Harper joins supervisor's race

By Staff
from staff reports
Jan. 11, 2003
The 33-year-old owner of two Lauderdale County businesses Friday became the third Republican candidate to file qualifying paperwork for the District 1 supervisor's job.
Eddie DeWayne Harper, who with his wife, Donna, owns Harper Electric and Tic Tac Toes, said he was running because of a concern over high taxes and a belief that supervisors should be more active in economic development.
Harper was the only candidate to file qualifying paperwork on Friday in the office of Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson.
Harper, a lifelong resident of Lauderdale County, attended county public schools and Meridian Community College. He received an honorable discharge in 1995 after serving eight years in the Mississippi Air National Guard, including active duty in Desert Storm.
Harper joins two other candidates who have already filed for the position being vacated by incumbent District 1 Supervisor Hank Florey. W.H. "Billy" Melton, who held the position from 1976-91, and community activist Billye Wayne "Bill" McBride are also running as Republicans in the Aug. 5 party primary.