race in Ward 3 between incumbent Republican Councilmember Travis Beard and his Democratic opponent, Shirley Hendrix. In the meantime, Nolan said his job will be to get his message out to residents of the ward. 'I want to build a coalition and make sure I get my message to the people that didn't vote for me that I am a candidate for Republicans and all of the people in Ward 5,' he said. 'We believe in Ward 5.' If elected in June, Nolan will have to step down from his position on the Tupelo Planning Committee and recommend a replacement.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ward 5 runoff absentee voting ends Saturday
TUPELO — The last day of absentee voting to determine who will represent Ward 5 on the Tupelo City Council is quickly approaching. Saturday will be the final day for individuals to vote via absentee ballot in the Ward 5 runoff election between Republican candidates Stephen Coon and Bentley Nolan. Election Day proper is April 22. Coon is a design engineer at Tiffin Motorhomes. Nolan is the manager of Nolan Brothers Motor Sales. The winner of the April 22 runoff will move on to the June 3 general election, where he'll face Democrat Candria Lewis for a chance to replace outgoing incumbent Republican Buddy Palmer. Palmer, a longtime member of the city council, did not seek reelection. Nolan edged out Coon in the April 1 primary with 261 votes, which totals 47%. Coon received 36% of the votes while their opponent Mike Horton got 16%. The lack of a majority sparked the runoff between the Top 2 candidates. Absentee voting in municipal elections follows the same guidelines as those of general elections. Those who qualify for absentee voting include individuals staying outside of their primary residence, such as university students, and teachers of any grade; individuals who will be out of town on election day; the parent or spouse of someone with a temporary or permanent physical disability that is hospitalized at least 50 miles away from their primary residence or otherwise cannot vote on election day; any individual over the age of 65; congressional delegates and their spouses; and people working at the times polls are open. Tupelo City Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. While closed on Friday, City Hall will be open Saturday, April 19, from 8 a.m. to noon. That will be the last chance to vote absentee.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tupelo officials take next step in Fairpark expansion
TUPELO — Following months of behind-the-scenes work and a silent public hearing, Tupelo officials have taken the next step in expanding the city's downtown Fairpark District. The Tupelo City Council voted unanimously among present members to approve an amendment to the city's urban renewal plan to include 17 acres south of the existing Fairpark District. This comes after months of discussion and a public hearing last month that saw no participation from the public. "What this does is adds an additional 17 acres of additional property … into the urban renewal area,' Assistant Attorney Steven Reed said, adding it made the property 'ripe for redevelopment.' The area is a 'pizza-shaped' wedge south of Fairpark, Reed said. The property sits between the Canadian National Railway line and the BNSF line on Elizabeth Street downtown. Officials said there were already prospective buyers for some of the land, but they have repeatedly declined to go into detail, calling it an economic development matter. The board has only discussed the potential development during closed-door meetings. The order also puts the acreage under the jurisdiction of the Tupelo Redevelopment Agency. The TRA owns a 5-acre lot on Fairpark Drive, a little over 4 acres with some parcels next to the 5-acre plot on Elizabeth Street and another parcel just under an acre north of the two. The process of expanding Fairpark began about a year ago. As part of the project, the council voted to enter into a contract with Tupelo-based firm Cook Coggin Engineers for engineering services related to the development project. It also contracted with Tripp Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates for a master plan for the property. The Tupelo Planning Committee previously recommended approval for the project in their meetings. The Fairpark District was established in 1999 with 50 acres designated for urban renewal development by the TRA. At the time, the city took out $22.7 million in bonds to accomplish the goal.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Todd Jordan reelected as mayor of Tupelo
TUPELO — Todd Jordan won a decisive victory Tuesday night in his bid for a second term as mayor of Tupelo. With a turnout of less than 15%, Jordan has defeated his opponent, Rob Chambers, in Tupelo's Republican municipal primary election, Tuesday night, securing a second term. 'It feels better than it did four years ago because the citizens of Tupelo like what we are doing,' said Jordan, who was first elected in 2021. 'Four years ago, they didn't really know what to expect, but now they've seen what we've done. We've improved the city and every ward, and we are continuing to do that. It is an honor that 83% of this city voted for me. 'There is not going to be any disruption," he added. "We aren't going to have any transition ... so it looks like we will move forward with our projects. I think it is important that we can continue to improve (the city).' Jordan defeated Chambers with 3,065 votes, or 83% of the total votes cast. Chambers received 594 votes, or 16%. These results do not include affidavit votes, but those won't change the outcomes. With no candidates to face in the June general election, Jordan's victory Tuesday night locks in his second term. Voter turnout, according to information provided by the city was at just 14%. Jordan said with no primary council candidates racing, he feared the results would be low. He said he focused on pushing people to get involved with the process. Runoff set in Ward 5 race Bentley Nolan will face Steven Coon in a runoff race to determine the Republican candidate for the open Ward 5 seat on the Tupelo City Council. Nolan received 261 votes, or 47%, of the total votes cast. Coon earned 200 votes, or 36%. A third candidate, Mike Horton, earned 93 votes, or 16%. Coon and Nolan will face each other again in a runoff set for April 22. The winner will face Democrat Candria Lewis in the June 3 general election. Davis reelected for 7th term, Bryan for 4th Longtime Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis defeated her three challengers Tuesday night, garnering 161 votes (66%) to Alexandra Copeland's 13 votes ( 'I'm very excited,' Davis said, noting that she would not say whether she planned to run for an eighth term. 'I'm ready to hit the ground running.' Meanwhile in Ward 2, Republican incumbent Lynn Bryan secured a fourth term in office, defeating his Republican challenger, Lucas Berryhill. Bryan received 366 votes, or 61% of the total votes cast, to Berryhill's 223 votes (37%). With no candidates from opposing parties, Bryan is assured his seat. Incumbent Democrat Rosie Jones once again defeated former Councilman Willie Jennings in the Democratic primary for Ward 7. Jones received 246 votes (64%) while Jennings snagged 136 votes (36%). With no Republican or independent candidates, Jones secured a second term as Ward 7 councilwoman. With the primary elections in the rearview mirror, general elections will be June 3. There, voters will get the opportunity to decide the councilperson for Ward 5 and Ward 3. Incumbent Republican Ward 3 Councilman Travis Beard will face Democrat Shirley Hendrix. Ward 1 Councilman Chad Mims and Ward 6 Councilwoman Janet Gaston are both running unopposed.
