By Staff
CAMPAIGN KICK OFF Meridian native Kenny Griffis announces his candidacy Monday for the state Court of Appeals. His wife, Mary Helen, and son, Robert, stand on the left. His parents, Clarice and Pete, are on the right. Pete holds a photo of Griffis as a child at the Masonic Home for Children, where the family worked and lived. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By William F. West / community editor
July 23, 2002
Meridian native Kenny Griffis kicked off his campaign for the state Court of Appeals on Monday, pledging to bring honesty and integrity to the judicial system.
Griffis, 40, told a crowd of about 100 that he would apply the law in a non-partisan manner and use conservative, Judeo-Christian values in administering justice.
Griffis, 40, spoke before a crowd outside Union Station in downtown Meridian. He is campaigning for the Appeals Court position now held by Judge Jim Brantley.
The District 3 Post 2 court position includes Lauderdale, Kemper, Neshoba, Newton and Clarke counties. Brantley, of Madison and a native of Walnut Grove, was appointed to the court by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. The election is set for Nov. 5
Family values
Griffis emphasized family values.
He held his 2-year-old son; his pregnant wife and two other sons also attended his announcement. A fourth son was at baseball camp.
Griffis, who lives and practices law in Ridgeland, also was joined by his parents, Pete and Clarice. Griffis' parents supervised the Masonic home, where he and his sister were also raised.
Hope Village for Children, a home for abused and neglected children, now uses the old Masonic home site.
Change needed
Griffis said he chose to make his announcement at Union Station because it is a sign of revitalization. He said the judicial system needs the same kind of work.
He cited "the loss of confidence, the loss of respect, the TV ads, the sue you' ads in the newspapers and the influx of out-of-state trial lawyers that have created an erosion of public trust."