By Staff
Judy Harwell, president of the Collinsville Community Development Club, said the event was a good opportunity for people to find out about issues in the governor's race. She said she considers education the top priority for the state.
The mood Friday was festive. It had the feel of a campaign rally. Barbour spent most of his time shaking hands and meeting people, but he stood up on a picnic table to briefly speak to the crowd.
Several area Republican candidates and incumbents seeking re-election also attended, including: state Sen. Videt Carmichael, R-Meridian; state Rep. Eric Robinson, R-Quitman; Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie; Lauderdale County Tax Assessor Jimmy Slay; Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk Ann Wilson Hayes; and Lauderdale County District One Supervisor Craig Hitt.
Hitt's father, retired Collinsville resident Rob Hitt, cooked 750 fried chicken plates that were provided for free at the event. The elder Hitt said he had help from Jack Cook, Jimmy Rowell, J.D. Doerner, Danny Luke, Ricky Walker and Clyde Walker.